Skull cleaning method at San Juan Skulls
Fleshing
1. Majority of meat and brain is removed from skull and bottom jaw is separated
2. Skulls are placed in a refrigerator for several days to partially dry out remaining meat
3. All skulls are cleaned using dermestid beetle colonies
Why use dermestids instead of other methods?
Dermestids are very effective cleaners, eating anything that is not bone, including meat, fat, tendons, nerves and cartilage. Dermestid beetles & larvae clean out all the little holes and crevices that other cleaning methods cannot. We have used dermestids to perfectly clean dove and quail skulls leaving all the fragile bones in perfect condition.
Degreasing
All skulls are thoroughly degreased to leach any grease out of the bone. Different skulls need to be degreased for longer than others. This process typically takes from a few days (coyote or bobcat) to a few weeks (bear or pig).
Bleaching
All skulls are bleached to a bright white in a process that also takes several days.
Fleshing
1. Majority of meat and brain is removed from skull and bottom jaw is separated
2. Skulls are placed in a refrigerator for several days to partially dry out remaining meat
3. All skulls are cleaned using dermestid beetle colonies
Why use dermestids instead of other methods?
Dermestids are very effective cleaners, eating anything that is not bone, including meat, fat, tendons, nerves and cartilage. Dermestid beetles & larvae clean out all the little holes and crevices that other cleaning methods cannot. We have used dermestids to perfectly clean dove and quail skulls leaving all the fragile bones in perfect condition.
Degreasing
All skulls are thoroughly degreased to leach any grease out of the bone. Different skulls need to be degreased for longer than others. This process typically takes from a few days (coyote or bobcat) to a few weeks (bear or pig).
Bleaching
All skulls are bleached to a bright white in a process that also takes several days.