Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Am I right with the following? Take a photo with a ruler in it from directly above to minimize distortion. Measure the length of the snake with a string and measure the string on the scale in the photo (or use simple ratio). Is that right, or is serpwidgets some fancy space age software?
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Tim

You dont have to do any measuring at all with serpwidgets it does it for you. First download the program then follow the steps. You have the photo composition thing right with using a ruler etc... If you cant get it send the pic to me and I can do it for you.

Keith
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Do you have a link for the download?
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Tim

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^
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Tim

The Serp Widgets program is a great program for getting estimated sizes, but it shouldn't be used as end all to measuring your snakes. Measuring errors can happen, like simply setting the length too long or short, can make a BIG difference in the overall measured length of the snake. I usually take 2 pics and average out the differences. I've had as much as 2-3" diffence from one pic to the next with the same snake. I've even had times where my snakes "shrank" from the previous measurement.
Still a great little program though !
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Ace

I've had the same experience! That's why I had to be careful not to every bit of the ruler when setting the measurements. I used the whole length and my snakes came out 2-3" shorter!

Like you, I run it 2 or 3 times on each snake and use the average. My biggest king came in at 67.5" once but the other 3 (in this ocassion) came out 65.7, 66.8, and 65.9" so I just said 66." When it's this close I'm not going to argue an inch or so.

Sometimes, even with SerpWidget, if the snake is in a strange curl, you can easily add or lose 1-2" as well.

But I think it's the best thing for basic measurements...accurate enough and easy to use, plus we can all check each others out in case someone has some wild claim and most of us would come up with a really close match with each other.

Peace.

-John

>>>>When it's this close I'm not going to argue an inch or so.

Neither am I, I just felt I should point it out it can be wrong to a degree .

>>>>Sometimes, even with SerpWidget, if the snake is in a strange curl, you can easily add or lose 1-2" as well.

I found that it's better if the snake is laying flat. If it's lifting it's head or coiled over top of itself, you will always lose length, simply by the way the program works. Depending how you follow the snakes curls, you can add or subtract more length.

>>>>>But I think it's the best thing for basic measurements...accurate enough and easy to use, plus we can all check each others out in case someone has some wild claim and most of us would come up with a really close match with each other

Agreed...I didn't post to question anybodies lengths, simply to point out that they will be close proximities rather than precise measurements. I use it all the time, and wouldn't give it up for the world.
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Ace