Do You Own Snake or Reptile Skin Products?

i'm just wondering and it might be a good discussion.

do u own reptile skin products? like python boots or a crocodile handbag or lizard wallet, etc?

i do not own any but might be convinced if the animal hide was harvested responsibly and whatever product looked good.


Edit: shoot! i shoulda had a third option along the lines of "not now, maybe in the future". whatevs...

Nope, actually hate the look and for every responsible person there are three just trying to make a buck that don't care about the animals

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I do leather work and have plans to do something with my snakes when their time comes.
Many people don't agree with it but to each their own.

No and probably never. Somehow now that I have snakes, I can't see a snake skin purse or wallet without feeling kind of disturbed.

Kinda feels like if someone asks a dog person to buy boots made of dog skin. :O

Also +1 for the fact that the majority if not all of these distributors don't give a crap about the welfare of these animals.
Maybe just a couple rare ones or indie makers who only work with animals who already died, like how (most...) taxidermy does.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Kinda feels like if someone asks a dog person to buy boots made of dog skin. :O

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You know how many people I know that have gotten their dog or cat stuffed?? :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Pit, that was hilarious! Thanks for bringing tears to my eyes with laughter. :D

I don't own anything, however I honestly don't see anything wrong with it either. In my mind its no different than all the leather boots, wallets, belts and motorcycle gear that I have...

I HAD an expensive pair of snake skin boots before the most recent puppy. They were totally hot. Puppy is lucky he didn't become a pair of boots after that...

I actually won them at a charity auction for a raptor center a few years back. They were made from Burmese skin from snakes harvested in the everglades.

I'd jump at another chance for a pair like that. Skin from an invasive species donated by the maker to raise money for endangered native wildlife.

I actually liked the idea so much I started looking into starting a non profit to connect fashion designers to sources of flordia python hides with the hopes some of the profits from the sales of their high end products could be donated back into efforts to preserve local wildlife and to raise awareness...

But then life happened. I moved further away from Fl. My contact in the fashion industry passed away. And it has been shelved as a pipe dream.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You know how many people I know that have gotten their dog or cat stuffed?? :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

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I've seen those, it is the weirdest thing to me!! Especially if it's my own dog, I can't ever...

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

I've seen those, it is the weirdest thing to me!! Especially if it's my own dog, I can't ever...

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The ways we try to hold on to those we love...........
Yes that is her actual paw print AND some of her ashes are mixes into the ink. :gj:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...k/P1020432.jpg

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

The ways we try to hold on to those we love...........
Yes that is her actual paw print AND some of her ashes are mixes into the ink. :gj:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...k/P1020432.jpg

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:O That is some great love right there
I need to clarify, is this you or someone else?

i wouldn't know what to make out of the hide but i would save the skin if one of mine passed on.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

:O That is some great love right there
I need to clarify, is this you or someone else?

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http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...07NewShirt.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...rkeyday072.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...P1010343-1.jpg

She didn't miss a day of work until we found the cancer.....

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

She didn't miss a day of work until we found the cancer.....

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That's devastating... sorry man. :(

I see no problem with it. As long as its from an invasive and not endangered species. People look at me funny when I say that when my Quarter Pony passes, I want to use her hide and fur for warmth or comfort during camping, etc.
That being said, I used to own python skin and alligator horse bridles layered on top of leather along with a snake skin belt (wasn't sure on the snake).

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I do leather work and have plans to do something with my snakes when their time comes.
Many people don't agree with it but to each their own.

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should make for interesting projects!

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

No and probably never. Somehow now that I have snakes, I can't see a snake skin purse or wallet without feeling kind of disturbed.

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i guess i'm used to seeing wild type reptile products. the first waves of morph-skin reptile products will be a shocker to me.

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Originally Posted by voodoolamb

I HAD an expensive pair of snake skin boots before the most recent puppy. They were totally hot. Puppy is lucky he didn't become a pair of boots after that...

I actually won them at a charity auction for a raptor center a few years back. They were made from Burmese skin from snakes harvested in the everglades.

I'd jump at another chance for a pair like that. Skin from an invasive species donated by the maker to raise money for endangered native wildlife.

I actually liked the idea so much I started looking into starting a non profit to connect fashion designers to sources of flordia python hides with the hopes some of the profits from the sales of their high end products could be donated back into efforts to preserve local wildlife and to raise awareness...

But then life happened. I moved further away from Fl. My contact in the fashion industry passed away. And it has been shelved as a pipe dream.

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those boots sound hot! also lololol @ the puppy comment. but i know u wouldn't...

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Originally Posted by PokeyTheNinja

I see no problem with it. As long as its from an invasive and not endangered species. People look at me funny when I say that when my Quarter Pony passes, I want to use her hide and fur for warmth or comfort during camping, etc.
That being said, I used to own python skin and alligator horse bridles layered on top of leather along with a snake skin belt (wasn't sure on the snake).

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what if a segment of the BP industry broke off and bred/farmed BP morphs for skin? they're not invasive species but i can see appeal for Killer Clown boots or Piebald purse.

There is a company now that is making products from shed skin that they somehow make look like actual skin again, they look pretty cool and donate to conservation type efforts.

USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers shared Eden Bio-Creations's photo.

