I don’t know a single museum in the UK that doesn’t have some form of taxidermy on display. And while I trained as a geologist at the University of Leeds and spent time as a geological curatorial assistant at Tullie House—where geology happily coexisted under the natural history umbrella—taxidermy has never been my thing.
That said, taxidermy is a staple of museum spaces, sparking discussions about history, ethics, and preservation. Over time, I’ve shared reflections about this on LinkedIn, and in this blog post, I’ve gathered them all together. Whether you’re a taxidermy fan, critic, or somewhere in between, I invite you to join me in exploring these thoughts.
Taxidermy is my biggest museum Ick
Dealing with Taxidemy when you are Neurodivergent
The biggest issue with conserving Taxidermy is bugs!
Do we need Taxidermy any more?
We can’t deny that taxidermy has deep roots in museum collections, but as museum professionals, we do have the power—and responsibility—to assess its place today critically. Is it an educational tool? A historic relic? Or an outdated practice that deserves a rethink?
For me, taxidermy will always be my “museum ick.” But museums are spaces of nuance and dialogue, not just discomfort. If we can ask tough questions about climate, ethics, and representation, we can find better ways to connect with visitors while caring for our collections (and ourselves).
So I’ll leave you with this: whether you’re Team Taxidermy or not, keep asking questions. Keep reflecting. And keep sharing your voice—because this is a conversation that deserves to be heard. Share your thoughts on my Linkedin posts, Links can be found below.
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