Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Oliverstacy on February 06, 2009, 07:20:00 PM

Title: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 06, 2009, 07:20:00 PM

What is the shelf life of a dried snakeskin?

What is the proper way to store a snakeskin if it’s not going to be used right away?

Current condition…dried with scales.

Thanks,

Josh

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Pat B on February 06, 2009, 08:56:00 PM

As long as it is completely dry you could put it in a baggie to prevent any moisture from getting back in. I have a few dried skins that have been sitting in a box for about a year now and they are just as they were when they went in.

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: John Scifres on February 06, 2009, 09:08:00 PM

I have some that are 10 years old and still useable.  Dermestid beetles will eat them though  :)

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 06, 2009, 10:21:00 PM

I guess I'll put them in a bag and keep them that way...I don't want them to go bad.

Thanks,

Josh

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: razorback on February 07, 2009, 09:44:00 AM

Do those little silica packets that seem to come with everything, help or hurt skins, sinew etc. if you put a couple of those in the baggie would it help.

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Pat B on February 07, 2009, 09:52:00 AM

If your skins are already dry you shouldn't need anything else with them. It gets pretty humid around here in the summer and I haven't had any problems with skins going bad. If they get wet, they will spoil.

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: gordonf on February 08, 2009, 09:03:00 PM

Indefinitely as long as you protect them from moisture, bugs, and pets.

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Tommy Leach on February 08, 2009, 10:45:00 PM

I roll mine up after they are dried (w/ scales) and put them into a toilet paper tube. I'll write the species and length on the tube and put them up in my closet with my other stuff (sinew, turkey feathers etc.). I just used a pair of Copperheads I'd been saving for the "right" bow for over six years. The tube provides a little protection from getting folded or torn and they are easy to sort.

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 09, 2009, 04:47:00 PM

Tommy Leach...

That sound like a great way to keep them...plus if they're is a bit of moisture it should absorb it...I'd like to do it this way and then put them in a feezer bag.

Thanks again all.

Josh

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: loyd on February 10, 2009, 05:49:00 PM

mice will eat them i lost about 8 skins that way now i keep them in a ziplock in the freezer. loyd

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 10, 2009, 07:17:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by loyd:
mice will eat them i lost about 8 skins that way now i keep them in a ziplock in the freezer. loyd

I assume they'd take up less space dried and rolled up in the freezer than if they were whole snakes!!!  :biglaugh:  

Josh

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Shaun on February 10, 2009, 08:51:00 PM

Till the mice or bugs eat them or they rot.

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: loyd on February 11, 2009, 05:35:00 AM

had a big water snake crawl out of a sack in the freezer now the wife wont go near it, got a little flack over that. loyd

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Oliverstacy on February 11, 2009, 01:10:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by loyd:
had a big water snake crawl out of a sack in the freezer now the wife wont go near it, got a little flack over that. loyd

That has to be a hard one to make up!  :readit:  

What did that end up costing you?

Josh

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: Roy Steele on February 14, 2009, 09:36:00 AM

Completely fleshed,dryed,gallon ziploc push out air.Store warm dry place away from pest.last your life time.Can freeze but never have.

Title: Re: Dried Snakeskins...shelf life?
Post by: gordonf on February 14, 2009, 04:22:00 PM

Quote

mice will eat them i lost about 8 skins that way now i keep them in a ziplock in the freezer.  

We have 6 cats in our home and we've never had a problem with mice   :D