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Well someone killed a real nice snake out here where I live. No, it wasn't me. I stopped as two women were hacking at it with a hoe. Most of the damage was in the head. So I kept it and now I am heading out to skin it out. I'd say about 4 1/2 - 5 ft. Beautiful animal and a durn shame.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:La...ula_getula.jpg
Does the one your skinning look as nice as the picture? That's a really nice looking skin. So what ya gonna make out of it?
Looks just like it and I'd say closer to 6ft. just finished skinning and then cleaning up my tools. I knew i had a use for them scrap pine boards I brought home the other day. Will post pics of the finished hide. Didn't look to me like it had enough brains for brain tanning though! Looks like I'll be usin' salt.
Not sure what I'll make yet Welderguy!
Sad news for the snake.
Hope fully you spotted my reverence for the snake...especially a king snake. I am able to readily identify north american species thus I have no fear of them and only respect. If I could have saved it I would have gladly relocated it to my property.Quote:
Originally Posted by gryffynklm
Batter dipped and deep fried. Yum.
I was thinkin' the same thing as I discarded the carcass. "The women were trying to kill a dead snake" and I didn't have a cooler on my lunch break. Though I have only eaten' rattlers we've shot while hunting. But yeah a rattler will turn himself on the grill after a hunt!Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
Hey, kingsnakes eat rattlesnakes so i would be glad to have one on my property.
Yes, I caught that. When my kids were grade through high school we some how managed to become a reptile and amphibian shelter. At one time we had 21 various neglected small exotic reptiles and amphibians. I usually prefer them as a participating part of our environment.
I remember as a youth Dad would have us use uniodized salt rather than iodized for reptile hides. Anyone know why?
What would the iodine do to the skin? That's the only difference between the salts is the iodine.
What this guy says:Quote:
Originally Posted by COWBOYSURVIVAL
http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akf...ting/23228.htmQuote:
This is a quote I found on Taxidermy.net from one of the best known experts on tanning in the US (Bruce Rittel):
"Iodized or Non-Iodized?
This response submitted by Bruce Rittel on 10/28/1998. ( [email protected] )
Doug - it really doesn't matter whether you use iodized or non-iodized Salt. For tanning however, the non-iodized type has always been preferred, because in bulk its usually much cheaper. The Iodine simply has no effect on your tanning. In Iodized Salt, because it was intended for human consumption, it was added simply to prevent Goiter problems. There's a new additive out too, call Yellow Prusaite of Soda. Its an anti-clumping agent the manufacturers are adding to their Salt. It wont affect your tanning - but you have to be mindful of your Ph. It slightly raises it, so your solution may be a bit higher. As long as you're aware of it, and can compensate for it, you should be OK. When you buy its always best to ask for 100% Salt. If it says anything less, check it for an additive. Happy Tanning. Bruce
"
Thanks Roar-K, I have been wondering why for years!Quote:
Originally Posted by roar-k
I concur. The added iodine adds cost. At the feed store you can get a 50lb bag for a little over $5. As far as I know the iodine doesn't do anything to the skin.
Many people who tan snake hides use a mix of alcohol and glycerine. I've not used this method and can't say how to do it or what kind of skin it produces, but what I've put my hands on felt as nice as a snake can.
Most taxidermists (I believe) prefer to use alum tawing. The only thing I know for sure is brain tanning so I can't say about anything else from experience.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...t/DSCN3700.jpg
Here is the results after just 24 hrs. of salt on the board....
http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/...L/DSCN2587.jpg
I am codgering up a project for this and a few more reptile hides now.
Storing them in glycerin keeps them soft,,, But I believe you put them in that solution after you dry and salt,,, oh wait,, Here ya go, http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/Rept...278EBB487.html
CS - Have you done anything with the snake skin? Cool pic, but shame on those women for killing it.
cowboy. Looking at the pic of that snake hide brings a picture of a beautiful longbow to mind. To bad those ladies didn't see the beauty in the live creature though. The wife just saw what I'm typing here and was quick to tell me that there is no beauty in a creature that gets from point A to point B without legs. We don't quite see eye to eye on all things.:>)
oldtrap
That snake has a very interesting pattern. I think you could make a good leather vest and sew the snake skin from the front to back in two strips. I don't know cowboy style but you might have the only one around.