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Taxidermy is a skill that requires knowledge of anatomy, preservation techniques, and the ability to sculpt and paint. And nobody's born good at it. People must learn the craft the hard way—through trial and error. In fact, there's so much of the latter that it's enough to power a Facebook group with hundreds of thousands of members.

Called 'Bad Taxidermy,' it features everything from stuffed squirrels with human-like hands to deer with wonky eyes and crooked antlers. There's never a dull moment here. It offers a light-hearted and fun way to learn more about taxidermy, and the community is friendly and welcoming.

More info: Facebook

#1

This Isn’t A Want, It’s A Need

This Isn’t A Want, It’s A Need

Curtis Snable Report

We managed to contact the administrators and moderators of 'Bad Taxidermy' and they were kind enough to tell us more about the group.

"We are five admins to 475k members within our community (as of 13/01/2023) where we proficiently conquer and divide a list of various tasks," one of the administrators, Vereance, explained to Bored Panda.

"It is not uncommon for each admin to spend 1-3 hours on their duties of moderation per week."

#3

Just Like I Used To Draw Them When I Was 4

Just Like I Used To Draw Them When I Was 4

Adam Stair Report

#5

"Are You In Unbearable Pain Cara Mia? Is It Inhuman? My Darling, Is It Torture? Let Us Dance The Mamushka As We Did While Nero Fiddled, Mon Chéri.”

"Are You In Unbearable Pain Cara Mia? Is It Inhuman? My Darling, Is It Torture? Let Us Dance The Mamushka As We Did While Nero Fiddled, Mon Chéri.”

Arman A. Manoukian Report

During this time, Vereance and her four teammates (Abby, Claire, Jack, and Tiffany) manually approve or decline each post that is published within the group, and they do that by measuring it against the group's rules and Facebook's policies. 

"We tend to all reported content (for example, spam bots and member conflict) and reply to individualized messages. Our team is a well-knit group of friends," she added.

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#8

Another Novelty Mole Done

Another Novelty Mole Done

Justice for Jaleayah Report

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#9

Found This In Bar In Cody, Wyoming Many Years Ago

Found This In Bar In Cody, Wyoming Many Years Ago

Chris Oney Report

"As a traditional form of art, specimens would be provided to taxidermists (often situated) in museums and the taxidermist would need to imagine how the animal would appear within the wild," Vereance highlighted.

"You can imagine how different the specimen would eventuate to appear. For instance, the Lion of Gripsholm Castle was commissioned for King Frederick I of Sweden in 1731, and the taxidermist worked on little information as to what a lion actually looked like. These days, 'Bad Taxidermy' originates from some hopeful artists whose skills are a Frankenstein in progress."

#11

Press The Mouse's Right Ear And Left Foot Simultaneously To Take A Screenshot

Press The Mouse's Right Ear And Left Foot Simultaneously To Take A Screenshot

Mauricio Abastoflor Report

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#12

What Every School Counselor Looks Like

What Every School Counselor Looks Like

Ross Conley Report

#13

This One Isn’t Even Bad, I’d Have This In My House

This One Isn’t Even Bad, I’d Have This In My House

Curtis Snable Report

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D. Pitbull
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure if it was filtered/shopped... but... the melding looks really good/smooth from here - these are quite good. I'm going to guess that there are taxidermists who do 'mythical taxidermy' - ie: making a gryphon or jackelope...any other mish-mash animal-myth?

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Taxidermy in America today is an $800 million industry that employs more than 6,000 people, and this online community helps us appreciate them. "The group brings a morbid topic (death) together with humor and art, administrator Abby said. "Showcasing bad taxidermy really brings into perspective the talent of professional taxidermists. 

"Bringing what is still an obscure topic to the mainstream creates a better understanding of the craft and perhaps even inspires artists to think outside the box of traditional taxidermy. At the end of the day, it's an art form just like anything else, except no matter how good or bad you are at it, you're a winner. Or maybe, regardless of whether you're exceptionally good, or exceptionally bad, you're still a winner," she said, adding that taxidermy is all about respecting life and reminding that sometimes art doesn't go according to plan.

