i found a deer skull wile hunting and i soked it in prozide and water for about 24 hours but it still looks a little nasty.....and i know not to use bleach it well eat at the bone....so any other way?
and i cant boil it
2007-02-26 07:29:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
my mom well not let me use her pot cuz then we have to throw it away...
2007-02-26 07:35:16 · update #1
Actually taxidermists use beetles to clean skulls. They are known as Dermestid beetles (family: Dermestidae) you can always ask a local museum or taxidermist for them, once you have them, you can establish a colony. They are commonly used for bones used in biology classes etc. so they work really well, they eat only flesh and hair/feathers, not the bone so they would be great, plus there is no risk of exposure to harmful chemicals in the cleaning process. But make sure to soak the skull in water for a few days to remove any of the chemicals you have already tried!
Hope this helps!
2007-02-26 08:21:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Try using an old, large paint bucket, or get a new one from the hardware store -- they should be reasonably cheap. Then, try this method:
"There is always another way to do most anything and here's one. I used to boil skulls but never do it anymore. You can damage the bone permanantly and even set the oils into the skull causing it to have a yellowish stain in the bone. I would allow this skull to completly rot out in a trash bag with a bit of water in it for the next 2 or 3 weeks. Then spray it off with water and drip Dawn detergent into every opening in the bone- really soak it-then place the skull right into water enough to cover it and leave for a week. After that time rinse off and drain. Place the skull into peroxide --choices here but I use the low intensity peroxide carried by all drug/grocery stores. I set the skull into the peroxide to cover the skull itself. Some of the antler bases will get whitened too but you just touch them up with some antler stain after it's all done. Usually 3 days is enough to whiten the skull but extra days will do no harm. After all of this the skull will not stink and it will be very clean, degreased and nice. Enjoy, Aaron H. "
2007-02-26 08:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you don't want to use peroxide, try using any laundry detergent that has enzymes in it. I've used it to clean off mink and fox skulls, and it worked just fine without damaging the bone. Dissolve the laundry detergent in warm water, put the skull in the water and leave it there for hours - days - however long it takes. Good luck!
2007-02-26 09:13:58 · answer #3 · answered by Marianne M 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Clean it up as well as you can and set it on an ant hill for a few days.
2007-02-26 07:36:12 · answer #4 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
try contacting an entomologist at a local univeristy. they might be willing to give you a species of beetle that will clean it up
2007-02-26 16:20:08 · answer #5 · answered by dane hoy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why can't you boil it? that's really the best way...
2007-02-26 07:34:25 · answer #6 · answered by astazangasta 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