Michael Lund was looking for alligator-textured paper; I've been
looking for special paper myself recently, and have come across this:

https://www.schmedt24.de/en/bookbinding-supplies/papers/cover-papers/leatherette-paper/58/leatherette-paper-with-croco-emboss 

Not sure if these people would sell to individuals, but if not, a local
bookbinding business may be able to supply limited quantities.  I ended
up getting a few sheets of buckram to make replacement roll tabs from
a local bookbinding workshop.

Andreas Wagner
Southern France