Cleaning an Alligator Skull?

[BrandonH]

I have an alligator skull that I would like to clean up for a skull mount. I do several deer and pigs each year by cooking them, but am not sure what to do with the gator head. Is it as simple as a deer head? I'm worried about all the teeth falling out and not being able to get them back in their proper spots.

Thanks for any help.

-Brandon

[gander]

Its gonna be almost impossible to keep them from falling out, try to remember where they are in the head, or try to think of a way to mark there order that can be cleaned off when you go to glue them back in place. Good luck!

[Texantax]

Gator skulls need to be done with beetles, period. Boiling is way too harsh on them, and yes the teeth will all come out and are a pain to keep in order. I have done them with my beetles before but it is not cheap!!

[BrandonH]

Gator skulls need to be done with beetles, period. Boiling is way too harsh on them, and yes the teeth will all come out and are a pain to keep in order. I have done them with my beetles before but it is not cheap!!

PM me a price if you don't mind.

[Drawknife]

I stuck mine in a ant mound and it cleaned up nice. Teeth will fall out, Take pics and just glue them back in.

[tx07]

I have an alligator skull that I would like to clean up for a skull mount. I do several deer and pigs each year by cooking them, but am not sure what to do with the gator head. Is it as simple as a deer head? I'm worried about all the teeth falling out and not being able to get them back in their proper spots.

Thanks for any help.

-Brandon

Maybe put small screws in each tooth from the inside of the mouth to keep them in?

[djc]

I have done 2 gator heads, I just simmered them, not boiled, and never lost a tooth.
You just have to be careful not to over do it.
It was no more difficult than a deer, or pig skull.

[BrandonH]

Maybe put small screws in each tooth from the inside of the mouth to keep them in?

Good idea, but I don't think it will work. I wish I could find an adhesive that wouldn't come loose.

[Gladesgator]

Boiling is not recommended, the skull itself can also be damaged if boiled too much.

Beetles or ants is the way to go.

You can separate the upper and low jaws before you start and lay them teeth up, when they are cleaned up the teeth stay in place but will need to be then glued in.

[BrandonH]

Boiling is not recommended, the skull itself can also be damaged if boiled too much.

Beetles or ants is the way to go.

You can separate the upper and low jaws before you start and lay them teeth up, when they are cleaned up the teeth stay in place but will need to be then glued in.

Good suggestion about teeth side up. No matter how I do it, I will definitely go teeth up.

[Texantax]

PM me a price if you don't mind.

PM sent