The original specimen
The original specimen (deceased and frozen) was acquired in 1978 from a man who housed several Gilas within a single large enclosure. The owner speculated that the cause of death may have been the result of old age. However no pathological exam had been performed. The lizard was large, measuring 19" inches nose to tail.
In retrospect, I regret not having made an attempt to determine the Gila's sex. Rather, my focus was set upon preserving it's detail and form by making several quality plaster molds. My suspicion is that this particular Gila was a male based upon a "trend" that males typically have a stouter build and a broader head. Mature females tend to have a narrower head and a more pear-shaped body. This, however, is by no means a fool-proof method of determining the sex of an adult Gila.
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The original specimen being positioned for the mold making process. |
My knowledge of taxidermy was very limited. Nonetheless, I was grateful to receive excellent coaching from John Davis, who was the contract taxidermist for the Palm Springs Desert Museum. At that time, a popular technique was to cast the plaster mold with a mixture of latex rubber and a filler. Latex alone is not conducive to grinding or shaping. The filler provides necessary rigidity and makes grinding/smoothing the seams much easier.
One disadvantage to using latex is that it tends to be a very time consuming process. Still, another drawback is shrinkage. My first finished latex model was more than one inch shorter in length than the original specimen. Latex will also show the affects of deterioration over time. I still have one of my original latex castings from thirty years ago wherein deterioration is evident on the feet and toes which have become somewhat curved and brittle.
For many years, my original plaster molds remained packed away in my garage. After retiring in 2002, I eventually resumed my interest in replicating the Gila as a "garden decor" as opposed to traditional taxidermy. Traditional taxidermy is, for the most part, an "indoor sport." That is...the finished product is seldom intended to endure prolonged exposure to the outdoors.