Taxidermy explained: What it is & why it matters

Taxidermy is the practice of preserving an animal’s skin and mounting it on a sculpted form to recreate the animal’s natural appearance.

Only the skin is preserved, while muscles and internal organs are removed. The technique allows animals to be displayed in lifelike poses long after death.

Historically, taxidermy developed in the 19th century alongside natural history museums, where it played a key role in scientific study and education.

Specimens have been used to document biodiversity, study animal anatomy, and preserve records of rare, endangered, or even extinct species.

Today, taxidermy is used in museums, research institutions, and cultural heritage settings, and sometimes in art.

Modern ethical taxidermy emphasizes legal sourcing, conservation, and respect for wildlife, with many practitioners focusing on animals that died naturally or through conservation-related causes.