Bullfrog up closeBullfrog handbag in purpleBullfrog handbagGrain of frog leather

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Frog leather

We were going through this small shops and stalls selling souveniers and we found this coin purse that looks ready to jump at us. Seriously, it is a frog coin purse. So we did some research and put together stuff for you to read.

Bullfrog leather when finished has the characteristic "bumpy patterns" on the back (where the leather comes from) with smaller bumps spread between the large bumps and on the sides. It has a very attractive exotic value, and can be very flashy when done in shoes. Besides purse, their are bullfrog leather gun holsters, too.

Stuff to Know

Animal:
Bullfrog/North American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
Maximum size & weight:
20 centimters long (7.87in), not counting legs and weigh 750 grams (1.65lbs).
Maximum age:
15 years.
Protected?
Not protected.
Where it lives in the wild

The bullfrog is native to North America, but has been introduced to a few places including Europe.

Where is it farmed?

Farmed in East Asia for leather. (Southeast Asia)

Dangerous to humans?

No.

When approached by a predater will warn with a special call. If that doesn't work can kick, wrestle and push. I'm thinking WWF.

Afraid of humans?

Yes.

Oh, and do you know that the bullfrog can leap up to 2 meters long?

People injured yearly
Jumps on your feet and bruise it. Seriously, we'd be glad to have information to post for you here.
People killed yearly by

Oh bugs have the largest casualties, followed by birds and turtles but humans, no.

Is meat edible?
Yes. The legs only.
Taste of meat
Tastes like chicken and only the legs are eaten. Best way to cook them so far is by deep frying, add more seasoning if you don't like the first taste.
Living habits:

This frog is found in ponds, lakes, or marshland mainly where the water is quiet and covered with plants.

Do you know that bullfrogs use their skin as part of their breathing?

Eating habits:

Bullfrogs are carnivorous. The bullfrog's diet consists of insects, and larger prey such as small mammals, birds, turtles, snakes, and other frogs. As it forms a risk to some ecosystems in Europe, there is an effort to prevent its spread there. There are farms in Southeast Asia that raise bullfrogs for meat and for leather.

Did you know, when bullfrog legs are cooked (fried), they looked like chicken drumsticks?

Farming style:

In a few locations they are commercially cultured in ponds.

The traditional way of harvesting them is to paddle or pole silently by canoe or flatboat in streams or swamps at night; when the frog call is heard, fix a strong light on the frog. The frog will not jump into deeper water as long as movement is slow and steady. When close enough, the frog is speard by a trident and brought into the boat.

Harversting weight and size:
About 3 years and above (adulthood).
Skin processing:

Two portions that make the leather, the back and the belly, the back somewhat more attractive as it has the characteristic small "bumpy pattern".

The skin is removed from all connecting tissue and fat and rubbed in salt to prevent decomposition, and then tanned. The tanning process follows that of chicken leather.

After tanning, the seller may color and finish it according to the customer requirements. Green, orange? In matte finish? What would you use it for, shoes or purse? Don't you just like choices.

Leather durability:
Durable like most leather, can be made into uppers for shoes besides wallets and purses.
Leather softness:
Soft and springy.
Other Leather features:
The finished leather is full, bright-colored and has a fine, smooth grain. With fine natural color, the finished leather can be used for upper leather of clothing, shoe and cap etc.,
Leather relative value (1-10) in finished products.
6

 

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