Editing Leather (section)

==Animals used==
[[File:Bodleian Libraries, Imaginary Portrait.jpg|thumb|right|A book bound in pigskin]]

Today, most leather is made of [[cattle]] (cow) hides, which constitute about 65% of all leather produced. Other animals that are used include sheep (about 13%), goats (about 11%), and pigs (about 10%). Obtaining accurate figures from around the world is difficult, especially for areas where the skin may be eaten.<ref>{{Cite web|title=EST: Hides & Skins|url=http://www.fao.org/economic/est/est-commodities/hides-skins/en/|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410155126/http://www.fao.org/economic/est/est-commodities/hides-skins/en/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.leathercouncil.org/introtoleather.htm |title=Introduction to Leather |website=International Council of Tanners |access-date=8 August 2018 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804104737/http://www.leathercouncil.org/introtoleather.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref> There are significant regional differences in leather production: e.g. goat leather was historically called "Turkey" or "Morocco" due to its association with the Middle East, while pig skin had historically been used the most in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cover to Cover: Exposing the Bookbinder's Ancient Craft |url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/leather/ |publisher=The [[University of Adelaide]] |access-date=6 March 2024 |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117155135/https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/exhibitions/cover-to-cover/leather/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other animals mentioned below only constitute a fraction of a percent of total leather production.

Horse hides are used to make particularly durable leathers. [[Shell cordovan]] is a horse leather made not from the outer skin but from an under layer, found only in equine species, called the shell. It is prized for its mirror-like finish and anti-creasing properties.

Lamb and deerskin are used for soft leather in more expensive apparel. Deerskin is widely used in work gloves and indoor shoes.

Reptilian skins, such as [[Alligator leather|alligator]], crocodile, and [[snakeskin|snake]], are noted for their distinct patterns that reflect the scales of their species. This has led to hunting and farming of these species in part for their skins. The [[Argentine black and white tegu]] is one of the most exploited reptile species in the world in the leather trade. However, it is not endangered and while monitored, trade is legal in most South American countries.<ref>Romero, Mieres; Margarita, Maria (2002). "Monitoring and managing the harvest of tegu lizards in Paraguay" (Thesis). {{hdl|1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2002-THESIS-M54}}.</ref>

[[Kangaroo leather]] is used to make items that must be strong and flexible. It is the material most commonly used in [[bullwhip]]s. Some [[motorcycle|motorcyclists]] favor kangaroo leather for [[Motorcycle safety clothing#Leathers|motorcycle leathers]] because of its light weight and abrasion resistance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dainese.com/row/en/faq.html|title=FAQs |access-date=7 February 2018|publisher=Dainese|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603022524/https://www.dainese.com/row/en/faq.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kangaroo leather is also used for falconry jesses, soccer footwear,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://soccersupremacy.com/adidas-cleat-review-adidas-profi-liga-cleat-review/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019195909/http://soccersupremacy.com/adidas-cleat-review-adidas-profi-liga-cleat-review/| url-status=dead| archive-date=19 October 2012|title= Adidas Cleat Review: Adidas Profi Liga Cleat Review |date=May 31, 2012 |access-date=27 July 2010|publisher=Soccer Supremacy }}</ref> (e.g. [[Adidas Copa Mundial]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stridewise.com/kangaroo-leather-pros-cons/|title = The Pros and Cons of Kangaroo Leather|website = Stride Wise|date = 18 February 2022 |first1=Mel |last1=Compo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921195723/https://stridewise.com/kangaroo-leather-pros-cons/ |archive-date= Sep 21, 2023 }}</ref>) and boxing speed bags.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.speedbagcentral.com/ssp/speed_bag_parts|title=Speed Bag Parts|access-date=7 February 2018|publisher=Speed Bag Central|archive-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208064102/http://www.speedbagcentral.com/ssp/speed_bag_parts|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:«PhoneCases».png|thumb|left|Phone cases in [[ostrich leather]]]]

Although originally raised for their feathers in the 19th century, [[ostrich]]es are now more popular for both meat and leather.<ref>{{cite news|first=Henrylito|last=Tacio|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/why-you-should-raise-ostrich|title= Why You Should Raise Ostrich|newspaper=Sun Star|date=18 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224085758/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/why-you-should-raise-ostrich |archive-date=24 December 2013 }}</ref> [[Ostrich leather]] has a characteristic "goose bump" look because of the large follicles where the feathers grew. Different processes produce different finishes for many applications, including upholstery, footwear, automotive products, accessories, and clothing.

In [[Thailand]], [[stingray]] leather is used in [[wallets]] and belts. Stingray leather is tough and durable. The leather is often dyed black and covered with tiny round bumps in the natural pattern of the back ridge of an animal. These bumps are then usually dyed white to highlight the decoration. Stingray rawhide is also used as grips on Chinese swords, Scottish basket hilted swords, and Japanese [[katana]]s. Stingray leather is also used for high abrasion areas in motorcycle racing leathers (especially in gloves, where its high abrasion resistance helps prevent wear through in the event of an accident).

For a given thickness, fish leather is typically much stronger due to its criss-crossed fibers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Timmins |first1=Beth |title=Meet the fish leather pioneers |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47806892 |access-date=7 May 2019 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214052109/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47806892 |url-status=live }}</ref>