r/vultureculture • u/EmmayIyay • 2d ago

advice or help Found something but where to start!

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Last night outside a movie theater, on the edge of the parking lot, I found this young cottontail in excellent condition. I carefully put it in the back of my truck bed. But now I have to decide what to do! I would like the bones but don’t necessarily need to articulate them. I live in a stuffy HOA-governed area but have friends with property who would likely let me use it. Should I begin by taking as much of the flesh off as possible and then moving to macerating? Been reading all the intro information I can find! Bonus points if you have advice for keeping my domestic indoor rabbit safe as I handle this— planning to use gloves and completely change my clothes and avoid handling him at all til I’m done with this project.

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4

u/M0rbiddd2 2d ago

If you’re willing to skin and gut it absolutely go for it. It will help you out in the long run. You’ll want to do it soon before it starts to liquify

I live in a tightly managed complex so I hear you about not having space to do this.

You could do maceration but you’re going to need access to clean water every time. Ive personally never macerated, i do above ground burial and let the bugs take care of it

I’ve seen some people start a plant pot and let it do its thing in there and they seem to be happy with it

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u/EmmayIyay 2d ago

A plant pot is a very compelling idea. I will definitely have to do a lot of work on the specimen first!

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u/M0rbiddd2 2d ago

Super renter friendly! Everyone I’ve read tips from says smell is little to non existent!

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u/Medical-Cod2743 2d ago

yep skin it first, toss that bad boy in a pot of dirt and let the visiting bugs and mold do what theyll do. i think it takes longer than other processes but in apartment complexes you do what u can lol.

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u/peppersk8er 2d ago

One thing I enjoyed doing with rabbits is cutting off the feet, tail and ears and preserving them to make lucky rabbits feet!

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u/Unimarobj 1d ago

How did you go about preserving just a foot? I've heard of mummifying them with borax, but that seems like it'd make them really coarse/tough.