4Real Forums: The kids and I found a skeleton . . .

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Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science ( Forum Locked)
4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science

Topic: The kids and I found a skeleton . . .

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SaraP
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Posted: Oct 12 2006 at 7:29am \| IP Logged

of a possum, I think, in the woods on our property and they would love to bring it home and reassemble it.

Does anyone know how to disinfect it? Do I even need to? The decomposers have done their job and the bones look clean, but I'm thinking a soak in some bleach and water might still be a good idea.

Has anyone done this?

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Bridget
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Posted: Oct 12 2006 at 7:44am \| IP Logged

I don't know. My kids found a coyote skeleton once and assembled it right there in the woods before I even knew about it. Yuck. All I could do by then was make them wash well.

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MacBeth
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Probably at the beach...

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Posted: Oct 12 2006 at 9:35am \| IP Logged

Use alcohol, not bleach. And wear plastic or rubber disposable gloves, just in case. It should be fine, but why risk it?

Sounds cool. I'd love to see a photo when you are all done.

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Tina P.
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Posted: Oct 12 2006 at 11:58pm \| IP Logged

Why not bleach, MacBeth? We've bleached skulls that my kiddo found. They seem to have not been harmed ... In fact, they even traveled well with us. Just curious.

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MacBeth
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Probably at the beach...

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Posted: Oct 13 2006 at 5:06am \| IP Logged

I'm thinking long-term, I guess.

You know, as if you were going to keep it forever. Eventually the bleach might destroy the specimen, especially if soaked for a prolonged period. We always used alcohol when I was prepping bones for display at the nature center.

Hey, but now that I look to see what Gerry Durrell says, I see he uses a bleach solution (no recipe) for 2-3 hours, and then suggests soaking the bones in gasoline or ammonia to remove any residual grease...Hmmm. I think I'd dry the bones well after a light bleach solution, then try the ammonia method. The idea of keeping anything soaking in gasoline in the house makes me nervous, but of course one never mixes bleach and ammonia.

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MacBeth in NY
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