Stuffed animals for classification

[Sassi]

Hi,

We have just finished classification topic with year sevens, and as I was putting our specimens away I thought it a good time to do a bit of a stock take (which I am sure hasn't happened this century)... Well we have all kinds of interesting specimens, including a little kitten with TWO heads

But wat we dont have, and what the teachers would like for next year is a bird specimen. Tried a google search but only found stuffed toy birds Would any one know where I might get a hold of a stuffed bird. As it so happened a poor little rainbow lorikeet flew in through the window to my preproom and HT suggested I'd stuff that one myself Well I need not say it, but yes I refused, and rescued the little birdy before HT got any other brilliant ideas

Sassi

[sunray18]

When i was in Melbourne a year ago, the museum there had a shop which had all sorts of interesting specimens available for sale.. Maybe you could contact them - or perhaps the museum in sydney

[Judy R]

Yes I would try the Museum.
In Queensland we can borrow specimens from the Museum.I order online and then pickup from their local outlet...it is a wonderful service and not expensive.
When I worked in Sydney I never knew of a similar service there.

[Labbie]

Please try WIRES, I know they deal in live birds etc, I managed to get 8 different bats from Wires last year, they even pickle them for you, we just had to get the jars ready etc.

[coxy]

Good morning,
That is really interesting. I have occasionally been given a bird, or small possum to preserve. I think I used to put them in a solution of Metho and water, but I cannot remember the quantities. I don't do it anymore. I agree, our preserved specimens are in desperate need of refurbishing, updating, and a good clean out - but I am leaving that to a Biology teacher.
Sue

[Labbie]

50% metho & 50% water, ours needs topping up about once a year. But it is worth it.

[Ocean Breeze]

for classification excercises, we dont have real living things. I bought lots of sets of toy plastic things:
farm animals, zoo animals, insects, reptiles. I am still looking for birds and fish/sea creature sets though.
But it works really well.

Good luck with finding a bird.