How do you weigh your snakes?

[TayKiren]

I have a four foot something ball python that I have been weighing sporadically. The scale I have is probably about six inches wide, and I've been putting him (or her, more likely based on tail length but idk) in a bin much larger than the scale and then placing that on the scale. Is this going to be accurate? He was a bit overweight when I first got him (he was already an adult at this time) and so I've been working to slim him down.

On a two week feeding schedule he was still gaining quite a bit of weight, so I decreased to every three weeks. He's been on this schedule for around six months now and he looks healthier to me (the transition from body to tail is a lot less noticeable), but when I weighed him he had GAINED 200 GRAMS?? I know reptiles are technically always growing, but that seems crazy haha.

Is the way I'm weighing him effective at all? Should I just go by body physique? He also didn't eat last week, and I'm not sure why. He seems to have been getting less enthusiastic about food since I've gotten him as he doesn't strike from the tongs anymore, he doesn't really go into strike pose either. Do you think his metabolism is just very slow and I'm feeding him TOO much? Is that possible? Any insight into this is appreciated.

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[Lord Sorril]

If the bin you are using on top of the scale is not flat and is too wide so that the snake can shift its weight off-center then you are not getting an accurate reading on the scale. Weighing the snake while it is digesting food is also not accurate-it is best done when they are 'empty'.

Every ball python will have different sizes/weights at different age points due to a variety of factors. The best way to judge body condition is: as you described 'body physique'. If you don't see scale separation (the skin showing beneath) then its a safe bet that you can feed the snake more/meal. If you do see scale separation then do not skip meals: just decrease the size of them.

Your ball python won't eat if it is not hungry. It is winter right now and my sub-adult/adult males are more interested in breeding than eating. Do take that into account.

[Zincubus]

I use a washing peg bag plus some hanging digital scales used in angling ..


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[GoingPostal]

I have a large deli scale so I put a tote on that, tare it out and weigh the bigger ones that way.

[TayKiren]

I completely forgot about the existance of hanging scaes! I'll have to get one of those. And yeah, now that I think about it I believe he does seem to be less enthusiatstic about eating in the winter....I'll have to pay closer attention to that. Thanks!

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