Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok let me start off by saying I did not and have no ambition to ever kill a snake, However I did pick up a road kill rattler that is in great condition and I wanted to send it it to have it skined and preserved and posably use it for a band for my hat. I would like to use the whole thing including the head and rattle. Can anyone tell me where to start with this"? I lookied for local people in my county that do this kind of work but came up short. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

My friend just did it himself with a rattler that I had found DOR last year. I believe he slit down the belly. He said the head is the hardest part to work with. Once he had the skin off, he nailed and stretched it onto a board and put some salt on it for a week or so to dry it out. Then he placed it in glycerine to cure for a week. Or something along those lines. I suppose I could find out if you wanted to do it yourself.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: thekingofproduct
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

And the sign says "No long hair freaky people need not apply." So I put my hair under my hat and I went in to ask him why. He said you look like a fine outstanding young man I think you'll do. So I took off my hat I said "Imagine that Huh Me working for you."-Tesla

Make an incision down the belly of the snake. Make sure it is in the middle. Since you are going to make a hatband, you can make the incision all the way down. Skinning the head can be tricky if you have never skinned an animal for taxidermy purposes. You don't need to use a scalpel after that, just pull the skin off. It comes off rather easy. Once skinned you need to scrape ALL the fat and membranes off the skin. You need to scrape (with a dull serrated edge, if not comfortable with that, use a spoon) from the head towards the tail; and from the inside towards the outside (belly scales).

You do not need to use salt. Once the skin is completely fleshed, wash slightly with dishwashing liquid (small amount) and then rinse well. Tack it on a piece of plywood, scale-side down, flesh-side up. Place the board at an angle. If rattles are still attached make sure that they are leaning up.

Mix rubbing alcohol and glycerine (1:1) and shake well. Then brush on with a toothbrush or small paintbrush. The first coat will disappear quickly (overnight). Add another coat, it will take longer to disappear. After a few coats, the skin won't be able to take anymore. Then lightly wipe off.

That's it. Good luck.

BTW, I've done taxidermy since 1974 and have been Nationally Certified (through State & Regional Competitions) on Reptiles since 1997.

Kerby...

where can you purchase glicerine? thanks

Grocery stores (Safeway, etc...) sometimes in their Pharmacy. Office supply stores. But you can get a better deal by ording through Taxidermy Supply catalogs (Van Dykes Taxidermy). Just do a search and get their address/Woonsocket, SD

Kerby...