In some cases, preserving actual materials from the body of an animal is too difficult. In the beginning, scientists used detailed sketches, drawings, and photos to overcome this, but eventually a new type of taxidermy arose: Reproduction mounts that simulate exactly what the animal looks like, without using the body.

Today, these mounts are typically made with resin or fiberglass. They are used in museums and zoos, and often help replicate endangered species or animals that are very difficult to mount like fish and other sea life. Hunters may also use this type of mounting to celebrate non-kill hunts, where big game are tranquilized and scanned for the mount, but not actually killed…read more.