Never thought one of those rascals could be so hard to find! Our European diorama is getting close so for the next scene, I would like to put my rattlesnake in a diorama. Be a nice touch to add a freeze-dried scorpion to the scene but I'm having trouble finding one. Any ideas?
Don

i've seen them on ebay from time to time under Taxidermy or Specimens. Put a favorites search on ebay, then when something comes up they will email you the items ad. Try it. I know I saw them somewhere else. When I remember, I'll PM you.

Mark

Everything on their today was in plastic or amber. Bummer because I can even order freeze-dried crayfish through my regular taxidermy supply place!
Don

Did you notice the FREEZE-DRIED in my original post, Randy? Not LIVE.

Don

Don,
Are you looking to get one or do you already have one ???
I have three in the freezer, 2 Eastern Diamond backs
and 1 Timber rattler.

I just havent mounted them, I have the forms, eyes, all closed mouth.
I have one small eastern on my coffee table (open mouth and striking)
you shoulda seen the black nurse that came when I frist had my leg amputated
LOL :ROFL: :ROFL: ... She wouldnt come in the house , untill I put it away

I tried to explain it was dead, just mounted... She wouldnt buy it LOL


Gator

:ROFL: Some people are just too high strung! Reminds me of my old classroom. We had a couple pine snakes that escaped. They are not poisonous but will flare up like a Cobra and are very aggressive. One weekend, I came to work to work with some parents. When I walked by the window, I was surprised to see a meeting already going on. Everyone was sitting on the desks with their feet up on the chairs. Apparently they had started their meeting when a snake suddenly jumped off the computer stand and landed in the middle of them quite upset! :frantic: :ROFL:

Anyway, I have the rattler. I am just looking for a dried scorpion to add something when we do the diorama. They have proven difficult to find. Someone, and I won't mention names :rolleyes: e-mailed me some great links to get scorpions but the Little Rascals are alive! I don't have access to a freeze dryer so as wonderful as they would be, I'd like to find one dead and dry in a nice position to put in the diorama tucked under a piece of Cholla.

Don

Well excusssssse me, YES I noticed that. Thought it might be pretty easy for a taxidermist to fix one up........ Geeeesh :) :frantic:

Remember how my wife does a lot of the hand work in taxidermy projects for me now? Don't think she'd go for that!
Don

Hey Don. How do you freeze dry something like that? Guess I will blingo it and see. Never really read much on the process, just put some thing in what?, liguid nitro or oxygen??? until it is dry, or is the term just that? now I need to know...guess i'll go look, kinda like dehidrating something? I have one and access to all the dry-ice can we get one and do it?

OH, by the way thats not the train of thought I was on, I know she and the kids help, I was refering to a friend that is a taxidermist...... :ThumbsUp:

By now you've probably found some details on it as it's a pretty extensive process. They even do it with lean animals like fox now. Have to use an artificial eye because that's mostly water, but it sure beats the old fashioned way I learned how to mount. Never got a chance to play with freeze-drying much as the machines are so ridiculously expensive.

Don

Here's a pretty good description if you didn't run across is already.

Freeze Drying

Yea I was reading on it for about an hour, pretty neat stuff. Knew what is was just never knew much about how it was done. Kinda like the dryice blasting a buddy of mine does...thats a different deal also but kinda interesting, and when I need some ice to ship something well it comes in handy to have when needed....

Now you guys have me really spinning. :frantic: Don, now I'm not sure if you're looking for freeze-dried scorpions or freeze-dried Randy's??? :dunno: You guys have me sooo confused!!! :WooHoo: :ROFL:

Mark

:rolleyes: Hey Don, hows the scorpion search going?

Mark

Should be all set. A friend from another board mailed me a few dried ones. We also ordered a plaque last night to put them on. We usually make our own but this one fits perfectly. Almost ready to put it together! Just coating them over and over with satin finish Polly to seal them up so they don't smell.
Don