Introducing My Largest Articulation to Date!
[CW: Graphic Images in this Post!]
On my way to get groceries late last year, I came across a squirrel who had *just* been killed by a car. I almost ran over him myself! Fortunately I saw him in time, pulled over, and scooped him up so he could join my after life friends.
I gathered my usual supplies – gloves, a mask, cutting tools, alcohol, ammonia, and my latest addition – container to work in which will also double as a collection container for my car. Then I sat down to the task.
This was the largest skeleton I have articulated using the oxidation method (previously detailed in this post), and it was quite a task. Each stage took about 2 hours, for a total of 9-10 hours to get him all cleaned up and articulated.
I also saved his beautiful little heart as a wet specimen, it was too perfect to pass up. All his organs were in fantastic shape honestly, and had I thought of it I may have been prepared to save even more.
The Challenges of This Articulation
Part of what made this one a little more difficult than other skeletons was the fact that the car had done quite a number to this poor guy. His rib cage was smushed, he had a broken arm and pelvis, and his skull was completely crushed. This articulation method involves holding the bones together with existing connective tissue, so as I removed more tissue his already compromised skeletal integrity started falling apart, as you will see later in the process.
The other difficulty was that I found him just two days before I had a surgery scheduled. As a result, there were a couple stages where he was left to soak a little longer than I would usually like. Which of course only further compromised the remaining connective tissue.
The Reconstruction
Once skeletons are cleaned and ready to cure with this method they are as limp as a wet paper towel, and only slightly stronger. Add to that his injuries and the fact that he’d lost a few limbs in the cleaning process, and I sincerely doubted that I’d get him posed the way I wanted.
However, with much patience and cardboard, and a couple strategic uses of super glue – which I did not expect to work on the wet tissues but fortunately did – I was able to achieve the desired pose and even reconstruct the skull to being only slightly distorted!
Once he dried I had to do some final cleanup and reconstruction, which you can watch here. While he does not stand upright without a counterbalance, I am quite pleased with how he came out! I think he looks just as adorable as he did in life.
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Kahlil Gibran
