Is caiman leather expensive?

It is one of the most popular luxury leathers for shoes, belts, handbags, wallets, and luggage as caiman skins are 200 -500 percent less expensive than similar size alligator or crocodile skins.

How much does alligator leather cost?

For an alligator 8 feet or more, the price per foot is $28. For alligators 6-7 feet, the price per foot is $20.

Where does caiman leather come from?

Hailing from South America and Central America, the caiman crocodile’s skin is taken only from farms. While both skins are very desirable for high fashion, they are not the same. These two crocodilian species might be distant cousins, but they each have unique characteristics.

What is Fuscus skin?

The caiman crocodilus fuscus is one of four types of commonly traded skins within the Caiman species. It can be found in Central America and in the northern areas of South America — mostly from the country of Colombia. The Caiman reaches up to 8 feet in length, but is typically between 4 to 6 feet when fully grown.

Is caiman leather good?

DURABLE. Caiman is pliable, smooth, and its bony plates are not only eye-catching, they also add an undeniable durability that makes it ideal for men’s shoes. With proper care and conditioning, the threat of creasing and cracking are reduced significantly. The small scales of the caiman make it easier to work with.

Are crocodile boots legal?

If brought into the United States, watchbands, shoes, purses, belts and other goods made from endangered species can be confiscated with no recompense to the owner. The skins of most crocodile species are prohibited. Of three species of caiman, which live in Central and South America, two are banned.

Why is crocodile leather so expensive?

Crocodile leather is the processed hide of one of 23 crocodile species in the world. As a material, crocodile leather is rare and expensive because of limited numbers of crocodiles, their relatively small size and the scarcity of dependable farms and tanning facilities to process and prepare the product for market.

What is the difference between caiman and alligator boots?

This species of alligator is not very common but the belly skins do make a fine pair of gator boots and is a little less expensive compared to American Alligator. The caiman crocodile is the boniest of the 3 types of hides available, and as a result, the skin is more structured and has more “blemishes” in the scales.

Are alligator boots durable?

The leather is strong, supple, durable and very expensive. A bony layer within the skin adds a protective shield, while a dimple on each scale makes a very exotic look. Alligator and crocodile will not stretch very much. The scales are hard, some have a bony material on the back of them, and will not stretch or flex.

Where can I buy caiman skin for leather?

Caiman Leather. We import and wholesale genuine caiman skins from South America. The species we stock and offer is Caiman crocodilus fuscus, and is legally sourced from Colombia. Caiman are a great alternative for those on a fixed budget when compared to more commonly known alligator and crocodile skins with a similar reptilian appearance.

Where does caiman leather from South America come from?

Caiman Leather. We import and wholesale genuine caiman skins from South America. The species we stock and offer is Caiman crocodilus fuscus, and is legally sourced from Colombia.

What’s the difference between caiman skin and crocodile skin?

Caiman skins (crocodylus fuscus) are often labelled as being “crocodile skin“. The two are distinctly different; while is pliable and smooth, caiman skins are more brittle because of bony plates (known as ossifications) underneath the scales.

What kind of food does a caiman leather eat?

They grow to an average of 1 meter in length and are almost always brown to olive-brown in color. The bulk of their diet consists of snails, crustaceans, and small fish. These reptiles are not generally active hunters and will eat anything opportunity affords them.

Is crocodile leather legal?

The laws on crocodile trade are different around the world. In America, it is legal to import sustainably sourced crocodile leather as long as it complies with the restrictions imposed by CITES.

Is crocodile leather real leather?

Any “alligator leather” or “crocodile leather” should feel leathery – if it feels artificial or plastic, it is probably not the finish, it probably IS artificial or plastic. Real alligator hides are thick and denser than the fake alternatives.

How can you tell the difference between alligator and caiman leather?

Another way the unpracticed eye can easily distinguish alligator leather is by counting the bumps on the back of the head. At the base of the head crocodilians have a pattern of bumps that is unique to each species. The alligator has a pattern of 2-2-2 bumps. Caiman have a pattern of 4-4-2 bumps.

Are Crocodiles bulletproof?

Only crocodile’s belly has a gentle skin. Skin on their back contains bony structures (called osteoderms) which make skin bulletproof. Crocodiles have excellent eyesight (especially during the night).

Does Louis Vuitton use real crocodile skin?

Louis Vuitton bags are made from real animal skins such as cowhide, boa, crocodile, lambskin, and even camel skin. Like many other luxury fashion labels, Louis Vuitton spares no expense in obtaining and using exotic skins for its bags.

Are crocodile boots illegal?

What boots are illegal in the US?

Felt sole wading boots These boots are banned in six states in the US including South Dakota, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Alaska, Maryland, Missouri, and in Yellowstone Park. Research shows that felt and other fibrous materials shelter invasive species for long periods.

How can you tell if a crocodile has caiman leather?

A Caiman fuscus crocodile have small bony plates – if you bend the leather across these plates you will see that the leather creases between the scales. While the skin is still pliable and very strong, these thick scales are the telltale signs that you have Caiman leather. A proper Alligator or Crocodile hide will not have these bony scales.

Where does the caiman crocodile skin come from?

Hailing from South America and Central America, the caiman crocodile’s skin is taken only from farms. While both skins are very desirable for high fashion, they are not the same. These two crocodilian species might be distant cousins, but they each have unique characteristics.

What’s the difference between a caiman and an alligator skin?

So, for items with large panels, you can get large alligator skins so that you don’t have to do as much cutting and seaming as you would with the hide of a smaller skin, such as a caiman crocodile. While caimans might be cousins to the American alligator, the hides of the two animals are worlds apart.