Lizard Skin

Lizard skin is commonly used for handbags, footwear, watchbands, belts, wallets, sheaths, holsters and other small leather goods. The lizard skin species processed by PanAm Leathers are the teju lizard (salvator rufescuns) from Argentina and the Java lizard (varanus salvator) from Southeast Asia. Lizards are mostly wild caught, while some small amount of ranching does exist. In both cases, the skins are a byproduct of the meat. Approximately 2 billion people worldwide eat reptile meat as a source of protein, mainly across East and Southeast Asia, Africa and the Southeast USA. Other parts of the animal other than the meat are also used in specialty dishes and pet treats. The demand for lizard skin exploded in Europe in the 1930’s and since a formalized international trade has since been developed. Lizard skin is known for its distinct and refined scale pattern. It is naturally soft and thin, making it as easy to cut and sew, as it is to use.