Good scale for tiny snakes?

[Alli_Draggy]

And I do mean tiny!

Alli is working with a pair of herpetologists at a nearby university, and, since we have a nice population (several colonies) of Rough Earth snakes in our backyard, they've suggested that she start really keeping records on the ones she finds, where they're found, how many she observes, size, weight, and so on.

These little guys look like a pet snake for a Barbie doll-they're usually only about 6 inches long or so, way thinner than a pencil.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a not too expensive scale to weigh these little guys?

 

[Rich Z]

Perhaps a powder scale for reloading ammunition would help. They accurately measure very small quantities of propellant.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...ales/104661180.uts&WTz_l=Unknown;cat104661180

Bear in mind, however, that they measure in "grains", so if your records need to be in ounces, you will have to do your own conversion.

1 grain = 0.00228571429 ounces

Most have a maximum of something like 1500 grains, so that will be a maximum of 3.4286 ounces.

 

[Nanci]

Look at the My Weigh Triton scales.

 

[HerpsOfNM]

Harbor freight has a great little scale for weighing coins, stamps, etc. I forget what it maxes out at but it is accurate to +/- 0.1 grams. When I picked one up earlier this year it was only $12.

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-pocket-scale-93543.html

 

[Nova_C]

Perhaps a powder scale for reloading ammunition would help. They accurately measure very small quantities of propellant.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoo...ales/104661180.uts&WTz_l=Unknown;cat104661180

Bear in mind, however, that they measure in "grains", so if your records need to be in ounces, you will have to do your own conversion.

1 grain = 0.00228571429 ounces

Most have a maximum of something like 1500 grains, so that will be a maximum of 3.4286 ounces.

This will likely be the most accurate without having to go for specialized equipment that will be very pricey. Reloading scales need to be incredibly accurate.

 

[ZiggysMom]

University people will probably prefer grams as the unit of weight.
A reloading scale that weighs in grains would work well. The math is a little messy but doable, 1 grain = 0.064 798 91 gram, according to onlineconversion.com

 

[HerpsOfNM]

If you wanted to go a little nuts and go a step farther from a University standpoint you could calibrate whatever scale you get with these.

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/calibration-weight-set-red-17-piece-class-m2.html

That's the same site Nanci posted up. You want to make certain that you do not use your fingers when handling calibration weights as oils and other impurities on our hands/fingers can actually throw them off.

Based upon the scales Nanci and I posted up (only have an accuracy [=resolution] of
+/- 0.1g) your acceptable calibration range would be +/- 0.2g when calibrating. In example: you have a 5 gram weight, when using the calibration weights, a range of 4.8 to 5.2g would be acceptable.

For this purpose, and to be a good citizen scientist as the University is pushing, I'd use Nanci's scale as it has the ability to be re-calibrated and I'd pick up the calibration weights. At this point you could calibrate daily for validity purposes, record this in whatever note book or recording media, and then freely process any snakes for weighing.

 

[Nanci]

My Weigh scales also have a lifetime warranty, and the company actually honors it. Old Will Knott is decently-priced, too. And I had an issue with one of the scales, once, and was able to resolve it using the FAQ. (Don't have a cell phone near a scale while you're using it!)