Touchy subject, snake remains.

As everyone knows, people use snake skins for all kinds of things. Everything from boots to wall decorations. That said....

Lets say you have a georgeous 4,000 gram old female that passes away from natural causes. You discover the dead snake less then 12 hours after it dies. You freeze it to preserve the body. Do you think it would be wrong to use the skin for something? Lets face it, you can't do a whole lot with the remains when fido the dog or milo the cat dies, but the remains of a dead snake can acutally be used to make some very expensive, usefull things.

If you did want to use the skin for something, how would you do it? Who could do it for you?


Disclaimer! This thread is NOT talking about killing a snake for its skin. I am ONLY talking about what to do with an already dead snake.

I don't think there's ANYTHING wrong with it. I mean, I can understand why people want to pay respects for their loved creatures, but the snakes are really not going to care.

If any of mine die, knock on wood, I will probably not do anything to it, but I don't frown upon people who keep their skins and make something of it.

IF I were to do something with it, I'd skin it and just keep the skin, just so that the snake would always be with me. Maybe get a nice wallet too, so I always have him on me.

Hopefully you're not posting this because one of yours has died!

Personally, I think it is okay. Which is a cultural thing, I'm sure. I mean, growing up in Asia without waste management facilities, we have learned to "recycle" stuff. Okay, I'm going to gross out some people here - but even dogs, if it is freshly dead, it gets eaten. We've come a long way on dog meat - meaning, we don't kill a dog for its meat anymore - but, if it dies from natural causes, you can eat it. No, no, I wouldn't. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Which is kinda the same with my pet snakes, I guess. I mean, if it was MY pet snake, I would give him a proper burial. But, I wouldn't find anything wrong with other people "recycling" their snake.

So, yeah, I've seen somebody skin a snake before. It looked fairly easy. I might have missed some steps but from what I remember, the guy opened up the belly the entire length of the snake and used a big spoon to scoop out everything off the skin. This looked really easy, so the meat must come off easy enough from the skin, I guess. Then they soaked the skin in salt and vinegar. Then dry the skin indoors. Then tan to desired color. Then shake off the scales.

I wouldn't look too badly at someone who did this, but I don't think I would.

For the record... all my snakes are alive and well!!! should be another 25 years or so before I am faced with this situation.

I'm too squeemish to skin a snake- especially my own pet. But I wouldn't think bad of anybody else doing it. I think it'd actually be kind of cool.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by python.princess

I think it'd actually be kind of cool.

---

Wonder how much a Pied purse would go for:O

I have a pastel female hatchling posed and frozen and slated to become a chocolate mold...

And my partner is preparing an homage (art piece) to our rat Ginger (using her bones) with the help of a friend of ours that does FX for movies, specializing in human and animal remains.

Bruce

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bruce Whitehead

I have a pastel female hatchling posed and frozen and slated to become a chocolate mold...

Bruce

---

For the first time since I've been on BP.net, I'm actually speachless......

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slim

For the first time since I've been on BP.net, I'm actually speachless......

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

---

Heh... it won't last long :P

I have been thinking about this a lot lately too. I have one that is not doing well. I am still hopeful, and administering meds. He is off, and on with his health. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I will probably frame it and place it in the snake room on the main wall. I hope it will be a long time from now.:please:

I have zero problem with it, but I wouldn't do it. Too much of a hassle really.

I can see having a truly kick butt purse or wallet made. The ones in our collection have BEAUTIFUL colors and we haven't even gotten the beauties we want, so why not. I wouldn't do it myself, I'd have a professional do it. We (humans) wear leather which is cow hide and snake skin boots, belts, wallets..... But that being said, it would only be acceptable if the snake lived a long healthy, happy life and passed from old age.

So how does it work? Once the scales come off it is a leather like material? Does it keep its origional colors?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Face

I can see having a truly kick butt purse or wallet made. The ones in our collection have BEAUTIFUL colors and we haven't even gotten the beauties we want, so why not. I wouldn't do it myself, I'd have a professional do it. We (humans) wear leather which is cow hide and snake skin boots, belts, wallets..... But that being said, it would only be acceptable if the snake lived a long healthy, happy life and passed from old age.

---

Houston, we have a problem.....

Don't make me eat your chihuaua with some red beans and rice.

