Alrighty, so WHAT'S A SCUTE? (also spelled 'Skute')

"Scutes" are the bony (osteoderm) dermal ridges you see on the gator's back, they are circles of bone with a ridge in the center of each (see photos below)

Feel better now that you know?

Scutes have been bleached.  Average size is 1-1/2 to 2-1/8" diameter, some are white, yellow, brown, some gnarly, some with a slightly raised ridge, some with a pronounced ridge, some with lots of texture, some quite smooth (depending on where it was located on the gator's back); some with the skin on.  

Easy to make into jewelry, or just to enjoy as an unusual collectible.  100% of the gators harvested by government permit in Florida are used in some way.  This is a good example of it.

WITH SKIN (hide) still ON

Average 1-1/8 to 1-1/2" long

#G-502-126

Average 1-5/8 to 1-7/8" long

Average 2 to 2-3/4" long

Average 2-7/8 to 3-1/4" long

#G-508

This is a one of a kind gator scute and vintage button purse.  Purse is made of woven hemp and has two gator scutes and vinatge and paua or abalone shell accents. Zipper closure with silk lining on the inside with zipper pocket on the side, 11-1/2" wide x 7-1/4" tall (center measurement) x 3-5/8" thick (bottom), measurement from the top of the strap to bottom of the purse is 24" long.

Florida, a great mural of an ALLIGATOR painted along the curb

Top is inlaid gator FOOT skin hide

#G510-A  

#G510-B

3-1/2" across, SQUARE woven basket with BLACK gator foot hide inlay in lid, leather & rivet hinge at back, 2-3/8" tall basket, 5-1/2" to top of handle  $35

#G510-C

#G520-A

#G520-B

#G530-E

8" long x 5" tall x 4-3/8" deep, this PIRATE CHEST wooden box with rounded lid, C hook clasp, riveted, inlaid with brown/tan GATOR HIDE, felt flocked lined, GATOR HIDE handle is riveted to box.

#G530-F

9" long x 7-3/8" tall x 2-5/8" deep, this RECTANGULAR wooden box is stained a caramel color like the CARAMEL GATOR HIDE on both sides, note natural pattern goes from large to small on both sides; simple clasp, interior felt flocked lined, bamboo handle with brass loops makes it 11" tall with handle up

#G530-G

ROUND box purse is inlaid with IVORY & BLACK GATOR HIDE on both sides applied in 2 pieces in the yin-yang design.  Purse Box is light brown stained wood with simple clasp closure at top; interior is felt flocked lined; bamboo handle with brass loops  makes it 12" tall with handle up

#G530-H

OVAL BROWN box purse is inlaid with two-tone BROWN GATOR  HIDE on both sides (note natural  pattern goes from large to small.  Purse Box is dark brown stained wood with simple clasp closure at top; interior is felt flocked lined; bamboo handle with brass loops  makes it 12" tall with handle up

#G530-I

ROUND BROWN box purse is inlaid with LIGHT BROWN GATOR HIDE on both sides.  Purse Box is light brown stained wood with simple clasp closure at top; interior is felt flocked lined; bamboo handle with brass loops  makes it 12" tall with handle up

Click here to see them for yourself, G-470 series.

Never have we had them before.

$65 ea.

#G550-2

#G550-7

Tan canvas with red accent stitching and embroidered Florida State Seminoles logo, fold-over red canvas edge with the S logo, FSU on back edge of cap; one size fits all, cap brand name: New Era

(genuine logo hats from the manufacturer on which the gator leather is machine-stitched on the bill)

#G551-1

BROWN gator leather bill

#G551-2

#G551-3

Red canvas caps with black accent stitching, Black & white embroidered lettering, green/blue/orange gator head logo, GATORS lettering on back edge of cap; one size fits all; 100% acrylic

(genuine logo hats from the manufacturer on which the gator leather is cross-hatched leather rawhide hand sewn to the bill)

#G552-1

Brown/tan gator leather bill

#G552-2

Embroidered gator head logo on hats, "FLORIDA" embroidered on back above hole, "GATORS" printed on velcro adjustable strap; 100% cotton, one size fits all, Capsmith Inc.

(genuine logo hats from the manufacturer on which the gator leather is cross-hatch leather rawhide hand-sewn on the bill)

#G553-1

#G553-2

#G553-3

#G553-7

one size fits all

(genuine logo hats from the manufacturer on which the gator leather is cross-hatch leather rawhide hand-sewn on the bill)

#G554-1

#G554-3

Gators do not have a bone within the penis, as some animals do.   Our gator guy, however, has literally tanned some of the alligator penises, though they are cartilage, they are perfectly preserved, and made into key chains.

How weird is that?

$36 each

These decorated skulls are used in ceremonies in place of traditions such as head hunting which was banned in the 1960's but documented as still occurring in the late 1980's!  The skull is 33 inches long and has been embellished with shells..

It took a stack of paperwork to clear customs, as saltwater crocs are endangered and customs had to make sure this was a freshwater species.  Imagine this behemoth in their 500 square foot apartment!