Black Moth is anything but your average retail store, built on the foundation of educating and learning about the natural world and its history. We strive to offer Tulsa the opportunity to observe, buy, and collect all kinds of natural specimens. This includes (but is not limited to) fossils, cultural artifacts, insects, animal and human remains. When buying and selling such products, Black Moth is committed to upholding sustainable sourcing policies since its creation in 2014.
Sustainability Statement & FAQs
How do we implement sustainable sourcing policies?
We strive to be consistent with researching endangered species, and state laws as well as buying vintage, stillborn, passed naturally, or otherwise recycled animal products and specimens. We also utilize and support the practice of no waste, selling pelts, horns, and other byproducts of food farming, population control, and animal conservation.
We carry both animal and human specimens and uphold equal respect and appreciation for everything that passes through our store. All of our human bones are retired medical and educational specimens, purchased and sold legally. These human specimens have donated their bodies to science and are more often anonymous, meaning we can only guess a specimen's history from their bones or if documentation is included.
We recognize that we have a unique collection subject to differing perspectives. Our goal at Black Moth is to educate and share our love and appreciation for the natural world with anyone that wants to learn. We like to say “nothing died to be here, it was dead when we met.”
What does sustainable sourcing look like?
Sustainable sourcing takes environmental and biological factors into consideration. This can look like regulated population control, as a way to fight invasive species or to prevent the spread of diseases within a population. For example, species like the burmese python are invasive and cause serious harm to the Florida everglades, depriving other animals of food and in some cases preying on endangered or threatened species. We also source byproducts of the food industry, trying to use every part of the animal and give it a second life rather than let it be thrown out. Here is a breakdown of where we get our products from!
Taxidermy: All of our taxidermy pieces are bought second-hand, sourced from vintage or personal collections. Most of our mounts are vintage pieces, often from trophy hunting. While we don’t endorse trophy hunting, we want to continue to show respect to these pieces even after death.
Skulls: Many of our skulls are from collections, by products of the food or hunting industry. We also source from local farms, taking and cleaning bones from animals that passed on the farms.
Insects: Our insects are purchased secondhand from a seller who sources already passed butterflies and moths from aviaries around the world. These aviaries are to protect females and their eggs from disease and predators, and some are released back into the wild after hatching to help increase indigenous populations. The others live the rest of their lives (typically a week or so) in the aviary.
Wet Specimens: We often have small specimens that are stillborn that we turn into wet specimens. Others are invasive species that passed due to population control, or by products of the food industry such as our cow eyes.
Sea Life: The majority of our shells and animal products are by-products of the seafood and farming industry. The shells and animals are harvested for their meat.
Tails & Pelts: Most of our tails and pelts do come from the trapping industry. The fur trapping industry is heavily regulated, wildlife agencies use data work alongside fur trappers to set trapping quotas to help control overpopulation and manage populations of predators or competitors.
FAQs
Where do you find all of this stuff?
We work with zoos, aquariums, vet offices, and other places where things naturally pass away. Some pieces are byproducts of the food industry so the whole animal doesn't go to waste. Others are invasive species that destroy native wildlife and have to be euthanized.
Is it legal?
Everything we sell is both ethically and legally obtained. When available paperwork for each animal is kept on file and reviewed by the Oklahoma Wildlife Department. Many of our pieces are from antique collections, this means paperwork is often not available as pieces have been passed around so many times before making it's way to us.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! Clink the link below to read all about our layaway policy.
do you do custom work?
We do not offer any custom work, including taxidermy, pet memorials, bone cleaning, and insect pinning.
Can i donate something i found/have?
Yes! We are always accepting found objects, given they are legal to possess. For example, we cannot take most birds as they are protected under the Migratory Bird Act. We also CANNOT take any bats. Do your research on what you've found! Here are some helpful resources:
Oklahoma Wildlife Department: https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/
IUCN Threatened Species List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/
Can i sell something to you?
Unfortunately, we are not currently buying. If you have something you'd like to sell, we will only accept potential purchases through email. Please send a description and photos to sales.blackmoth@gmail.com and we will get back to you if interested.
do you offer wholesale?
Unfortunately, due to the time consuming nature of creating our products, we are unable to offer wholesale at this time.
how do i care for my wet specimen?
All wet specimens we sell are already preserved with formalin and then submerged in 70% isopropal alcohol. Caring for your wet specimen is simple, keep it out of direct sunlight and replenish your jar with 70% isopropal if any evaporates or if you notice the alcohol yellowing. Feel free to contact us with any questions!
what is your special request list?
Looking for something specific or an item out of stock? Join our special request list to be notified when what you're looking for is back on the shelves!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3CJjkfGq_SUoCSxBgwlM66CLtXaAhrG1CX9fwEGyHRLQGRg/viewform
Have more questions? Feel free to give us a call! 918.779.7040