Vintage & secondhand
Many of our pieces have had a life in another collection before reaching our shop. Bringing existing taxidermy and curiosities into new homes keeps them in circulation and gives their stories another chapter.
Our Sourcing
A little context behind the curiosities
Curiosity,
with care.
Every specimen has a story. We believe where it comes from matters just as much as the wonder it inspires.
Explore our sourcing
Our approach
to sourcing
At Flora & Fauna, we work with a variety of sources and vendors, with a focus on ethical and sustainable sourcing. Most of our bones and taxidermy are vintage, secondhand, or byproducts of farming and nuisance wildlife management. Alongside real specimens, we also offer educational models and crafted curiosities.
Where our pieces come from
Different origins. Shared curiosity.Farming byproducts
Some specimens come from farming and related industries, where animal remains are a byproduct of other activities. Preserving these materials gives them a lasting use for study, display, and appreciation.
Nuisance & invasive wildlife
Some specimens come from nuisance wildlife management involving conflicts with people, property, or agriculture. Our collection also includes invasive species. The circumstances and origin of each piece vary.
Educational models & replicas
Our collection also includes manufactured anatomical models and replicas made for learning and display. These pieces represent natural forms without being the actual bones, organs, or organisms they depict.
Insects & preserved specimens
Framed insects, resin specimens, and other preserved pieces come through a range of vendors. Their origins vary, so we address sourcing questions individually rather than applying one explanation to every specimen.
Crafted curiosities
Some pieces bring folklore and imagination to life. Gaffs and fantasy taxidermy are constructed curiosities; they may combine real animal materials with sculpted or artificial elements. Their materials and origins vary by piece.
Roadkill recovery
Some specimens are recovered from animals that died in vehicle collisions. Preserving these remains gives them a new purpose as pieces for learning, display, and appreciation.
Retired museum & institutional pieces
Some pieces come from museum or institutional collections where they are no longer used for display or study. Rehoming these specimens allows their educational value and history to continue.
These categories describe our overall collection. The source of an individual piece can vary—even among specimens of the same species.
Good questions, welcome here
A few things
worth knowing.
Are all of your specimens real?
Our shop carries both real specimens and manufactured models, replicas, and crafted curiosities. Check the individual description, or ask us if you’re unsure about a piece’s materials.
Does ethically sourced mean a natural death?
Not necessarily. Our sourcing includes vintage and secondhand pieces as well as byproducts of farming and nuisance wildlife management. We don’t use “ethically sourced” to mean that every animal died naturally.
Can you tell me where a specific piece came from?
We’re happy to share the sourcing information available to us. The level of detail varies, especially with older and secondhand specimens whose full histories may not be known. Send us a photo or product link so we can discuss the piece you have in mind.
Let’s talk about it
Curious about a particular piece?
Send us a photo or product link. We’ll share what we know about its materials, origin, and how it came to us.