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Why do predators flay people? And what do they do with the skin? We know that they collect skulls, but why skin?

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Human urban legends equate the hunting of humans as the ultimate sport, the goal of hunting truly intelligent prey. If it is good enough for us, why not an alien species at the apex of its food chain, with advanced technological capabilities who has already hunted some of the galaxy's most dangerous prey. Given several Predators met their end at the hands of humans, we would make for interesting prey when the right specimen is found... And who wouldn't want a trophy. – Thaddeus Feb 27 at 3:23

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The Predators were supposed to be a metaphor for human sport hunters. In fact that was the working title according to Wikipedia:

Predator was scripted by Jim and John Thomas in 1985, under the working title of Hunter.

As we know, people who hunt for fun typically take part of their prey's body as a trophy, usually skulls, but also skin (i.e. leather) either stretched or stuffed, paws, tusks, etc. depending on the animal.

So, if human hunters keep animal skulls and skin as trophies, it isn't too inconceivable that humanoid aliens would also do so.

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That'd be a creepy rug! – Andrew Heath Feb 27 at 9:05

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