Sydney Environment Institute

Discover 19th Century taxidermy at the Macleay Museum

This exhibition explores the relationship between taxidermy and the science of taxonomy in the 19th Century. Taxidermy is the process of making a life-like sculpture of an animal from its own skin. To make an elephant one needs a wooden frame, a fish needs gentle stuffing, a kangaroo needs stuffing and wire too; for a caterpillar a small glass tube, a candle and cotton is required.