Alligator and Crocodile Teeth "Exploding"

[Sabre]

The term "exploding" is a bit dramatic. But, cracking is not the right word either.

I have noticed many times when I have seen alligator skulls, I often see, on the table around them, little enamel fragments all around the mouth. And if you look close, you can see little missing enamel fragments on the teeth. Some of these fragments end up quite far away. It seems when they chip/pop off they can fly pretty far.

I have noticed this on a very large alligator skull I have, but not on a smaller one.

Also, one time I went to a taxidermist who had just had a client come in and tell them all the teeth on his large alligator skull were exploding and wearing away. He had left the skull there and I saw the same thing I have seen on many others and on my own. The client described the same experience as well.

I figure it has something to do with changes in humidity like often causes predator canine teeth to crack/split. However, I have kept the alligator skull in a humidity controlled environment, and while it may have reduced the number of small fragments, it certainly hasn't stopped.

Does anyone know anything about this or have you done anything to remedy it that has worked. I do have an idea that I think will likely fix the issue. But it's a bit involved. So, I'm interested if other people have experienced it and stopped it.



Also: Has anyone seen this same phenomenon on crocodile teeth?

 

[matt85]

Could be a case of them slowly drying out and shrinking. Outside enamel will be harder and more brittle, thus cracking and popping off.

But thats just an offhand guess. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[Scott CWO]

The term "exploding" is a bit dramatic. But, cracking is not the right word either.

I have noticed many times when I have seen alligator skulls, I often see, on the table around them, little enamel fragments all around the mouth. And if you look close, you can see little missing enamel fragments on the teeth. Some of these fragments end up quite far away. It seems when they chip/pop off they can fly pretty far.

I have noticed this on a very large alligator skull I have, but not on a smaller one.

Also, one time I went to a taxidermist who had just had a client come in and tell them all the teeth on his large alligator skull were exploding and wearing away. He had left the skull there and I saw the same thing I have seen on many others and on my own. The client described the same experience as well.

I figure it has something to do with changes in humidity like often causes predator canine teeth to crack/split. However, I have kept the alligator skull in a humidity controlled environment, and while it may have reduced the number of small fragments, it certainly hasn't stopped.

Does anyone know anything about this or have you done anything to remedy it that has worked. I do have an idea that I think will likely fix the issue. But it's a bit involved. So, I'm interested if other people have experienced it and stopped it.



Also: Has anyone seen this same phenomenon on crocodile teeth?

The teeth dry out and shrink a bit. To help mitigate this problem, I put clear nail polish on the teeth on all my skulls every couple of years. It’s not a complete cure but definitely helps. I’ve had some cracking but haven’t lost any teeth like I did in the past. It’s best to start immediately after you get the skulls home.

 

[JimP]

From what I have found by doing euro mounts is if the skull is "boiled" too hard or long you'll have this type of a problem.

 

[Scott CWO]

I’ve seen this happen to skulls cleaned by beetles as well. They all dry out.

 

[pilar]

I’ve had this problem with larger hogs tusk , after a couple years they will just split

 

[Sabre]

From what I have found by doing euro mounts is if the skull is "boiled" too hard or long you'll have this type of a problem.

I’ve seen this happen to skulls cleaned by beetles as well. They all dry out.

The larger alligator skull I have that is doing this was done with beetles.

 

[steve white]

What could be applied to normalize the moisture content? Sort of like putting linseed oil on dry wood?

 

[Sarg]

Unfortunately very common, right up to Hippo Tusks & yes I had a set actually explode, I shoot a huge Boar between clients (my largest at the time) quickly boiled out the tusks & put them on my bed in my tent, took the hunter out for morning hunt, upon my return ducked into my super hot tent & all over were ivory fragments, looked like someone had smashed them up with a hammer, this was a extremely long time ago & I know now that most tusks & teeth crack over time, at first I filled with Liquid Nails & Silicone but best is Candle Wax the paraffin fills them & I presume soaks into the Dentin, I do this to all our clients tusks, immediately after cleaning & drying then, none have split since, my large Croc has liquid nails & is cracking now but I can’t remove & add wax now !

 

[Scott CWO]

Unfortunately very common, right up to Hippo Tusks & yes I had a set actually explode, I shoot a huge Boar between clients (my largest at the time) quickly boiled out the tusks & put them on my bed in my tent, took the hunter out for morning hunt, upon my return ducked into my super hot tent & all over were ivory fragments, looked like someone had smashed them up with a hammer, this was a extremely long time ago & I know now that most tusks & teeth crack over time, at first I filled with Liquid Nails & Silicone but best is Candle Wax the paraffin fills them & I presume soaks into the Dentin, I do this to all our clients tusks, immediately after cleaning & drying then, none have split since, my large Croc has liquid nails & is cracking now but I can’t remove & add wax now !

How do you apply the wax exactly?

 

[Sarg]

How do you apply the wax exactly?

Well I light the candle & drip it in if doing pig tusks, if I was doing Hippo or full skull of Croc teeth I’d melt in a tin can & pour in each one .

 

[Philip Glass]

The term "exploding" is a bit dramatic. But, cracking is not the right word either.

