Log In
I’ve mounted a few diamondback’s and timber rattlers. But nothing exotic. Id like to do a copperhead this year.if I can find a nice sized one.
May 3, 2012
Offline
I am going to try a snake mount in a couple of weeks. I caught a great basin gopher snake over the weekend. Since I am now in Nevada figure I should learn how to do reptiles. Can’t seem to find a mannikin for it will make my own. Thinking about freezing the carcauss in a pose then making a temperary mold and foam one. I will see how that works. Any tips before I start out?
Jeff Nielson
Silver State Taxidermy
Hackleback I would be glad to give you one if I run across it but its head will be cut off!!!:biggergrin:
I do appreciate the offer.but I think the judges would doc me a point for no head.my boss says the only good snake is a dead one. After nearly bitten two years ago I have the same opinion now.
Jeff that’s what I would do.are you using a plaster mould?
I’ve been out looking but I haven’t found any this year. I will keep you in mind….I’ve got a couple of pythons to mount and a baby rattler but thats all I have at this time….DC
May 3, 2012
Offline
Yes, not to fancy. I will be posing it in a serpentine fashion compressed a little. They are not a thick as a rattler so I think by compresing the pose will it will give the illusion of having a thicker body.
I will keep ya posted on my progress, hoping for the best but have to be resonable this is my first.
Jeff Nielson
Silver State Taxidermy
Jeff, on small snakes I use alginate to mold and bondo resin mix to pour……It works great….DC
You can also use epoxy sculpt and roll it out like a bread roll. then pose let harden then mount.. Works great for mounting arround things like a piece of driftwood…DC
August 15, 2011
Offline
I won first place best of Catagory in 1998 at the Ohio Taxidermy show with an Eastern Diamondback Rattler. A couple of years ago I mounted a big thick Gaboon Viper for my shop.
Life Member of the National Taxidermists Association
Life Member of the National Rifle Association
September 26, 2011
Offline
I’m freaked out by snakes, if that counts
Taxidermy Talk Administrator
Stehling’s Taxidermy LLC http://www.stehlingstaxidermy.com
Taxidermy Insider / Learn Taxidermy Online http://www.taxidermyinsider.com
920.650.5457 a.n.stehling@gmail.com
I’ve mounted a 9′ redtail boa (recently) and a 6′ burmese python a few years ago. I also mount snakes wholesale for other taxidermists. Several big diamondbacks, a few prairies, canebrakes, etc. Have two big diamondbacks and a prairie to do now.
On the ones with the damaged heads, you can order replacement heads. I’m going to use Alginate and mold my own from now on, pouring thinned bondo into the molds (with a wire to pull them out with). Those molds are good for a few casts. Save a good bondo one to use to make more if you need to. Lot cheaper than having to order them, as they aren’t cheap!
April 7, 2015
Offline
I have not mounted any snakes Yet, but when my boys were teens their friends would bring me rattlers to skin out for them, I guess I was the only one around that would touch em. So, everytime one of those boys would bring me one, they had to sit there an watch me do it so they could do their own next time. I have not skinned out a head though, That should be interesting. I still have a head in alcohol from a rattler that nearly got me and my grandson one day at the front door! Scared the heck out of me, I think if i had not grabbed the boy he would have been bit.
The first ‘big’ snake I mounted was a 6 foot or so Burmese Python (it’s on my website). I had finished skinning the head and about a foot down, and had it hanging with a heavy cord a few inches behind the head. Somehow I managed to slip in the skinning process and my left hand flew up and the little finger caught the brunt of those teeth. I had on surgical gloves, but they don’t do much to prevent fang punctures. My glove around my finger turned red with blood immediately. Talk about hurt!!!! I was glad it wasn’t a venomous snake. I don’t skin them like that any more. LOL
1 Guest(s)
