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measuring snakes: |
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Ophiuchus Member Joined: 04 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 44  View other posts by Ophiuchus |
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*~* |
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Mark_b Senior Member Joined: 26 Jun 2008 No. of posts: 79 View other posts by Mark_b |
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). 
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Mike Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 74  View other posts by Mike |
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. Brickfields Park FREE 25th Anniversary Funday, 4th July 2010. Wildlife, Farm Animals, games, quizzes, refreshments and more. Fun for all. See - http://www.brickfieldspark.org/dates.htm |
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Ophiuchus Member Joined: 04 Jan 2007 No. of posts: 44 View other posts by Ophiuchus |
Posted: 03 Apr 2009 Good ideas, thanks Ophiuchus *~*the serpent bearer*~* |
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herpetologic2 Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2004 No. of posts: 1369  View other posts by herpetologic2 |
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 |
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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 |