Snaketan on my Timber Rattler.

[duxdown]

Well skinned my first Rattler last night, Got it fleshed real well and it looked perfect! Applied Snaketan and called it a night. Got up this morning and had a few stiff spots, so re-applied in those areas and any other that was dry. Well this is a mounting speciman for a customer so just a little nervous, first one and all. So I start reading up on this stuff here on taxi net and hmmm, starting to get really nervous, should have done this before. So!!!!! I call the Snaketan people and ask for a tech, which they kindly send me too and he has done some to calm my fears, and suggest that I use a covering to help it from drying as fast. He promises it will come out just great, just follow the directions, and once it quits soaking it up wipe it in alcahol and put it in some saw dust to absorb any extra oils and such and I will be pleased.


Hmm gosh I hope so, after reading things on hear I am wishing I had went with rittles or similar.
Gosh I dont think I can stand any horror storys to this post! haha.

I will keep you posted, if I dont lose my mind!!!

[Yeager1]

That's where your problem lies. People keep applying this "oil" to where the skin is so impregnated with it, it can't soak up any more. For crafts this is no big deal, but for mounts your gonna have problems regardless what the "tech" told you.   The oily skin will not adhere to the form regardless of what hide paste you use.  One coat and mount it would have been the thing to do with this tan. Sorry for the negative reply, but it is reality. 

[duxdown]

Thanks, I will clean it tomorrow with the alcahol and mount it up and pray thanks.

[duxdown]

Well wiped the rattler down good with alcohal and it didnt feerl greasey or anything, so sprtized it with water to loosen it up just a bit more and mounted it up, so far so good.

[justinmiltenberger]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I read in a taxidermy book that snakes had thin enough skin to skip the whole snake tan process, is this true??

[ManHunterUSMC]

if you get a form and fit it to size I don't see why you want it to shrink on you

[Yeager1]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I read in a taxidermy book that snakes had thin enough skin to skip the whole snake tan process, is this true??

If you want your snake to be dry and flaky go ahead. Also the tan helps preserve the natural color.