Skull mounts

{{Short description|Taxidermy classification}}

Skull mounts are sometimes referred to as European mounts, western skull mounts, or western mounts.{{cite web|last=Scheffler|first=Dave|title=Skull Mounts|url=http://www.european-skull-mounts.com|publisher=Thorp Web|accessdate=21 March 2014}} They are a large portion of taxidermy work. Only the skull of the animal is displayed, which will have horns, antlers, or nothing attached to the skull depending on the animal. The mount does not take up much room because of the lack of neck and hide.{{cite web|title=Skull Mounts |url=http://www.skullhooker.com/blog/european-mount-benefits/|accessdate=24 March 2014}}

The traditional method of removing muscle and other flesh tissue leaving only the clean skull is boiling the entire head of the animal. {{cite web|title=Telegram |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20130104/COLUMN10/101049684/0}} This method was the first to be used in skull mounting; it is inexpensive, can produce a finished product in a day or less, and can be done with few supplies that can be found in any grocery or general supplies store.{{cite web|title=DIY European Skull Mounts|url=http://ecosportsmen.com/?p=256|accessdate=20 March 2014}}

Using dermestidae beetles to eat away flesh is a modern method of cleaning the skulls for skull mounts and is increasing in popularity.{{cite web|title=Why Use Dermestid Beetles|url=http://bonesandbugs.com/why-use-dermestid-beetles#more-185/|accessdate=23 August 2019}}