Hi Tammy
Way before my time here I know that students have prepared things like rat and rabbit skeletons by boiling off the flesh. Sounds totally gross but if there's not much flesh left it might be ok. A quick google search found this little snippet which may be of assistance:
PROMISING NEW METHOD
FEATURED IN THE SMALL MAMMAL MANUAL MANUSCRIPT
For small mammals and birds we've been working on a new technique that may be a good
alternative to beetles for preparing small skeletons.
Someone was quick to point out that it is unlikely that this is really a new technique, as people
have been working with skeleton cleaning for a couple hundred years. However, I have never
seen anything in print on this technique and one of the main ingredients (concentrated
hydrogen peroxide) wasn't produced much before WWII even though it had been first
discovered in the 1880's.
The process uses concentrated hydrogen peroxide to oxidize flesh. This so far involves
soaking small animal carcasses in a strong ammonia solution for ten days and then in baths of
15-20% hydrogen peroxide solution until the flesh is gone, but before the bones become
disarticulated. The articulated skeleton is then removed and posed until it dries. Experiments
as to the exact steps, times and limitations are still being conducted. I will add details here as
the process gets fine-tuned.
The major advantage, if this works, is being able to prepare very small skeletons without using
environmentally hazardous chemicals or having to deal with the nauseating smells of decay
This one sounds perhaps a bit extreme for your needs but not having seen your specimen I can't really say.
Good luck.
Julie
