Beginner’s Guide: Skinning a Mouse
Methylated Spirits & Borax Method
This method is suitable for beginners. Methylated spirits are used to defrost, disinfect, and degrease the skin. Borax is used to dry and preserve the skin, and its grain helps release the skin from the body during skinning.
What you’ll need
• Frozen mouse
• Methylated spirits
• Borax
• Scalpel or sharp craft knife
• Small scissors
• Tweezers
• Container with a lid
• Paper towels
Step 1: Defrosting in methylated spirits
• Place the frozen mouse directly into a container of methylated spirits, making sure it is fully submerged.
• Leave overnight.
This defrosts the mouse while disinfecting it and starting the degreasing process, making the skin easier to work with.
Step 2: Prepare your workspace
• Remove the mouse from the meths and gently pat it dry with paper towel.
• Lay it belly-up on your work surface.
Step 3: The initial incision
• Using a scalpel, make a small incision in the middle of the torso.
• Start between the top of the back legs and cut down towards the vent.
• Cut skin only, not muscle.
Step 4: Creating the pocket & using borax
• Before going to the back legs, use your fingers or tweezers to separate the skin from the body, creating a pocket.
• From this point onward, use borax as you need it.
• Sprinkle small pinches into stubborn areas to help release the skin from the body.
The grain of the borax helps give grip and makes the skin easier to work away without tearing.
Step 5: Working to the back legs
• Once the pocket is established, work the skin down the back leg.
• You can gently push the paw up, and the leg should pop out of the skin like a sleeve.
• Once the leg is free, cut at the ankle joint, leaving the paw inside the skin.
• Repeat on the other back leg.
Step 6: The tail
• At the base of the tail you will see two small tubes, these need to be snipped through.
• Take a tight grip around the base of the tail, where the skin meets the flesh.
• With your other hand, pull the body away from the tail while keeping that grip.
• You should feel the tail start to slip out of the skin.
• If it becomes stiff, sprinkle a little borax to help.
• If needed, make very careful cuts with a scalpel where the tissues connect.
• Go slowly, never force it.
Step 7: Moving up the body
• Continue peeling the skin forward over the torso and shoulders.
• Use borax as needed wherever the skin feels tight or stuck.
Step 8: Front legs
• Work the skin down each front leg.
• Snip the bones at the ankle joints, leaving the paws inside the skin.
Step 9: Up to the head
• Gently peel the skin up the neck towards the head.
Step 10: Ears, eyes, and face
• Pull the skin forward until you reach the ears.
• You will see two white straps attaching the skin to the body , these are the ears.
• Cut through the base of these straps and you will be able to see the ear canal.
Eyes
• The eyes look like small blisters.
• Take a pinch of borax on your fingertips.
• Gently pinch the eye sockets and pull them out whole.
• Snip off any remaining flesh.
Cheeks and mouth
• Move down towards the nose.
• Pinch off the meat at the cheek bones.
• Carefully pull the front of the mouth down over the top and bottom teeth, being careful not to rip straight through.
Step 11: Final flesh removal
• Check the inside of the skin and remove any remaining flesh or fat.
• Pay particular attention to the face, legs, and tail.
Step 12: Second meths soak
• Place the skin back into methylated spirits.
• Soak for a couple of hours, up to 12 hours.
Step 13: Washing and drying
• Remove the skin from the meths and pat it down with paper towel.
• Wash gently in soapy water.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Blow dry using cold air if possible.
Step 14: Ready to mount
• The skin is now clean and ready to be mounted. There are various ways of making forms and mounting animals we love to encourage people to give it their own take and be creative and have fun.