measuring length

[doria]

is measuring the newly shed skin an accurate way to measure a snake's length?

[LdyDrgn]

No, it certainly isn't. The shed skin stretches quite a bit and you may get a measurement a third more than what the snake's actual length is.

[Shadrach]

To get the length accurate take a piece of string and start at the tip of the nose and run it along the entire body to the tip of the tail and measure the string. Or place the snake aganist the wall at the base of wall and floor and hope he stays straight until you've measured him this will give you a pretty good idea.

[LdyDrgn]

Doria, do you have a digi cam?

[JonnyB]

I usually set mine on the window ledge in the sunn and TRY to wait till they stretch out all the way than mark tail and nose than measure that.
GOOD LUCK!

[toker]

The string idea always worked for me. that way the snake can move and twist but as long as you keep the string steady you will get a pretty good idea.

[LdyDrgn]

The best way to measure is to use The Snake Measuring Program. Trying to get an 8.5' Moluccan python or a 7.5' Tiger rat to sit still just for a pic is challenging enough...I don't dare to think of the trouble trying to measure THEM with a string would be!

[toker]

that is a sweet program LD... thanks!