I might as well confess. I have a python wallet that I bought on ebay and had sent from Thailand. I keep stuff in it that I need to keep but not carry all the time and I leave it at home. That should get some rocks thrown my way.

To actually turn one of my animals into a piece of clothing for profit... I think it is tacky. For me at least.

I would not care if someone else did it, but at the same time, who would be buying it?

A snake lover never would.

I would leave that to Kylie Minogue and the rest of the Hollywood heathens that run around with botoxed python bags hanging off their arms.

Bruce

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

So how does it work? Once the scales come off it is a leather like material? Does it keep its origional colors?

---

The scales would stay attached to the skin. The hide would be tanned from the inside. The color would reamain. Just hope your BP passes on right after a shed.

I think we've reach an new low here on the ole' BP.net:rolleye2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dsirkle

I might as well confess. I have a python wallet that I bought on ebay and had sent from Thailand. I keep stuff in it that I need to keep but not carry all the time and I leave it at home. That should get some rocks thrown my way.

---

I have several pairs of snake skin shoes, but I didn't know those snakes from the man on the moon....Don't think I could walk around in Pinstripe kicks, knowing I raised and lived with the snake for 20 plus years.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slim

Houston, we have a problem.....

Don't make me eat your chihuaua with some red beans and rice.

---

:rofl::rofl::rofl: Good luck finding any meat on them there bones!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

So how does it work? Once the scales come off it is a leather like material? Does it keep its origional colors?

---

That would depend on what you intend to do with it.

The simple stupid of it is this.

1. Skin out the snake and make sure that all the meat and fat are removed from the flesh side of the skin.
2. Mix a solution of equal parts pure glycerin and rubbing alcohol in a sealable container. Make enough to fully submerge the skin.
3. Loosely roll the snakeskin, put it into the solution, and seal the container.
4. Let the snakeskin sit for 2-3 days stirring once a day. Make sure that the skin is fully submerged.
5. Remove the skin from the container and rinse with water.
6. Use a dull knife and scrape the flesh side to remove any loose membrane. This will give the flesh side a nice clean look when you are finished.
7. Spread a light coat of the pure glycerin on the flesh side and let it hang dry for 24 hours.
8. Use a damp cloth to wipe any excess residue off the skin and you're all done.

If you are interested you can get a kit.

Python bellies tend to go for about 20 bucks a pound.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slim

Houston, we have a problem.....

Don't make me eat your chihuaua with some red beans and rice.

---

Dog really isn't that bad (come on, I didn't know it was dog at the time).

Anyway. I have no problem with it.

I won't likely do it, just because I do not care to go through the effort.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Typical_08

Dog really isn't that bad (come on, I didn't know it was dog at the time).

---

Right on! I've been to the P.I. and ate it on a stick after several San Miguels!

Yes, I would if I wanted too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slim

Right on! I've been to the P.I. and ate it on a stick after several San Miguels!

---

I ate porcupine and turtle... that count? I mean it is transgressive right?

Bruce

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slim

Right on! I've been to the P.I. and ate it on a stick after several San Miguels!

---

Had it In Korea. Cat in P.I.

I think I will just stick with beef and pork.

Bruce. Beer boiled turtle is pretty good.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand how it's even possible for snake keepers/lovers to wear clothing that came from wild snakes. :confused:

I mean, wouldn't you feel HORRIBLE about a snake being killed so you can wear its pretty skin? Especially for people like you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

So how does it work? Once the scales come off it is a leather like material? Does it keep its origional colors?

---

It keeps the color. Like leather but the scales stay on and can snag on stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by _Venom_

Yes, I would if I wanted too.

---

But the point of the thread is would you want to?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bruce Whitehead

I mean it is transgressive right?

---

I nominate Transgressive as the word of the night:gj: :rofl::rofl:

or

Uvula...you guys decide!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DutchHerp

I'm sorry, but I don't understand how it's even possible for snake keepers/lovers to wear clothing that came from wild snakes. :confused:

I mean, wouldn't you feel HORRIBLE about a snake being killed so you can wear its pretty skin? Especially for people like you.

