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How to Preserve a Squirrel Hide

The thin skin of a squirrel makes preserving it much simpler than the skins of larger animals. A simple pickling process can preserve the squirrel skin and set the hair without having to go through the laborious tanning process that is required for larger skins and hides. Some processes use formulas for pickling skins that employ caustic and dangerous chemicals including sulfuric, formic and carbolic acids. These chemicals are used by professional taxidermists in controlled environments; the novice tanner should avoid them. An effective and non-toxic pickling solution can be made with ingredients purchased at a grocery store.

Things You'll Need

Metal pot
Plastic 3-5 gallon bucket
Eye goggles
Wooden stirring stick
Plywood plank
Powdered alum
Non-iodized salt, 1 pound
Powdered borax
Baking Soda
Towel
Neatsfoot oil

Instructions

- 1
  Bring 2 gallons of water to a boil in a metal pot. Put on eye protection and add 1 pound of salt, 2 ounces of alum and 2 ounces of borax to the water and mix it together with a wooden stick. Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to completely cool.
- 2
  Pour the cold solution into a plastic bucket and put the squirrel skin in the solution. Stir the skin around with the stick so the solution gets to every part of the skin.
- 3
  Stir the hide in the solution every four to six hours so the skin does not fold up and prevent the solution from working on all areas of the skin. Leave the skin in for 24 hours.
- 4
  Remove the skin after 24 hours. Fill the bucket with 2 gallons of clean cold water and stir in 2 ounces of baking soda. Drop the skin in the water for 15 minutes, moving it around so the water reaches all parts of the skin to stop the effects of the pickle solution.
- 5
  Take the skin out and strip as much water as possible out of the skin; then dry it with a cloth towel.
- 6
  Lay the skin out flat with the flesh side up and rub neatsfoot oil into the flesh. Let the skin sit with the oil on it for two hours.
- 7
  Wipe off the excess oil and begin pulling the skin flesh side down back and forth over the edge of a piece of plywood to break the fibers down in the skin and make it soft as it dries. Work the skin over the plywood edge for 20 to 30 minutes.
- 8
  Spread the skin out flesh side up and leave it at room temperature to dry. Every two to three hours return and work the skin over the plywood for 15 minutes until the skin is completely dry. Drying time will vary depending on temperature and humidity.

Animals & Science