Why Exactly Are Snakes Weighed In Grams And Not Ounces?

[mrmertz]

I Googled it and can't find an answer. Everyone says to weigh your snake in grams but since we aren't metric here in the US why is it done in metric? Just curious.

Jeff

[dsirkle]

Ted Nugent once asked "Why is a carrot more orange than an orange?". Some questions will never be answered.

[_Venom_]

Grams are universal.

[cutemouse]

It's not just Americans on the web. The whole point of the metric system is to have a standard that everyone can understand. If you have trouble with it, just do a quick google search for a converter.

As far as why it's done. I imagine it's the same reason, as a lot of breeders ship overseas. Even in the USA the metric system is used in medicine, science & technology, and it is starting to make is way into construction and architecture. In my opinion, the USA should get with it and join the rest of the world and adopt the standard.

[mrmertz]

I was kinda thinking it might have something to do with worldwide trade practices or somethin'. New World Order I guess. I dunno. Here's a nifty online conversion page if anyone is interested...

http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm

Jeff

[rabernet]

You can also just use google. 3 lbs to grams, or 1500 grams to lbs (for example) - give it a try!

[ADEE]

cant you get a closer (more accurate down to the .) number by using grams than using pounds?

[mrmertz]

Then I take it that if I ever posted the measurements of one of our snakes along with the weight, it should be done in centimeters and grams then. Meters, if it's large enough.

[ChrisBowsman]

Coz the metric system makes way more sense. Learn a handful of prefixes and the concept of the number 10

[mrmertz]

Ashley...you can get the exact same figures no matter what you use. I know what you are saying though. The scale we weigh on goes out to .001 ounces.

Humphrey weighs in at a whopping (eh-hum) 4.265 ounces, or 120.91 grams or .2666 pounds or (yawn) 0.1209 kilograms or even .0001 metric or imperial tons. We have a digital scale that can tare the weight out.

So when I'm walking around the floor show of the upcoming reptile expo in Tucson here, "proper herp etiquette" would be... "Yeah, I hear ya. Our Redtail Boa right now weighs in at 581.17 grams and sets out at approximately 104.140 centimeters". Would I be "hip" with that or would he just look at me like I had 692 grams of rocks in my head...?