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Animal skeleton

Submitted by on 26 October 2016

Updated 19th January 2023

Source of animal:

We recommend you check with your school jurisdiction for regulations regarding the use of dead animals or animal body parts that may not be sourced from a certified abattoir, butcher or science supply company. More information can be found on the Science ASSIST website link: Dissection materials 1

Zoonotic diseases:

There is a risk of contracting a zoonotic disease from handling living or dead animals. Zoonotic diseases are any diseases or infections that can be transmitted between animals and humans generally caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses. However, by following the safety procedures outlined below, you will reduce any risk to quite a low level. Sheep do potentially carry a number of diseases and pathogens transmissible to humans but the risks associated with old skeletal remains would be less than those associated with handling a fresh carcass. The following link gives a good overview of potential hazards in this area. https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases2

Science ASSIST recommendations:

It is important to follow the safety precautions outlined below:

Recommended procedure for cleaning and sterilising dry animal bones:

The Tasmanian Museum4recommends the following method for cleaning and sterilising dry animal bones for collections.

Pre-treatment

Cleaning

Sterilising and whitening

Additional information:

Alternatives:

For examining skeletal and muscle systems you could also consider using the following:

Small animals and animal parts can also be purchased through biological supply companies. See the Science ASSIST School science suppliers8 list.

References:

1 Science ASSIST website, (2023, January 7), Dissection materials’, retrieved from https://assist.asta.edu.au/question/637/dissection-materials

2 Victorian government, Department of agriculture, (accessed 2023, January 19), Animal diseases’, retrieved from https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases

3 Science ASSIST website, (2014, July),Risk assessment template’, retrieved from https://assist.asta.edu.au/resource/2298/risk-assessment-template

4 Gordon, T., (2016), Natural Science Collections Officer, Queen Victoria Museum and art gallery, Launceston, Tasmania. Personal communication.

5 McGowan – Lowe, J., (2016), How to clean animal bones – the complete guide: Jake’s Bones’, retrieved from http://www.jakes-bones.com/p/how-to-clean-animal-bones.html

6 Tennant, H., (2021, October 5), How to clean animal bones for display’, retrieved from https://empressofdirt.net/how-clean-animal-bones/

7 Chem-Supply website, (2023),35% Hydrogen peroxide’, Safety Data Sheet. Search https://shop.chemsupply.com.au/ to source the latest Safety Data Sheet via the product information page.

8 Science ASSIST website, (2020, June),School science suppliers’ retrieved from https://assist.asta.edu.au/resource/664/school-science-suppliers

Science ASSIST website, (2021, March),List of recommended chemicals for science in Australian schools 2021’, retrieved from https://assist.asta.edu.au/resource/4669/list-recommended-chemicals-science-australian-schools-2021