Taxidermy Feet
I've taxidermized over 50 feet and tails so far, using this method. This works for (both) rabbit, (both) fox, (feet) opossum, and (feet) raccoon. I would recommend comparing notes with other people, this is my amalgamation of reading and experience. (Links for more at the bottom.) In this example, I'm using an opossum. Feel free to substitute any of the above animals.
The final product is NOT waterproof
Please read all the way through BEFORE starting.
Materials
- Whole possum/possum legs ➡️step 2/Possum feet ➡️ step 4/ Frozen feet ➡️ Step 5
- 2 Glass jars with lids (Large enough to store any feet)
- Borax
- %90 or higher rubbing alcohol
- Soap
- Water
- A ton of time
- Rocks or something else non absorbent to displace liquid
- Acquire opossum. If alive, slaughter.
- Feel for ankle joint. Pull the fur taught then cut about half a centimeter above joint. (Until you hit muscle) Peel skin back until you see the joint. Cut through the joint. (Bending/breaking the joint will help.)
- Wash the feet with soap and water.
- Deal with the rest of the possum. (Meanwhile keeping the feet in a jar/bag/bowl is fine. If you plan on taking a while, or it is hot out, wrap the clean, damp feet in paper towel and freeze. Simply defrost and continue the steps.)
- Prepare a glass jar with a lid. Fill it with enough %90+ rubbing alcohol to cover feet.
- Place feet in alcohol. Making sure feet are covered, shut the lid. (Putting rocks in the jar on top of the feet keep them from floating, and not taxidermizing.)
- Wait for 2-3 days for rabbits and foxes, and 3-5 days for fattier animals like raccoons and opossums. Check any visible skin for whiteness. It should be much paler then before.
- Take out of alcohol and squeeze the feet to remove any excess. (Save this alcohol for later, take out any big chunks of fur/skin and reuse up to three times!)
- Rinse feet with water.
- Flex the toes!
- Prepare second glass jar. Put in one part borax and sixteen parts WARM water. (or a tablespoon per cup.)
- Mix well (This part is hard. Expect clumps, but try to mix as well as possible.)
- Place feet in borax. Making sure the feet are covered, lid it up!
- Let it sit for one day.
- Take out of jar and rinse. Using the back of your nails, gently scrape off any remaining borax.
- Dry outside. I tie the feet and hang them, but propping them up works too. Sunlight and fresh air tends to remove all remaining smell. (Keep in mind that the feet and fur often dry into position.)
- Flex toes often for a less stiff foot.
CUSTOMIZE.
You can wrap the foot in copper to make a loop and add a string, or you can hammer a hole through the bone and thread wire. The opportunities are endless.
Here is my final product!
LINKS
How to:
https://www.wikihow.com/Perform-Salt-Cure-Taxidermy
Conversations:
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/paleoplanet69529/preserving-a-paw-t27855.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/Taxidermy/comments/f32i21/what_is_your_preferred_method_for_preserving_feet/