Dermestid beetles? or similar?

[Bernice]

High there guys!

I am once again reaching out to the fantastic people of the reptile forum! who have so many contacts and are infallible in every way!

I am trying to get my hands on Dermestid beetles, or any but that will do a similar job... does anyone here have any? of know someone that has any?
Long story short I am looking for a bug to help me clean a small rabbit skeleton, that will do a good job of cleaning small and fragile bones without destroying them...

Any help? any advice?

[Bushviper]

Mealworms will also work if you dont come right.

[Primogen]

After the insects have had there way you can boil the bones in soda ash for an about an hour then rinse the remaining gunk off this gives clean white bones.

[Poepstring]

You guys do some taxidermy work?

[Bernice]

Hi there! thanks a ton for the advice! I came right with boiling the daylights out of the rabbit, and washing the bones with enzyme based laundry detergent and hydrogen peroxide... I will remember the mealworms and soda ash if I ever get a brilliant Idea like this again... I still think Im an idiot for trying it...

It took 2 days to re-articulate the skeleton but Im happy as a clam!
Here's a pic of the finished skeleton... its a cell pic so not brilliant... but you get the idea...

Rabbit.jpg

[Westley Price]

Excellent work!

I tried this as a youngster as well, but didn't come out nearly as impressive as this.

Is this your first attempt or do you have some other examples to show us?

[Bernice]

Thanks westley *blushies*

No, no other work, this is my very first attempt at this, Im very happy with how it came out!

[gekosin]

What do you plan to do with the bunny now if i may ask?

[Bernice]

Im studying to be a teacher, it is going to have pride of place in my classroom
Right after I put it in a glass case so the little blighters cant touch, fondle or break it...

[Primogen]

An annoying problem with bones is that they tend to yellow and flake eventually, thats why they normally end up getting painted white.
You could put a clear coat of a epoxy finisher on it that would stop the yellowing for a good long while.