M
y first attempt at mounting and preserving a reptile specimen was in 1980, and the majority of my
skulls were sourced from the zoo I worked at in the eighties. I honed my skills in university labs and later
obtained special permission to mount the skull of a deceased Green Tree Python, which eventually became the subject
of an article published in mid-2013. Notwithstanding the potential bureaucratic pitfalls involved (see below if you are
considering a similar project), I managed to obtain a green light thanks to some people in the Queensland Department
who applied a dose of common sense in their interpretation of the legislation.
Then in early 2014, I tackled a much larger subject – a magnificent 4.2-metre Burmese Python that had for years been
a star attraction at the Cairns Tropical Zoo. The animal had died after developing an abscess on the heart and the head
had been saved and given to me to prepare a skull mount. The zoo staff were happy to get their python back – al-
though in somewhat different form, she still makes an effective display! This was followed by an equally big job, on a
Reticulated Python that had died at the Cairns Tropical Zoo of some rare condition – the snake had almost completely
lost its normal colour and markings. I should state that prior to working on this long-dead and frozen specimen, I ob-
tained confirmation from Biosecurity Australia that it presented no risk of spreading disease or parasites, and that it
was ok for the zoo to pass on to me (the same goes for the two Burmese Python skulls I have prepared).
I have received several requests to revisit my original article, and have also included here an alternative method of
preparation involving beetles. But first of all, it is important to stipulate that in some states it is illegal to preserve or
taxidermy any reptile or parts thereof, including road kills and deceased or euthanized captive specimens. Before you
begin to prepare your specimen, check with the relevant wildlife authority in your state or territory to make sure that it
is safe to do so, and obtain any necessary permission.
A. Skull preparation using the chemical process.
1.
Use only fresh or defrosted skulls
that have not been preserved in
ethanol, methylated spirits or
formaldehyde.
2.
1.
Using a fine scalpel, take off all
the skin and remove the eyes and
any meat that can be cut off with-
out damaging the bones and carti-
lages. The more meat you cut off,
the better.
3.
Submerge the skull in a 10%
KOH (potassium hydroxide) solu-
tion (approximately 1 teaspoon of
KOH in 125ml of water) until the
remaining meat becomes transpar-
ent and jelly-like.
4.
2a.
Transfer the skull into a dish
with cold water, gently scrape off
any remaining ‘jelly’ with a small,
stiff brush, and then immerse the
skull into a fresh solution of KOH.
This process may need to be
repeated several times, depending
on the size of the skull and how