Feeding Tongs?

Curious what types of feeding tongs yall use :) I tend to just offer the prey item with my bare hands but my boyfriend is still quite apprehensive with doing that himself, and since he just got his first snake I would like for him to get used to doing the feedings on his own; currently, because of our lack of feeding tongs and items of similar function, I've been doing the feeding for him every week.

Ive been looking online at a lot of tongs and can't really seem to find any I like. Most of the metal ones I'm coming across (even the ones from ZooMed and the like) are pretty pointed and sharp-looking at the ends. This doesn't appeal to me as I would be worried about the snake stabbing the inside of its mouth (or something else) on them if they aim poorly. Is this an unfounded concern? Has anyone had issues with mouth or face injuries to their animals due to feeding tongs? The only ones I've found with rubber tips are super tiny and meant for gripping live insects, and all the plastic ones I've come across are either too small or too overpriced.

I'm considering getting a pair of bamboo toast tongs, the kind you use to get toast or pastries out of a hot or plugged-in toaster. Do you think those would suffice or would there be a cleaning/sanitation issue with those bc of the porous material? Thanks in advance guys, as I don't use tongs I really know next to nothing about them lol

I have the regular old hemostats, I believe 16 inch long, non locking.

In all my years of snake ownership, I have yet to have a snake stab itself on it or even grab them in any way.

I usually hold the rodent somewhere over the shoulder.

Using bare hands is not all that advisable. Sure, it can go well many times, until it does not. And a feeding strike/bite is a LOT more painful then a defensive nip. Ask me how I know ;)

I only use the zoomed feeding tongs for insects (i have animals that eat crickets and worms) and it works fine, i think they wont hit the tongs bc they are cold compared to the prey, at least it never happened before

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Originally Posted by zina10

I have the regular old hemostats, I believe 16 inch long, non locking.

In all my years of snake ownership, I have yet to have a snake stab itself on it or even grab them in any way.

I usually hold the rodent somewhere over the shoulder.

Using bare hands is not all that advisable. Sure, it can go well many times, until it does not. And a feeding strike/bite is a LOT more painful then a defensive nip. Ask me how I know ;)

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Thanks for the quick reply :) I know it's not the safest or most advisable thing to do, I guess I've just never had an incident where something that wasn't supposed to happen actually occurred. I've always been quite careful but I know it is more of a "when" scenario than an "if" one; with my boyfriends concerns I've actually been thinking about getting a pair for myself as well, and I think I probably will. If not for my safety than for the safety of the snakes, as my biggest concern with receiving a bite from one of my babies would be injury and stress to them rather than me lol.

I'm glad to hear you've never had an issue. Perhaps I am too cautious in that regard. Either way, I've found a pair of looped hemostats on the Reptile Basics website that I fairly like, and am highly considering those. However, if I could just pick up a pair of bamboo tongs at the grocery store and save time and money I might do that. Thoughts on how those might work out?

Honestly, I wouldn't use anything that bacteria might mingle on. I wash and sanitize my hemostats after every use. And I've had the same hemostats for over 6 years now and they work like new.

Those looped things are far bigger and more surface area that a snake might accidentally hit

But then, different people like different things, so I'm just sharing what works for me..

I've also had "locking" hemostats before, but they get on my nerves, locking when I don't want them to...

Thats what I use, 16 inch long, NON locking :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GHuT3i4SHo

That's is true, I didn't think about the surface area issue. I honestly may buy one of each (regular and looped hemostat) and see which I like better. Thanks for the input on the bamboo-- I figured it probably wasn't the best idea but I though I might as well ask some of the more experienced members ;)

Checking out the video now.

So you use the 16 inch Big Apple Pet Supply brand ones? Do you have a preference for that brand? I ask as I get quite a bit of my supplies from Reptile Basics and looking at their hemostats they have some of similar if not longer length for a lower price. Are the Big Apple ones more sturdy? And is 16 inches the length you would recommend as well?

Sorry I am asking so many questions, I appreciate the help!

Oh no, that was just an example !! I don't use theirs, I think they only have locking ones.

