Problems with my hippo skull

[Silence]

Hi there!

I have a question - my hippo skull finally arrived, with the tusks seperate from the skull. My problem is: I cannot get the big tusks in the lower jaw... the main part should be, of course, inside of the jaw, but no matter how hard I try I can not get the tusk around the curving in the jaw. Is there any trick? Or do I have to cut the tusk?

Please help!

 

[buck wild]

easiest way is to file away the skull area at the tusk opening. You can use various electric tools to grind away the opening like a dremel or rotatory tool with a round grinding attachment. I wouldn't cut the tusk. Harder way would be to soak the lower jaw in water until it "softens" up and the tusk fit. This might take days and risk the skull is brittle and begins flaking but a hippo skull should be very solid and not as much danger as a thin skulled animal.

 

[harden]

The more GROOVES in the socket the worse time you'll have they, the groves and the socket itself have shrank and distorted that socket as Buck stated. Soaking with relive some but never all. They SUCK working on after drying out in Africa for months or a year. Hippos are a crap shoot, older ones are worse than younger ones.

 

[Silence]

Thanks very much! Ok, so I have to look for a guy with some electric tools that can do the job. I assume my nailfile is not enough...

 

[Ridgewalker]

Silence, you might try using a wood dowel with sand paper wrapped around it. It’s not as aggressive as a Dremel tool. Patience only removing a little at a time and retrying to insert the tusk would be my recommendation. Or if patience is not one of your virtues, take it to a taxidermist with experience.
Best of luck! Please show us some pictures when you’re done, or as you work on it. It would be interesting to me.
Thanks!

 

[Rule 303]

Thanks very much! Ok, so I have to look for a guy with some electric tools that can do the job. I assume my nailfile is not enough...

Try your Dentist
Sorry couldn't resist. I know, I am of no help at all

 

[CAustin]

Sorry your having trouble!