Using some kind of medicine to keep something that starts to deteriorate is defined as embalming. This process is aimed at protecting the corpse or the internal organs of the deceased by removing them. Looking at its history, it is a method known and used since Ancient Egypt. It was applied to implement and mummify religious rituals for people who died in primitive tribes.
Today, you can see that the most common embalming examples are on vertebrate animals. Today, this process is mostly done for the protection of wild animals and endangered animals.
So, how is embalming done? Considering this information, it is recommended to keep the animals frozen if not processed immediately. We investigated for you whether embalming is possible using the freeze dry method. How is the freeze dried taxidermy and the effect of the freeze-dry method in this process? You can read the details below.
Animal Protection
Taxidermy is expressed as the art of stuffing animals. The art of embalming is more important, especially if the animals found dead or died during the treatment process are endangered. With embalming, animals need to appear alive and even to be exhibited in museums to promote those animals.
It is stated that embalming has been done in approximately 900 animals in 20 years. It is also emphasized that embalming, which requires a lot of effort, can be done by only a few people in Turkey. Considering that it is intended to keep animals alive in this way, it is quite interesting.
How is Tahnit made? First, official permission must be obtained. Then, the animal’s internal organs are removed, and a skeleton made of iron wire is placed in its place. In this process, protective chemicals are used. However, an important point that draws attention here is how the animal to be embalmed should be protected before the process because embalming is a delicate process.
For the best results, the storage conditions of the animal before and after embalming are very important. What are the factors to consider for embalming the animal before stuffing a freeze-dried animal? Let’s examine it together.
- Before embalming, especially if there are traces of blood, it should be cleaned with oxygenated water. Cleaning must be completed before storage.
- If embalming cannot be done within a few hours, the animal should be kept in a cold and moisture-free environment. However, the time to embalm after removal from a conventional freezer is very important. It is recommended to wait longer.
- It should be stored in environments such as refrigerators by removing the air in the bag if there is moisture.
- It should be taken into account that the type of animal stored and the storage conditions may affect the process.
Refrigerated storage may have adverse consequences for the process. Therefore, shocking is more preferred. The sublimation effect in freeze dry technology in freeze-dried taxidermy allows the animal to be stored for a longer period of time.
Freeze Dry Process in Taxidermy
In the freeze-dry method, the product is first frozen in the first step. Then, the frozen water in the product is sublimated by applying low temperature and low pressure. Thanks to the removal of water from the food or product in this way, no deterioration occurs. Food using this method preserves its nutritional value and extends its shelf life.
Freeze dry technology is one of the most effective and healthiest food storage methods today. It allows the products to be stored for many years and is of primary importance in keeping them intact. Today, the freeze dry method is used in many industrial areas.
Examples of these usage areas are stabilization of living materials such as microbial culture, preservation of animal specimens exhibited in the museum, drying of flowers, and concentration or recovery of products. In this respect, the freeze dry method can also be used effectively for taxidermy process.
The freeze dryer used for Freeze dry technology is very specially designed products. For this reason, it is important to do research and choose the product that suits your needs. Liyolife offers freeze dry machine models that automatically manage the entire process and can be used effortlessly on the products you want to store.
You can review our Lyolife products on our website and evaluate their features. You can benefit from the Liyolife experience for the freeze dryer that you intend to use for taxidermy.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Freeze Dry Process in Taxidermy
The most emphasized issue with refrigerated or freeze embalmed animals is that the material must be thawed before processing. In the meantime, there is a risk of deterioration of the skin during the procedure. So, what are the advantages of freeze-dried taxidermy? Let’s answer for those who are wondering:
- The biggest disadvantage of freezing using traditional methods is the thawing stage. If the process cannot be started before it is completely dissolved, water will come out and cause the animal to deteriorate. Prolonged waiting time also causes deterioration on the skin. The freeze dry technology removes water from the product by providing a sublimation effect. This prevents the product from spoiling.
- There is no color change or deterioration in appearance in the products using Freeze dry. Thus, the realistic appearance of the embalmed animal is preserved.
- Humidity is one of the most effective factors in the deterioration of products. It also has a very negative effect on an animal that is planned to be embalmed. As a result of the freeze-dry process, the risk of being affected by moisture is eliminated.
- Freeze dry technology extends the storage life of the product.
While freeze-dried animal stuffing looks quite healthy and functional, its disadvantages are also wondered. The freeze drying method requires more energy. Long drying cycles and high energy costs can increase. However, it is a very effective method for high-quality products that need to be stored for a long time.
In terms of freeze-dried taxidermy, the possibility of storing animals in the long term should be considered. In addition, it is emphasized that the machines produced in today’s technology are also developed in energy consumption.
Animals Suitable for Freeze Embalming
Taxidermy is a job that takes time and effort. For this reason, the animals most suitable for this process should be embalmed. You can come across images of how the process is done for endangered wild animals. In addition to wild boar, roe deer, deer, and mountain goat, it is possible to encounter embalming birds.
Hunters who do this as a hobby also share how embalming can be done. However, which animals are suitable for the frozen embalming process is very important for those who want to use this method. It is possible to use domestic, wild, or farm animals for freeze-dried animal stuffing. The weight of the animal and the features of the freeze dry machine are decisive. Bird species, fish may be frozen in this process and may be considered suitable for embalming.
Preservation of Freeze-Embalmed Animal
It is of great importance to protect the embalmed animal for long-term use and preservation. Necessary pesticides are applied and precautions are taken to prevent it from losing its lively appearance and not losing its hair. However, care must be taken to protect the frozen embalmed animal. We can list the things to be considered for the protection of embalmed animals as follows:
- The posture of the embalmed animal should not be changed.
- Humidity should be kept at a certain level. Between 15% and 85% is considered normal.
- Sudden temperature changes should be avoided.
- The powder reduces shine. Therefore, attention should be paid to its cleanliness.
- The storage life of frozen embalmed animals is long. In addition, due to the freeze-dried taxidermy, the storage of animals in areas such as glass windows and bell jars contributes to their protection from external factors.
One of the most important factors for protecting animals stored with freeze-dried taxidermy is the use of the freeze-dry machine and the timely and correct execution of the process. For this reason, you can examine the Liyolife products on our website for the animals you have prepared for embalming.
You can reach our previous article from https://liyolife.com/en/what-are-food-drying-methods/
