Taxidermist

As part of your day-to-day duties, you may:

• keep accurate notes about an animal's death
• use hand and power tools to remove the animal's skin and skull
• make artificial parts like eyes, beaks, and fish scales
• build the interior support frame using wood, metal or plastic
• reconstruct the animal to create a lifelike model
• build a mount or natural backdrop for the display
• keep up to date with UK legislation on the use of dead animals

• knowledge of the fine arts
• design skills and knowledge
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work on your own
• persistence and determination
• the ability to sell products and services
• customer service skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Taxidermy is governed by strict regulations, covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

You can get into this job through:

• working towards this role
• specialist training courses

You could lead a team of taxidermists in a museum or offer workshops for taxidermy amateurs and professionals.

If you're self-employed, you could sell your own work or offer a repairs and restoration service. You could also hire out models to the props department of a film, TV or theatre production.

As your experience grows, you could become a master taxidermist and get specialist commissions.