Native Australian Echidna Taxidermy Mount Damaged By Rodents
Taxidermy mounts are at quite a risk of attack from all sort of pests, but at a recent job we had to create a rodent control programme to ensure that the large collection of mounts at a wollondilly educational institution were protected.
The Echidna in question (to the right) had a considerable amount of damage occasioned before anyone noticed. as can be seen the snout has been chewed almost completely denuding it of skin. In a second image further dow the page you will be able to see damage to quills and hair as well as skin. The situation that this taxidermy mount was in was within a large collection of mounts in a bush setting with very little natural food for rodents in the environment making the entry to the building and subsequent attack to certain taxidermy mounts probable.
Damage to quills, fur and skin of echidna
Slight damage to snout of echidna
Extreme damage to snout of echidna
This poor echidna is an example of how damage can be occasioned to taxidermy mounts, however there are many other types of pests that can and do infest taxidermy mounts. The unfortunate animal that ended up mounted was of course a living breathing creature made up of skin, bones and muscle and still is potentially a food source for certain pest insects and rodents if we are not careful.
This Echidna is mounted on a piece of Australian hardwood itself a target for borers and termites, the Echidna has had its snout, quills and skin chewed by a Mouse and it’s insides were being heavily affected by Indianmeal Moth a pest to stored grains which this animal had been filled with.
There are many different pests that can infest mounts so it is imperative particularly if you have a large collection to regularly inspect and take measures to ensure infestation does not happen at your site!
Pestgo has been involved with the protection of taxidermy mounts in private collections and educational institutions gaining experience with a very wide range of pests that can occur. Contact us for a chat about your taxidermy mount whether it is a loved passed pet or a collection of scientific wonders.