October 12 at 2:38pm ·




Shed Not Skin donation to support Lone Star Rattlesnake Days and USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers! Bid this weekend at the NARBC: North American Reptile Breeders Conference Saturday night auction. Thanks, Eden Bio-Creations! (NOTE: These are made from snake sheds, not skins! See the EBC page for details.)

To me it all depends on the how the skin is harvested and why

Alligator farms raising gators for food, alligators being hunted to manage the population, deceased animal being sent to be processed etc I have no problem with it.

Animals being hunted and processed for trophy purposes I have issue with that.

I also have a problem with Blood Pythons skin trade (you can do a search...not for the faint hearted) and other animals (fury ones) being used purely for anything from cloths to accessories.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

She didn't miss a day of work until we found the cancer.....

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Heartbreaking... How old was your baby girl?

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Originally Posted by voodoolamb

I started looking into starting a non profit to connect fashion designers to sources of flordia python hides with the hopes some of the profits from the sales of their high end products could be donated back into efforts to preserve local wildlife and to raise awareness...

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That's a really cool idea. It's also too bad the meat is contaminated with mercury so it shouldn't be eaten, as python filet is really pricey.

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Originally Posted by DarthSlitherus

Heartbreaking... How old was your baby girl?

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Was almost 4.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Was almost 4.

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Far too young. So sorry.

I don't, and wouldn't. Just not my thing.

I just think snake skin products are ugly, personally.

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Only a couple of snake skin backed bows that I got in trades. It looks neat, but I'm not a big enough fan of the look to put them on any bows I build, especially with artificial skins available that looks close enough to the real then when applied right. Now the sheds I will put on my bows. It makes a neat looking scale pattern while letting the wood grain show through.

Kyle


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I think I have a lot of answers to this question besides a simple yes or no. In some instances, I am perfectly fine with using snake skins ....in others situations, no.

Just some thoughts:

Alligator farming is actually pretty neat and was basically the result of over harvesting wild gators. Farmers now collect wild eggs, artificially incubate them for higher hatch rates, raise them, release some back into the wild but harvest some for skin and meat. Some consider it a conservation method. I really do not see an issue with it. No difference than raising cows for beef and leather.

There was an article in Reptiles Magazine about a guy that rides around at night in Arizona area and collects road killed snakes. He uses the road kill snakes to make wallets, belts, etc. Great use of a dead animal that was just going to waste. If you want to be concerned over something, be concerned over the fact that vehicles kill more snakes, turtles, lizards than just about any other reason.

There are several companies that are working with shed snake skin are doing awesome stuff. They even have ways to preserve, strengthen and enhance the color of shed snake skin. Really interesting stuff.

I actually do not disagree with harvesting animals for skin/meat, etc. if conservation is kept in mind.

Now, massive rattlesnake killings at roundups and such is wrong and irresponsible. I can never agree with it.

Also, the illegal trade in animal skins is ridiculous, but again no conservation in mind.

I've never owned anything made of reptile skin; I've had pet snakes for more than half my life, and I just can't stomach snakeskin stuff. I'm not vegan, I wear leather boots and work with leather occasionally. But I've never had a cow living in my house, poking it's head out when I came in the room, etc. I've met some wonderful, friendly goats, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, etc, and yet I still eat more meat than I probably should. But somehow snakeskin just looks to me like a piece of Fido turned into a fashion accessory.

I don't have moral objections to using the skins of snakes that died of natural causes or were culled because they were invasive it was humanely done. But I still wouldn't buy it.

I know some people like to taxidermy their deceased pets, but that seems totally weird to me. Sort of like, I dunno, not being able to admit that Fido is gone and trying to pretend he's not. Or something.

My wallet is monocled cobra. Made from a friend's cobra. He had cancer and was put down. So my friend made like 5 wallets out of him to pay for a new one.

I honestly don't see the difference in animal products of any sort. If it is harvested humanely and ethically is all that matters to me personally.

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Nope, not my thang, I think a wallet would be pretty cool, but meh..

Personally, I don't have a problem with it unless it was irresponsibly harvested. I would actually be more inclined to buy if the product were tied to conservation, or proceeds were given to conservation agencies.

That being said, I also happen to own several bags and wallets that are imitation alligator skin. Imitation meaning they are made of cow leather that has been pressed and manipulated to look and feel like embossed alligator skin. So I also don't exactly see a point, besides putting skins to use that are harvested from farms or invasive species, when the same effect can be achieved with conventional leather. Maybe the novelty of it?

I have no problem with any animals products that are ethically harvested. That being said: I do have big problems with many imports that are not harvested ethically.

The only Reptilesque item I wear is a custom archery armguard/sleeve made of imitation alligator skin that has been modified to look like dragon scales. When the bow string hits: it can withstand a lot more damage than real alligator skin.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0165c56209.jpg
Don’t even have to kill ten to use them. The sheds work well too. Though I do have a couple of bows that are snake skin backed that were gifted to me. I won’t use them myself, but have no problems if others do. To me if you legally harvest a handful a year, and make use of them. I don’t see the problem.

Kyle


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Don't own anything with reptile skin, it looks pretty but the durability is crap, so it's a waste of a good reptile in my eyes.

I may be strange, but I think snake skin accessories and snake skin prints on clothing are -hideous-.

On a snake, beautiful. On a pair of boots or a purse, grody. Same with crocodile. Used to drive my mom nuts because I was her main fashion advisor.

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