Killed a copperhead, Tanning suggestions?

[maidservant]

My mom was mowing after dark again (don't know why she does that!), and came running inside saying there was a snake and for me to go kill it. I typically just grab anything that isn't poisonous and relocate it to the river. Well, I go out and it's an 18 inch long copperhead. Copperheads are the only type of snake I will kill. Anyway, we killed it, cut the head off, and I skinned it. I also salted it and hung it up on a board to drain. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tan it? We have tanning chemicals for the rabbit skins, but I'm clueless on snake skins.

I know that the skin is small, but I don't like wasting anything, plus I like learning new things!

Thanks in advance,
Emily

[Okie-Dokie]

Just finished with a great big ole rat snake. Used a whole bunch of little nails to tack it to a long piece of plywood then salted it down good. Left it over night then rinsed it off the next afternoon with a garden hose. Re-salted and left to dry completely. Rinsed it again and made sure all traces of the salt were removed. Let it almost dry then mixed up some alcohol and glycerin. About 50/50 and applied this with a small sponge everytime I thought of it during the day. When it wouldn't absorb any more glycerin I pulled the little nails and rubbed down skin till all the scales fell off and the excess glycerin was removed. Came out very nice and pliable and shows no sign of spoilage aftere aprox. a month. This guy was big and long enough to make a great hat band for my cowboy hat and to cover a plain leather belt. Looks pretty good. Couple of folks offered to buy a hat band if I could make them one like this one. If this doesn't work for you, I appologise. Just a country boy's guess about how to cure a snake skin. Good luck!