You don't even need a long hook - a general cage hook works just fine. Just get to know your snakes & be able to read their behavior - i.e. what a typical feeding response looks like & also when the animal is back into more of a conscious (vs. instinctive) mode before you pick it up.

Tong feeding is a good idea anyway...it creates routine & consistency, which helps to create a solid, strong feeder, regardless of species.

Just a note...we have blue tongues & sugar gliders here at our facility...they're fun to have around, but there's a reason why I have womas in my private collection. Easily one of my favorite python species!

K~