Taxidermy is the art of preserving and mounting the skin of an animal (or parts thereof) on a form that resembles the animal in life. The word “taxidermy” is derived from the Greek words “taxis,” meaning “arrangement,” and “derma,” meaning “skin.” Taxidermy has been practiced for centuries, and there are many different methods and techniques that can be used to create a taxidermy mount.
One of the most important aspects of taxidermy is the preparation of the skin. The skin must be carefully removed from the animal and then tanned or treated to prevent it from decaying. Once the skin is prepared, it is then mounted on a form that has been shaped to resemble the animal’s body. The eyes, teeth, and other features are then added to complete the mount.