option Skins

Iguanas and pythons have invaded South Florida, and while the state struggles to handle the infestation of the non-native species, one man says he has a solution: epidermis 'em.

Brian wood has harvested and offered alligator products for 21 years. He sells gator conceal to high style agencies like Prada, Gucci, HermM-hs and Salvatore Ferragamo. but together with his enterprise off on account of the recession, timber has decided to department out into iguana and python hides as smartly.

"they're non-indigenous, they may be feral and they're multiplying with the aid of the a whole lot," mentioned wood of each species.

wood, who owns All American Gator products based mostly in Hallandale seashore, the greatest processor of alligator goods in South Florida, mentioned his company is off about 20 percent this yr.

"Alligator disguise is just like the diamond of leathers," said timber. This yr the demand for luxury items, in accordance with Bain & Co., is anticipated to plummet 10 p.c, bringing the cost of gator leather down from $50 per foot in 2007, to about $12.

but economics isn't the simplest thing driving wood. Ever given that individuals started purchasing the unique pets - and turning them loose in the wild - iguanas and pythons have been multiplying in South Florida's climate. And both have become a nuisance; iguanas smash landscaping and sea partitions, and pythons disturb the mild ecosystem of the Everglades.

both animals make wonderful leather products, timber noted. and that is the reason no longer all; iguana meat is tasty, he talked about.

"They call it the fowl of the timber, completely delicious," observed timber, who brought that iguana is a delicacy in South the united states.

He and his two sons began experimenting with iguana hides two months in the past, once they launched IguanaCatchers.com, a business that removes nuisance iguanas from americans's properties. to date he is collected about a hundred.

"it's like Jurassic Park," he spoke of of some yards.