Sourcing Practices
Where do you get your specimens?
Since I work with a variety of species, my specimens come from multiple different places. I prioritize sourcing my specimens in ethical and/or sustainable ways that are in line with my personal morals, which I understand can differ from person to person and I respect any opinion that differs from mine in this regard.
Insects and Arachnids: Most of the specimens I work with are insects that are sourced from sustainable butterfly farms and aviaries around the world. The money made from selling these specimens to museums, collectors, artists, etc. is used to support jobs for local people where the insects are farmed and used for direct conservation efforts in their countries of origin. Furthermore, the demand for insect specimens incentivizes local communities and governments to preserve their natural ecosystems so these insects can continue to thrive in the wild. These facilities play a role in conservation of local native species by breeding insects like butterflies, moths, beetles, etc. in captivity, where the eggs and larvae have a much better chance of surviving to adulthood. A portion of these adults are released back into natural areas to maintain or replenish wild populations, while another portion are humanely euthanized or allowed to live the rest of their (relatively short) lives in captivity until they pass away naturally. These deceased specimens are what I purchase from licensed importers within the United States to use for my art.
I also purchase naturally deceased specimens born and bred in captivity by private breeders, as I prefer to work with natural death specimens when they are made available to me. I also work with natural death specimens that are found by myself in the Sonoran Desert.
Some insects (like many beetles and true bugs) are wild caught utilizing sustainable hunting practices to ensure they are not over-harvested. These sustainable practices are similar to those utilized in the United States by responsible hunters and fishermen, including harvest limits, designated hunting seasons, extremely limited removal of female specimens from the environment, and prohibition of harvest of protected or endangered species.
My tarantula specimens and molts are sourced from my own pet tarantulas, as they naturally molt as they age and grow. Molts are NOT whole deceased animals - they are simply the exoskeleton (or "shed skin") of the live tarantulas, who are unharmed in the natural process of molting. When my pet tarantulas do inevitably pass away naturally, I also preserve them as whole specimens. I also occasionally source molts and natural death specimens from other tarantula keepers and breeders.
Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish:
The majority of my reptiles, amphibians, and fish are natural death specimens, meaning they are not killed purposefully and rather die due to natural causes, injuries, illness, etc. These specimens come from private keepers, hobbyists, and breeders from around the United States.
I occasionally also source these specimens from independent hunters who remove these animals in areas where they are considered invasive. An invasive species is a species of animal, plant, etc. that has been introduced to a location that is not part of its' natural range that has demonstrated detrimental effects on native species in that area. For example, hunters frequently remove animals like reticulated pythons, veiled chameleons, green iguanas, lionfish, armored catfish, and more from states like Florida, as these species have been able to proliferate to the point where they outcompete native Floridian species for resources such as food and territory. All of these invasive specimens are humanely euthanized in the effort of conservation.
Birds and Rodents:
Most of my bird and rodent specimens are sourced from breeders who raise them to feed to reptiles and other predatory animals. They are occasionally sourced as natural death specimens from these same places, but most are humanely euthanized. I prioritize utilizing animals that are determined unsafe for consumption by reptiles, which is usually due to them being thawed for too long prior to feeding to prevent waste.
I DO NOT work with any United States native migratory bird species (which includes all birds besides domesticated species, invasive/introduced species, or game birds with regulated hunting seasons) as I work strictly in compliance with ALL federal and state wildlife protection laws.
Large Game Mammals and Furbearers:
Large game animal parts (deer, elk, caribou, etc.) and furbearer parts (coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, mink, etc.) are sourced from sustainable and responsible independent hunters and trappers from around the United States. I prioritize sourcing these specimens from American Indigenous individuals to support them in their continued cultural practices and to show respect and support for their stewardship of natural American environments and conservation efforts.
I thoroughly vet any independent hunters and trappers that I source specimens from, as I DO NOT tolerate or support poaching, inhumane treatment, or over-harvesting of native wildlife.
I occasionally source these specimens from animals collected legally as roadkill, whether by myself or another individual.
Are these legal to own?
