Elephant Tails & Hides

[Tex .416]

First, there is so much talk about cutting off elephant tails, but what is done with them after being cut off?

Next, is it possible to tan a whole flat hide with the tail and trunk included? That seems like an impressive hide for display. I really enjoy tanned hides to feel the differences in hair and also have perspective on the size of an animal. A Scimitar Horned Oryx hide is my favorite of all of my taxidermy items, just because the hair is so interesting. It is like small hollow straws, which act as insulation from heat.

If possible, what is a ballpark cost for a full flat hide for an elephant all in after shipping?

 

[BryceM]

I’ve seen a giraffe flat skin, and it’s already enormous. An elephant flat skin would present certain problems. Tanning it would require facilities that probably don’t exist. The wet weight alone would be many hundreds of pounds. Working the leather - scraping, drying, stretching, etc would be very difficult.

Where would you display it? It would fill a large room.

I shipped 4 dipped & packed elephant legs & feet to be tanned. Even fully tanned, the box is so bulky and heavy that I can’t move it alone.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

@VertigoBE took his tail and had it mounted inside a picture frame. He did something similar with the feet from his elephant that shows off the cracks like they’re finger prints

 

[zephyr]

Make Bracelets out of the Tail Hairs

 

[K-man]

I've just received my tanned parts from my elephant. It usually makes up to 6 panels plus ears and feet, tail, etc. I only took the 2 main panels and ears, along with skull and tusks. Just the ears and 2 panels weigh at least 50 lbs finished. I am sure someone can tan the entire hide but that's quite a specialty item. Just a shoulder mount of elephant can run up to $100K. If you have to ask how much a full body mount costs you probably can't afford it. If you just keep a couple of flats and feet and tail you can have the "feel " you were asking for. Good luck with the hunt!

 

[VertigoBE]

@VertigoBE took his tail and had it mounted inside a picture frame. He did something similar with the feet from his elephant that shows off the cracks like they’re finger prints

Actually my tail only has a hook on it to hang on the wall.

But these are the soles:

 

[Tex .416]

Actually my tail only has a hook on it to hang on the wall.

But these are the soles:

View attachment 768405

That is unique and really interesting.

 

[Russ16]

Actually my tail only has a hook on it to hang on the wall.

But these are the soles:

View attachment 768405

That’s cool where did you have it done?

One cool thing I once saw was just a 3 ft piece of hide stretched on a canvas and framed. Was very neat looking.

 

[West_Texas_Bull_Shooter]

This may sound crazy, but if you are serious, maybe your taxidermist could rent a cement truck with a rotating mixer on the back. It's the only thing I could think of the would be large enough and do the job. Good luck

 

[Tex .416]

This may sound crazy, but if you are serious, maybe your taxidermist could rent a cement truck with a rotating mixer on the back. It's the only thing I could think of the would be large enough and do the job. Good luck

It is sounding not very realistic.

 

[VertigoBE]

That’s cool where did you have it done?

One cool thing I once saw was just a 3 ft piece of hide stretched on a canvas and framed. Was very neat looking.

Colletts in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I came with the idea, because I could not swallow making trash cans out of that grand old bull’s feet. They told me it was a first of its kind.

 

[K-man]

I believe it is simpli simbi that takes your exact elephant feet and makes a aluminum casting from them. Makes serving trays, wall hanging, etc. Cool without needing export/import permits. (Edit) I believe it's Buzz Charltons's wife that runs it.

 

[VertigoBE]

I believe it is simpli simbi that takes your exact elephant feet and makes a aluminum casting from them. Makes serving trays, wall hanging, etc. Cool without needing export/import permits.

That would be cool (although a little impractical) for a cigar ashtray

 

[Adam Stevens]

Colletts in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I came with the idea, because I could not swallow making trash cans out of that grand old bull’s feet. They told me it was a first of its kind.

I love the idea. I have something similar i wanted to do on a potential non trophy hunt I may do!

thanks for posting that

 

[Certus]

Funny this thread pops up, just yesterday I was thinking of the novelty of doing an elephant floor rug in the same style one sees tigers and bears done - with head attached.
You’d want a darn big room!

 

[elephantmaster29]

Funny this thread pops up, just yesterday I was thinking of the novelty of doing an elephant floor rug in the same style one sees tigers and bears done - with head attached.
You’d want a darn big room!

I think this would be amazing if it could be done well

 

[SETH RINGER]

LIFEFORM DOES FULL MOUNTS, WOULD THINK THEY COULD DO YOUR FLATSKIN, CONTACT THEM.