Hello.

I'm posting here as a complete casting novice. I'm actually a scientist, not an artist. I studyi the neurobiology pup-suckling, using mice.

What I would like to do is make a latex or silicon reproduction of the belly of a female mouse, mainly as a tool to find what are the odor cues that makes pups seek their mothers teats.

I was planning on dunking an anaethetised mother's belly in plaster of paris and letting it set, then filling the cast with some liquid latex. However, I'm not sure if this will give me the detail of the teats that I would require and there is also the consideration of the hair on the mother's belly.

I appreciate this sounds like a bit like a joke, but I am being serious. I would be most appreciative of any advice on products, materials or techniques anyone might have on how best to do this.

Many thanks in advance,

Darren Logan

I don't think plaster would work as it gets too hot and might harm the animal, plus it takes too long to set.

You might want to look into more of a fast setting product like the Alginate Casting Kit. you can cast the mouse to create a mold and then fill the mold with plaster.

Glen

I would recommend our fast setting Hollywood Impressions backed by some plaster gauze bandage.

Here is the link:

http://www.artmolds.com/product_details.cfm?product_id=340&page=0&cat_name=Alginate

REgards,
Ed McCormick