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.