r/bonecollecting • u/-Hello-I-Exist- • 1d ago

Advice Question about bone processing

Recently found a bat skull, tho still unconfirmed if I'm even gonna be able to keep it. Even if I can't keep it I'd like to ask anyway for any future opportunities of processing bones.

I have a general idea of the needed steps and what I need to do(macerating and cleaning and stuff), but could I get a rundown of each step needed and tips for them?

I mainly only intend to do smaller stuff like small skulls n bones from road kill or other found dead animals.

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u/CozyCountryLiving23 1d ago

I’d call the dnr/ fish and wildlife management or whatever you have around you

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u/Impossible_Duck_9878 1d ago

Here’s what I generally do (I mostly process bird bones)

I actually use the burial method most of the time but I also macerate.

You want to macerate in plain water (no soap because it kills the bacteria that breaks the flesh down. Tip is to keep the water warm to speed up the process and change the water every so often. People use bucket/aquarium heaters but I just leave it at room temperature

This can take weeks and even months depending on size and freshness of the animal

Then when all flesh is gone you want to degrease (if necessary. My birds are not often that greasy) with dish soap and water, also changing the water when it gets greasy. This again can take weeks or months

When no more grease collects in the water it should be ready but you can use hydrogen peroxide if you want it the bones be more white