But as with everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages in buying exotic hides.

EXOTIC HIDES COME FROM WILD ANIMALS. THE LARGER THE ANIMAL THE MORE AGGRESSIVE IT WILL PROBABLY BE. CROCODILES FOR EXAMPLE USE THEIR TAILS AS A WEAPON, AND WILL FREQUENTLY HAVE SCRAPES OR EVEN HOLES IN THE TAIL AREA.  OSTRICH’S HAVE CLAWED FEET THAT THEY USE TO FIGHT AND THIS SOMETIMES LEADS TO WOUNDS ON THE LEGS (Ranchers often raise a couple of them with the sheep and the ostriches wil drive off the wolves). 

LARGE CONSTRICTOR AND HIGHLY POISONOUS SNAKES ARE NOT EASY TO CAPTURE AND WILL SOMETIMES HAVE ARROW HOLES OR BULLET HOLES IN THE HIDE. THE NATIVES THAT TAKE THESE ANIMALS USE THEM PRIMARILY FOR FOOD (the same is true for regular leather, no one raises cows for the leather, it is the meat that is most in demand). THEY TRY TO DAMAGE THEM AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE, BUT THEIR FIRST PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

Another thing to consider is the differences in hides.

MY GRANDFATHER TAUGHT ME THIS BUSINESS, BACK WHEN WE SOLD MOSTLY COW-HIDES WITH SOME GOAT AND PIG SKINS THROWN IN. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH LEATHER WAS THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS A STANDARD COW. EVERY COW WAS DIFFERENT SO EVERY PIECE OF LEATHER WAS ALSO DIFFERENT. THE SAME APPLIES TO EXOTIC LEATHERS. EVERY HIDE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT IN SIZE AND COLOR. THEY WILL BE THE SAME COLOR (dyed in the same vats), BUT NOT EXACTLY THE SAME. THE PHOTO OF THE ITEMS I HAVE FOR SALE MAY NOT BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONE YOU GET, SINCE I NOT TAKE PHOTOS OF EACH AND EVERY SKIN, BUT I DO TRY TO GET ONE THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE.  IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC NEEDS FOR YOUR HIDE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL SEE IF I CAN FIND ONE THAT FITS THOSE NEEDS.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT HIDE. JUST LOOK AT YOUR OWN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT. YOU WILL FIND THAT SCARS, SCABS, AND BLEMISHES OF ALL KINDS ABOUND.  THAT'S WHAT SKINS ARE LIKE!

I hope this will give you a bit more information to help you select what is best for you. But if you still have questions, or have special needs do not hesitate to E-Mail me.

Bud