Help Guys! Full Body Crocodile Mount, Head Mount

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Customs in Mozambique just emailed me this week. I shot 2 monster crocs there in August. One is 15 feet 6 inches. The other is 14 feet 7 inches.

The 15 footer is missing some tail and lots of teeth. He was an enormous beast in his prime. I'm wondering is it possible to replace his missing teeth and possibly adding tail length? My PH who's a seasoned crocodile guide said he's probably missing 5-7 inches of tail.

The 14 footer I just want to do a head mount. My taxidermist here in the Carolinas has no idea really what to do other than he said painting the skull. Who has experience with this and who's the best? I know the full body mount on the 15 is going to cost $$$ but this was a truly exceptional trophy. Maybe once in a life time thing. I need some guidance. Thank you.

 

[HankBuck]

Customs in Mozambique just emailed me this week. I shot 2 monster crocs there in August. One is 15 feet 6 inches. The other is 14 feet 7 inches.

The 15 footer is missing some tail and lots of teeth. He was an enormous beast in his prime. I'm wondering is it possible to replace his missing teeth and possibly adding tail length? My PH who's a seasoned crocodile guide said he's probably missing 5-7 inches of tail.

The 14 footer I just want to do a head mount. My taxidermist here in the Carolinas has no idea really what to do other than he said painting the skull. Who has experience with this and who's the best? I know the full body mount on the 15 is going to cost $$$ but this was a truly exceptional trophy. Maybe once in a life time thing. I need some guidance. Thank you.

@Obi Wan Kenobi - those sound like a pair of trophy Crocs. Your 15 footer must be exceptional and his missing 6” of tail and some teeth might be his “Battle Scars” and part of his history !! You’ve got to have him mounted the way you like but I think he’s even more “unique” the way he is. Congratulations on fine Crocs !

 

[Datchew]

No guidance but I can't wait to see pics of how it turns out

 

[thriller]

You can always get a cigar ashtray like this one from an alligator

 

[Moody808]

@Obi Wan Kenobi - those sound like a pair of trophy Crocs. Your 15 footer must be exceptional and his missing 6” of tail and some teeth might be his “Battle Scars” and part of his history !! You’ve got to have him mounted the way you like but I think he’s even more “unique” the way he is. Congratulations on fine Crocs !

I was thinking the exact same thing!

 

[Mort Hill]

Check with Kanati.

 

[Sabre]

You can always get a cigar ashtray like this one from an alligatorView attachment 734438

Who did the work?

 

[thriller]

Who did the work?

I’ll have to check it’s for the hunting camp from a friend who shot it

 

[Hunt anything]

I’m a mount as is with any character.
If you really want to go back to what the croc was someone can probably cast some replacement teeth for you and I’m curious if they could graft 6” of tail off of the smaller croc onto the one you plan to full body mount?
Congrats on two tremendous trophies!!

 

[Beck]

Those are both world class crocs. I wouldn't add teeth or inches to the big guy, he speaks for himself quite nicely - also any crock that size is missing both teeth and inches

 

[Firebird]

Check with some taxidermists farther south who have experience doing alligators, I’m sure they can do the work for you. I’m sorry I ah e no recommends in that part of the country-

 

[Sarg]

Customs in Mozambique just emailed me this week. I shot 2 monster crocs there in August. One is 15 feet 6 inches. The other is 14 feet 7 inches.

The 15 footer is missing some tail and lots of teeth. He was an enormous beast in his prime. I'm wondering is it possible to replace his missing teeth and possibly adding tail length? My PH who's a seasoned crocodile guide said he's probably missing 5-7 inches of tail.

The 14 footer I just want to do a head mount. My taxidermist here in the Carolinas has no idea really what to do other than he said painting the skull. Who has experience with this and who's the best? I know the full body mount on the 15 is going to cost $$$ but this was a truly exceptional trophy. Maybe once in a life time thing. I need some guidance. Thank you.

That’s a pair of extremely nice Crocs, so really the 15+ footer is closer to a 16 footer which is really something, I personally wouldn’t add on a tail tip & he should have the dimensions of a huge croc, by rights his skull should dwarf the 14+ footer ?

My 14+ footer is huge compared to my 12+ footer.

Here is an example, largest tooth from 14+ footer next to 12+ footer largest tooth, it’s glued in so couldn’t put side by.

Could we see a picture or two of those awesome Crocs of yours to please ?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

That’s a pair of extremely nice Crocs, so really the 15+ footer is closer to a 16 footer which is really something, I personally wouldn’t add on a tail tip & he should have the dimensions of a huge croc, by rights his skull should dwarf the 14+ footer ?

My 14+ footer is huge compared to my 12+ footer.

Here is an example, largest tooth from 14+ footer next to 12+ footer largest tooth, it’s glued in so couldn’t put side by.

View attachment 734453

Could we see a picture or two of those awesome Crocs of yours to please ?

Im in NY with my daughter its her birthday Ill post them tomorrow when I get a moment.

 

[CBH Australia]

Well I’m sure they would look great as they are. Natural as the trophy that you took.
But, we understand if you want it perfect but if it has character and you have memories that is also important

 

[Franco]

The tail composition of crocs and alligators are quite similar: Looking at the back, there are ridges or fins - referred to as "Horn Back". Moving down the back towards the tail, the "fins" reduce to a single fin - a complete tail will have 15 - 16 single fin segments and a tip. Counting the number of these segments and adjusting for the decrease in the size of each segment, you can calculate what the length might have been.

Missing tail segments is not uncommon; I've been told most were the result of narrowly escaping being a meal for something bigger, of possibly a fight. The tail segments heal but do not grow back.

The head is a true indicator of size.

A trophy mount is a memory of your hunt, modifying the trophy does a disservice to the animal; and to "graft" a section of tail from another croc and not look funny - you'd need one bigger than the one you shot - just mount that one.

Big croc and alligator mounts are cool. I have 1 full-body alligator, a full-body "rug", numerous heads, skulls, and hides. A shoulder mount is at the taxidermist's awaiting pick up.

I use a guy in LA for the gators, Wildlife Gallery will be doing my crocs.

Here's a few pictures, I'll get more of the heads and skulls tomorrow.

These 2 pictures show the "fins" transitioning to single fin segments. A complete tail will have 15 - 16 and a tip.

Here's the full-body gator and a "rug".

Here's a couple heads and skulls.

 

[Sabre]

That’s a pair of extremely nice Crocs, so really the 15+ footer is closer to a 16 footer which is really something, I personally wouldn’t add on a tail tip & he should have the dimensions of a huge croc, by rights his skull should dwarf the 14+ footer ?

My 14+ footer is huge compared to my 12+ footer.

You are absolutely correct. A 1 foot difference in alligators and crocodiles usually represents a massive difference in overall size and age.

It varies by location (environment) and diet. But they grow quickly at first and then around 8-10 years old they only put on about an inch of length a year or less. But they put on a lot of mass and skull size over those years. So 1 foot total length difference can represent 12+ years age difference, hundreds of pounds, and a quite noticeable difference in head size.