This is a trophy grade tanned zebra skin.
Trophy grade skins are the best skins possible. They have a good quality head, body, and tail with very few flaws. Assume trophy grade skins are the top 1/10% of what is available (1 in 1,000).
If you want the mane to stand up, you can use a small amount of hair gel.
This skin is not felted. We have a taxidermist who can felt them for US$500.00 extra.
We only offer Burchell's zebras. These are not endangered and are quite common in the wild.
Most of our zebra skins come from government-approved herd thinning implemented to protect and encourage propagation of all species. Some of the skins are from hunters on safari.
Burchell's zebras are not subject to CITES. A USFWS export permit is required for all shipments outside the USA.
Zebras live in the wild and are attacked by predators (lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and wild dogs) which leave scars. Some scratch themselves and cause minor damage to the skin. Our zebra skins are of all sizes and grades. Skins that are completely blemish free are virtually unknown. Because of this, we offer the skins in four different grades:
Trophy Grade
These are the best skins possible. Good head, good body, tail. Nice presentation. Very few flaws. Assume the top 1/10% of what is available (1 in 1,000).
Everyone has a different grading system. One competitor recently wanted to buy trophy skins from us and said that she buys these for US$1,000. I laughed. One person's trophy skins is someone else's lower-grade skins. These are true trophy grade skins.
First Grade
Minor imperfections which are only seen upon close examination. All zebra skins have rubs around the groin. Good for decoration, making ottomans and furniture.
Second Grade
Larger imperfections. Some are obvious from several feet away.
Third Grade
Repaired imperfections caused from scratches and predators. These are primarily used for craft purposes, e.g., making pillows, gun cases, key fobs, etc.
Burchell's zebras are plains animals more often found in South Africa while Hartmann's zebras are mountain animals commonly found in Namibia. Burchell's require a South African export permit and a U.S. Fish & Wildlife import permit. They are not subject to CITES. Hartmann's zebras are subject to CITES and are banned from importation into the United States.
There are four ways to tell the difference between Burchell's zebras (Equus burchelli) and Hartmann's zebras (Equus hartmannae):
- The nose on the Burchell's is brown/black while it is reddish on the Hartmann's.
- The ears on the Burchell's are rounded while the ears on the Hartmann's are pointed.
- The stripes on the Burchell's continue right around under the belly while the Hartmann's has a white belly.
- The contrast between black and white stripes tends to be far greater in the Hartmann's than in the Burchell's.
Hartmann's zebras are on the U.S. Endangered Species list and may not be imported into the United States. Most of the Hartmann's come from Namibia. Although they are exported from Namibia to most countries they are prohibited from being imported into the USA for commercial purposes. Hunters may be able to import them as trophies for personal use only. It is illegal, however, to re-sell these trophies. Please do not offer us Hartmann's zebras.