Hello folks,

I'm about to add a juvenile boa to my collection (and possibly some BPs this summer) and wanted your advice on feeding tongs / tweezers and snake hooks.

I already have 10" feeding tweezers (the cheap zoo med ones) but they do not grip well and I was thinking that with a boa on the way, I might want ones that are longer than 10" and are sturdier / easier to handle larger prey items. I know some people use hemostats as well, but am unfamiliar with them and whether they would work better than tweezers.

The snake hook I plan on using to move the boa's head, let him know I'm there and not food (when shedding, etc.), or use to maneuver him to be easier to grab out of the enclosure. I know that I will probably not use the hook much, but I figure it'll be better to have it when I need it.

If you have any thoughts on what size (length or head size) of hook would be best and /or if you own one that you like, I'd love your opinion. All of the ones I've found so far are either crazy expensive or look very flimsy.

Thanks, as always, for your advice and patience with all of my newbie questions.