Borax and snakes??

[wheatgerm]

I have never mounted a snake before and I figured id give it a try, when I was younger I would skin them and put borax then staple it to a board. Will this work for tanning and mounting to a form also?  Im guessing it isn't the right way but im new and if its not the right way id like to know why it wont work and what would be the right way. Thanks, any help is greatly welcomed

[jazz_fan1]

The latest issue of breakthrough magazine had an awesome article on mounting snakes by Kerby Ross. I wish I could have read it before doing my first snake.

[Redwolf]

I use borax on my snakes during the fleshing, but then I rinse it off and toss it in a pickle

[wheatgerm]

I read the mounting a rattlesnake tutorial but it never said what tan or pickle he used/ uses? Does the borax help in the fleshing process or is it mostly a grip thing?? I still have some of the skins I "borax tanned " from 10+ years ago and they still are in good shape. Would the skin shrink too much if i went with only borax? I think ill only do one snake so I really don't want to buy the whole snake tan from mckinzies

[Redwolf]

I can't say anything positive or negative about boraxing or dry preserving snake skins. I've never done it. I tan all mine. I use Lutan f on all my reptiles.
Borax draws out the moisture during the fleshing process so it makes it easier.

[bubba z]

The end result of borax versus tanning is that the tanned skins look and feel better and it gets worse over time. I've used both and the glycerine brush on and I only pickle and tan them now with the reptile kit from van dykes or McKenzie.

[psycho]

If borax isn't rinsed well it can screw up your pickle.  I prefer to use the snake tan that is carried by Authentic Taxidermy Supply.  In 2001 I believe, I saw World Champion Ben Haden mount a rattlesnake using it.  I figured if it is good enough for him it should be good enough for me.  LOL  Kerby will come on here and see this and answer you but I think he uses the glycerin mix for his snakes.  When it comes to mounting snakes there are some guys on here that ROCK!  Manny Chavez, Tom Voyer, Kerby, Yeager and Jeremy are a few and I bet they all do things differently.  Find something that works for you, you are comfortable with and gives you the results you are looking for.  Good Luck.  Dan 

[wheatgerm]

Thanks guys,  I have been on other forums and everyone kind of ignores the new guys so thanks for the quick replys/ help/ comments. I did a little more reading last night and I think ill shy away from the borax the maindownside I could find was that you lose alot of the natural color in the skin? I also read you can use a normal pickle such as saftee acid or even do a easy vinegar pickle? Psycho, what is the name of the tan your talking about? I think I read that this tan doesn't need a pickle right?

[psycho]

Your correct.  You simply measure the amount of crystals you need according to the weight of the snake skin, mix the crystals with regular tap water, stir it around and let stay in there for 20 minutes, pull it out and rinse it off.  Once you rinse it, you can either place it in the freezer until your ready yo mount it or you can just go ahead and mount it up.  It's called Authentic twenty minute snake tan and is available at Authentic Taxidermy Supply.  They are probably listed under the supplier section.  If you can't find their contact info just let me know and I'll try to find it for you.  Dan

[C.J.]

Which issue of breakthrough?  I looked in issue 102 i think(the tucan on cover)  i cant seem to find it, but I am a little slow

[Kerby Ross]

The last Breakthrough magazine was issue #103, that's the one with the rattlesnake article.

Kerby...

[OutbackJack]

Thank you for taking the time to do the article on the rattlesnake Kerby!  It came at the right time as I'm planning on doing mine after the holidays.