06/03/2026
Here’s one from last year — a Crocodile Skink skin mount, and a piece that really pushed me out of my comfort zone.
This was something new for me. I’ve found that Crocodile Skinks are one of the tougher reptiles to work with, mainly because of their armour-like skin. The scales are incredibly thick, which means the skin has very little flexibility compared to most reptiles. It makes the whole process slower, more delicate, and far less forgiving if you rush it.
Pieces like this are always a learning experience, and this one definitely tested my patience. On top of that this little guy had previously dropped his tail which made skinning and fleshing the area increasingly difficult.
But that’s part of what makes taxidermy so rewarding — every species teaches you something new.
This mount was awarded 3rd Place in the Professional Fish & Reptile category at the Guild of Taxidermists Annual Conference, which made all the challenge behind it feel even more worthwhile.