After skinning a snake, the skin must be preserved in some way so that it does not rot. The simplest way to do this is drying. The product will not be as durable and flexible as a tanned snake skin, but this technique is sufficient to preserve the leather until it is tanned, or to hang it on the wall as a decoration.
Steps
Step 1. Using a knife, remove any excess flesh tissue or membrane from the skin
A small amount of membrane is acceptable, especially if the leather is dried pending tanning. Do not pierce the skin just to remove those last pieces of membrane: it will dry out exactly like the skin and, if necessary, can be removed immediately after drying.
Step 2. Arrange the skin on the board with the meat side facing up, trying to spread it out as much as possible
This operation is easier if the skin is still soft and moist; as it starts to dry out, it tends to curl at the edges. This is another reason why you shouldn't be too picky about wanting to remove every bit of meat from the skin. If small holes near the edges of the leather do not spoil the appearance too much, it may help at this point to pin the leather to the table. Focus on keeping the ends of the skin naturally straight and the skin in the position you want it to stay in once it has dried. In the end near the rattle, if present, the skin can be particularly problematic. A point at the corner of both sides of the tail can save you a lot of trouble.
Step 3. Sprinkle what's left of the rattle muscle and bones with plenty of salt and rub it in so that it penetrates well
This will help make the muscle dry quickly, preventing it from deteriorating. If it's not a rattlesnake, skip this step.
Step 4. Place the protective screen on the skin so that it completely covers it, leaving only the rattle (if present) to come out
Step 5. Keeping the skin and edges as stretched as possible, pin the screen flat onto the skin, starting at the tip of the head
Remember that the skin can curl at any point, especially around the edges, where this is sure to happen. Don't hesitate to add more points, so as to keep the screen as flat and stretched as possible. It may help to get a flat and narrow board and use it to flatten any bumps on the screen at the edges of the skin. You need to pay special attention to the thin skin of the tail, which can curl in a very confined space.
Step 6. Let the skin dry in a cool, dry place with good air circulation and away from direct exposure to sunlight
It typically takes 1 to 3 days for most skins in a dry climate. High humidity can increase the drying time.
Step 7. Remove the screen and GENTLY remove the skin from the board
At this point it should be stiff, taut and completely dry. Remember that simply dried skin can tear as easily as paper. If the skin remains stuck to the board, run something thin under it (like the blade of a long knife) to free it.
Advice
- When dealing with rattlesnake skin it is best to remove the rattle and then reattach it with super glue once the skin has been dried or cured.
- In the case of very large skins it may be useful to put some points in the center of the skin, in order to keep both this and the screen as flat as possible. Obviously, if you don't want holes in the skin you will have to work a little harder to spread the screen.
- If the leather is to be tanned at a later time, the measures taken to ensure that it remains absolutely stretched and flat won't have to be so precise. In this case you can in fact proceed even without a protective screen, if you do not mind that there are some pinholes in the edges of the skin. Secure it firmly to the table and let it dry. However, one of the purposes of the protective shield is to prevent rats and other parasites from gnawing on the skin while it is drying.
