Tanning a SnakeSkin?

[Kenny]

I'm new to reptile / snake taxidermy and was wondering what if any type of tan some of you use.  I've seen several in the catalogs but don't know if there is a more popular brand.  Just curious 'cuz I wanted to order the tan with the Breakthrough manual to get started sooner.  Thanks for any input...Kenny

[Evelyn Billington (Superpig)]

Kenny, in our studio, we like to use WASCO True Tan Reptile Tan for our snakes. They sell either just the tan for mounts or a tanning kit which includes the tanning oil to be used for wall hangers. The tan works great and really locks the colors in the skin. A lot of people also swear by Rittel's snake tan. I have not tried his tan, but heard only good things about it.

 

[AfterLifeTaxidermy]

I soak snake in 91 percent alcohol and then mount, very little color loss

[Kenny]

Evelyn, thanks for your input, I have used WASCO True-Tan fish tan, for fish obviously, and like the way that it worked, I just didn't know about snakes.  I would assume that there would not be a great deal of difference.  Thanks again! Kenny

[jwj4856]

Either the WASCO  True tan for reptiles or the Rittles Snake tan will work very well, I could not tell any difference.