Exotic leather

Of the 5.000 plus species of mammals, about 50 are used for leather production. Most processed leather in the world comes from animals that are reared for meat and/or dairy consumption. Besides other uses, animals such as cows including zebu, water buffalo, sheep or goats and pigs are used for byproducts like hides and/or skin. This makes up more than 90% of the world production. Any leather apart from these animals can be considered to be ‘Exotic Leather’

Cow leather - goats - pigs

 

species	percentage leather production
cows, calves, water buffalos	65-70%
sheep	10-12%
goats	8-10%
pigs	5-7%

Exotic leathers are leather from animal species that are relatively rare or leather from skin parts of animals that are rarely processed into leather. Some exotic leathers are protected by the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora). Crocodile or snake skin leathers are commonly addressed as leather. However, other exotic leathers like fish leather, leather from chicken legs or from cow belly/stomach also exist. Depending on the culture, the definition of what is exotic leathers, differs.

Is exotic Leather better than other normal forms of leather? The surfaces can feel beautiful or it can be interesting because of the different look. Fur can be particularly soft or have a unique color. But the needs of leather could be satisfied with the leather which comes from the species which are reared for food. There is no exotic leather, which surpasses all other leather types in the practical properties. But there are exotic leathers that look unique because of the exotic texture or color, and thus are valuable.

Water buffalo leather, Buffalo leather, deerskin, beaver fur, reindeer leather or elkskin are not very common, but there are no exotic leather in the strict sense.

Buffalo - Water buffalo - Deer

 

The leather of the following species is "exotic leather":

• Alligator leather
• Antelope leather
• Armadillo leather
• Bird leather
• Bull testicles
• Camel leather
• Carpincho leather
• Cat fur
• Chicken leather
• Crocodile leather
• Dog leather
• Elephant leather
• Fish leather: Eel, shark, salmon, moray eel, stingray and many others
• Frog leather - Toad leather
• Giraffe leather
• Hippo Leather
• Horsehide - Horse leather
• Kangaroo leather
• Lizard leather
• Ostrich leather
• Pangolin leather
• Peccary leather
• Rumen leather
• Sealskin
• Snake leather
• Turtle skin
• Walrus leather
• Yak leather
• Zebra hide

Horse - Ostrich - Salmon

 

These leathers are in other countries and cultures not necessarily exotic leather: Kangaroo leather, horse leather or ostrich leather.

From a lot of species the skin is processed to leather, while the hair is obtained (hides, furs). For example cow hide, sheepskin, rabbit fur, sealskin or beaver fur.

Video about leather of different animal species

Leather of different animal species - Exotic leather

Additional information

• CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora
• Taxidermy - Hunting trophies - Mounted animals

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