Dermestid beetles

[galeogirl]

I just found a taxidermist online who sells colonies of dermestid (flesh-eating) beetles. Skull Taxidermy (http://www.skulltaxidermy.com) . They sound really cool, but I can't imagine how you'd keep them and be able to stand the smell.

[johns]

Hi, Galeogirl-

You might can feed them dead chickens, but it would have to be a vast tank to enclose them.


Am I making good sense or what:rolleyes:?

I wonder if they'd metalize my skull:? BTW, you really ought to be in bed, considering the fact that you're great with child...

[Wade]

They're the scourge of anyone who keeps pinned insect collections. They will eat just about any dead animal matter.

Wade

[GQ.]

They are cool insects, but I don't know that I would keep them just for the sake of keeping them. I would keep a colony briefly if I were to prepare a skeleton. If any of my snakes ever keel over I would like to make a museum quality display of the skeleton. As Wade mentioned, they will eat any dead animal matter. I believe that includes leather. You would definitely want an absolutely escape proof enclosure.

If you have the stomach check out the below website. It features a time lapsed video of dermestids eating a pig carcass. Also be sure to check out the reticulated python eating a pig skeletal display. Very cool.

http://www.qmuseum.qld.gov.au/features/snakes/preparing/video.asp