measuring snakes

[fateamber]

I find it difficult enough to measure my tiny corn snake so i didn't even attempt to try to measure my ball python (seems to strong to stretch out) so what is the best (and easyest) way to measure a snake?

[chas*e]

Use a cloth measuring tape, The kind a tailor or seamstress would use. Start at one end of the serpent run it down the body as far as you can, Hold it there and continue on. I find this method easiest as you can take a break and let the animal calm down a little if need be,

Ed Holder
Durham Snake Group

Boids & Varanids

[HetForHuman]

well i was given this program from someone on this forum. go to the link and download it. all you need to do is follow the instuctions. it is very easy and gives you a pretty close size of your snakes.

http://www.serpwidgets.com/cornsnakes/Apps/apps.html

[Emily-Fisher]

use one of those paper/maetrial tape measurers.

[Burmies]

You could use a shoe lace to measure it and then measure the shoe lace aftre.

Burmies

[J_Riley]

if you have a digital camera (or regular camera and a scanner) the app that HetForHuman posted is awesome and VERY accurate. I usually take 3 pics of each snake and average them. When I first started useing the program, I used the string method afterwards to compare and the program is very accurate IF you follow the directions.

[Lisa]

i've found the cloth measuring tape to give varied results differing as much as 10 inches... some times the snake stretches, some times it pulls back. go with the program if you have a digi cam or a scanner and regular camera.

[Bryce Masuk]

I measure there shed after they drop it

[J_Riley]

Just for reference, I measured shed skins and this is the 2nd LEAST accurate way to measure a snake (the 1st being guessing).
The % of error on shed skin lengths to actual length can be anywhere from 25%-60% !!!

I measured one of my watersnakes using the program and got 3 measurements (3 pics of same snake in slightly different positions) and got 20.4", 21.0" and 20.8". When I measured a shed skin, it measured a hair over 26".

[Bryce Masuk]

you can tell i rarely measure my snakes but i have measured my snakes with a fabric measure i honestly dont really care about length

[fateamber]

Now i am trying measuring my snakes by waiting till they get to a certain point when they are moving around, then mark that point and mark where the end of their tail is, then measure that space with a ruler. Although it would only work if they are stretched out which they usually are when moving forward. Do you think this is acurate or would they be too stretched out?

[reptilesalonica]

When i measured my snakes (now i only weigh them) i found that was easy with a looong string. Measure from the downside from had to tail and then just measure where the tail ends in the string.
~Greg~

[snakegal12345]

use a string and measure tip to tail and then measure how long the string is

[Edwin]

Hip, one of this site's members has a great way of measuring snakes. Snakes tend to lean up straight against walls, so if you let your snake slide up against the wall, it will straighten itself and you can measure its length.

Hope this helps.

[precious]

Originally posted by Edwin
Snakes tend to lean up straight against walls, so if you let your snake slide up against the wall, it will straighten itself and you can measure its length.



That's what I do. It works like a charm.

[C.m.pyrrhus]

I have heard of folks that use sand prints. Basically use some moist sand, place the snake on it and push it enough to create a negative "cast" in the sand, then that can be measured without the snake trying to move around. I prefer the string and measure method, or use a tape measure and get an estimate.

[sapphire_moon]

I've never heard of that, I usualy wait till they go forward, or use the loose string method.......I might have to do that negative imprint thing though!

[TheRedDragon]

I definitely recommend the Snake Measure program that HetForHuman recommended, it's very accurate.

[jim mcallister]

ditto the hallway wall always stretches my snakes out....:)

[stevesemerko]

I read about this method in a book a while ago. You make a shallow box and put some soft foam in it. You then place the snake on the foam and then place a piece of glass on it then you use a piece of string and follow the shape of the snake from head to tail and then replace the snake in its cage and measure the string. The soft foam helps keep the snake still so you can measure it better. I have never used this method but it sounds like it might work although I don't think it would be that useful for large snakes because they could just push the glass up.

Hope this helps

Steve

[MouseKilla]

I'm gonna try the digi photo thing out just for curiosity's sake but the length of a snake is of little practical value. Sexual maturity for example, is best determined by body weight so I think that is a much more meaningfull statistic.

[HERPSKEEPER]

I have put marks on my front sidewalk where the house the sidewalk meet.The marks are in 2ft incurments.My pythons will move along this in a straight line by them selves.I have someone help me with this,me or the other person will say when the snakes tail has reached the first mark,then me or someone else will mark where the head is at,at that moment,then i go from there.

[fateamber]

But wouldn't that be wrong, because they would be stretched out from moving?

[HERPSKEEPER]

It comes real close.The other way i measure is by using a rope along the snakes back.

[chas*e]

Use a piece of string that you marked inches on with felt pen or marker. Walk the string up your snakes body ....and there you go!

[Alexahnder]

i use the glass and foam method. once the snake is sandwiched between the glass and foam i just use a texta and draw along its backbone. Then i measure it with dental floss because it doesn't stretch that much