Tagging a snake.

[guidofatherof5]

I can't afford the PIT tag system(http://www.biomark.com/), which I don't think will work on small snakes. Tried a permanent marker but it's only good until the next shed.
My thought is a tattoo. Would it be possible to tattoo a scale? Or
Is there a safe stain that could be used to permanently mark a belly scale?
I'm not only looking to mark my Ranch residents but also some of the wild snakes I come in contact with.

[Stefan-A]

What about scale clipping?

Are you sure it's absolutely necessary to mark them?

[guidofatherof5]

What about scale clipping?

Are you sure it's absolutely necessary to mark them?

I've thought about that also but wanted to be as invasive as possible.
Some inert dye is what I was hoping for.

[ConcinusMan]

I'm thinking that any safe dye you could apply would only be temporary. Several snakes (some of them under 4 feetl) and iguana's have been reunited with their owners at our local humane society because they had RFID tags.

[infernalis]

I've thought about that also but wanted to be as invasive as possible.
Some inert dye is what I was hoping for.

I'm sure you meant to say non invasive right Steve?

[guidofatherof5]

I'm sure you meant to say non invasive right Steve?

Thanks Wayne. Yes, that's what I meant.

[Stefan-A]

Scale clipping is supposedly one of the least invasive methods. Still, are you sure it's necessary to mark them?

[guidofatherof5]

Scale clipping is supposedly one of the least invasive methods. Still, are you sure it's necessary to mark them?

Not so much for my residents but for visitors I think it would help identify returning snake and let me track snake longivity.