Snake Skinning Illustrated
A rattlesnake is used for this snake skinning demonstration. Keep in mind that there are still elements of risk and potential danger when handling venomous snakes DEAD or alive!
The snake skinning demonstration for taxidermy purposes is performed by professional Texas taxidermist Evelyn Mills, and was photographed by Mike Billington. Both are associated with Billington Ranch Taxidermy. Georgetown, Texas Phone 1-254-793-2120
Supplies needed for the skinning and fleshing process.
Measuring the total length of the head.
Measuring width of the head.
Making the initial cut at the vent.
Cutting the skin loose around the vent with the manicure scissors.
Working the skin around the vent loose with my fingers.
Pulling down the skin from the vent towards the tail. Tubing the tail.
Bloodrattle has been cut and I am removing the few bits of meat inside the tail with pliers.
Sliding my thumb up the side of the inside of the snake to seperate the skin from the body.
Same thing on other side of body.
Pulling the skin loose on the back of the body.
Working my way up towards the head.
Cutting the upper lip loose.
Pulling one of the fangs to be cut out of the head prior to further skinning of the head.
Cutting the lower jaw skin loose.
Starting to cut through the cartilage on the nose to separate it from the skull.
Cutting the skin around the eyes loose.
Cutting the clear shield that covered the eyeball.
Removing the muscle and tissue along the lip lines.
Lip line after the muscle has been removed.
Fleshing lower jaw with fish scraping tool.
Fleshing the tubed section of the snake body.
Fleshing split section of the snake body.
Completely cleaned snake skin ready for the tanning process.
