Yes. When the pieces were fresh off the hippo they were about 2 in thick. When they arrived at my home from Namibia they were about 11/4 inch thick. I just got them back from the tannery and they have been shaved to about 1/8 inch thick.
Is that normal shrinkage? That seems like a ridiculous difference that if it isn’t normal I’d be furious over. 🤬
Yes it is normal because the skins are generally dehydrated from being dried and treated with insecticide. Mine all came folded like blankets and you couldn't unfold them. The tannery had to re-soak them to soften before shaving them down to the 1/8" for the taxidermist to work with.
I have my Cape Buffalo and giraffe back skins which are super thin. The giraffe skin was way thicker than I ever imagined it would be when they showed me. I think my hippo skin was the thickest, but the giraffe wasn't that far behind at about half.