Weight

[dakski]

My two cents.

I am a data nut. I weigh my snakes semi-regularly just for my own edification mostly.

However, I monitor my BP's weight loss during her (yearly) winter fast to ensure she's in good health. To be clear, when she's brumating, and in fast (synonymous), I weigh her every 3 months or so (2x a fast usually). I am more interested in body condition, urate and urine (still happening), etc.

I weigh so I can answer these threads on BP.net .

I also tend to weigh less the older a snake gets and the slower their growth. Younger snakes, who are potentially more vulnerable to hiccups, I weigh more often.

I don't take snakes out to weigh and don't do it daily, etc. That's not helpful for anyone. I usually just make it part of some of the cleaning routines. I always weigh dry/empty and again, not every movement, etc.

I also weigh when establishing an increase in food size. Yes, I generally go by body size and type of snake, however, if unsure, I have weight of snake/weight prey guidelines I won't exceed (again species dependent). My visual gauging isn't great. In general I suffer from a lack of spacial thinking capacity. I have trouble with puzzles, judging size, etc. I use weight as a tool.

Finally, if I am concerned about a snake, I will weigh occasionally, over a long period to determine if indeed there is a need for concern. I weighed Behira (female BI) more when she was having her frequent shedding issues. She was still eating, but growing much slower, and I was told my vets and hobbyists alike, not to worry unless she lost weight over a few months. That never happened, and she came through fine, but it gave me peace of mind.

I guess it's to each his/her own. If it's not hurting the animal, not a big deal. Weighing occasionally seems pretty harmless to me. However, if it's obsessive, like anything else, no good for anyone.