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CHAPTER III 
SKINNING MAMMALS 
SMALL MAMMALS 
Labelling 
The first thing to do is to prepare a label or at least make notes of 
certain data which can only be obtained from the fresh specimen “in 
the flesh.” Locality, date, and sex, should be put down first of all; then 
the three essential field measurements: length (L.), tail (T.), and hind 
foot (H.F.), taken in millimetres if possible. Take the measurements in 
inches and fractions if a millimetre rule or tape is not at hand. Colour 
of eyes, and of any soft or hairless parts that are apt to change colour 
on drying, should be noted on the back of the label. 
Cased Skins 
The simplest way to prepare small mammal skins is by “casing” 
them and this method may be used for any mammal from the size of a 
shrew up to the size of a wolf. The “cased skin” is easily and quickly 
prepared, without the use of preservatives, and with no other tool than 
a knife, and is quite suitable for scientific purposes. The student of 
seasonal moults and colour will often find skins “cased” with the flesh side 
out useful in showing the localized areas of new hair growth that form 
variegated patterns which are well known to fur buyers as evidence of 
“unprimeness” of the skin, but which are often hardly visible on the 
surface of the fur (Figure 8). The “cased skin” is recommended for the 
casual collector or traveller who wishes to preserve an occasional specimen, 
or a collector who is pressed for time, or who is travelling light. In briefest 
terms: 
Skin the animal in the same way as a trapper would skin a fox or 
mink, leaving claws and feet attached to the skin, and dry and preserve 
the skull separately . 
One opening cut is made, beginning at one heel, cutting through skin 
at back and inner side of leg, across base of tail between the anus and the 
urethral opening, and down to opposite heel. Detach skin from legs, cut 
through each leg a little above heel, peel skin down on feet as far as the toes 
if possible and cut away any loose flesh, and loosen skin around base of tail. 
The skin of the base of tail is seized with the thumb and finger of one hand 
and the tail which is attached to the body is pulled with the other (Figure 
9). By some twisting the tail will usually slip out of its skin or sheath. 
Some tails, as of certain shrews, may need a slight preliminary rolling- 
pin treatment with the handle of a knife on the table to soften them and 
loosen the skin a little. Stronger tails may be slipped through the points of 
a forceps, or gripped between two sticks held in the hand, or squeezed 
between the cleft of a split stick tied together at one end. Hairless tails 
