Taxidermy expert opinion needed

[WERA22]

I have this alligator head that I hate. The taxidermy sucks and it doesn’t go with our decor. I prefer euro mounts. I do my own and am wondering if I can still euro this thing after whatever has been done to it so far. Do you think everything is under here? I’m thinking about soaking it and trying to clean it to do the boil, clean, bleach process. However, I would choose what I have over nothing. Any thoughts?

 

[Rich M]

Leave it as is. I had an alligator skull and was trying to do something - they do fall apart, it isn't a solid piece of bone but more like a puzzle.

 

[wapitibob]

 

[Erict]

Ask over at taxidermy.net , but I'd guess your best bet would be to FB marketplace what you have and use that to offset buying a real or repro alligator euro mount. Trying to make a decent euro out of what you have has trainwreck written all over it. Good luck.

 

[Nine Banger]

It may be freeze dried. The skull is in there.

I suspect the bottom and roof of the mouth are also putty.

Seems like you could adjust the eyes on yours and it would be satisfying?

Heres mine.

 

[WERA22]

Oops. I wasn't getting notifications. Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm going to try taxidermy.net. I'm feeling emboldened by some videos I've watched. Probably a terrible plan! haha

 

[taxidermybycam]

I hate to say it ,but it's just toast. Don't bother messing with it.
I can't say if it's freeze dried or if they used alcohol to "cure it " .
But to get the skull out of it and cleaned ,that won't happen.
Yes the skull is inside of it. But the amount of work to get it out and cleaned ,you'd be able to go hunt another one and then clean the skull of the new gator before fixing.
If youre really dead set on it . Soak it in a trash can for a few weeks and pressure wash it or hose it down. It may be too far gone or finicky.
Alligator skulls come off in tons and tons of pieces. It's not like doing a deer skull, so zip tie the jaw and skull all over , because it will fall apart.