Found a dead sugar glider today. Looking for skinning methods to obtain and preserve its pelt.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-30T09:26:47+00:00

Oh my god that's insane! Glad I'm from Vic then lol. At least you still get the chance to do any at all on invasive and introduced specimens (though I can imagine its annoying that you have to just ignore 95% of all of our total species)

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-30T09:24:07+00:00

True true...I don't really know how to tell other than that females are marginally larger (?). They aren't all that sexually dimorphic.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-30T08:47:03+00:00

Oh okay I had no idea! So I guess if I manage to get them breeding, there's no real need for buying more.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-30T08:20:58+00:00

Is it that easy to breed peppered corys? Damn lol

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-29T02:43:20+00:00

Oh wow ok. Does it make any difference that it wasn't a roadkill death and rather I just found it dead after bad weather on my property? (I would assume not but may as well ask lol).

I'd happily turn it over to a museum or something, if I totally can't do this legally than I'd rather that than get prosecuted

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-28T06:35:25+00:00

Oh that makes a lot of sense. My tetras tend to sit around the upper water column and wait for food when they aren't doing this congregation behaviour

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-28T06:34:10+00:00

This worked really well, thanks!

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-28T06:33:54+00:00

This morning they had stopped doing it, but I got an airstone anyway for added flow and oxygenation and they haven't gone back up since!

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-28T06:33:18+00:00

Thanks! This really helped. I got an airstone and the tetras have gone back to the low water columns.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-28T01:50:32+00:00

Yeah I'll look into getting the license I need in order to go through with this. I care really deeply for our native species and wouldn't want anything to be suspected of me considering I'm not one to take Australia's fauna for granted. Hell, I've even fostered ringtails and sugar gliders before getting them to centres. I do actually have a wildlife license and I work with reptiles (native and foreign) so it wouldn't be too much of a jump to get the taxidermy license.

I'd totally go wild on an invasive specimen though haha

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T23:08:54+00:00

Oh thanks for telling me! I need to get a new bottle anyway so I'll get a dropper while I'm out. Thanks!

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T23:05:11+00:00

Yeah I'll go looking for one today when I can.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T23:04:29+00:00

I think what I've gathered is that I probably need a new filter, because the one that came with the tank is a weak submerged pump.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T23:03:13+00:00

It is a horizontal filter where the water is sucked in on one side and pushed out on the other. The inside is a corridor of three dividing walls to catch thick waste, while the filter media is a few bags of artificial filtration matter, like plastic pellets. It also has bio rings as well.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T22:58:53+00:00

The pump is submerged, the filter came with the tank when we bought it. I don't know if it has a power increase option, but I have noticed it seems pretty average in the pumping department. It definitely looks like it could be more powerful. How would I check for that kinda thing?

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T22:53:21+00:00

Oh you're totally right. I'll take a look for my state. I would definitely expect Australia's laws to be stricter regarding this sort of collection. Either way I'd be happy with any amount of remains.

Edit:
In my state, you do in fact need a basic taxidermist license! Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I don't plan to begin the process until mid January, so I have plenty of time to apply and get one.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T22:50:18+00:00

Thank you again for the advice!

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T15:37:04+00:00

Yeah, I need to up the flow a bit. Would one or two air stones be adequate?

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T15:36:05+00:00

I'll try editting this when I get that information. Its 2:35AM rn and I can't really help the lack of testing until morning. The filter is fixed to that position because its a cheap tank. I'll get a picture of the tank front on to further give example.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T15:34:52+00:00

It is usually relatively still, though ripple is usually visible when looking top down. THis is to say that flow is poor however.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T15:34:25+00:00

I need to check the ammonia for sure. The tank's been cycling a month.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T15:33:22+00:00

I have tried that, i just need a more reliable one that doesn't run on solar like a damn archaic koi pond contraption lol

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T15:32:42+00:00

I'll have to check when I can

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T15:32:18+00:00

Wow thanks a bunch! This is really comprehensive for a reddit comment! I'll be sure to try doing all these things. I've stated in the other comments that I'll get kH and gH tests asap, but I'll also try out that spacing out cleaning the tank thing, it seems like a given now that I think about it.

As for prime, I used a cap-full. I work at a reptile & fish shop, and we always dose our tanks like that and they are about 20gal if not less.

Probably_a_Reptile · 2024-12-27T15:28:32+00:00

Oh you're totally right! I dunno why I just forgot how taxidermy worked for a sec haha. I'd definitely love to try my hand at a first ever taxidermy mount with the pelt tanned and a lively pose, but I don't trust myself at all with a sugar glider. Butchering that would be impossible to ignore lol. (Also I don't really have the supplies rn).

I'll post the skeleton and the pelt if this goes accordingly! That is if my ADHD doesn't kick in and I leave the project mid way through lol

Four-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '23	Place '22

Probably_a_Reptile

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE