About Us
Corvus Oddities is a new online store launched in January 2025 by a very hyper-focused couple, Mel & Jackson. We source, create and photograph the products, design and update the website, pick and pack all orders, look after customer service, social media and marketing.
We are based on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia and ship Australia wide and internationally.
Our purpose of starting this online store was fueled by our desire to create and share what makes us happy, and connect with like-minded people who also find happiness in oddities and curiosities.
The range includes entomology, taxidermy, fossils, teeth, bones, skulls and more.
We hope our store brings you joy and that you love every part of the experience, from browsing the website, placing your order, to receiving and opening your goodies. Your support is ALWAYS super appreciated and we look forward to helping you fill your home with items that make you happy!
Our Ethics & Sourcing Policy
The term "ethically sourced" gets thrown around a lot within this industry. Don't get us wrong, it's important to maintain sustainable sourcing practices, but there are businesses and artists out there who will just say everything has been ethically sourced to build trust with customers so that they will buy from them. But what does "ethically sourced" even mean? How do you know if something has actually been "ethically sourced"?
At the end of the day, everyone has different definitions for what is and is not "ethically sourced" and I encourage everyone reading this to do your own research and make up your own minds on what you believe is ethical. We prioritize sustainable practices.
For us personally, we will source our insects and animals from sustainable sources where they were not taken from their natural habitat nor does it impact their population rates (another reason we will NEVER source and sell bat specimens). These specimens also must not be CITES protected nor native to Australia where we are based.
Insects are sourced from conservation farms and insect breeders across the world where they typically live out their full life cycle and are collected once they pass on. A percentage of these insects including butterflies are also released into the wild to increase their population count and promote ecological diversity.
Specimens that are A1 quality (perfect condition) are very rarely found naturally deceased and have often times been humanely put to rest with heat/gas or in a freezer by insect farmers. Specimens that are A- quality or less (rubbed wings, missing antennae, obvious imperfections, etc.) are found naturally deceased.
You're likely wondering by now, how are these specimens being put to rest by those methods "humane" let alone "ethical"? Firstly, the methods involved with putting these beautiful creatures to rest involve the least amount of pain. I don't know about you but we also would much prefer crossing over this way instead of meeting our inevitable end being eaten by predators and other various ways bugs die in the wild. Insects, especially butterflies, have a lot of predators coming after them in the wild, which makes it very rare for 90% of the eggs laid in the wild to reach adult form. Insect farms make it possible for up to 99% of these eggs to reach adult form.
Our taxidermy and animal parts are sourced from animals who have been found deceased in the wild, by-products of the meat and dairy or pest control industries.
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out at hello@corvusoddities.com
Sustainable Packaging & Dispatch Processes
In addition to our sustainable specimen sourcing mentioned above, we also aim for our packaging and dispatching processes to be as sustainable as possible.
How we do this right now is by using biodegradable and compostable void fill, bubble wrap, packing boxes, padded mailers and labels.
Our labels are printed via a thermal printer which reduces the need for consumables such as ink and toner, plus reduces the amount of energy used in comparison to inkjet or laser printers, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint.
We will also reuse packaging materials from supplier orders we receive.
You can feel good knowing your order will be dispatched with environmentally-friendly or recycled materials!
