This crystal clear glass vial contains a real, nearly complete field mouse skeleton that has been beetle-cleaned by my captive dermestid colony. The only thing missing are some ribs and some tail vertebrae - my naughty beetles ate them! Amazingly the tiny paws survived the process nearly intact - if you look closely you'll see the wee skeleton feet with pinhead toes, still in one piece!

The bones have been gently degreased, dried and preserved with a light spritz of matte acrylic. I did not whiten the bones this time, choosing instead to leave them with their natural coloration. The bones rest on a sprig of spagnum moss and a few smooth, natural river pebbles. The skeleton was vacuum-sealed with a cork stopper and should last indefinitely with proper handling.

Hanging from the top of the cork is a brilliantly colored golden pheasant feather that's tipped with black seed beads and a real piece of polished golden-brown tiger's eye stone. The lovely flame red color is natural, not dyed.

Note: the mouse was naturally deceased not killed by people. All taxidermy was done by me using environmentally safe methods. The skeleton has not been articulated.

The vial measures 3 inches including the cork, and it hangs on a 28 inch antique brass colored chain. The vial is glass and thus should be handled gently. The cork must not be removed to ensure long term preservation of the mouse skeleton inside.

All wildlife laws apply. USA sales only.

Available at link below. No Etsy account? I'll always do private sales outside Etsy too, just send me a note. :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/236153.....oss-and-stones