I wanted you to see the type I use. Reptile Basics is a great company and I wouldn't hesitate buying from them. They also sell that F10 Sanitzer that is great.

There are a lot of sellers on ebay as well, but I think that is mostly chinese stuff. What is important is that you have good stainless steel, so it will last :)

Yes, I like 16 inch. Anything longer is overkill and makes it harder to balance everything. Anything shorter...well, if you have snakes like I do that come shooting out of their tubs as soon as you open it...lets say 16 inches is better then 12, haha.

I like that length. I guess it depends on your snakes, etc..

kitchen tongs from the dollar store - not fancy - but works for grabbing dead rats. When she gets bigger i'll probably pony up for the extra long bbq tongs ($8.50; i'll have to dig into my piggy bank)

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Originally Posted by dkatz4

kitchen tongs from the dollar store - not fancy - but works for grabbing dead rats. When she gets bigger i'll probably pony up for the extra long bbq tongs ($8.50; i'll have to dig into my piggy bank)

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Very true, they work as well, and I've used them before, haha.

I figure, I paid quite little, too, though. Considering I've had my hemostats for over 6 years and back then I think I paid $18 or so for them. LOL
Still look like new :)

Also quite handy for grabbing stuff in tight places, like something behind the dryer, etc...:D

As long as you don't use this style. She strikes at 45 secs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_UlaJqhfTw

I learned my lesson and later that day (2 days ago) i picked up 10in long Zoo med feeding tongs

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Originally Posted by WarrThox

As long as you don't use this style. She strikes at 45 secs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_UlaJqhfTw

I learned my lesson and later that day (2 days ago) i picked up 10in long Zoo med feeding tongs

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I didn't even watch the video yet, but I'm quite sure I can relate.... I use hemostats now [emoji3] .

Haha... mine was actually way worse with a much bigger snake [emoji3] .

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Originally Posted by Creepy Alien

I didn't even watch the video yet, but I'm quite sure I can relate.... I use hemostats now [emoji3] .

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Originally Posted by Creepy Alien

Haha... mine was actually way worse with a much bigger snake [emoji3] .

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lol ya hopefully nobody cranks up the volume! The tongs hit the glass as i try to shake her off. Pretty good video though from my S7 edge ,1080p 60fps. you can slow it down and see her lower jaw latch over one of the tongs.

I wouldn't mind getting a set just incase for backup, or I just end up switching to the hemostats and leave the giant tweezers for backup.

I feed about 200 rats a month off of hemostats (I'm guessing they're the popular 16") and have never had an injury from them. Think they were around $15 at a show years ago. I eventually replaced a pair of the more tweezer style kind after then got used to unclog a drain :snake:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WarrThox

As long as you don't use this style. She strikes at 45 secs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_UlaJqhfTw

I learned my lesson and later that day (2 days ago) i picked up 10in long Zoo med feeding tongs

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LOL, dont feel too bad, i used that type of tongs the very first time i fed my snake - or tried to feed him - at that point i didn't know that a snake deep in shed and in a new home for all of 1 day wouldn't eat, so the feeding tong choice was the least of my mistakes!:oops:

I made the mistake of not using tongs with a redtail male once. (I couldn't find them)

O.M.G.

He overshot by a bit, "faster then a snake", he got me right into the soft part of the hand between thumb and fore finger. His head was a good size, so his upper jaw reached all across the top of my hand while his lower jaw was embedded in the palm of my hand. He teeth pierced one of the big veins on top of my hand. The bleeding was so severe that it pooled under my skin and within seconds (I kid you not) I had about a golf ball sized swelling on top of my hand, just blood under the skin, and some of it running down my arm.

They hit a LOT harder when they mean to grab food, rather then a defensive tag. It was shocking how fast it all happened, LOL. Of course, out of reflex I pulled back. Thankfully he let go, instead of trying to wrap my hand.

Now, I have to admit. That one hurt, lol.
Not only that, but it turned all colors of the rainbow over the next 2 weeks. The entire top of my hand was discolored. And a week after or so a couple of teeth made their way out of my palm...

Yeah, I'm not making that mistake EVER again.