how necessary are snake tongs for handling ball pythons

[mwedgley]

As the title say I had a gentleman explain that in order to feed your ball python you should place it in a different box from it cage. Feed the snake. And then so as no to be mistake as food use a snake tong to get it out. I only have one snake but my experience with it has been that it does not mistake me for food.

[Figure8]

I feed 7 snakes in their enclosures weekly and I've never been mistaken for food. Separate enclosure feeding and snake tongs aren't needed for ball pythons and would probably put unnecessary stress on them. As long as you don't smell like rodent, you shouldn't have any problems.

[rabernet]

I also feed my crew in their enclosures - never been mistaken for food either.

[spix14]

Me too. I've always fed all my snakes in their cages. Never been bitten by anyone. But I don't reach in their cages right after they eat, either. Considering how most snakes stay in "prey mode" for a while after they finish eating, it always seemed to me that you ran a bigger risk of getting bitten by moving the snake right after it finished eating, rather than just feeding them in their cage and then leaving them alone for a couple of days.

[fishmommy]

my ball has a very strong feeding response
I have been mistaken for food in the heat of the moment.

I have a small hook I use to guard my hand if I need to move furniture around prior to feeding (in his enclosure always) and of course some long tweezers to hold the food.

[anikamw]

i do feed in different tubs. not that i think you have to. i just do. i never use hooks or anything else to handle my snakes. i do give them some time to settle after feeding before i handle them (return to their homes). i have never been mistaken for food either. i do only have about 1 year experience, and am still learning. this is just my 2 cents.

[McAdry]

we feed our snakes in there enclousers works fine for us. Only reason I could think of to have a snake hook or tongs would be to remove a female from her eggs if she seems to be agressive in protecting them.

[NateDogg13]

Ive never heard anyone need to use snake tongs for a BP. I used to feed in other containers until I got too many snakes to keep switching but I never got struck at once changing tubs after they eat. I always reached right in picked em up and put them right back in there original tank. I suppose a WC may strike after eating and changing into another tub but then again I dont think many WCs will even eat when change between enclosures to eat.

[BallNation]

Thongs maybe tongs never

[PythonWallace]

I agree with the rest that it's all unnecessary. This is how I feed my ball pythons. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=61201