Defying the laws of physics - weight

The scale in question, is a $12 digital WallMart, but I've compared it against a jeweller's scale, and daily use assures me it remains very accurate.

This king has not eaten since November 30, when it was fed a rat pinkie. All weekly offerings have since been refused. I had difficulty maintaining ambient temps earlier, but they have been good for two weeks with the new RHP's. This animal has always had a t-stat controlled warm UTH with a warm hide. Oddly, this animal was MUCH more active when the ambient temp was cooler. Lately, I almost never see him! This snake was last weighed back on November 12, at 23 grams, and has since shed. I was sure this snake was terribly smaller (and I am STILL concerned!), but today the snake weighs 25 grams.

My new frozen mice came in today from The Big Cheese. I am thawing some pinkies. Perhaps he will prefer these to the pet store rodents. (Hasn't mattered if the meal is live, or F/T. He has eaten and/or refused both kinds.)

He refused a live offering last night. I am keeping those mouse babies alive with a warm spot, and bi-hourly feedings of raw goat milk (per instructions on various internet sites). They can get eaten later, or maybe stay as breeders.

I have a second identical king in basically the same situation - same set-up, same feeding, same change in activity levels , but have yet to weigh that one.

Update:

He ate for me! Yay. 1 and 1/2 pinkies.
Other snake refused, but is DEEP in blue. Looks miserable.

To be sure that scales are on the money they should be checked and calibrated (if scale has calibration option) with scale weights. A set of weights starts for about $12 (?) on Amazon.

It's not uncommon for inexpensive scales less than about $100 to be off by a few grams between weighings, thus the need for weights if precision is desired.

As crazy as it sounds, fluorescent lights directly overhead as well as air from vents can throw readings off. However, to my knowledge this is seen with the better digital scales.


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Yup. My scale can register me breathing on it. Just went and checked. Look up, check for moving air.

Thank you!
I may have to get a set of calibration weights, and check if this scale can be adjusted.
I like precision.

After I got the new corn (arrived Jan 7th), an adult male weighing in at 202g, and approx. 33 inches long, well, the hatchling kings suddenly seemed REALLY tiny. And it is distressing to watch a hatchling refuse multiple meals. I never thought there was anything wrong with the locally sourced mice, but perhaps the Big Cheese mice just smell better. They arrived well packaged, and immaculately clean.

I have an adult mouse defrosting now for the corn (Starbuck).
Hope he likes it.

I have found the Big Cheese to be nice and clean as well. Especially compared to my local guy, whose rats are many times colored with urine and feces.


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