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The Brain Scoop: Carl Cotton--Chicago's Original Black Taxidermist

9 minutes 14 seconds

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Carl Cotton was The Field Museum's first African-American taxidermist, and his work can still be seen on display today. But for many years, little was known about the extent of his contributions to the field of taxidermy. Today, thanks to hours of research from staff and through collaborations with Carl's family, the museum has a better picture of this creative and talented person and a deeper appreciation for his work. Part of "The Brain Scoop" series.

Media Details

Runtime: 9 minutes 14 seconds

Illustration of a skeleton. Arrows indicate the front right toe and back left heel. Caption: Their elongated heel bone and Achilles tendon.
The Brain Scoop
Episode 1
2 minutes 32 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Closeup of an animal with a pointed snout, large claws, and overlapping scales covering its body. Caption: They are covered in keratin scales,
The Brain Scoop
Episode 2
4 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Person speaking. Caption: To de-extinct a species requires finding viable DNA,
The Brain Scoop
Episode 3
3 minutes 19 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Person speaking. Caption: that's a lot of species -- which ones do we bring back?
The Brain Scoop
Episode 4
3 minutes 29 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Person gesturing above an open book. The book has a broken spine and faded, handwritten text. Caption: So we catalogue the most primitive first
The Brain Scoop
Episode 5
7 minutes 15 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Person speaking. Caption: Well, today we're gonna talk about mammalian diversification.
The Brain Scoop
Episode 6
3 minutes 42 seconds
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Person holding a skeleton approximately the length of her thumb. Caption: …each of the limbs, and the scapula.
The Brain Scoop
Episode 7
5 minutes 34 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Person holding a taxidermized flying squirrel with legs extended. Caption: As you know, flying squirrels don't fly, they glide.
The Brain Scoop
Episode 8
6 minutes 47 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Platypus with a duck-like snout, webbed feet, and a furry body. Caption: They're the craziest things I've seen in my life.
The Brain Scoop
Episode 9
5 minutes 44 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Giant walking stick pinned to a board for display. Caption: This one's from Malaysia.
The Brain Scoop
Episode 10
5 minutes 9 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12