A Nile crocodile provides several different taxidermy and trophy options. Depending on the condition of the hide, available space and the hunter’s budget, the finished trophy may become a skull mount, head mount, full-body display, pedestal mount, rug or custom leather item.
Deciding what you want before the safari allows the professional hunter, skinners and taxidermist to handle the crocodile correctly after recovery. Hunters still researching available destinations, prices and safari opportunities can visit our dedicated Crocodile Hunts page.
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Taxidermy & Trophies
The exhilarating crocodile hunting adventure is now completed, and you have landed yourself some exceptional trophies! But what now? Have you considered how you plan to immortalize this magnificent beast? Luckily, there are various options available to you.
But before we move on to the trophy itself, you may wonder what happens to the meat after a crocodile hunt. Depending on the hunting area and local arrangements, the meat may be used in camp or distributed within nearby communities. There are very many exceptionally impoverished communities, and these donations are a great initiative to give back to the local people and provide them with food, and an excellent source of protein.
If you have not as yet tasted crocodile meat, ask your chef on the hunting safari to whip up a scrumptious meal of grilled crocodile steaks, or perhaps even a curry. The result will be well worth tasting!
Taxidermy
What is taxidermy?
Taxidermy, in a nutshell, involves preserving an animal’s body. This can be done in a couple of ways, including mounting and stuffing.
The animals are often portrayed in lifelike stances. Taxidermy has grown across the ages and is extremely popular with game hunting enthusiasts wishing to preserve a memento from a thrilling hunting safari.
Types of Crocodile Trophy Mounts
Displaying an exceptional trophy from a crocodile hunt in Africa is a great reminder of a wonderful African hunting trip, with many conversations and opportunities created to relive that exciting dangerous game hunting experience with your crocodile trophy taking center stage!
There are various styles and options available when it comes to styling your crocodile mount. Let’s look at some of the more popular options:
European Mount
This is also known as a skull mount and focuses on the crocodile’s skull.
Head Mount
This way of showcasing your crocodile hunting adventure allows the trophy to be smaller yet gives a great overview of the size of the crocodile, based solely on its head.
Full-Body Mount
When it comes to crocodile hunting trophies, sometimes only the biggest and the best (and most expensive!) are good enough. Should the budget allow, a full-body mount of your apex predator would be most impressive.
The crocodile’s entire skin gets used, with the trophy often dramatically posed with an African plains game prey in this predator’s natural habitat.
Pedestal Mount
This type of mounting style works well for the crocodile and often features it mounted in a leaping action. This style can be a reasonable alternative to the full body mount, as one still gets the impression of the size of the animal and the grandeur, with the same type of free-standing appeal, but at a lower cost.
Rug Mount
While it may be nice to have a pedestal or full-body mounted trophy to remind you of your crocodile hunt, you may want to consider a style that will display the trophy, without utilizing extra space or needing to make major changes to your trophy room or home. In this case, a rug mount may be just up your street!
A rug mount features the crocodile’s skin, enabling you to use the hide to maximum effect, showcasing your game hunting trophy with minimum fuss. This type of mount does not include the head.
Head–On Rug Mount
A head-on rug mount includes the crocodile’s head. To say that this is rather an impressive style to showcase your crocodile is an understatement! It certainly brings the wilderness to life and allows Africa into your home with this striking mounting style.
Crocodile Skin Items & Trinkets
Mounting options might not be what interests you in terms of crocodile mementos and keepsakes. Perhaps you are more interested in something a bit more tangible, that is going to be used more often. There are a great many options to consider when using the hide from your crocodile hunt, with some great options including:
Leather Items
Crocodile boots
Those boots were made for walking! Imagine the joy of being able to walk (or hunt!) in a pair of crocodile boots made from a crocodile that YOU harvested!
Rifle Bag
Every hunter needs a good quality rifle bag…imagine being in the position of having your rifle bag made from good quality leather, that you yourself harvested! What a pleasure! So that each time you hunt, you have great memories of an exciting dangerous game hunting adventure in Africa!
A briefcase or Document Bag
The challenging thing about hunting is that you need money to hunt and it can become expensive. So what better way to remind yourself why you have a 9-5 job than using your NEW crocodile leather document bag daily?
Other Leather Goods
From belts, wallets, and bags to ammo holders, sunglasses pouches, and jewelry, the crocodile’s hide can be used for many beautiful items. These items are both useful and be in daily use, a subtle reminder of your adrenaline-filled dangerous game hunting adventure!
Jewellery
From crocodile scale earrings to tooth necklaces and bracelets, you can expect some beautiful and unusual pieces to be created from crocodile leather.
Trinkets
Items such as key rings, cosmetic bags, knife handles, and ornaments are sculpted from the animal’s teeth and bones.
Sound intriguing? Find out more about crocodile accessories and see whether your crocodile’s size would warrant some of these options.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I choose my crocodile trophy mount?
Discuss the preferred mount with the outfitter and taxidermist before the safari. The skinners need to know whether the crocodile will become a full-body mount, rug, head mount or leather product so that the hide can be removed and preserved correctly.
What are the main crocodile taxidermy options?
Common options include a cleaned skull, head mount, full-body mount, pedestal display, rug mount and head-on rug. The right choice depends on the condition and size of the crocodile, available display space and the hunter’s budget.
Can a crocodile hide be made into leather goods?
Yes. Subject to the applicable export and import documentation, crocodile leather may be used for boots, belts, wallets, rifle cases, document bags and other custom items. The intended use should be discussed with the taxidermist before the hide is processed.
What happens to the crocodile meat after the hunt?
How the meat is used depends on the hunting area and local arrangements. It may be used in camp or distributed within nearby communities rather than being wasted.
Does a crocodile trophy require special documentation?
International movement of crocodile trophies and leather products may require CITES documentation together with the relevant export and import permits. Hunters should confirm the requirements with the outfitter, shipping agent and authorities in their home country before the safari.
Choosing the Right Crocodile Trophy
A crocodile offers more trophy options than most African game animals, but the decision should be made before the skinners begin their work. A full-body mount requires very different preparation from a skull display, rug or set of leather products.
Tell the outfitter and taxidermist exactly what you want before the safari, confirm the estimated taxidermy and shipping costs, and ensure the required documentation can be obtained. Hunters who are still comparing destinations and available opportunities can explore our dedicated Crocodile Hunts page.
Author: B. Hershensohnn