Have a ratteler here that cust, just gave me to tan .He has it salted and dryed and rolled up with papper towel.This baby is very brittle and tissue papper like.There seems to be very little color in it at all .Will the color come back after a tan or is this boy already junk....I have no idea how old it is..HELP IF YOU CAN? dave j
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Hey Dave, sounds like junk to me. The toatl lack of good color makes me think he found it on the road after a few hot days in the sun. Maybe not though, it is hard to tell without seeing it. When snake skins get brittle, they tear at the slighest presure. I am afraid when you go to rehydrate it, it will be like wet toilet paper and just fall apart. That is why i do not salt reptile skins. It does more harm than good on thin skinned animals like small snakes and lizards. Tell him up front it is going to be a 50/50 proposition to protect yourself, and that their is no guarante, and see what happens.As for the color returning it will not. Tanning seems to only aid in the loss of color not the preservation of it.
Tom
Dave, I would get in touch with Mr. Edgar at Authentic Taxidermy Supply CO 1-800-264-1801. and get some of his snake tan. I would tell the customer exactly what Tom said. I would purchase their snake tan and place the snake in it like the directions state. Some times after you put them through this particular tanning solutiion and CLEAR COAT it the color seems to pop back out. In this case as Tom stated without seeing the snake it is hard to tell. It seems that you want to make it work so if you can explain the risk involved to the customer and the cost he/she will still be responsible for, then I say go for it! Try it and then make sure you let us know if it turns out. Don't know unless you try and then if you do save it I gurantee the customer will be back for other business! Good Luck and keep us posted. Dan Hudzik
you should let your customer know up front that there is some risk of the skin deteriorating and that the color will probably not be outstanding. if they agree that they will pay you for the mount as long as you do your best, that is one thing, but you dont really want to put out a "product" that is far from lifelike. do you?