The workshop of a wizard, alchemist, or apothecary is never complete without a stuffed crocodile or alligator hanging from the ceiling. What it's actually for is anybody's guess.
The visual image may be inspired by early museums, "cabinet of curiosities" — see this picture◊ from 1655. Admittedly the alligator (or, more likely, crocodile) is hanging on the wall (at the right), but ceiling is well [...] [tvtropes.org]