How to Tan a Snake's Hide

A commercial snake skin tan will produce a properly tanned skin.

Snake skins can be used to create a number of items such as hat bands and belts or mounted for a trophy. Snake skins are thin and if not properly tanned will become brittle and the scales will turn up and dry unnaturally. Homemade tanning recipes often include dangerous chemicals, such as formaldehyde and sulfuric acid, or use solutions that do not actually tan the skin causing it to deteriorate in time. Taxidermy supply houses offer snake skin tanning supplies that are safe to use and turn out a properly tanned skin.

Things You'll Need

• Board, 1-by-12 inches
• Tablespoon
• Finishing nails, 1 inch
• Hammer
• Commercial snake tan solution
• Paint brush, 1/2 inch wide
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Select a board that is longer than the snake skin. Lay the skin flat on the board with the flesh side up.

2. Scrape all flesh and tissue off the skin using the edge of the tablespoon until the skin is clean.

3. Rinse the skin in cold running water and blot dry with paper towels.

4. Lay the skin back out on the board with the inside of the skin up. Pull the skin snug lengthwise and across, but do not stretch it tight. Hammer in the finishing nails every 1/2 inch along the skin's full length on each side 1/8 inch in from the skin's edge.

5. Brush on a thin layer of the tanning solution and allow the skin to absorb the solution.

6. Apply additional light coats of tanning solution every nine hours until the solution no longer soaks into the skin. Three to eight thin coats will be needed depending on the thickness of the skin.

7. Wipe off the tan solution, using paper towels, that has not soaked into the skin on the final application. The skin should feel supple at this point.

8. Place the tacked out skin in a cool dry place away from vermin to dry. Depending on the temperature and humidity the drying process can take up to 10 days. Once thoroughly dry the nails can be pulled and the skin used.

Tips & Warnings

• Scrape from the head to the tail in the direction the scales lay to prevent damaging the scales or tearing the skin. Do not dig the spoon hard into the skin only scrape lightly removing the flesh until it is clean.

• If you are skinning a venomous snake that is only for the skin and not a full body mount remove the head with the fangs and venom glands before skinning.

References

• "Outdoor Life Complete Home Taxidermy;" Tim Kelly; 1987
• "Shooter's Bible Taxidermy Guide;" Russell Tinsley; 1967