how necessary are snake tongs for handling ball pythons

[Gurgie]

I recently bought a leucistic texas rat snake, which I'm told can get grumpy. I also have a male and female BP.

I've had Nag (male)for bout 2 years and he bit me a few weeks ago but it was toatally my fault. trying to feed him, I had prekilled the rat, and left him to it, but he wouldnt take it. so not even thinking I reached in to take out this rat and he bit me. was funny as h*** too, and totally my fault.

my female BP, Nagaina, bit me for the first time 2 days ago, ALSO completely my fault. I *know* that she sometimes takes a bead on my hand for a tag instead of her rat. yes the rat is fully warm, and alive, but she seems to love my hand. I've had near misses before but this was her first bite.

And my Mister Grumpy, Bloop (yes thats his name) just munches away. he bit me more the first day I had him than anything else to that date.

just goes to prove people are gonna do their own thing. I've folks here tell me pros and cons of feeding tools, but I dont feel like I have enough control with the tongs. yeah I've been bit, and will be again eventually...but its also my choise, and in ABSOLUTELY NO CIRCUMSTANCES is that bite EVER taken out on the animal, including the rats they eat.

sooooo.....yeah. my 2 cents worth