Constructing an animal replica

[melleca]

My 7th grade student is required to construct a life size replica of a Ring-Tailed Lemur.Any information to assist with selection of materials as well as construction methods would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.

[MelissaB]

Can you tell us a little more about the requirements? Is it only the outside that has to look like a lemur, or must the inside have bones and internal organs, etc.?

What I would honestly do with this project is start by looking at pictures of lemurs online to get an idea of what you'll want--white, black and grey fur, something to mimic the yellow eyes, something to mimic the claws, etc. Then go wander through both a hobby shop and something like Wal-mart, and see if anything stands out as a potential material. I would (without ever having tried it myself!) suggest using wire coathangers to create the basic model of the lemur that you'll then attach whatever you find to make the 'fur' to.