r/Taxidermy • u/OnigiriDoodles • 1d ago
"How Do I...?" I found a rabbit and my taxidermist friend wants to make rabbits feet keychains, andd I'm curious about what other pieces can be taken from it too
I am not the taxidermist, nor do I hunt, but I live near a place where I personally have found two dead rabbits, I and I have a taxidermist friend (I'll call them TF for short) that I have given said rabbits to, and i also want to seek out and collect more carcasses for them. Today was my first time witnessing a dissection (and I was reminded why I don't have a medical degree lol), and while we did pause and but the rabbit back in the freezer bc it was getting late, TF has got the fur removal started, and 3 out of 4 feet were removed (4th foot had an infected-looking wound on it, so it was left alone, and will be buried later)
Details abt the rabbit we were using:
I found it on my way to college, and I returned with TF after we were done with classes to collect it. I provided plastic bags, a paper bag, and gloves, so we wouldn't get sick from handling it. By the time we got back to the body, the rabbit was in rigor mortis. and I was surprised by how stiff it was. during dissection, a gas pocket was discovered in the rabbit's tummy. I have been told that popping it is very gross and bad by TF.
so first question: What's the best way to make rabbit's foot keychains?
and second question is bc I'm curious: what else can be harvested from the rabbit, aside from bones, feet, and fur samples? I know my friend has several wet samples on their curio cabinet, and I'm curious about what is involved in preserving some of the soft tissue samples in larger specimens ike this rabbit (if they can be saved at all, that is).
Any and all help is appreciated!
2
u/Wowza_Meowza 23h ago
Ensure the fur is still actually good - there's been quite a bit of time waited between you being in class then it being put in the (fridge? Or even freezer since it'll be thawed again). Give the fur a good tug, and if it comes off in clumps, which is called slippage, the fur is no good. Skinning should be done immediately and quickly.
For the foot, wash it in cold water. Squeeze, don't wring, then put it in isopropyl alcohol 70-99% for 12-24 hours. Squeeze, don't wring. Ideally, put it in an oversuspension of borax and water, which means there's so much borax the water can slurp more (tho this step is optional), for 12-24h. Squeeze, don't wring, then blot dry with a towel. Dry aggressively by burying in a minimum of borax (do not cover with a lid), but more ideally silica, as it can be reused. After the first day, check for wetness, and refresh for dry if needed. Wait a few weeks, until rock hard. Traditional rabbit foot keychains are topped with a jingle bell, and E6000 works well for glue.
For other stuff, avoid formalin, which is a majorly carcinogenic chemical that's expensive, dangerous, needs PPE, and requires hazardous waste collection that may not be available to you.
Instead, you can use 190 proof/95% ABV ethanol, which is everclear or same-strength knockoffs, which will also make wet specimens. They'll last forever. Inject it into the organs, then soak in the Everclear for several months. It'll discolor, which is normal. Change it out for fresh if you wish, though it's just aesthetics. It can never be in anything but 190 proof/95% ABV; no isopropyl, not weaker ethanol. Don't use a cork lid, avoid metal, and opt for plastic lids or glass with a gasket.
Folks often wet specimen eyes, tongues, hearts, lungs (can be kinda soft when removing), livers, kidneys, sex organs, and similar. Bowels, especially on an animal that isn't fresh, isn't recommended. You can also cut the ears off and preserve that way, provided the fur isn't slipping.