Measuring Your Snake ;)

VeedubDan · 04-07-18, 04:32 AM

Hey, I'm sure this will have already been covered, but I've been trying to measure my snakes, which was turning out to be an impossible task with a ruler

I heard about a website which can do it, called serpwidgets, but this site now has a 404 error!

I had a bit of a search around and found some cool software to download from a well trusted site called softpedia.

I've had a go and it seems to be very good and easy to use! same as serpwidgets, all you need is something in the picture to use as a scale, (I put a 6 inch ruler on the floor). Click set unit and measure your scale, then press measure and measure your snake!

If you go into settings > measure method > cardinal splines you get bendy lines instead of straight ones, (really helps for a picture of a curled up snake!

Anyway heres the link >> Snake Measure Tool Download

And heres a pic of my Boa, Nagini after a go on the measuring tool!

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craigafrechette · 04-07-18, 05:20 AM

I don't measure my snakes lengths that often, because honestly it really doesn't matter. Weight is more important, but I mostly just focus on body structure.

When I do measure them I use a similar app. It's proven to be pretty accurate. I measured a string and then used the app, it was close enough for my liking. My Cal King however, I measure with a fabric tape measure. He'll just let me and my girlfriend hold him straight and get a measurement. He's chill that way.

VeedubDan · 04-07-18, 05:26 AM

Yeah weight is definitely the more important stat to know, however I haven't had my Boas very long, and the guy I got them off gave me the whole set up. I wanted to know the length to make sure the vivs are big enough for them to be housed comfortably. They're 4 x 2 x 2 foot vivs and as you can see from the pic, my bigger Boa is 7 foot long. Personally I think he should have more room than this, but to be honest he eats, drinks, sheds and poops just fine, so I won't be changing his home anytime soon. And I doubt he'll grow any more than this.

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-07-18, 06:02 AM

Imo, it's kinda useless to know weight without length...each individual snake carries their weight differently. Two snakes of equal sizes could have vastly different weights. I have two 4'2" boas atm, one is 1,100 grams as of his most current weight a few days ago, and the other is 838 grams. They are exactly the same length.

Add onto that, that many snakes will go through periods of lankiness or chunkiness as they gain size. Just because a growing snake loses weight doesn't necessarily mean they aren't growing. They could have grown several inches, but the growth spurt caused them to lose some girth.

Alternatively, they may not have grown any in length, but put on a lot of weight.

Now, if you're only looking at weight over time, to track weight gain/loss, then yes, weight is important. Especially if the snake in question is already an adult. But, if you're trying to track actual growth...it's not as useful by itself.

Anyways, thanks for the link! I try to measure my snakes by hand as it's more accurate, but in the case I can't feasibly do that (sometimes they're extra wiggly), I may give this a try.

VeedubDan · 04-07-18, 09:11 AM

I think I could have probably managed to measure Nagini by hand as he’s so relaxed all the time! But my smaller Boa and my Milk, no chance! As soon as I get them out they’re coiled round my hand or neck and never let go! I actually managed to put Dobby, (my smaller boa) on the floor this morning for a picture and he was just going wild looking for things to wrap his tail around.

I need to get them back out later and weigh them, as I’ve never actually weighed any of them! The only time I’ve ever weighed a snake was when my corn was gravid years ago. Tbh I think Nagini is overweight, he’s huge. Anyone know what a comfortable weight is for a 7 foot male boa?

StevenL · 04-07-18, 02:41 PM

Imo, weighing and measuring my snakes is not important to me. I can tell a chunk vs a string bean snake. Over the years reading 100's of posts, a lot of people weigh and measure their snakes for shear bragging rights. The few people that know I have snakes ask how long are your snakes? My answer is hell I don't know but if you want to measure them, I will get the tape measure. No takers to date.

Captain837 · 04-07-18, 03:00 PM

Just use a string to measure the snake then measure the string with a ruler.

TeamSlitherin · 04-07-18, 04:02 PM

Thanks for this! I’ve been bummed about Serpwidgets being down because my scrub hit a growth spurt and trying to measure an arboreal snake by hand is a bit like...well...like a number of impossible tasks 😉

VeedubDan · 04-07-18, 03:58 PM

Hey Steven, would you happen to know a healthy weight for my boa to be? I have no interest of bragging about an oversized snake, I’d rather brag about how healthy he is. I honestly think he’s overweight cos he’s huge, although that may just be because I’ve only ever had corns and milks and the biggest snake I’ve held is a BP

VeedubDan · 04-07-18, 04:37 PM

Haha yeah i can imagine that would be difficult! what you got?

Also venomous snakes would be tricky! best to take a pic and run to the computer than try and hold a piece of string next to its mouth.

TeamSlitherin · 04-08-18, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeedubDan

Haha yeah i can imagine that would be difficult! what you got?

Also venomous snakes would be tricky! best to take a pic and run to the computer than try and hold a piece of string next to its mouth.

Haha, I have a 1.5 year old Tanimbar scrub python. I pulled out a soft tape measurer last night for kicks...turn away for 2 seconds, and he's completely tangled in it, refusing to let go. He's grabby, wiggly, and strong...gonna be quite a handful when he's bigger.

bigsnakegirl785 · 04-08-18, 06:22 AM

I’d expect a 7’ male to be somewhere around 10 lbs.

I measure and weigh my snakes for “science.” So I can track how they’re growing on their feeding schedule, so I can tell if I need to change something, and also because it’s just fun to know.

StevenL · 04-08-18, 04:37 PM

I would tend to agree with BSG. Around 10 lbs or 4.5 kilos.. If you are thinking he is already a chunk by him possibly being more round than rectangular (that's the way I see them) just back him off a bit on his food. Plus exercise cannot be underestimated enough for snakes. My snakes are out everyday and I'm not here to debate the issue of how often and how much to interact with your snake. Mine are all super chill and the exercise serves them really well each day.

VeedubDan · 04-08-18, 05:14 PM

Thanks for the advice guys (and gal!). I’ll weigh them all soon and see what’s going on! Yeah mine are out most days. I don’t like leaving them cooped up in their vivs all week. And yeah I know people will say they’re wild animals and they’re happier left alone, but I honestly think they prefer to be out and getting a bit of heat from me and free to roam my living room, than sat in a viv looking out. A corn snake I had years ago had no interaction from her previous owner and she was the most aggressive snake I’ve ever owned. Literally threw herself at me whenever I changed her water or cleaned her tank. I got bit so many times by her. I still laugh when people say corns are a good first snake! I tell people to get a retic or a burm instead haha