Zebra skin tough enough for rug?

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22 May 2008, 21:46

Stonecreek

Zebra skin tough enough for rug?

I've just gotten my tanned Hartmann's in from my June '07 trip. Right now it is draped over a couch in my study awaiting some more permanent display place. Although folks refer to them as "rugs", are zebra skins actually tough enough to bear foot traffic without damage? Alternatively, can you actually sit on them without damaging them or wearing off the hair when used as upholstry covers?

22 May 2008, 21:49

Wink

Did you have it "felted" or a have added a backing or fringe in leather? This helps if you intend to use it as a rug. I wouldn't guarantee a long life if used in high traffic area, no more than any other skin, but in a light traffic area they are fine, in my experience.

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22 May 2008, 21:57

Blacktailer

We have a settee done in zebra but the seat portion has ripped (I put a foot through it when standing on it- dummmy). We will now get the seat section covered in a cream colored leather and it should be fine.

It makes an interesting piece of furniture.

Have gun- Will travel
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23 May 2008, 00:16

butchloc

i've had a couple of zebra rugs in the game room for awhile with good luck, but they get very little wear. (can't really walk through it anymore) also some ele foot stools toped with zebra that are doing OK

23 May 2008, 00:54

Stonecreek

Wow, Blacktailer! I really like that idea. I have a similar size settee in my gun room (actually folds out into a single hide-a-bed to sleep a guest). It would look fantastic done in zebra.

23 May 2008, 02:29

Michael Robinson

They will wear out with use. Placing them in high traffic areas accelerates the wear and tear.

The hair comes out and you are left with "bald" spots. The mane and tail hairs tear out fairly easily too.

But that's why you need back ups! Going to Africa to shoot your next rug sure beats going to Carpet World!

Mike

Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.

23 May 2008, 02:34

Use Enough Gun

Or, you have two or three rugs made and in storage and rotate them. . .

23 May 2008, 03:07

Ignobilis

Zebra hide tears quite easily. My Jack Russell pup took great chunks out of mine out of spite. Felt backing definitely prolongs their useful life but adds significantly to the cost. I've always tried to place mine under a coffee table rather than in a walkway.

23 May 2008, 03:22

ozhunter

Use it as a rug and when it wears out, shoot another.

23 May 2008, 07:21

Norwegianhunter

quote:
Originally posted by ozhunter:
Use it as a rug and when it wears out, shoot another.

I got to do that, I used mine as a rug and nearly all the hair is gone. I`v got to shoot another Zebra.

Salesagent

Africa hunting

23 May 2008, 07:42

sierra2

My first zebra has been on the floor for two years now, no problems, and I'm going to shoot another zebra on my next trip to have as a spare. A felt backing is a good method to make the rug last longer.
LLS

23 May 2008, 09:20

L. David Keith

For a Zebra rug to last for the duration, have it finished and hang on your wall. One of the best rugmakers is our own Mary H-Kruger (Chris's wife). She can be contacted via PM from the Taxidermy forum. Many Professional Taxidermists send their rug work to Mary. Walk on a Zebra and over time you'll break down the hairs and then the fibers of the leather.
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"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson

Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......

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23 May 2008, 10:54

Mary Hilliard-Krueger

Thanks David. I have been trying to post this response on and off tonite and the site would just go offline when I went to post it....

Zebra's are the number one rug that I restore due to tears from foot traffic.

If your zebra skin does not have any backing on it, the leather will start to dry rot over a few years and it will be more susceptible to tearing. Humidity and changing house temperatures help expedite this process. If you do desire to use it as an actual 'rug' the best way to protect it is to have a leather border sewn on it and a thin carpet adhered to the back. This will keep the zebra nice and flat and slow down the damage from foot traffic. It will though, over many years, start to show damage, this is unavoidable.

A stretched zebra with a nice scalloped leather border, quilter's padding and a heavy backing, would display nicely hung on a wall and remain undamaged for your lifetime.

Most of my clients who want their zebras on the floor put them under a table to avoid foot traffic and a few bring them out, from under the table,and into the open floor only for parties and special occasions.

Kind regards,
Mary

Taxidermist/Rugmaker

23 May 2008, 20:20

TheBigGuy

You can buy a cheap skin at a shop over there for the floor. Hang your trophy rug on the wall like a tapestry.

Animal hides with hair won't outlast any other "soft" floor covering in high traffic areas.

The only excuse you need to shoot another is you want to.

23 May 2008, 23:48

Dangerous Dave

I love having Zebra rugs in my trophy room and they are holding up great even with my 3yr old twins. One likes to sit on the rug while the other one pulls the tail and drags his brother around the room. When they wear out I will gop get another one.

If your parents didn't have any children chances are you won't either.

23 May 2008, 23:56

MARK H. YOUNG

Stonecreek

I have a zebra rug Jerry Huffaker made for me in the foyer of our home and everybody walks on it coming and going. It is wearing remarkably well an is a real attention getter for folks entering the home. As others have said if it gets too ratty I'll just have another made. I like it that much.

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24 May 2008, 03:13

Stonecreek

Jerry did several whitetails and pronghorns for me when I lived in the Abilene area. He does first class work.

24 May 2008, 03:24

billrquimby

I have one that has been on the floor under a coffee table betwee two couches about five or six years at my cabin with no problems. It still looks like the day I put it down. It was never mounted on a backing, though, so it lays flat.

It seems to me that a soft backing would allow the leather to stretch (and eventually break or tear) whenever someone stepped on it, especially a woman wearing high-heeled shoes.

Bill Quimby

24 May 2008, 06:14

Use Enough Gun

Here is where we have our zebra rug, as mentioned before: