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There is nothing like a floor rug made of animal skin to add an exotic outdoor look to your home. Many people find an animal rug in front of a fireplace cozy and even sexy.

Most animal skins can be used as rugs when properly processed. However their qualities differ from animal to animal. Please make sure that you buy area rugs made of real animal skin from people who have proper licenses to sell them.

Rugs made from real bear skins can be large, sometimes more than 6 feet in length. You will have the choice of several varieties of bear rugs to choose from including those made from Black, Brown, Grizzly, Kodiak, and even Polar, bears. Color of the rug may not match the bear's color as they go through what are called color phases. Black bear skins for instance come in a range of colors from dark brown to blond. Blond colored skins are the most expensive.

All bear skin rugs tend to be expensive. Make sure that your rug was professionally skinned and tanned. A good bear skin floor rug will have the real bear claws on its hands. Bear rugs need to be properly padded in order to be used.

Zebra or to give its scientific name Equus Burchelli are not considered endangered though the zebra skin trade is highly regulated. As such as long as the vender has proper licenses you can buy zebra skins legally.

In addition you should check whether skin has scars or other blemishes. Blemishes will reduce the price. Size on the other hand will increase the price. Some zebra skin area rugs can be almost eight feet in length. Zebra skins need to be backed by heavy felt for protection and beauty.

Lions skin floor rugs can be more expensive than bear or zebra skins. Lions are an endangered animal and killing them for their skin is not legal. Legally sold lion skin floor rugs are made from lions that have died from natural causes or from confiscated lion skins sold in order to raise funds for conservation. Make sure that seller has proper documents.

These types of skin rugs are less expensive and more widely available.

Fake skins are widely available for almost any type of animal. Some fake skins are made from other animals' skins, especially from cows'. Other fake skins are completely artificial.