[Nhcoll-l] Leatherback sea turtle

[Watkins-Colwell, Gregory]

Sergio,
You are correct.  Taxidermy is not a pretty thing for these turtles.  I think if you can find somebody who can either make a cast or a 3D print of the specimen it will be a better display.  Then perhaps make a research skeleton with the specimen.  I've done that by composting the specimen as one would for marine mammals. It works rather well, but the shell for leatherbacks does fall apart nearly completely and it is always oily.

But for certain, if you want an exhibit from this specimen I 100% suggest doing something like a cast or a print rather than taxidermy or even a mounted skeleton.

Good luck!

Greg


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Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell
Sr. Collection Manager, Herpetology and Ichthyology
Division of Vertebrate Zoology
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7789-9806
YALE PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Main Office: 203-432-3791;  West Campus: 203-737-7568; Fax 203-432-9277

Package shipping address:
Greg Watkins-Colwell
Division of Vertebrate Zoology
YALE PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
170-210 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511 USA
203-432-3791
******************

From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Sergio Montagud
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2022 3:56 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Leatherback sea turtle

Dear all,

We have a freeze ex. of Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) about 1,60 meters long. Our first idea was to send it to a professional taxidermist, but due to the special characteristic of the material,  out of the traditional hunting mammals, we have doubts that taxidermists we known could done a good work. Also we think about the skeleton preparation, but some problems could appear with the dermic shell, not bony shell, as we hear.
We would like to know if anybody have had experiences with this species and can help us and, of course, if anybody knows some references about skeleton preparation in this species.

Thanks in advance!

Sergio

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Sergio Montagud Alario
Museu [UV] Història Natural
Universitat de València
e-mail: sergio.montagud at uv.es<mailto:sergio.montagud at uv.es>
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