Exotic Animal Hides: A Guide to Authentic African Game Hides & Natural Hides
Exotic Animal Hides: A Guide to Authentic African Game Hides & Natural Hides
Natural animal hides have been used in interiors for centuries, valued for their texture, pattern and the fact that no two are ever exactly alike. From the graphic stripes of an authentic zebra hide to the subtle markings of kudu or the dramatic scale of wildebeest, genuine hides bring an organic element to a room that manufactured materials simply cannot replicate.
At Furug, we have developed our collection around quality, provenance and individuality. We work directly with established tannery partners in South Africa and Argentina and import our hides into the United States, selecting pieces for exceptional coloration, markings and overall character.
Whenever possible, available hides are individually photographed so you can choose the exact hide you will receive rather than purchasing from a representative stock photograph.
African Game Hides from South Africa
Furug's collection of authentic African game hides includes a constantly changing selection of Springbok, Blesbok, Kudu, Impala, Hartebeest, Gemsbok/Oryx, Black Wildebeest, Blue Wildebeest and other distinctive species.
Each species offers a remarkably different combination of scale, texture and natural coloration—from petite Springbok hides to substantial Wildebeest and Kudu.
Explore Furug's African Game Hides →
Authentic Zebra Hides
Few natural hides are as immediately recognizable as a genuine zebra. Furug's authentic Burchell's zebra hides are professionally tanned in South Africa and individually selected for quality, natural striping, coloration and overall presentation.
Every available Furug zebra is individually photographed, allowing you to select the exact zebra hide you will receive. Because stripe patterns are completely individual, this is particularly valuable when specifying a zebra rug for an interior.
Shop Authentic Zebra Hides & Real Zebra Rugs →
Learn more about authentic zebra hides in our Real Zebra Rugs guide →
Springbok Hides
Springbok are smaller African game hides prized for their distinctive markings and versatility in interior design. Their compact scale makes them particularly well suited for layering over furniture, displaying on walls or using as smaller decorative hides.
Alongside traditional Springbok coloration, Furug regularly searches for exceptional natural variations. Our collection has included Copper and White Springbok as well as unusually colored individual hides that rarely appear through our South African tannery partner.
Kudu Hides
Kudu hides are among the more understated African game hides, characterized by sophisticated gray-brown and taupe coloration with delicate natural white striping.
Their muted palette makes authentic Kudu hides particularly appealing in contemporary and neutral interiors where natural texture is desired without an overly graphic pattern.
Wildebeest Hides
Wildebeest hides offer substantially greater scale and a more dramatic presence.
Blue Wildebeest hides typically feature smoky gray-brown coloration, darker vertical markings and a distinctive coarse mane.
Black Wildebeest hides have rich chocolate and dark brown coloration, a dark mane and an exceptionally long contrasting tail. Despite their name, authentic Black Wildebeest hides can display beautiful variation through brown, espresso and near-black tones.
Gemsbok / Oryx Hides
Gemsbok, also known as oryx, produce exceptionally graphic hides with combinations of stone gray, taupe, ivory and dark brown. Their strong natural markings and relatively neutral coloration make them particularly interesting for sophisticated interiors.
Blesbok Hides
Blesbok hides combine warm brown, taupe, charcoal and cream, often with beautiful mottling and tonal variation. Their natural pattern can range considerably from one animal to another, making exact-hide photography especially useful when selecting a piece.
Impala Hides
Authentic Impala hides are recognized for warm tawny and caramel coloration contrasted by creamy white areas and darker natural markings. Their relatively restrained coloration gives them an elegant appearance that works well in both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Hartebeest Hides
Hartebeest hides are larger in scale and often feature rich chestnut, caramel and deep brown coloration. Their warm ombré-like tonal variation makes them particularly striking when used as a floor covering or large decorative hide.
Axis Deer Hides
Not all of Furug's natural hides originate in Africa. Our Axis deer hides are sourced through our tannery partner in Argentina and selected for their beautiful spotted coats and overall quality.
The natural white spotting against warm brown fur gives Axis hides a very different appearance from African game species, making them equally suitable for traditional, lodge-inspired and contemporary interiors.
American Bison Hides
Our collection also includes authentic American Bison hides. Substantial in scale with exceptionally dense, shaggy fur, Bison hides bring an entirely different texture to the Furug natural-hide collection.
Their thick coats and dramatic scale make them particularly well suited to rooms where warmth, texture and presence are the priority.
Why Choose the Exact Hide?
Natural hides are inherently individual. Color, markings, dimensions, shape, fur texture and even subtle natural scars can vary significantly from one piece to another.
That's why Furug is increasingly moving toward an exact-hide shopping experience across our natural-hide collections. When exact-hide selection is available, the photograph associated with your selection shows the actual piece you will receive.
For interior designers in particular, this removes much of the uncertainty associated with specifying a natural product. You can evaluate the coloration, pattern, dimensions and character of an individual hide before purchasing.
Natural Character Is Part of the Beauty
Authentic animal hides should not look manufactured.
Variations in coloration, markings, texture, shape and occasional natural scars are part of the history and individuality of a genuine hide. Furug selects for quality, but we don't believe exceptional natural materials need to be made artificially perfect.
In fact, some of the most interesting pieces we encounter are the unusual ones—unexpected coloration, distinctive markings or natural variations rarely seen even by the tanneries that handle these hides every day.
Explore Furug's Natural Hide Collections
Whether you're searching for an authentic African game hide, a real zebra rug, an Axis deer hide or another distinctive natural piece, Furug's collections are continually changing as exceptional hides become available.