---

Not really. I've had pigs and even at one point a cow as pets but I still eat beef and pork, and wear leather boots.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DutchHerp

I'm sorry, but I don't understand how it's even possible for snake keepers/lovers to wear clothing that came from wild snakes. :confused:

I mean, wouldn't you feel HORRIBLE about a snake being killed so you can wear its pretty skin? Especially for people like you.

---

Would you feel differently if they ate the meat from the snake before using the skin for other stuff? Maybe they did.

Well the way I see it, is if you use the animal parts left over after death it in a way honors the spirit of the animal. If a snake I owned where to pass I would skin it myself, I don’t know what I would use the skin for; I may just frame and hang it. The rest of the snake would be placed in a tank and put outside near a red ant hill. The red aunts would make short work of the meat, and leave only the bones, then a soak in bleach, and some wire and ta-da a snake skeleton.
I had one rat I really liked, he died while I was out for the night, and the other rats took care of what I was not there to take care of. When I came home all that was left was skin and bones, I placed the body outside in a mesh box and let the bugs clean it. I still have the skull, but the rest was buried.

As long as it is not something uber tacky, be tasteful in your homage.

(I don't think snakeskin would look that good on a dreamcatcher, but maby a snakehook with the handle covered with snakeskin)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DutchHerp

I'm sorry, but I don't understand how it's even possible for snake keepers/lovers to wear clothing that came from wild snakes. :confused:

I mean, wouldn't you feel HORRIBLE about a snake being killed so you can wear its pretty skin? Especially for people like you.

---

To be honest Dutch, I bought all my snake skin shoes prior to getting into this hobby. I don't think I would ever buy any more, but the snakes in the wild will continue to be used for skin and meat becasue that's just the way it is in the countries where snake harvesting is common. They are seen as a natural resource in some countries. I try to understand it from their prospective.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dsirkle

It keeps the color. Like leather but the scales stay on and can snag on stuff.

---

Usually - well, at least in my limited experience watching that ONE time (hah!) and several stories from the grandpas - the scales are kept if you're keeping the skin for display purposes (like a taxidermied thingamagig). For leather (or something cloth-like you can sew into purses or boots or what-have-you) the scales are removed. They come off fairly easy when you crumple the leather after it has dried.

SAN MIGUELS! Hah hah... Have you ever had a RED HORSE? It's a San Miguel product. If not, you gotta go try it. And make sure you don't have need for car keys when you do! It can knock you out! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

Would you feel differently if they ate the meat from the snake before using the skin for other stuff? Maybe they did.

---

You can pretty much bank on it that not one part went to waste in Thailand.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slim

But the point of the thread is would you want to?



I nominate Transgressive as the word of the night:gj: :rofl::rofl:

or

Uvula...you guys decide!

---

Never enough oppurtunities to talk about the Uvula!!!

:P

I know it's a culture for these people, and I know (some of) the meat is eaten, but I personally would feel horrible if I was wearing snake skin boots...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dsirkle

You can pretty much bank on it that not one part went to waste in Thailand.

---

exactly. I guess that is why I would't see something like that as a bad thing....

To be totally honest, I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I wouldn't want to skin an animal or anything myself, but if I could find a real taxidermist in my area, why not? Theres just something about spending thousands of dollars on an animal, and then just burying it when it dies? Imagine you had a 4000g 4 gene BP, wouldn't you want to preserve it forever? I don't know about turning it into clothing or accessories (MAYBE a wallet) but what I'm leaning towards is having the animal itself preserved in a neat pose. I for one can never see myself putting an adult snake thats died of natural causes into the ground, especially a cool morph. And to stray away from BP's for a moment, what if you had a full grown female retic or anaconda? Thats not something you can easily just bury, that would be quite a bit of work to dig a hole that big. I think it would be kind of neat to have a suit made. That may sound crazy, but you raised the animal, gave it a good life, and now you want to remember it forever. That's just how I feel.

Mike, you could always have a taxidermist preserve the entire animal for you. I think it would make a great memorial/mantel piece:gj:

[QUOTE=Peter Williams;995668]To be totally honest, I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I wouldn't want to skin an animal or anything myself, but if I could find a real taxidermist in my area, why not? QUOTE]

I agree not sure I would have anything made out of it but I would maybe have the skin tacked to a cool peice of wood to make sort of a decrative peice.

waste not, want not. leather gotten from animals who have lived until their time is the best kind. Go for it. i'd say.