How to Tan a Snake Hide

Snake skins feature colorful patterns that make distinctive clothing items.

Snake skin has long been used in the making of fashion items, such as belts, hatbands, wallets and shoes. Many skins are particularly prized for the colors and patterns they display. In order for snake skin to be used in this way it must first be tanned after the snake has been skinned. Tanning a snake skin can be done of a few days and is a fairly simple process

Things You'll Need

• 2 boards
• Tacks
• String
• Tanning oil
• Paint brush
• Paper toweling

Instructions

1. Lay the skin down on a long flat board. Arrange the skin so that the pattern seems even. Take care not to stretch the skin.

2. Place a tack at each end of the snake skin. Fasten a string between the tacks. Ensure the string is not touching the skin, it is merely a guide to help you keep the pattern straight.

3. Place a tack in the outer edges of the snake and both ends, starting in the middle. Continue pinning until your tacks are no more than half an inch apart.

4. Remove the pins under the string. Close any bullet holes or other tears in the skin.

5. Leave the skin to dry for between eight and 10 hours.

6. Apply a generous coating of tanning oil with a new clean paint brush. Leave the skin for another eight to 10 hours.

7. Remove the tacks and turn the skin over. Apply a generous coat of tanning oil to the other side. Leave the skin for another eight to 10 hours.

8. Press the skin between two boards and paper toweling to remove any excess oil. Take care not to wrinkle the skin. The skin is now ready to be used in fashion items.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your own tanning oil using one part formaldehyde, eight parts glycerine and four parts rubbing alcohol.

References

• Crotalus: Tanning Snake Skins