Here are some FAQ and suggestions on production with Zebra hides:

What is the legal species of Zebra hide in the United Sates?
The legal species of Zebra for trade and ownership in the United States is the Bruchell variety, which has roughly 80 stripes from head to toe. A full sized hide is cut down the belly, with the striping down the center. A professionally tanned full hide has the head, body, thighs, and tail.

What does a finished Zebra hide feel like?
A finished hide is slightly stiff but very pliable and easy to cut and manipulate. The fur is groomed and shaved down for a smooth and relatively thin material to maximize appearance, touch, and last a lifetime.

A tanned hide typically will come in two ways: Standard and Felt-Backed. A Standard hide is a production-ready hide with no backing on the material. These are a little less since they don’t have a backing attached.

The other way a Zebra hide can be purchased is with a thick felt backing. A felt-backed hide is essentially a Zebra skin rug – since the felt is added to create additional weight to help keep the rug clean, softer on a ground surface, and will sit flat on the floor.

Genuine Zebra Skins for Production
Genuine Zebra is used for many production applications including fine furniture, chairs, ottomans, rugs, trims, upholstery, and more. Since each Zebra is naturally unique in appearance, no two pieces will ever be the same. This uniqueness gives exotic skin an appeal that other materials cannot match and instantly increases the value of a finished product.

Here are some considerations for production with genuine Zebra:

• Get the most out of each Zebra hide – since most applications require precise cuts to be made, plan the cuts carefully from the full hide before making any cuts. Will you use the head or tail? Will you use the thigh material?

• Get the best quality for your cuts – Always check the surface of the material and note any natural scarring before cutting – you will want to put the best pieces into your finished product. Smaller applications and straight cuts can typically navigate around any scars or inconsistences.

• Always save the unused material – Don’t slice and dice the unused material, and do not throw it away! These scraps can be used to create smaller pieces like lampshades, picture frames, pillows, or patchwork-style upholstery, trims, and finished goods. These scraps – even patchwork style – in genuine Zebra are worth far more than a typical cowhide leather application or synthetic (fake) leathers.

In conclusion, mindful preparation is necessary for the best finished product – always make cuts based on the quality and shape to create the best pieces and lessen the waste.

The American Exotics website: Exotic-skin.com is now featuring some of the best genuine Zebra rugs and Zebra hides available on the market. The prices are reasonable for the quality and they have both felt-backing variety as well as standard production-ready Zebra.

But most people realize that most Zebras are not entirely “white and black” - many of them feature dark striping that is either close to black or a very dark brown color. The lighter stripes can be white, but are more typically an off-white or light brownish color. This striping also varies in size and shape based on the type of Zebra.

A species of Zebra that is abundant and frequently culled in Africa is the Bruchell species of Zebra. While some species of Zebra have upwards eighty to ninety stripes, a Bruchell Zebra features about 30 wider strips across the hide.

When producing a Zebra rug, the hide of the Zebra is cut along the belly so that the beautiful striping across the back is centered, producing a look that is “symmetrical” in it’s own natural way.

Life in the wild is harsh in the plains of Africa; upon close examination, a natural, genuine Zebra rug will always have some scarring across the pelt. Finding a Zebra skin without any damage or natural scarring is nearly impossible - if a “Grade A” skin is found, they are by far the best investment and the most valuable, despite paying the premium for one. A good quality Zebra skin will retain its value and  with good care, will last  for for a lifetime.

Here’s an example of a Grade A, high quality Zebra skin (click to enlarge):

A genuine Zebra rug is approximately 8 - 10 ft. long (including head and tail). They are tanned and backed by a finely cut black felt that is visible around the edge of the hide. They are truly an eye-catching piece that will always draw the eye immediately upon entering the room.

The texture of genuine Zebra rugs is also unique to any synthetic alternatives; the hides are relatively thin and quite flexible and look best on a hardwood or marble floor. Modern decor and African-themed decor are greatly enhanced with an exquisite Zebra rug underneath.

That said, U.S. customs regulations can be tricky in the importing of species since their legalities must be ensured by Fish & Wildlife.  The best way to obtain a genuine Zebra rug is through a broker that deals especially with the importation of exotic leather and hides. 

Note: Use our inquiry form to contact our global suppliers for the best pricing and highest grade Zebra hides, saving both time and money and ensuring that the legal requirements are met.

Here are a couple suggestions:

Affix the Zebra hide between two large pieces of glass and frame it. This will be heavy and quite large, but the look will be fantastic - a mounted see-through frame featuring a Zebra hide, well-preserved between two pieces of see-through glass. If you don’t to use a framed glass configuration, consider a strong but light plastic to affix the Zebra hide in between. As long as the pieces are pressed on either side of the Zebra hide, you should be able to easily mount it without the hide moving. If necessary, affix very small pieces of non-stick adhesive to either side and that should do the trick.

If you don’t want to go through the process of framing or want a more rustic appearance for your mounting, simply find some grips in a hardware or craft store to mount your Zebra hide. Be sure that whatever you use is not going to damage the pelt in any way - sticky, messy adhesives or putting holes in the skin will damage the pelt, decreasing its look and value. With some extra time and consideration, you can easily mount your Zebra hide.