How to Taxiderm a Snake

Taxidermy is an art form that, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, can produce beautiful and unusual decor. As with any form of art you must have the patience to do it correctly and a talent for finding the correct line and shape for the animal you are working with.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Latex gloves
• Large scissors
• Straight-edged razor
• Pliers
• Manicure scissors
• Fish scraper
• Bucket for disposal of remains

1. Choose a snake which has molted within the last week or two. The colors will be brighter and the skin will be glossier if it is new. To dispatch a snake, place it in the freezer; its body temperature adjusts to the cold and the snake goes to sleep. Thaw the snake in the refrigerator, and measure the length and width of its head before beginning to taxiderm.
2. Make a slit in the vent, or anus, of the snake. Use a pair of scissors to cut upward about 1/2 the length of the body. Take the skin off the meat, working towards the tail; it should come off fairly easily. Once you have the tub of skin off you need to scrape any remaining flesh from the inside with a single-edged razor or a fish scraper.
3. Cut the skin upwards towards the head, using the sharp pair of scissors. Work the skin away from the meat up to the head, first on one side of the snake, then on the other. A snake's skin is tough, but you need to work carefully so there are no tears in it.
4. Pull out the fangs with pliers, and then cut the lips loose with manicure scissors. You must break the cartilage of the nose in order to remove the skin from the head, cutting carefully around the eyes, because the skin is more delicate there. Cut off the clear lid which covers the eyeball.
5. Scrape off the muscle and flesh along the lip lines and scrape out the jaw with a fish scraper. Once the skin is removed from the head remove the rest of the skin from the body. Using the scraper, remove all meat and tissue from the inside of the snake skin. Scrape downward, following the pattern of the scales.

Tips & Warnings

• Snakes still possess venom even after they're dead so be very careful when working with venomous snakes, especially around the head area.