Teton Leather Featured Species:
American Alligator - Alligator mississippiensis
SIZEHeight: 8-19 ft
Weight: 600-2,200 Pounds DIETHatchlings eat small fish and invertebrates. Adult alligators prey on larger animals such as birds and deer.
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LIFESPANWild Lifespan: 30-50 years
Captive Lifespan: 60-80 Years HABITAT & RANGEFreshwater swamps, rivers, and lakes in south eastern United States.
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The American Alligator is one of the most successful conservation stories to date - a natural resource that is cultivated mainly for it's leather.
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At Teton Leather Co. we source our American Alligator from the most well known and established exotic tannery in North America, American Tanning & Leather is a trailblazer in sustainability and conservation. |
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"Each and every skin tanned by American Tanning & Leather LLC is harvested legally and in accordance with all state, federal, and international wildlife regulations. We never buy, sell, or promote any endangered species of crocodile or alligator, and it is our promise to exclusively provide clients with luxury leathers that are from sustainable and ethically sourced raw materials.
The CITES tag on each skin guarantees that your product is part of a sustainable use program which benefits both people and wildlife. The use of alligator and crocodile products protects the traditions and cultures of a community dependent upon renewable natural resources for economic sustainability."
amtan.com/responsibility.html
American Tanning & Leather provides a wealth of knowledge paired with generations of experience working with and conserving the American Alligator.
The CITES tag on each skin guarantees that your product is part of a sustainable use program which benefits both people and wildlife. The use of alligator and crocodile products protects the traditions and cultures of a community dependent upon renewable natural resources for economic sustainability."
amtan.com/responsibility.html
American Tanning & Leather provides a wealth of knowledge paired with generations of experience working with and conserving the American Alligator.
How has conservation impacted American Alligators?
Brass Tacks:
- In 1967, the American alligator was placed on the endangered species list as the result of over hunting and habitat loss. After conservation efforts, their population was declared recovered in 1987.
- Unlike many reptiles, alligators provide parental care to their young. The mother will fiercely protect her nest from intruders. Once the eggs hatch, she moves the hatchlings to a safe area and continues to protect them for a few months.
- The largest threat to the American Alligator is habitat loss. This species is an incredibly clear example of the phrase: "If it pays it stays" - indicating that communities can be motivated to protect and conserve nuisance native species if the species in question can bring a financial benefit to the local economy.
Current Conservation Status For American Alligator:
Least Concern
INVERSA x Teton Leather Featured Species:
Invasive Lionfish - Pterois
SIZE12-15 Inches in length
About 2.5 Pounds (Larger in invasive habitats) DIETLionfish are carnivorous, feeding mainly on crustaceans and fish
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LIFESPANWild Lifespan: Unknown
Captivity Lifespan: Approx. 10 years HABITAT & RANGE Native to the Indo-Pacific
Invasive off the East Coast of the United States & the Caribbean |
Lionfish have been described as "one of the most aggressively invasive species on the planet"- Species of Mass Destruction. Season 1. Episode 2. 2013 The Science Channel:
Venomous Lionfish
Venomous Lionfish
We at Teton Leather, have partnered with INVERSA in their efforts to turn invasive species into luxury leather goods.
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As a result of human error in the late 1980s, a handful of lionfish slipped undetected into Atlantic waters off the coast of Florida.
In less than 40 years the lionfish has completely taken over the Atlantic, from Brazil to Boston to Barcelona, destroying native fish populations and coral reefs. |
Each of our lionfish products are made from INVERSA tanned invasive lionfish and are skillfully crafted by our master artists.
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Why Do Invasive Lionfish Need Management?
Appropriately named for their maned appearance, lionfish are fierce predators that can eat up to 70,000 native reef fish through their lifetime.
Are Lionfish arguably the most detrimental marine invasive species?
Are Lionfish arguably the most detrimental marine invasive species?
- Invasive lionfish stomachs can expand up to 30 times; enabling them to consume up to 20 native reef fish in just 30 minutes. (Source: Science Daily)
- Each female can lay up to 6,083,333 eggs per year. (Source: NOAA Marine Sanctuary)
- Invasive lionfish negatively impact the overall reef habitat by eliminating crucial organisms that serve important ecological roles such as herbivorous fish that keep alga in-check. (Source: Florida Fish & Wildlife)
- On average, a single invasive lionfish residing on a coral reef kills 79% of baby native reef fish within 5 weeks. Swiftly decimating native repopulation. (Source: NOAA Marine Sanctuary & Vox)
Can They Be Managed?
Efforts:
INVERSA has put a tidal wave of bright minds and innovative efforts behind the invasive lionfish issue. Turning these destructive predators into a fine, market ready leather - teaming up with high end luxury brands around the world.
Every lionfish product uses AT LEAST one full hide, meaning that one item helps protect 70,000 native reef fish, 79% of baby native reef fish in an affected area, and contributes to the millions of people that rely on a healthy native ecosystem to feed their families through small-scale fisheries.
PBS News Hour:
Teton Leather x INVERSA Featured Species:
Invasive Asian Carp • Dragonfin - Cyprinus Carpio
SIZE16 – 31+ Inches in length
4.4 – 110 lbs Pounds DIET Grass carp consume plants, and can drastically change river and shoreline vegetation and spawning and cover for native fish. Black carp eat snails and mussels, including native species that are already endangered and may endanger reintroduced populations.
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LIFESPANWild Lifespan: 20 Years
HABITAT & RANGENative to Eastern Asia
Invasive to the Mississippi River and rivers and lakes within the Mississippi rivershed |
Simply put, the Mississippi river has become a battlefield, and Dragonfin - Cyprinus Carpio is a heavyweight amongst very lightweight contenders. Why?
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This invasive carp significantly lowers water quality, which kills off sensitive organisms like native freshwater mussels. They have been known to dominate entire streams effectively pushing out the native species that can't keep up. Asian carp (especially silver carp) are capable of jumping over some barriers, including low dams. High water often creates an "open river" condition as Mississippi River dams open their gates, which may allow invasive carps to move past what is otherwise a barrier. |
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JUMPERS
Flooding can spread these fish as well, connecting waterways that are typically separated. Dragonfin has also been spread by way of humans releasing live bait young.
A small handful of these fish can be catastrophic. Growing by the hundreds of thousands per brood, they are capable of decimating the natural healthy balance of freshwater rivers.
A small handful of these fish can be catastrophic. Growing by the hundreds of thousands per brood, they are capable of decimating the natural healthy balance of freshwater rivers.
Our Efforts:
Working alongside INVERSA, we have developed and design incredibly high quality luxury leather goods made from these invasive asian carp. There have been enormous efforts to manage the populations in the US, but INVERSA has opened a new door to management: Quality "Dragonfin" Leather.
Every purchase of a "Dragonfin" leather product contributes to the removal of these invasive species and the health of native fish species in the Mississippi Riverway.
Want information on a specific species without waiting?
Conservation and ethical use is an incredibly important subject that deserves time and attention.
This informational section of our website is under constant construction and no information will be uploaded without intensive research into the topic/species first.
We understand you may want information on a certain species. Please keep in mind each species we utilize WILL be added to this page and we appreciate your patience while we gather accurate information for you.
*Source information will be listed when applicable
This informational section of our website is under constant construction and no information will be uploaded without intensive research into the topic/species first.
We understand you may want information on a certain species. Please keep in mind each species we utilize WILL be added to this page and we appreciate your patience while we gather accurate information for you.
*Source information will be listed when applicable
teton leather
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