Freezing for an extended period

[MB in NC]

What's the best way to freeze a snake for an extended period? I've got a huge 44" copperhead in the freezer that I plan to mount. My reptile experience is limited and I want to do a few "practice snakes" before I do the big boy, but with winter just around the corner I don't think I'll see any more snakes around here until spring. A guy I work with (not a taxidermist) suggested freezing it in water. I was thinking about sealing him up in a vacuum-seal freezer bag.

Any ideas?

[Kerby Ross]

I would choose B, vacum pack.

Kerby...

[Jim B]

Definitely do not put it in water.

[Yeager1]

Double bagging with freezer bags will help also.

[JE]

Definitely do not put it in water.

Total new to this and wondering why no water ? the fish guys usually recommend coating the fish with several layers of water. I know fish and reptiles are different, but just wondering.

[Jim B]

JE,it is good for fish but snakes are entirely different.Soaking snakes in water,causes the epidermal scales to slip.This changes the surface texture of the mount and requires a total paint job.They never look as good as one that hasn't slipped.

Some snakes retain scales better than others though you still shouldn't soak them.Copperheads are more prone to losing scales than some of the bigger rattlers,so it is doubly important not to soak them.

Reptile skins are naturally very well sealed on the surface,to help them retain water.For this reason,they take longer to freezer burn than mammals and birds.You will see when you mount one,they may take up to a month to dry,despite how thin their skin is.Put the same skin on a board,flesh side up and it will dry in hours.

I usually coil snakes up and either wrap them in cling wrap,then into a plastic bag,or I vacuum seal them.I have mounted snakes that have been frozen this way for several years,without problems.

Sorry,I should have explained that in my reply.Snakes just need to be handled differently.

[Redwolf]

Personally I would rather skin and tan them before they go in the freezer. I just put them in a zip lock bag and squeeze out the air.