Flesh-Eating Bugs

Strutter769 · 02-15-13, 01:24 PM

So, I'm going to have to put Lucy (My very first snake, BCI born in'96) down, and I've always kept the ashes of (only) my animals that have passed. Unfortunately, with my upcoming move, I can't afford that at the moment.

As an alternative, I'm thinking of keeping her cleaned skeleton. I think they usually do that with beetles of some sort. Does anyone know what type bug is used, or where I can get it?

Thanks!

Strutter769 · 02-15-13, 01:27 PM

I got my answer. Thanks BB!

Mods: Please delete this post.

KORBIN5895 · 02-15-13, 04:09 PM

They are called dermestid beetles. I know a guy in Illinois that could hook you up. The down side to this method is you will need to bleach the bones and glue them together.

BarelyBreathing · 02-15-13, 04:30 PM

You're welcome?

Make sure if you bleach the bones, you rehydrate them.

KORBIN5895 · 02-15-13, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

You're welcome?

Make sure if you bleach the bones, you rehydrate them.

That's not necessary.

As for bleaching I would use hydrogen peroxide. You can get it at a beauty supply store at 30%-40% concentration. You then dilute it yourself. There is also some preparation required when using dermestid beetles. If you plan on just tossing the carcass in you will actually need dung beetles as dermestid beetles don't like rotting flesh.

Strutter769 · 02-15-13, 10:45 PM

Great tips... Thanks Kevin. Feel free to PM me someone here in IL. I'm interested in seeing what this'd cost.

Strutter769 · 02-15-13, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

You're welcome?

You gave me the answer on FB.

BarelyBreathing · 02-15-13, 11:32 PM

Oh, duh. I'm spacey today.... I've worked too much over the past two days.

Strutter769 · 02-27-13, 09:51 AM

Well, no one has gotten back to me yet about how many beetles I need for this job, which is not really in the budget right now anyway. So, I'm thinking of freezing the body until I can get pricing info on the beetles.

Those beetles will eat f/t I presume, correct?

dinosaurdammit · 02-27-13, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strutter769

Well, no one has gotten back to me yet about how many beetles I need for this job, which is not really in the budget right now anyway. So, I'm thinking of freezing the body until I can get pricing info on the beetles.

Those beetles will eat f/t I presume, correct?

if its flesh they do not care

Strutter769 · 02-27-13, 10:02 AM

That's What I was thinking too, thanks. Do you have any idea how many I'd need? She's about 30lb.

stephanbakir · 02-27-13, 10:04 AM

Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy is my far my fav company to get dermestid beetles from.
They have terrific guides on their website that show the steps one at a time.
The other option is maceration but you will most likely lose the teeth, it also takes a few months.

stephanbakir · 02-27-13, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strutter769

That's What I was thinking too, thanks. Do you have any idea how many I'd need? She's about 30lb.

You NEED to do the legwork first, you need to skin and gut the boa, then remove as much flesh as possible, then dry the meet/bones til they are the consistency of beef jerky to get the best and fastest results.
Edit: It would also be best to remove the brain.

Strutter769 · 02-27-13, 12:17 PM

Thanks Kevin for the link.. I called and I mentioned I would be freezing the carcass first and he said it was good because it'll toughen the meat a bit, like you said.

Yes, he also told me the body would need to be gutted and skinned. Any volunteers? I can't do that....

stephanbakir · 02-27-13, 12:31 PM

Gutting is easy, skinning is also easy, other then the strip touching the spine. get someone with upper body strength :P