Working With Snake Skin

[dilligent neophyte]

here's the dilema... I received a rattlesnake skin and want to use it as face for wallets and such. the piece is 48"l x 5"w. It's kinda stiff but with a touch of water it softens up so I can work it to the shape of the wallet outer

I have two questions I hope someone out ther can help answer;

1. should i cut to size and cement it to the 4oz leather back - then just build the wallet from there. or will i need to trim or inlay the piece?

2. Do I need to treat the skin on the outside for this application?

thanks for your time

Best

DN