Crocodile Rug

Huntforever

Huntforever

AH fanatic
Joined
Jul 13, 2022
Messages
741
Reaction score
1,819
Media
41
Hunting reports
Africa
3
Mex/S.Amer
2
I have a crocodile rug that is rotten and smells like death! I figure my only option is to throw it out.

Is there a way I can save the skull? I assume the original skull is in the rug?
 
That’s terrible, where was it mounted, in the US or Africa ?

Can you show a photo ?

Most of the time on Crocs the original skull is used, as it’s very tricky to get the skin off the skull, but in these times I bet a good modern Taxidermist cut cut off the head/skull & use a repo from a taxidermy supply house ?

Now sometimes if the original skull is used the taxidermist might chop off the back end to tie it into the form but as I’m thinking bad taxidermist here & most likely lazy you might be lucky & find a nice skull in there.

Most likely will have to soak in a tub for some days or weeks to get skin off, maybe a job for your local taxidermist ?
 
Africa a number of years back

No way to save the rug?

Yeah I could take it to a local guy.
 
Thanks for the link!!

I was wondering is it still possible to take the rest of the hide to get tanned?
 
Huntforever said:
Thanks for the link!!

I was wondering is it still possible to take the rest of the hide to get tanned?
Click to expand...

I think it might help to know more detailed info about what is going on.

Was it not tanned in Africa?

Does the hide/rug itself smell, or just the head area?

If the hide is rotting as well, just cutting off the head isn't going to help.

On a crocodile and alligator, they have "scutes". Those are the bony plates on their back. Those are actually bones inside there between layers of flesh. Sometimes, those can be tricky to tan correctly. because it's a lot of sections of flesh that aren't really being opened up. So I wonder if that is also adding to the rotting issue.

Typically the skulls are preserved with the hide on, so there should be a head in there you could try and save. I don't know how hard it is to get the flesh off once it's been preserved. I'd love to know how it turns out though for future reference.
 
I was tanned in Africa but a small taxidermy shop that the outfitter owed. It was a horrible decision. I also have a nayala cape that was ruined as well.

I will look more into the smell and post my findings
 
Sarg said:
That’s terrible, where was it mounted, in the US or Africa ?

Can you show a photo ?

Most of the time on Crocs the original skull is used, as it’s very tricky to get the skin off the skull, but in these times I bet a good modern Taxidermist cut cut off the head/skull & use a repo from a taxidermy supply house ?

Now sometimes if the original skull is used the taxidermist might chop off the back end to tie it into the form but as I’m thinking bad taxidermist here & most likely lazy you might be lucky & find a nice skull in there.

Most likely will have to soak in a tub for some days or weeks to get skin off, maybe a job for your local taxidermist ?
Click to expand...
Baaaaarrrrrrfffff!
That's "Low Tide" smell, wherever you soak it! GL and keep our morbid curiosity up to speed, Brother!
 
Huntforever said:
I have a crocodile rug that is rotten and smells like death! I figure my only option is to throw it out.

Is there a way I can save the skull? I assume the original skull is in the rug?
Click to expand...
I really don’t like seeing these posts. I feel for you. So many variables and another example why I did photos only. Not going to get bent over with shipping, storage fees and import money. I miss the hell out of having horns here, but the lack of headache and money spent quickly makes up for it.
To each their own of course.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1122 more.
Total: 362,590 (members: 1,172, guests: 361,418)

Forum statistics

Threads
70,077
Messages
1,563,622
Members
166,908
Latest member
TroyLockie
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
Buffalo recovery

•••
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
Jacks buffalo hunt!
•••
migrabill
migrabill wrote on Surgeon1's profile.
Be careful of this Wolfen guy. 2 messages. Both trying to sell something. He PM'ed me trying to sell something and he PM'ed my friend on here trying to sell something. Fishy.
•••
haileybale53
haileybale53
Bright Path Acupuncture & Functional Medicine is a healing center that focuses on blending traditional acupuncture techniques with modern functional medicine practices. Their goal is to support patients in achieving optimal health by addressing the root causes of their health issues.
•••
A
autofire wrote on Dr Ray's profile.
Hi Dr. Ray, I will be in Cooktown from Oct 16 to Oct 23 fishing Lizard Island Black Marlin Tournament.

I have several "slack" days after fishing before I head for stay in Sydney and Fiji.

Do you have any recommendations for 1 or 2 day hunt near Cooktown?

I've hunted both DG and PG in 4 different countries in Africa.
Thank you,
Bob
•••

Share this page

 
Top