How To Tan A Snakeskin: 5 Easy Steps

Have you ever admired the mesmerizing beauty of snakeskin and wondered how to tan a snakeskin so you could incorporate it into your fashion accessories or home décor? Tanned snakeskin is not only exquisite but also versatile, making it the perfect material for various creative projects.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the entire process of how to tan a snakeskin and share some fabulous ideas to showcase its beauty in unique and eye-catching ways.

• Gather materials to tan a snakeskin, including glycerin, rubbing alcohol and scissors.

• Clean the skin and stretch it with pinning or wrapping before applying the tanning solution.

• Soak for 3 days then use your tanned snakeskin to make fashion accessories, home décor or art projects!

What Do You Need To Tan A Snakeskin?

Initiating the tanning process requires the collection of all necessary materials. You’ll need:

1. Pure Glycerin

Glycerin, a critical element in the tanning solution, has the following benefits for snakeskin:

• Moisturizes and softens the snakeskin

• Enhances its pliability and ease of handling

• Acts as a humectant, trapping water molecules to keep the skin hydrated

• Ensures the skin stays soft and supple

While there are alternatives like borax, olive oil, and brain oil, vegetable glycerin is highly recommended as the best method for its effectiveness.

2. Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is another critical component of the tanning solution. When mixed with glycerin, it not only thins the glycerin but also helps to preserve the skin and prevent decay until it dries. It’s important to use the right ratio of glycerin and rubbing alcohol, which is typically 50/50, to ensure the snakeskin remains soft and in good condition.

3. Swiss Army Knife With Scissors

A Swiss army knife with scissors aids in trimming the uneven edges of the snakeskin. The sharp blade and scissors make it perfect for this delicate task. Proper trimming is essential to prevent any damage to the skin, so it’s crucial to use a reliable and precise tool like a Swiss army knife.

4. Stick Or Pinning Board

A stick or pinning board is needed to dry and stretch the tanned snakeskin. You can either wrap the skin tightly around a stick, which puts no holes in the hide, or use a pinning board to stretch the skin by pinning it. Both methods are effective in ensuring that the snakeskin dries evenly and maintains its shape.

How To Tan A Snakeskin

Tanning a snakeskin is actually a really easy process and there are multiple ways to do it. I’m going to go over using pure glycerin and Rubbing alcohol as this is truly the easiest way.

Step 1. Prepare Your Snakeskin

Appropriate snakeskin preparation significantly contributes to the success of the tanning process. This involves cleaning the skin, removing excess flesh, and cutting it along the belly scales. Each step is vital to ensure the skin is ready for tanning and will result in a high-quality finished product.

Clean The Skin

A soft cotton cloth with plain water, gently wiped in the direction of the scales, cleans the snakeskin without causing damage. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can harm the delicate skin.

Once the skin is clean, pat dry and proceed to the next step of the simple process.

Remove Excess Flesh

Post-cleaning, any remaining flesh from the snakeskin needs to be removed. This can be done by following these steps:

1. Lay the skin flat on a clean surface.

2. Use a blunt object like a spoon or butter knife to gently scrape off the flesh. The belly side sometimes has small fat reserves you will want to get rid of.

3. Be careful not to cut any holes or press too hard, as this can cause damage to the skin.

Cut The Skin

Once the excess flesh has been removed, cut the snakeskin along the belly scales. This step makes the skin easier to work with during the tanning process and ensures that it will be evenly tanned. Use a sharp knife or (what I’d reccomend) your favorite multi tool scissors to make a clean cut, taking care not to cause any damage to the skin.

Step 2. Mix Glyceryn And Rubbing Alcohol

For this step you’ll want to mix pure glyceryn with 90% rubbing alcohol. I just used a dedicated mason jar for this process and you want a 50/50 mix of each.

The glycerin and rubbing alcohol combination is vital for maintaining the skin’s softness, pliability, while also preventing decay.

Both rubbing alcohol and the glyceryn can be found anywhere like walmart or walgreens for example. They are much cheaper than alternative tanning methods and you can reuse the solution multiple times for more than one snake.

Step 3. Place Snakeskin In Solution

Simply wrap the snake like you’d roll a carpet and then place it fully submerged in the jar mixture of glyceryn and alcohol. Make sure the solution is shaken up well as the alcohol could damage the skin if not.

Step 4. Soak For 3 Days

Now comes the easy partl; the waiting game. I just let mine soak for 3 days and give the entire jar a semi-aggressive shake about twice a day. You can leave it in for longer than three days and it shouldn’t hurt. I’ve left mine in the jar for about 3 months before.

The sweet spot is 4-9 days.

Step 5. Remove Snakeskin And Stretch Until Dry

Now is where you have options on how to stretch and dry your skin. This can be done using either the pinning technique or by wrapping it around a stick. Stretching the skin is essential for ensuring a smooth, even surface and maintaining the skin’s shape during the drying process.

What’s my preffered method?

Simply take the skin out of the solution and tightly wrap it onto a small stick. Doing this will put zero holes in the snake skin and it provides enough stretch while being much easier than pinning it to a board.

Once you have the snakeskin wrapped tightly on the stick, you’ll want to leave to drive for about four days. I put a fan on it to help dry quicker but it’s not completely necessary and after the four days, you’ll unravel and Pat dry the rest of the snakes skin.

Caring For Your Tanned Snakeskin

Proper care of the tanned snakeskin maintains its quality and appearance. Store the snakeskin in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat, and use glycerin to moisturize the skin regularly.

By taking good care of your tanned snakeskin, you can ensure it remains in excellent condition for years to come.

Creative Uses For Your Tanned Snakeskin

With the snakeskin beautifully tanned, you can now put your creativity to work. Tanned snakeskin can be used in a variety of projects, from knife handles to hat bands. The possibilities are endless, and the unique, exotic touch of snakeskin is sure to make your creations stand out.

Summary

With proper care and attention, your tanned snakeskin can last for years, allowing you to enjoy it for a long time to come. And if you’re anything like me, if I’m taking an animal’s life I feel that it’s the right thing to use every piece of the animal I can.

Frequently Asked Questions

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