My background in wildlife conservation has made me familiar with United States federal and Arizona state wildlife protection and hunting laws, so you can be sure that every specimen you purchase from me is 100% legal to own in the state of Arizona. If you will be traveling out of the state or country with a specimen purchased from me, please inform me of this PRIOR to purchasing the specimen so I can inform you of your state or country's import/export laws regarding wildlife. The customer is responsible for being familiar with these regulations as well, as I will not honor refunds of specimens that are confiscated by federal or state officials due to illegal ownership/importation/exportation of wildlife.
I work STRICTLY within the confines of United Stated federal and Arizona state wildlife laws. I DO NOT purchase or sell any prohibited wildlife species within the United States or the state of Arizona. This includes but is not limited to: US native migratory birds (including species that migrate into/out of the US), endangered or threatened species, and game animals that were harvested out of season or out of regulation.
For more information on commonly referenced wildlife laws, see below. This is not an exhaustive list of wildlife protection laws.
I do not believe that hunting or harvesting wild animals and then selling their parts is ethical. Why do you claim your practices are ethical?
I specifically use both the term "ethical" and "sustainable" in reference to my sourcing practices, but I do NOT use them interchangeably as they do not mean the same thing to me. I pride myself and my business on integrity and being as transparent as possible so that my customers can make an informed decision on whether or not they want to purchase or support my art. I also am of the firm belief that using precise language is an important part of scientific education.
I use the word "ethical" to describe any specimen used in my art that was not killed purposefully by another person; my ethical specimens are any animals that died of natural causes, including disease, old age, failure to thrive, etc. These animals are able to live their lives in the wild or being cared for in captivity. I always strive to source mostly ethically sourced specimens, but they are not the only specimens I use.
I use the word "sustainable" to describe any specimen used in my art that was killed purposefully by another person for many reasons, including for the purpose of being used as educational specimens, recreational or subsistence hunting, population or invasive species control, etc. I DO NOT source any specimens from fur farms or factory farms, as these methods of acquisition do not align with my personal morals. I DO source specimens from independent recreational and subsistence hunters (including American Indigenous individuals), responsible insect farms, and independently-owned livestock farms. I do my best to keep up-to-date on changing conservation concerns and population shifts in regards to the species that I source, so I may not always be able to offer certain species for sale as I do not support the harvest of threatened, endangered, or protected species.
I understand that everyone has a different idea of what they personally consider "ethical" vs. "sustainable" in regards to utilizing real animals and real animal parts in art and science, and I respect any opinion that differs from mine. I do not respect purposefully inflammatory or aggressive comments, messages, or any other form of confrontation. I am more than happy to have civil discussions regarding these topics, but I demand mutual respect when discussing this controversial and often emotionally-charged topic.
How do I tell if one of your items was sourced ethically or sustainably?
At the scale that I work at, and the time I take to process and prepare each animal that I am fortunate to work with, I am able to keep track of where each individual specimen came from. I am not always able to keep track of how specifically a certain animal died, but I am more than happy to clarify where a specific specimen/item was sourced from! Please ask me!
Ultimately, my love for animals transcends my desire to see them living content, natural lives. Conservation and scientific education are fields that often require compromise, and as both a conservationist and someone who strives to inspire excitement and awe for the natural world in people, I have to balance an extremely nuanced and situation-dependent field with often emotionally-charged reactions from people unfamiliar with modern conservation and scientific practices.
I am a huge proponent of the idea that humanity is not separate from nature, as we are and have always been as intertwined with ecosystems and natural processes as any animal, plant, fungus, or microbe. This is why my mission is grounded in harm-reduction approaches to conservation and environmental activism. I hold the utmost respect for each and every animal, big or small, that finds it's way to my workstation. I do not take my role as an advocate for wildlife and nature lightly. This is why I do not aspire to operate on a commercial scale, as it is extremely important to me that I give each specimen the respect to take my time in preserving them in death. As a result this means that I may not always have certain species or types of products available.
I am also a proponent of the idea that death is a neutral and natural process, rather than something bad born from evil or darkness. It is a natural consequence of existing as a living being, and I am extremely cognizant of death in my daily life, but not in a negative way. Rather I approach the concept of death with curiosity and reverence as a part of the wonder of the natural world. It is for this reason that I am comfortable with and have chosen to integrate death in my daily life with starting this business.
I understand and respect that my art is not for everyone! If it is not for you and you still came to read to the bottom of this page, thank you so much for taking the time to do so to learn more about my art. I appreciate you! <3
