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whats the best way to preserve a rattlesnake skin that was killed today? I dont want the skin to rot.?

crazylady - 2007-07-27 22:39:51 - Reptiles

Best Answer:

formaldehyde is best but it is illegal unless you have special licenses, but if you put it in a closed container with rubbing alcohol it will be preserved quite nicely. You can also try sun-baking it, just set it outside on concrete (or some other hard heat absorbing material) for a few weeks and it will dry. The problem with doing it outside is that sometimes bugs and stuff get to it, preferably do it inside with a powerful heat lamp this avoids the bugs and makes the process go faster since there is 24 hour light. Warning it will smell while it is drying, once it is done it won't smell however. One final problem is that the snake will look kind of shriveled once it is dry. If it is still within 24-48 hours of its death you could seal it in plastic. Go to your local craft store and get some clear liquid plastic. I don't remember exactly what it is called, but you pore the stuff into a mold and it drys hard and clear. SO all you have to do is pore a little down, immediately put the snake on it, then fill the rest of the mold. Most craft stores sell some version of it but it is probably expensive. Also you can freeze dry it, just put it in your freezer. It will not smell while in there and it will slowly freeze dry (essentially it is being freezer burnt. You can get it out and look at it just never let it completely thaw. After a few years it will have completely dried and can be taken out permanently Good luck

Answers:

Either take it to a taxadermist, get formaldehyde or pack it in salt, lots of salt. I believe you are supposed to use the canning salt, not the normal table salt.

formaldehyde is best but it is illegal unless you have special licenses, but if you put it in a closed container with rubbing alcohol it will be preserved quite nicely. You can also try sun-baking it, just set it outside on concrete (or some other hard heat absorbing material) for a few weeks and it will dry. The problem with doing it outside is that sometimes bugs and stuff get to it, preferably do it inside with a powerful heat lamp this avoids the bugs and makes the process go faster since there is 24 hour light. Warning it will smell while it is drying, once it is done it won't smell however. One final problem is that the snake will look kind of shriveled once it is dry. If it is still within 24-48 hours of its death you could seal it in plastic. Go to your local craft store and get some clear liquid plastic. I don't remember exactly what it is called, but you pore the stuff into a mold and it drys hard and clear. SO all you have to do is pore a little down, immediately put the snake on it, then fill the rest of the mold. Most craft stores sell some version of it but it is probably expensive. Also you can freeze dry it, just put it in your freezer. It will not smell while in there and it will slowly freeze dry (essentially it is being freezer burnt. You can get it out and look at it just never let it completely thaw. After a few years it will have completely dried and can be taken out permanently Good luck