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RAUK - Archived Forum - measuring snakes

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measuring snakes:

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Ophiuchus
Member
Joined: 04 Jan 2007
No. of posts: 44


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Posted: 02 Apr 2009
Does anyone have a good method of measuring snakes in the field, its hard to get the snake to cooperate to measure it with a measuring tape, i was wondering would it be a good idea to use some string, run it along the length of the snakes body, and then use a measuring tape to measure the length of string?
Ophiuchus *~*the serpent bearer*~*
Mark_b
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
No. of posts: 79


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Posted: 03 Apr 2009

Yea me & Peter use string, then measure it

This is the method used all around the world with snakes, I personally donĘt think it is very exact or repeatable. I guess the more it is practiced the better you get, but that isnĘt a very good method to use as every ones first 15 or so measurements might be off

I have been thinking about this for quite a while and I was wondering if using a piece of wood (1m or so) that has a big groove in it (e.g. skirting board) could be used? Please donĘt think I mean stretching the snake out flat, just placing the head one end then just working your way along the body if that makes sense. I think this will be a lot more precise.

I should also point out that I donĘt think any wild animals should be handled for any amount of time without good reason. Its fair enough handling a grass snake or lizard every so often just for the amazing experience of it. But its pointless measuring snakes unless it is part of some official recording scheme / research. There are always exceptions to the rule, like if you come across a HUGE grass snake it may be worth giving it a measure as it may be important to see if grass snakes are getting smaller over the coming decades (i.e. snakes arenĘt living as long).


Mike
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
No. of posts: 74


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Posted: 03 Apr 2009
How about photographing the snake in situ with a known scale. Then later use an appropriate computer package to draw your measuring line and referencing the known scale to measure the line, no snake handling. You don't need a distance to object, as the known scale sorts that out, should be accurate enough for purpose.

Mike39906.4524652778
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Ophiuchus
Member
Joined: 04 Jan 2007
No. of posts: 44


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Posted: 03 Apr 2009
Good ideas, thanks
Ophiuchus *~*the serpent bearer*~*
herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


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Posted: 04 Apr 2009
If you are using a piece of string to run along a snake
why not use the measuring tape?

A squash box can be used to restrain the snake and you
can then use a piece of string to measure the snake
while you are photographing the underside of the snake
(id for grass snakes).

Another way would be to use a snake tube - with
measurements taken of the section of body/tail sticking
out the end. I use this to measure adders while I use a
metre rule to measure grass snakes.

Pat Gregory uses a metre rule to measure his grass
snakes in Kent.

If you are well practised at measuring snakes then this
shouldn't be a problem for the snakes concerned.

Another measurement which may be less stressful it to
weigh the snake using a cloth bag and scale.

J
Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife
herpetologic2
Senior Member
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
No. of posts: 1369


View other posts by herpetologic2
Posted: 04 Apr 2009
Also snakes are quite stretchy/flexible so any
measurement will be out by at least 10mm+/-

J
Vice Chair of ARG UK - self employed consultant -
visit ARG UK & Alresford Wildlife

- measuring snakes

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