How to Skin a Rattle Snake

Rattlesnake skin can be used to make belts and shoes or used as a decoration. Some people enjoy eating rattlesnake as well. The snake needs to be skinned whether you plan to eat the snake or are just keeping the skin to use and admire later. Although great care must be taken when hunting and killing rattlesnakes, skinning them is a simple process that can be done by just about anyone.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife
• Scissors (optional)

Instructions

How to Skin a Rattlesnake

1. Cut the head and tail off of the snake with a sharp knife. There will be venom left in the snake's fangs, so immediately wrap the head in foil and dispose of it.

2. Flip the snake onto its back with its belly up.

3. Staring at either end of the snake, use a pair of scissors or a sharp knife to cut the skin in a straight line from one end to the other. Keep the scissors as close to the skin as possible so as not to cut into the meat.

4. Starting at one end of the snake, start peeling the skin away from the meat.

5. When the skin has started peeling, grasp the snake skin in one hand and the meat in the other while you continue puling the two apart. The skin will peel easily off of the meat.

Tips & Warnings

• The fangs of a dead rattlesnake still contain venom. Handle the head as little as possible and do so carefully when necessary.

References

• Bad Love Leather Rattlesake Skinning
• Backwoods Bound