Description
After acquiring a really nice diamondback, rattlesnake skin while on a recent trip to Texas, I knew that I wanted to display it properly in our home. My idea was to simply put it on an old board and hang it in our living room. Having never dealt with a snake skin, I wasn’t quite sure how to attach the snake skin to a board. I was concerned that the snake skin may be too thin, easy to tear or rip and would not hold up to any stretching or tacking.  I guess I was thinking more along the line of the snake skin sheds that I have seen along the way. This diamondback rattlesnake skin was already tanned and ready to be displayed. I measured the snake skin stretched out at 60 inches so I added an additional 8 inches and cut the board at 68 inches. I thought that would allow plenty of room for stretching the skin as I tacked it to the board. I purchased some number six, half inch aluminum tacks. These tacks are very sharp at the point and with the use of needle nose pliers, they were easy to drive through the skin and into the wood. The snake skin was easier to work with than I thought it would be. It was tough enough to withstand any tears, but also flexible enough to stretch tight. I started by centering the snake skin on the board, then I found the center of the snake skin and started tacking the outside edges to the board, working my way to the left or the head end of the snake skin. After stretching it in width and length, I went back to the middle and started tacking it toward the tail end of the snake skin. I used a little tan spray paint to dab onto the aluminum tacks as well as a sharpie, which really helped them to blend in so your eyes are not drawn to the tacks while looking at the display.  I used a leather cleaner / conditioner made by Bickmore to condition the hide once I had it attached to the board. This conditioner is made for exotic leathers and a great way to keep the snake skin from drying out. I’ve also learned along the way to make sure the display is not in or near direct sunlight as that will cause the snake skin to darken up or become more yellow and color. 
Tacks - https://amzn.to/42dXkWe
Exotic Leather Conditioner- https://amzn.to/4gQrzab