Bobs Trophy Care    |   home  Bobs Trophy Care   |   FEES for Cleaning , Repairing & UV Protectant     |   Make Your Appointment   |   DERMESTID ALERT!   |   Do YOU have a BUG problem?   |    About Bob McWilliams   |   Definition of Taxidermy Terms Definition of Taxidermy Terms used on this web page THE ONLY TAXIDERMIST IN TEXAS SPECIALIZING IN THE CLEANING, PROTECTING AND RESTORATION OF DAMAGED MOUNTS!  Taxidermist Since 1978! dry cracking - Over time the oils used to tan the hide eventually dry up and the tanned hide hardens and starts to crack. minor cracking- Minor cracking is a hairline crack and is a sign the hide is aging and starting to deteriorate. major cracking- a crack in the hide 1/8" or wider. This has to be repaired before the cape is totally destroyed. drumming- A tanned hide is put over a form and "hide paste" is applied so it will adbhere to the form.  Once the glue turns loose, the hide stretches with the cold / hot room temperatures and eventually starts to crack.   Fix this or the mount will have to be remounted with a fresh cape. fungus- If fungus appears on taxidermy'd animal it is a sign of moisture is collecting (possibly from the salt left in the hide that was initially there when the raw hide was preserved).  The fungus needs to be indentified and removed before serious damage is done to the cape. dermestid- Dermestids are a flesh and hide eating beattle that will totally destroy the mount and will infect the whole home. The beetles will eat carpet made from wool, wool coats etc.  It's imperitive that this infection be stopped before it infects the whole house.  The mount can be saved if the infection is found before too much damage has been done BUT the house has to be professionally sprayed  or the beetles will re-infect the mount once it has been sterilized! fleshy areas- these are soft areas on the face of a mount such as Nose / Lip Area/ Eyelids etc.