How do I fix a snakeskin- it's dry, I cant bend it but want to use it (I'm an artist), not a taxidermist!

Question

My dad gave me a nice big snakeskin from Belize. I think he said it's an anaconda (sp)- it's totally dried out. Help? I want to use it!

Answer 1

http://www.thetanneryinc.com/snakeskin.html

Answer 2

You can us saddle soap on it, but I would test a tiny area of it to see it if discolors it. It is used for cleaning and softening leather. Make sure you test before you do the whole thing and ruin it. I used to use it on snakeskin boots to keep them soft and not dried out.

Answer 3

MrsMike it right. Saddle soap, followed by oilive oil. It will darken the leather slightly, but will make it subtle and pliable. May require 2 or 3 treatments, safe for all leathers and will be wonderful for your hands.

One artist to another.

Answer 4

Depending on the length of the snake skin, you could mount it on a slightly wider and longer piece of decorative timber. You could hang it on a wall in the hallway, or above a fireplace, or even in a shed. It'd look good anywhere.

Answer 5

No, cuz the sink is not in the area where I dry off after a shower

Answer 6

it all depends on how it was cured, if it was salt cured,u could soak it in water till it softend up and then use a "pickle solution" ,no dont go soaking it in pickle juice....thats not wat i meant. sum people use antifreeze to,not the best method but it works to an extent. jus apply the pickle solution or antifreeze to the underside,not the scale side. and let it dry. u will probly want to staple it down to sum boards belly up {scales down} . i hav many skins, i hav an 18foot albino python skin,2 15foot python skins,boas,rattlesnakes,vipers,anaconda,etc......actually,the anaconda skin i hav is stiff to, its been pickled but i dont know wat they used to do it. it was most likely done where the skin came from. if thats the case i wouldnt suggest soaking it in water.