different post shed measurement results...which is accurate?!?

ok measuring a live wriggling snake is extremely difficult but with much effort and a whole lotta patience i got these following lengths using measuring tape...

mar. 18, 2011 - 32"

june 3, 2011 - 32"

today: july 3,2011 - 32 1/4" but...today i got the idea to measure the snakes shed skin which is in 1 very good piece & it measured at 37"...

thats too much of a difference to call it coincidence so, which length is accurate?
i'd love to believe that the measurement of the post shed skin is the right length considering snakes shed due to growth so on that note it wouldnt make sense that she's still 32" when her skin measured 37...

am i over-thinking this or can someone give me a definite answer?
this question is gonna haunt me forever if its not answered lol.

Shed's stretch deary.

A shed is not an accurate length indicator at all. By the way, it's very possible she hasn't gotten longer, they grow fatter faster than longer.

Best bet for accuracy, use a piece of string to measure the snake, the measure the string.

Gale

yup gotcha. just got off the phone with west coast jungle...he said the same thing. skins are stretched. i did not know that but now i do so...

alrighty did the string thing and i got 34 1/2 inches...
ok i'm gonna stop frettin' about the length and put some focus on figuring out when i can get a scale.:D

I find that even with using the string, they move and bend and turn so much that its really tough. Not to mention you can never actually start from the head since they'll never let you near their necks not to mention head. I used to measure their weight length and girth all every couple of months, I've totally given up now except for weight.