Breeding question: Gram Scale.

ErikBush97 · 06-14-13, 02:04 AM

Hey, everyone. I know that almost all breeders use scales, rather than length measurements to determine sexual maturity. I was told to look in office supply stores, and I have called close to all the big ones in my city, and in the surrounding city's (called places like Office Max, Office Depot, Etc) and I have not found ONE SINGLE GRAM SCALE... Where should I look? I looked online, but the ones I found measured from 0.1 G to 500 G, or 0.1 G to 750 g. I know that you're supposed to mate males at like.. 800-900 grams, and females at around 1100 or 1500 grams. (I forgot which). Anyways, where can I find an (X) to 1500 gram-ish scale?!

Starbuck · 06-14-13, 03:49 AM

i got an OXO brand gram scale from a kitchen store (they should also have them at walmart maybe?) that measures up to 2000 grams. As you start to get larger scales they often will measure in larger increments. I would not get a scale that doesnt at least measure in 5 gram stages (mine is 1 gram).
If you can't find what you are looking for, do an amazon/google search for postal scales; they will have the gram options though they may be a bit more expensive. I wouldnt think you'll need to go larger than 5 kg.

kudos to you for getting involved and wanted to monitor your snake, however, i wouldnt get serious about breeding until you've had him for at least a year in a proper set up, regardless of weight/size. You've changed a lot in the past few weeks (and for the better), i think right now you should focus on enjoying your snake

Accurate weights are important for monitoring the overall health of your snake, not just for breeding, so do go ahead and get a scale now

rocknhorse76 · 06-14-13, 03:56 AM

I got my scale from Walmart in the kitchen section. It measures up to 5000g.

ErikBush97 · 06-14-13, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

i got an OXO brand gram scale from a kitchen store (they should also have them at walmart maybe?) that measures up to 2000 grams. As you start to get larger scales they often will measure in larger increments. I would not get a scale that doesnt at least measure in 5 gram stages (mine is 1 gram).
If you can't find what you are looking for, do an amazon/google search for postal scales; they will have the gram options though they may be a bit more expensive. I wouldnt think you'll need to go larger than 5 kg.

kudos to you for getting involved and wanted to monitor your snake, however, i wouldnt get serious about breeding until you've had him for at least a year in a proper set up, regardless of weight/size. You've changed a lot in the past few weeks (and for the better), i think right now you should focus on enjoying your snake

Accurate weights are important for monitoring the overall health of your snake, not just for breeding, so do go ahead and get a scale now

Thanks, man. Does yours have the little bucket thingy? It may seem silly, but I'd imagine keeping a loose snake still on a scale would be anything but easy. And to what you said about waiting before breeding, He's not very big at all. I'd say one year at LEAST until he's hit sexual maturity. I may only be 16, but I do have an idea of what I am doing, and my goals. I still have an endless amount of new stuff to learn, but I know the basics

I hope to own a Reptile Breeding facility some day, so I may as well start early. And one question, to end off... You said that keeping track of weight is important for over all health.. Is there some sort of age/weight - length/weight ratio to follow, to determine the health of the snake?

red ink · 06-14-13, 04:15 AM

Alternatively if you can't find a metric scale just use conversions...
Pounds to Grams conversion

ErikBush97 · 06-14-13, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknhorse76

I got my scale from Walmart in the kitchen section. It measures up to 5000g.

Thanks, man!

They're opening a Walmart across the street from my house soon, so I'll check it out! Thanks, again!

rocknhorse76 · 06-14-13, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

Thanks, man!

They're opening a Walmart across the street from my house soon, so I'll check it out! Thanks, again!

You bet. Mine has a flat glass top on it, but it has a tare function (to zero it out when you put a container on top). I wanna say it was under $20 too.

ErikBush97 · 06-14-13, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknhorse76

You bet. Mine has a flat glass top on it, but it has a tare function (to zero it out when you put a container on top). I wanna say it was under $20 too.

Oh, that's awesome! I have GOT TO get one of those!

Concept9 · 06-14-13, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

Hey, everyone. I know that almost all breeders use scales, rather than length measurements to determine sexual maturity. I was told to look in office supply stores, and I have called close to all the big ones in my city, and in the surrounding city's (called places like Office Max, Office Depot, Etc) and I have not found ONE SINGLE GRAM SCALE... Where should I look? I looked online, but the ones I found measured from 0.1 G to 500 G, or 0.1 G to 750 g. I know that you're supposed to mate males at like.. 800-900 grams, and females at around 1100 or 1500 grams. (I forgot which). Anyways, where can I find an (X) to 1500 gram-ish scale?!

I found this one at Canadian Tire, was on sale for $10.00. I have tested it and it is very accurate.

I know you don't have a Canadian Tire, but you may have a similar store or Google the manufacture and get it some where ells.

Starfrit 5-kg. Digital Kitchen Scale | Canadian Tire

smy_749 · 06-14-13, 06:09 AM

I went recently to look for one at walmart as well, something came up and I didn't need one anymore so I can't recommend one, but they do have like 10 or 15 to choose from at my local walmart.

Chris72 · 06-14-13, 08:01 AM

Mine came from Costco, glass top, digital, switch on the bottom to pick units, a button to tare for any containers used, hard rubber pads on the bottom which seems to offer a little grip. Nice and thin (looks slick) Very accurate when I checked it.....$20

MDT · 06-14-13, 08:40 AM

Erik...did you go look or just call? I got mine at Office Depot and it has a unit button to change from lbs/oz to kg/gm. If you call, my suspicion is that the employee may not know enough about the product or care enough to find out. This one was about $30 and I've weighed up to 10 kg on it.

ErikBush97 · 06-14-13, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDT

Erik...did you go look or just call? I got mine at Office Depot and it has a unit button to change from lbs/oz to kg/gm. If you call, my suspicion is that the employee may not know enough about the product or care enough to find out. This one was about $30 and I've weighed up to 10 kg on it.

I had called. I haven't gone in and looked yet.

Amadeus · 06-14-13, 02:49 PM

My scale was 12$ plus shipping from Amazon and it has served me very well.

Starbuck · 06-14-13, 10:01 PM

i tare a tupperware container and out the snake in that. Each snake has its own tupperware used for travel to vet/education shows, and i use the same tupperware for weights.

I monitor my snakes weight for changes/trends,but i judge overall health based on how they look. I dont keep ball pythons, so i can't really help you there, sorry