I have noticed many times when I have seen alligator skulls, I often see, on the table around them, little enamel fragments all around the mouth. And if you look close, you can see little missing enamel fragments on the teeth. Some of these fragments end up quite far away. It seems when they chip/pop off they can fly pretty far.

I have noticed this on a very large alligator skull I have, but not on a smaller one.

Also, one time I went to a taxidermist who had just had a client come in and tell them all the teeth on his large alligator skull were exploding and wearing away. He had left the skull there and I saw the same thing I have seen on many others and on my own. The client described the same experience as well.

I figure it has something to do with changes in humidity like often causes predator canine teeth to crack/split. However, I have kept the alligator skull in a humidity controlled environment, and while it may have reduced the number of small fragments, it certainly hasn't stopped.

Does anyone know anything about this or have you done anything to remedy it that has worked. I do have an idea that I think will likely fix the issue. But it's a bit involved. So, I'm interested if other people have experienced it and stopped it.



Also: Has anyone seen this same phenomenon on crocodile teeth?

I gave my bro-in-law one of my hippo teeth. He had it in his office and it spontaneously exploded.

 

[Acopperdawg]

Well I light the candle & drip it in if doing pig tusks, if I was doing Hippo or full skull of Croc teeth I’d melt in a tin can & pour in each one .

just for clarification because the way I am reading your comment, it sounds like you are pouring the wax inside the teeth? Is that correct? Any particular type of candle that you are using?

 

[Sarg]

just for clarification because the way I am reading your comment, it sounds like you are pouring the wax inside the teeth? Is that correct? Any particular type of candle that you are using?

Yes that is correct, I have just used white paraffin candles that we used to use for camping & emergency lighting, not sure if that is the best but it seems to work well.

I have many many tusks, I was lucky in early life that a lot were shot in NZ & our climate is cooler & moist, when I shot a lot in Australia & Africa then I had lots of losses due to splitting, Warthog bottom cutters always were splitting, never had top tusks or grinders splitting, not sure why ?

But they are much denser, obviously this doesn’t work with Lion - Leopard teeth as you can’t pour wax into them.

 

[Sabre]

I gave my bro-in-law one of my hippo teeth. He had it in his office and it spontaneously exploded.

While at another taxidermist a guy had recently brought in his hippo skull for repair reporting that his tusks had exploded.

The client said he and his wife were sitting in the living room watching TV (same room as the hippo skull) when they heard a loud explosion. One hippo tusk exploded and went everywhere. The other one, right after that, let out a really loud pop and split in two.

I didn't get to see the aftermath. But I bet that was quite a thing to be in the room and witness.

 

[spike.t]

Was told years ago to rub lots of olive oil on them.....

 

[Hatchetjack]

If the croc and alligator skulls are done correctly each one of the teeth has a replacement tooth . When your beatle the skulls the teeth will become loose . Take all those teeth out , pull the replacements out and toss them . Drill all those tooth sockets to help get the grease out of the lower jaw . After your degreased and whitened , put cotton balls in the tooth sockets and use Elmer’s glue to put the teeth back in . Coat the skull and teeth with and acrylic paraloid to help preserve the skull and teeth . This also seals the teeth and keeps them from cracking . I’ve done a ton of them and never had any explode

 

[Sabre]

If the croc and alligator skulls are done correctly each one of the teeth has a replacement tooth . When your beatle the skulls the teeth will become loose . Take all those teeth out , pull the replacements out and toss them . Drill all those tooth sockets to help get the grease out of the lower jaw . After your degreased and whitened , put cotton balls in the tooth sockets and use Elmer’s glue to put the teeth back in . Coat the skull and teeth with and acrylic paraloid to help preserve the skull and teeth . This also seals the teeth and keeps them from cracking . I’ve done a ton of them and never had any explode

So, in my OP I mentioned that I had one idea that I thought might solve the issue but it's a bit involved. That thought was acrylic paraloid. My plan was to just paint it on the teeth as it will soak in and act as a stabilizer. I didn't want to put it on the entire skull because it seems like it can leave a bit of a glossy look.

Do you have photos of the ones you have done? Could you post them? Do you notice much of a glossy effect? When you apply it to the whole skull, do you use a brush to "paint it on" or some other method?

 

[fourfive8]

For skull mounts, after clean, dry and skull is complete, I always paint each tooth with clear slow set epoxy or even rod winding epoxy. I assume that would also work for crocs/alligators. But for poor condition or after deterioration, might ask taxidermist if plastic replacement teeth are available- could be ground to fit if not exact. Otherwise, I dunno?

 

[Hatchetjack]

So, in my OP I mentioned that I had one idea that I thought might solve the issue but it's a bit involved. That thought was acrylic paraloid. My plan was to just paint it on the teeth as it will soak in and act as a stabilizer. I didn't want to put it on the entire skull because it seems like it can leave a bit of a glossy look.

Do you have photos of the ones you have done? Could you post them? Do you notice much of a glossy effect? When you apply it to the whole skull, do you use a brush to "paint it on" or some other method?

Paint it on with a brush , do the whole skull in order to seal it. If it’s to glossy you’ve got to much paraloid in your mix , you need to thin it down