Scales

[sattva]

Newbie question... I see all you guys weigh your snakes; Why? and what is the best scales? Also what is the# before the snake name... Sorry for the dumb questions...

[RAD House]

It is the sex ratio. For example 0.2 would be two females. 4.5 would be four males and five females. Lastly 0.0.1 is one unsexed animal. Weighing the snake is the easiest way to track its growth. I got my scale off of Amazon. It is just an ordinary kitchen scale, just make sure you get one that's upper limit is higher than the heaviest snake you intend to weigh.

[sattva]

It is the sex ratio. For example 0.2 would be two females. 4.5 would be four males and five females. Lastly 0.0.1 is one unsexed animal. Weighing the snake is the easiest way to track its growth. I got my scale off of Amazon. It is just an ordinary kitchen scale, just make sure you get one that's upper limit is higher than the heaviest snake you intend to weigh.

So if I understand this right, the numbers to the left of the period stands for how many males of the same breed; and to the right of the period how many females... Is the right?

[RAD House]

Yep, you got it.

[sattva]

Yep, you got it.
Cool, Thanks!

[macandchz]

sattva, if you are around any snake shows in the near future they sell scales at a decent price.

[EL Ziggy]

I weigh my snakes just to keep a record of their growth. I also feed my snakes according to their weight. My young snakes eat between 10-15% of their body weight per feeding and my older snakes get roughly 10% of their body weight per feeding. Sometimes they get a little more, other times they get a little less.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I use it to track growth in the snakes I can't easily measure the length of, and to track general health. It is extremely important to track weight, so if the snake is gaining too much or losing too much weight you can respond. It also helps keep me from worrying when a snake goes off food (which is generally just my ball python), you can imagine a lot of weight loss where there is none or very little in a snake that refuses to eat.

[Ian of Oldham]

Do snakes have a Health club in the wild and some were to weigh themselves rescue one today

[macandchz]

dear ian-i wish i could find the location of The Snake Health Club. Mac could weigh himself in, exercise, and have a nice, spiked mouse flavored drink by the pool! it would make my job so much easier!

[Aaron_S]

Do snakes have a Health club in the wild and some were to weigh themselves rescue one today

What does the wild have to do with anything?