#14

I Think This Was A Bushbaby, Either Way, He Seen Some S**t

I Think This Was A Bushbaby, Either Way, He Seen Some S**t

Graham McTaggart Report

#15

Huehue

Huehue

Charlène Marchive Report

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Katy McMouse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Found my glasses. Really wish I was still blind. What the actual fuuck is this supposed to be, other than a nightmare inducer?

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Jack, another member of the administrator and moderator team, agrees. "'Bad Taxidermy' seems to be a way to make people more accepting of [the craft itself], people that wouldn't usually want anything to do with it."

"It's difficult to argue the necessity for a dead deer's head on your wall, but when you've got a practical element like a rat pencil case, rabbit toaster, or remote-controlled cat drone, it's easier to understand their appeal."

#18

Anarchy Mother Clucker

Anarchy Mother Clucker

Raven Bourdon Report

The practice of taxidermy began in Europe at the junction of the 16th and 17th centuries as a means of preserving specimens collected by world-traveling explorers.

Oftentimes, these specimens would become part of a rich collector's "cabinet of curiosities," providing a dash of wonder and mystery to viewers who knew nothing of the far reaches of the world.

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#22

A Ribbiting Display

A Ribbiting Display

Justice for Jaleayah Report

#23

Here’s The Bride

Here’s The Bride

Kelly Silva Report

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Hey Kat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This totally reminds me of Mr Fox from Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas!!

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#25

I’m Scared

I’m Scared

Carter Bemrich Report

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Domi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine that someone has this on the toilet wall and looks at you while doing business.

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Before color photography and the growth in leisure travel, taxidermy specimens allowed scientists, naturalists, collectors, and other curious folks to study life-like 3D representations of animals they otherwise would have never seen.

Now, experts think that taxidermy is making a comeback largely due to the fact that people really want to get back in touch with the natural world.

"I think people have been insulated from animal specimens for so long, that when someone picks up a bone or skull, they are completely knocked out by it, by what an incredible, wonderful thing it is," Pat Morris, the author of A History of Taxidermy: Art, Science, and Bad Taste told The Smithsonian. "The same goes for a dead bird ... when it is physically in your hand, you want to preserve it ... it becomes special."

And communities like 'Bad Taxidermy' really help!

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#27

At The Museum Für Naturkunde In Berlin

At The Museum Für Naturkunde In Berlin

Micky Breijer Report

#28

That Cat

That Cat

Joshua D. Carpenter Report

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d_pitbull avatar
D. Pitbull
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ohh.. perhaps it's... modeled after how those medieval artists drew cats...

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#30

I Saw The Idea Online, So I Made My Own Croccoons

I Saw The Idea Online, So I Made My Own Croccoons

Jill Dred Report

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Snorky The Pig
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the most disgusting, outrageous, hilarious s**t I have ever seen in my life 😂🤣🤣🤣

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#31

Lets Boogie Woogie. Art By Toddities Animal Preservation

Lets Boogie Woogie. Art By Toddities Animal Preservation

Todd Bass Report

#32

Bad Taxidermy Squirrels I Just Finished

Bad Taxidermy Squirrels I Just Finished

Spike Boyd Report

#33

Naughty Little Friday Night Mouse

Naughty Little Friday Night Mouse

Vanessa MacDougall Report

#34

He Had Me At “Funny Hat”

He Had Me At “Funny Hat”

Erin Ryan Report

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Katy McMouse
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see a puffer fish sporting a bird's tail and a squid beak (if that's what you call a squid's mouth - I suppose Squidy Squid's in bed, right when I need her expert opinion the most).

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#35

Real Mounted Pirate Squirrel

Real Mounted Pirate Squirrel

Lillienne Shafer Report

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Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks more like a Reel Mounted Pirate Squirrel to me!

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Note: this post originally had 61 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.