Better tongs recommendation?

[FlagonFly]

I have a pair of these Zoo Med tongs
10" Feeding Tongs (http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=139&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=5&SearchContext=YTo1OntzOjg6IlNlYXJjaElEIjtzOjE6IjUi O3M6MTA6IkRhdGFiYXNlSUQiO3M6MToiMiI7czo4OiJLZXl3b3 JkcyI7czo0OiJ0b25nIjtzOjg6IlNlYXJjaF94IjtzOjE6IjAi O3M6ODoiU2VhcmNoX3kiO3M6MToiMCI7fQ==)

commonly found in pet stores. Hate them. I am constantly dropping mice because of how the end of the tongs are shaped. The ends meet at a very small area of the inside surface of the tongs and if you are enticing a shy snake and are holding a mouse for any length of time eventually you slightly let up on pressure and the mouse drops and spooks the snake.
Looking to replace with something about the same size but where the ends have more surface area touching when you close down the tongs so you don't have to squeeze them as hard to keep a grip on the mouse as you waggle it around.
Would love any suggestions. Thinking something along the lines of these:
Exo Terra : Tongs / Feeding Tool (http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/tongs.php)
but not sure I want rubber ends, or if these are really much better.

[Charis]

I'm interested in suggestions on this too.

[IW17]

I use a long set of hemostats. About 16" or so. Then I grind off the locking teeth by the handles so that they won't lock down on the rat by accidentally squeezing to hard. That being said holding on to food is a good way to get nailed by an overly excited snake, so you might try just leaving it in the enclosure at bed time. Idk your situation or what snake your feeding, but just trying to help you avoid a nasty situation I've had the displeasure of experiencing.

[Terranaut]

I have a 24" needle nose pliers. I never drop the prey and it is far enough from my had that I should never have to worry about being bit.

[Jinxygirl]

hahah I actually went and bought some small metal cooking tongs from walmart and they do the job pretty well. Our petstore doesn't carry feeding tongs. :P

[wrecker45]

Mine are called Gator. Picked them up at a show. Work for me.

[Starbuck]

I have also used needle nose pliers in the past, but I didnt like them too much as sometimes I felt like my grip on the mouse was too strong, and a shy snake wasn't enthusiastic enough to get them away from thw tongs.
now I use 10 inch rubber tipped reptile feeding tongs, and while im a bit too close for comfort for aome of my snakes overall I am very happy with them. My kings and carpet are very food motivated, but not that accurate, so it gives me peice of mind that they are striking silicon/rubber instead of metal.

That being said, sometimes I just put the prey in the cage and walk away. Only do the zombie dance to entice the snakes out of hiding so I can check on them now and again.

[Theweinz]

Look up Midwest Tongs. Bit expensive but all their equipment is top notch! I have a bunch of it and it has never failed me, in the field or home.

[Sharlynn93]

I have the same tongs as the OP...I have constant issues with them as well...for any rat weighing more than 20-30g, it will not hold them..scares the snakes when they drop :( tried metal salad tongs, but they grip too much of the rat imo...cant make them "dance" for the reluctant feeders...still looking for the "perfect tongs"...like the idea of the rubber ended ones, though...I have had a few snakes the I heard their teeth smack the metal (the aggressive feeders)...and I don't like that...

[Terranaut]

I can hold a 3lb bunnie with the pliers. Never any issues.

[marvelfreak]

I hand feed all of my snakes. The only time I ever would use tongs is if I had venomous snakes. Which I would never own.

[philbyi-guy]

I hand feed all of my snakes. The only time I ever would use tongs is if I had venomous snakes. Which I would never own.
I hand feed my snakes usually. If/when I get a HD burm and its getting some size on it I will definitely use tongs.

[aaron_cg]

I had a 24" hemostat with the locking mechanism cut off, but currently use a set of needle nose pliers. Works great

[Lankyrob]

BBQ tongs ;)

[metalcopper]

I've used 10 inch hemostats for the last 20 years. I don't grind the teeth off, I just kind of contort the angle with my grip so they don't lock. Back when I used to work at the reptile store here in town, we used to keep all the cage keys on a key ring and hook that through the hemostat finger hole, so that's another habit I've held on to.

[Sublimeballs]

18" hemos, I don't cut the locking mechanism off though. Haven't had a problem with it. I will be getting some 24" hemos for feeding my jampea retic soon; had a few nearly sketchy moments.

[LadyWraith]

I also subscribe to the hemostat crowd. Those are 24" and ridiculously heavy. I used to use the same tongs as OP when my snakes were smaller. I also had issues with dropping rats with them. I personally love the locking hemostats... use them a lot with work so it was a natural transition for me.

[FlagonFly]

Thx for all the suggestions.. I was thinking hemostat also but didnt think about just grinding off the teeth that make it locked closed (didnt want that). The long needlenose sound good also. I have a hook from Midwest that I really like, and glady dont have to use it though. Have a very docile rosy boa, but man when he strikes it is so fast! So wanted something with a bit of length on it. He'll sometimes eat when I waggle to entice him out and then leave it for him to come get, but usually works better if I can get him to strike as I waggle it.

[shaunyboy]

i have friends who use barbecue tongs,the kind you buy for turning your steak over on the barbecue,you get tongs where the metal ends are covered in black rubber,imo that would minimize the risk of breaking a snakes tooth,should they hit the tongs while striking their prey


cheers shaun