The crocodile is the largest predator in the family of reptiles. This animal is ideally adapted to living in the water – it has short yet strong legs, a huge teethed mouth, and a powerful tail capable of killing an animal of virtually any size. Because crocodiles are not afraid to attack large victims equipped with teeth and horns, let alone people with actual weapons, their skin became sort of an amour. Covered with bony plates, it is not only a means of protection but also a desirable material among fashionistas due to its high decorative qualities. A bag or wallet made of crocodile leather is a dream of every person who is into luxurious accessories.
As Old As Dinosaurs
According to biologists, the crocodile is one of the few surviving descendants of prehistoric archosaurs, the closest relatives of dinosaurs.
The body, tail, and legs of the crocodile are covered with thick bumpy skin featuring ossified plates. The look of reptile skin is akin to sea coastal pebbles. This similarity gave crocodiles their name – the Greek word Krokodilos can be translated as a ‘pebble worm’. Although worms and crocodiles have long and slender bodies, the latter shocks with its size. The length of a crocodile body, depending on the species, ranges from 2 to 6 meters, and their weight can be up to two tons.
Since ancient times, people have revered the crocodile as a powerful creature. It was believed that putting on the skin of a crocodile will provide the strength and might of the animal. After all, crocodiles have been inhabiting Earth for more than 200 million years, so products made of crocodile skin carry the energy of all these millennia.
Types of Crocodile Leather
Crocodile leather can perhaps be called the most valuable of all exotic leathers. It is always highly prized and has long been a symbol of prosperity as well as a synonym for luxury.
Crocodile skin has a very distinct texture and patterns. Its scars, scales, and tubercles make it unique, and this uniqueness is passed to wallets and any kind of product made of crocodile leather. It is impossible to create two absolutely identical items from reptile skin simply because each square centimeter is dissimilar to others. Nature simply doesn’t create two lookalike crocodiles.
The skin from the abdominal portion of the crocodile is very soft and covered with flat scales. It is the most sought-after among designers and fashionistas alike. Being thin and supple yet incredibly strong, it lends itself well to the production of accessories of the most complex design. When it comes to wallets, those made of abdominal leather convey the air of luxury. Most often than not, they feature classic designs that go well with virtually any garment. Abdominal skin engages attention and is very pleasant to the touch. For this reason, it is common to see it in long wallets where it can present itself in all its glory.
The skin from the back of a crocodile is tough, thick, and features two rows of horned bumps. Every reptile species have these bumps but their arrangement is different. Crocodiles have four bumps in the upper row and two in the lower one. Alligator leather is often confused with crocodile’s, but you can easily recognize it by three rows, with two bumps in each. Another species that look similar to crocodiles are caimans. Unlike crocodiles, their skin is more rigid, dry-ish, and covered with cracks, all of which make caiman leather products less valuable. If an accessory displays three rows of bumps with a four-four-two pattern, it is made of caiman skin.
The leather from the back of a crocodile is considered less valuable than the abdominal due to its thickness and insufficient softness. However, its impressive bumpy and scaly patterns have earned many fans among leather wearers. Horns as if emerging from the surface of a wallet attract admired looks in spades. However, because this skin doesn’t bend easily, it has limited use in wallets. It is typically utilized for the front portion of an item while the rest is made of other parts of a hide. Make sure to check out an extensive variety of crocodile wallets at https://www.bikerringshop.com/collections/crocodile-wallets.
Are Crocodile Wallets in Vogue?
Crocodile skin has been used by the ingenious people of Africa for millennia. Due to its thickness, it was used to craft armor, and the most respected people of tribal communities wore clothes crafted from crocodile skin to put an emphasis on their status. When trade relations with the countries of North Africa and the Middle East were established in the Middle Ages, crocodile leather appeared in Europe. It was extremely rare and valuable, and this value is still attached to it to this day.
Products made of crocodile skin are viewed as items of luxury and a sort of indicator of prosperity. Indeed, they are more expensive than traditional cowhides but the truth is that nowadays, everyone can afford a high-quality wallet. Countries that historically have developed crocodile farming have received generous support from their respective governments in recent years, which allowed them to triple production. This makes crocodile leather products more and more accessible.
