Ready to Mount Shark Jaws? Check How to Clean Them!

The enormous-sized carnivorous fish have been long fascinated by humans. The fierce predators fascinatingly contribute to the ocean’s ecological balance. Sharks are gifted with a unique jaw structure, making them an effective weapon. You’ll be surprised to know that many people preserve shark jaws.

The skeletons of sharks, including the jaws, are made out of various cartilages with different structures and functionalities. Like other carnivorous mammals and vertebrates, sharks’ upper jaw is not attached firmly to their skull. So they thrust their entire mouth forward to capture their prey.

Since 1970, oceanic sharks have had a great extinction and continue to do so. It would be best if you did not kill them for satisfying your fishing urges or for much fun. Sometimes, sharks get caught in fishing nets, so the anglers usually kill them and throw them back.

If you encounter such a situation, make sure you make the best use of the dead shark. Preserving shark jaws and skin will benefit you in adding rare collections to your home. Since this procedure is not an easy job, you need to be very careful while cleaning and preserving them.

Table of Contents

A Comprehensive Guide on Cleaning and Preserving Shark Jaws

• Process of Shark Jaw Cleaning
• Step 1: Extract the Jaws
• Step 2: Clean the Frontal Portion of the Jaws
• Step 3: Clean the Rear Portion of the Jaws
• Step 4: Whiten the Jaws
• Step 5: Dry the Jaws
• Step 6: Sand the Jaws
• Step 7: Apply a Coating to the Jaws
• To Conclude

A Comprehensive Guide on Cleaning and Preserving Shark Jaws

Sharks are considered an essential part of the marine ecosystem as they maintain the trophic structures and population. Sometimes, they get caught in the fishing nets and are killed before putting them back. So if you run into this kind of situation, or spot a dead shark somewhere, bring it back home.

You can permanently preserve skin and bony cartilaginous mouth as it has a fascinating structure. But before you can maintain them, you need to get them cleaned precisely. However, this procedure is not easy and might cause considerable damage to the jaws.

Process of Shark Jaw Cleaning

In this post, we will be providing you with a thorough step-by-step guide on how to clean shark jaws. Go on reading to learn how you can add a valuable item to your rare collection of objects. Let’s get started.

• Step 1: Extract the Jaws

The first step toward jaw extraction is tracing and finding the shark jaw from where you will cut. So once you have located the space between the jaws and the skull, use a sharp knife to cut it. Make sure that you scrape off the skin and flesh carefully by not disturbing the cartilage.

• Step 2: Clean the Frontal Portion of the Jaws

After having extracted the jaws, you will need to clean them. Carefully scrape off the paper-thin meats and the membrane sheath over the cartilage. Always start from the frontal portion and deflesh the meat, thereby freeing the skin from the jaws.

• Step 3: Clean the Rear Portion of the Jaws

Once you have finished cleaning the front, head over to clean the backside of the jaws, this portion doesn’t have much flesh, so it becomes easier to clean. After you are done, soak the jaws inside a bowl of freshwater. Leave them there until and unless they become entirely cleaned up.

• Step 4: Whiten the Jaws

Use Hydrogen Peroxide or Clorox to whiten the jaws. You can keep them soaked with the solution and wait until it becomes entirely white.

• Step 5: Dry the Jaws

Hang up the jaws by fastening them with some nails and allowing them to dry. Make sure you apply some salt to the jaws so that it doesn’t stink.

• Step 6: Sand the Jaws

After it has dried up, you can take sandpaper and remove the bits of flesh. If you think the jaws are not whitened enough, you can keep them soaked in the solution again.

• Step 7: Apply a Coating to the Jaws

Once the jaws are dry, apply an acrylic clear coat varnish to them. It will make the jaws look bright and white. Leave them to dry for at least thirty minutes.

To Conclude

After cleaning, whitening, and coating the shark jaws, you are ready to mount them on your walls. The newly mounted shark jaws will add a different unique value to your home. And you can also proudly say to your friends and family that you own something rare, like a shark jaw.