DASSIE – HYRAX

Hyraxes, also known Dassies, are small, thickset, herbivorous mammals.

Additional information

Mount Type

Facts

• They measure somewhere between 30 and 70 cm in lenght and weigh between 2 and
5 kgs.

Taxidermy

Thorough preparation is the key factor to ensuring a high-quality final product. All hides are tanned and oiled using the world’s very best available chemicals and processes to ensure permanence and longevity.Forms are selected to ensure the best fit and posture will be altered to suit you, the client’s preference without additional cost. Natural habitat bases are custom-made for full mount trophies without additional cost.Only the finest materials and 40 years of professional experience are used in defining your trophies in a whole new way. The final trophies are almost Life-Formed. When the restoration is required, every effort is made to repair cuts and abrasions, and to minimise bullet damage. Natural scarring is kept unless otherwise requested.

Habitat

Rocky area, Riverine, Cliff faces

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Professional Dassie Taxidermy

 

Dassie comes from the Dutch word “das,” which means “badger.” The Dassie, or Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis), is an African and Middle Eastern mammal of medium size. Despite the vast size difference, it is the African elephant’s closest surviving cousin. Similarities in foot and tooth anatomy are used to infer this tight evolutionary kinship.

 

There are five known Hyrax species, which are divided into two groups: Rock Hyrax and Tree Hyrax. The Rock Hyrax have the biggest distribution range in Africa.

 

Hunting Dassie

 

Hyrax may be hunted at any time of day or night, whenever a suitable chance presents itself. They frequently bask in the morning sun on rocky outcrops in the wild. Finding a shady spot behind some rocks within shooting range of your target Hyrax is the most effective strategy for hunting this animal.

 

On a calm day, the 22 Hornet is the best choice for hunting steenbok, duiker, and dassie with a small calibre rifle. This calibre is recommended because of its stellar reputation for pinpoint accuracy and its negligible impact on trophies.

 

Hunting these creatures may be quite thrilling for varmint and airgun hunters because of the amazing long-range shooting challenges they present. While not often taken during a plains game hunt, these animals may be sought by small predator hunters looking for a unique mount to complement their full-size Caracal, Jackal, or Cape Fox. They look best when displayed as complete mounts on a man-made rock.

 

What is Dassie Taxidermy

 

Dassie taxidermy is the practise of preparing, stuffing, and mounting Dassie skins. Taxidermists are artists in a specific category. To become proficient, taxidermists must devote years to training and practise, and they must maintain the same degree of concentration and accuracy as a surgeon.

 

Taxidermists begin by preparing the under-padding and mounting that the skin will be connected to. Next, they shape the framework to look like the animal’s body and last, they apply the appropriate coverings, such as skin, hair, or feathers. As a means of creating a more lifelike image, they may decide to add features like eyes or teeth. The purpose of the animals they mount or stuff varies. Taxidermists’ reproductions of unusual or extinct creatures are common attractions in museums. Taxidermists are frequently used by hunters to mount the hunts, which are then treasured at home.

 

Highly skilled taxidermists are capable of producing stunningly lifelike works, and the taxidermied Dassie trophies can be found in some really unusual places. Its use as prey in a full mount predator display has made it exceptionally popular.

 

Skin preparation for a flawless Dassie trophy

 

Work on a magnificent mount should begin as soon as the animal is brought to the ground. Your subsequent decisions will determine the final outcome of the Dassie taxidermy work. The trophy must be skinned immediately. Remove the cape slowly so as not to rip it or scratch the face. The cape should be washed in salt water and then hung up to dry. To guarantee that the fluids sucked out of the skin by the salt drain correctly, the skin should be set out in the shade on a flat surface with the meatside facing up in a salt pit with a smooth surface and a 5° slope. Salting pits need proper ventilation, especially in wetter areas.

 

Drying racks made from raw lumber are the most durable option. Wood that has been treated with tar or creosote should not be used. Never risk getting a rust stain on the skin by letting nails or bolts touch it. Skins should never be dried on metal. Make sure to put the racks in a cool, shaded spot with enough ventilation.

 

The storage area has to be in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Mildew and decay are brought on by moisture, so make sure it doesn’t sit around wet. Skins need to be shielded from the likes of predators, insects, and rodents. In order to aid, chemical aid should be used.

 

The Dassie taxidermist’s process and method

 

Your desired shape will be chosen after careful consideration of your dimensions. Life-Form’s process is unparalleled in the industry since it draws on more than four decades of expertise and only employs the finest quality materials.

 

Depending on the client’s desired Dassie mount display, the skull is cleaned, a mould is formed, and a manikin is constructed. When necessary, repairs are completed with as little gunshot damage as possible, including patching wounds and scratches. Existing scars are not removed unless requested by the consumer. After thorough quality inspections have been conducted, packaging may begin. Each container’s efficiency is fine-tuned separately.

 

Taking care of your Dassie trophy

 

Avoid exposing the trophy to direct sunlight to extend its life and keep it in pristine condition.  Because of the high humidity and sudden temperature changes, your garage or screened-in porch is not a good place to store your taxidermy.

 

For wall mounting, a skilled taxidermist will always incorporate a robust hanger. Most shoulder mounts will be suspended by a single screw, toggle bolt, or lag screw, depending on the weight of the mount.

 

Your trophy requires frequent maintenance if you want it to last. Cleaning your mount should only be necessary once a month if it is stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. If your trophy is on display in a very dusty area, you should dust it twice a month. Orders for Mount Medix, a product of Lifeform Taxidermy, can be placed with us.

Mounts should be stored apart from other trophies in a cool, dry, insect-free area. Moths are a major problem for any animal with hair. Females deposit their eggs at the root of the hair, and the growing larvae eat the connective tissue around the hair follicles, causing bald spots and thinning.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

How much does a Dassie taxidermy cost?

 

The pricing of any trophy is subject to the costing stipulated per taxidermy order, quantity of trophies and preferred mounting options, along with additional requirements. Should you wish to receive a quotation prior to the hunt, the taxidermist can generate such for you.

 

How long does a Dassie taxidermy take?

 

The time it takes a taxidermist to mount an animal might range from days to weeks, and possibly several months, depending on the quantity of trophies per taxidermy order, the display preferences, and volumes of client trophies to be produced, simultaneously, per production schedule.

 

Generally, the completion and packing timeframe combined, ranges from 8-12 months. This depends largely on the “what, how, when” factors. A taxidermy order also only becomes available for production scheduling upon receipt of the required deposit and trophy mounting instructions.

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