So I’ve been really, really busy trying to clean out my custom queue before my new job starts next month, and making some of the standard vending goodies like tails and such for events, but last night I decided to put all that aside and let myself just have a night to really play with my skills and supplies! I pulled out my big box o’ critter skulls (now substantially smaller post-destash) and decided to do some painting and decorating and the like. I have a few things in partial stages of completion, but these two necklaces are done and up on my Etsy shop!
Whenever I do my Big Cleaning Frenzies a few times a year, I go through my layaway pile. Most people who do layaways with me are really good about keeping up on them, and I try to be really flexible for people when Life Happens. However, occasionally someone has to back out for whatever reason, or they haven’t made a payment in a very long time (we’re talking many months) and aren’t responding to emails/messages/etc. So I refund what’s been paid, and make the items available for general purchase again.
These two pieces, a fox skull rattle and a domestic cat skull necklace, are two such pieces. They’re now available for open purchase again on my Etsy shop—here’s the rattle, and here’s the necklace.
The Sechuran fox (Lycalopex sechurae) is a species of Canid native to the Sechura Desert of South America, in the countries of Ecuador and Peru. Despite the name, it and the other members of Lycaloplex are not foxes (genus Vulpes) and are more closely related to wolves. It is the smallest member of its genus.
Sechuran foxes inhabit desert and dry forest environments up to the western edge of the Andes. They are nocturnal and solitary, resting in burrows during the day. It has small teeth specialized for eating insects, though they also consume eggs, rodents, and carrion as well as fruit and seed pods. They are capable of relying solely on plants for nutrition during lean periods.
The IUCN lists the Sechuran fox as “Near Threatened”. Habitat loss is the main threat to their survival, but they are also hunted so their body parts can be used in folk medicine and rituals, and to prevent them from killing chickens.
Just another reminder that this is the price paid for many of the hides and bones we have and work with. They are not made in a factory. They are not made from plant fibers or petroleum. They come from living animals like this one, many of whom died like this one. Remember that.
Remember that, and act accordingly. If you choose, as I have, to continue working with the hides and bones—with the sacred remains, as I feel they are—please don’t forget this image. If you choose, buy only those that did not die like this, or if you do, at least be aware of their deaths. If you will, act with reverence when you handle them. If you will, do something to give back to the Land, and to the wildlife.
This is a reminder. Pass it on, please.
Red foxes culled in Australia to protect native wildlife.
Early settlers imported foxes into Australia for hunting purposes in the 1830’s. From there the species rapidly spread across the continent, devastating the native fauna and contributing to the extinction of species such as the desert rat-kangaroo. With an estimated 7.3 million feral foxes in Australia, heavy culling programs are essential if many native species are to survive.
im about to cry. this is so so so so so— sad. who kills these beautiful creatures?!?!
I take it you missed the part where if they DIDN’T kill the foxes, other species that are native to Australia would go extinct. Yes, it’s sad that these animals lost their lives, but the alternative is for entire *species* to be lost. I think it’s pretty clear where the priority should be.
This is so sad. Only because it’s due to someone’s negligence and ignorance that led to this outcome. Importing non-native species is dangerous. Especially when those species end up getting loose and breeding in the wild. The effects on the local ecosystem is unknown and can ultimately have horrible results.
I think it’s only fair to point out that these foxes were imported at a time when we didn’t have any real understanding of ecosystems or the natural world in general. The people back then simply didn’t have the knowledge to understand the impact importing these foxes would later have.
However, now that we do have the knowledge it’s out duty to fix, or at least manage the situation as best we can.
Agreed, and the same thing goes for rabbits there, too. And now there’s going to be a big hunt of pythons in Florida for the same reasons.
I do mourn for the lives lost. It wasn’t their fault to be where they were; it took us to do that. I just hope that balances are gained sooner rather than later so the deaths may be a minimal as possible.
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