Croc hide arrived- need help with where to send it for tanning

[Llano Estacado]

Our Save Vally croc has arrived today and we need help with the next step. Arrived complete, beautiful fleshed, cured and folded up. Would like skull removed and his tanned. Guess I can cut the head off and boil, but where to send the hide for tanning?

 

[Fatback]

I would reach out to American Tanning Company in Griffin, Georgia. They do lots of gator hides and I’m pretty sure they could do croc but not 100% sure.

This is if you are wanting leather made. If you’re looking for a natural tan/rug, I’d reach out to a taxidermist for that. @gizmo, a site sponsor here might could provide you some direction.

 

[Rubberhead]

Agree - I'd certainly focus on the Florida and maybe Georgia tanneries just because they all have massive experiences with alligators.

 

[buck wild]

If you are not experienced in such matters, I do not recommend you try "boiling" the skull yourself. Alligator and croc skulls are notorious for falling apart when boiled.

I recently had a 16' croc tanned by Quality Fur Dressers in Houston. The head was wet-tanned, and the body was dry-tanned. The body is currently at the ruggers for the final dressing as a floor rug.

This type tanning is certainly not cheap .

Sebring in Florida is experienced in reptile tanning

Sebring Custom Tanning – Sebring, Florida

www.sebringcustomtanning.com

 

[randallhebert]

Sebring tanning can do it but it won't be its natural color. They tan for the leather industry so each hide is processed to the blank color (white) to be able to add colors. A taxidermist would be your best bet for a natural hide look

 

[gizmo]

I'd be glad to help you if you'd like.

 

[Llano Estacado]

Thanks for the suggestions. Taking it over to Gizmo.

 

[midwest-eagle]

I am just about to get my croc skin back from Quality Fur Dressers in Houston. Happy to send photos once it arrives. It isn’t cheap, but after a lot of research I thought it was my best bet. They claim to be able to maintain the natural color. You have to use a taxidermist to send to them. On the skull, I wouldn’t do anything and just call Skulls Unlimited in OK. They can help you. Ask for Jaron Villemarette. They are very knowledgeable and will guide you through (assuming you want a beautiful euro—which look amazing). My croc skull is there now. Good luck.

 

[buck wild]

I am just about to get my croc skin back from Quality Fur Dressers in Houston. Happy to send photos once it arrives. It isn’t cheap, but after a lot of research I thought it was my best bet. They claim to be able to maintain the natural color. You have to use a taxidermist to send to them. On the skull, I wouldn’t do anything and just call Skulls Unlimited in OK. They can help you. Ask for Jaron Villemarette. They are very knowledgeable and will guide you through (assuming you want a beautiful euro—which look amazing). My croc skull is there now. Good luck.

The croc I just got back from Quality held 75% of it’s color. No matter who you use, the hide is going to need to be touched up with paint, stain etc to get the full color back.

Another news flash, outside possibly a couple of big shops, almost all taxidermist are gong to need to send a big croc to a tannery of sone sort. Very few would be doing inhouse croc tanning.