From dermestids to display: Cleaning and storing small mammal skulls
Loeb, Leila
Loeb, Leila
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Abstract
Before a small mammal enters the Zadock Thompson Zoological Collection at UVM, the tissues and skull must be removed from the specimen. My work consists of cleaning and storing these skulls. Skulls first go into the collection’s colony of dermestid beetles to remove the muscle and tissue from the bone; this “cleaning” method is used by natural history collections internationally. The skulls are then soaked in ammonia to remove any lingering flesh and doused in water to clean off the ammonia. Once dried, the clean skulls are placed in individual glass vials and returned to the museum.
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Date
2025-05-29
Student Status
Undergraduate
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Poster Presentation
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Program/Major
Zoology
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
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Physical Science