I had the full skin of my croc tanned, planning to do a full mount. However, try as I might, I am unable to find any floor space for the ~12-ft mount (yea I know, who need a couch!!!).

However, I do have a wall that would be ideal. Has anybody hung a croc (or alligator) flat skin on the wall, and if so, were you pleased with the results? Any recommendations?

Pictures would be great if you could post or email ( bill@wyodata.com ).

My other option is to mount the skull, which I think makes a great trophy...but then what to do with the skin (which has already been cut down the belly)?

Thanks!

Here you go Bill, we back them with carpet and no trim.

First and most important question:
Is it wet tanned?
Most crocs and gators that are tanned for lifesize are wet tanned. In order to get the best result for a rug these skins need to be dry tanned. A wet tanned skin can be stretched for a rug but it will dry as stiff as a board and as crisp as a potato chip. A stiff 12' croc would need a 12' crate for return shipment to you.
The dry tan infuses more oil into the leather which makes it a tad more pliable. You will get an excellent end result and the rug will be a little more forgiving when your slightly roll or fold it for shipping.
Even if this skin was wet tanned you can have it returned to the original tannery to be dry tanned. I just did this with an 11' foot gator.

I generally put a short scalloped felt or leather border on the rugs but they can be can be done borderless. I like a border as the belly skin will curl in, ever so slightly, and a border seems to help stabilize this. I use a heavy backing material.

AR member Jdollar's croc rug:
Jerry had the belly skin cut off and made onto leather. That is why you see no belly.






another client's before finish work(painting):


Here is a picture of a skull/head mount done for a client as I see that is another option you are considering.



Kind regards,
Mary

Mary's Rugmaking
Phoenix, Arizona 85027
halflingrugger@cox.net

i thought those first 2 pics look familiar!. my croc rug is the centerpiece of my trophy room. Mary and Chris's work is unbelievable. my croc had 2 bullet holes in him( paid the insurance) and even sitting next to him and comparing pictures to finished product- I CAN'T FIND THE ENTRY WOUNDS ON THE RUG! as an aside, i prefer to have the belly skin remove, tanned, and used for other leather products( in my case, a pair of custom made shoes, boots, several belts and a gun case.). otherwise you end up with rug that looks like a flying squirrel, no offense.

have you thought of doing a life size on the wall?? i know a guy who did this and it's a real show stopper

Thank you Jerry and Mary, this is very helpful. The skin was indeed wet tanned, however, it could be delivered to my home "flat" if need be, and my taxidermist has done them before this way.

Butch I was thinking about a full-size wall mount, but it will be very high on the wall of a "great room" with an angled roofline (2nd floor height) and I think all that would be visible would be the base unless I mounted him to the wall lizard-style.

I'll post a pict with whatever I end up doing.

Thanks again!

Get a pic of Dave Fulsons croc on a wall mount.