--- title: Defining Qualities of American Crocodile Skin description: What sets American Crocodile skins different from other crocodilian hides? A narrow flank, wide belly, and bone-free hide are all important distinguishing features. image: https://www.panamleathers.com/hubfs/am_croc_black.jpg --- [**](https://www.instagram.com/panamleathers/) [**](https://www.facebook.com/panamleathers/) [**](https://twitter.com/panamleathers) [**](https://www.youtube.com/user/PanAmLeathersInc) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pan-american-leathers-inc.) [** My Account](http://shop.panamleathers.com/account.php) [** My Cart](http://shop.panamleathers.com/account.php) [![Pan American Leathers, Inc.](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/panam-logo-bw-padding-2x.jpg?width=152&height=104&name=panam-logo-bw-padding-2x.jpg "Pan American Leathers, Inc.")](https://www.panamleathers.com) # Exotic Leather Blog # Defining Qualities of American Crocodile Skin Posted by [Abram Mendal](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/author/abram-mendal) on Dec 13, 2018 12:42:26 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![American Crocodile Black](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/am_croc_black.jpg?width=300&name=am_croc_black.jpg)There are a few qualities that separate the [acutus crocodile skin](http://eu.panamleathers.com/skin-type/american-crocodile/) from the American alligator skin or the skin of other crocodilian species: **Narrow Flank and Wide Belly Section** While the American alligator has a very wide flank section relative to the belly, the acutus crocodile skin has the opposite. The flanks occupy a relatively small portion of the width across the midsection. This is a particularly attractive quality for garments and any other product where you prefer the square belly scales over the round flanks scales.  ## Small Follicle Markings on Belly Scales Small follicle markings are a nice detail to exotic hide products and a highly distinguishing factor. Crocodilian species with these markings include: the American, Nile, Saltwater and Siamese crocodiles. ## No Bone The percentage of bone found in an exotic skin is one of the key factors in determining the suppleness and flexibility of the product and how manageable the skin is during manufacturing of the finished product.  For example, the toughest and hardest exotic skin to use is caiman skin since it contains between 1.95%-2.25% of bone. Bags made from caiman skin will typically have [creases in the material](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/crocodile-skins-vs-python-skins-for-exotic-handbags). Nile crocodile skin and American Alligator skin contain a much smaller amount of bone and are slightly easier to handle. The American crocodile skin and saltwater crocodile skin have no bone, making them the softest and most pliable.  ## Farmed to Large Sizes The acutus crocodiles are mostly farmed along the equator, meaning not much heat is required to keep their pens warm. This provides huge cost advantages to those farms, allowing them to grow their crocodiles larger at a fraction of the cost of farms in other parts of the world. This means that the acutus crocodile skin is available in top farmed quality and large sizes at a price that is nearly impossible to find anywhere else in the world.     ## Not Permitted in USA Currently, [American crocodile hide](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/what-is-so-special-about-the-american-crocodile-skin) is illegal in the US for both import and trade. PanAm’s European store stocks these skins for in person purchase or for order online from our European site. PanAm can ship directly out of Paris or from our tannery in Bogota, Colombia to almost all CITES-member countries. A high-end, quality leather product is extremely sought after by the most fashionable clientele. The right exotic skin can help surpass customer expectations and offer the best symbol of style and class. For more information on how to use PanAm’s leather selection for your next project, [contact us](https://www.panamleathers.com/contact) to setup a consultation today. 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