Any encounter with a venomous snake, whether in your yard or out in the wild, can be potentially dangerous.
Although only about three people die per year in the United States from a snake bite, fear of snakes has led to the creation of snake handling tools.
一条蛇钩是一个professi最常使用的工具onals. Snake tongs, also known as a snake stick, reptile grabber, or snake grabber, are the preferred tools of the layman.
This is because they give you more control over the snake.
We’re going to look at the best snake tongs and discuss the different jaw types, handle length, and construction materials used.
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Anrain 47″ Snake Catcher Wide Jaw Handling Tool
- 47 inches long
- Stainless steel construction
- Pillstrom jaws accommodate many snakes
We chose Anrain even though it is a relative newcomer to the snake tong market because this tool passed every test with flying colors.
The wide jaws on the grabber allow you to handle any medium to large snake.
It’s made from stainless steel for strength and durability while the pistol grip handle is covered with green non-slip rubber for a secure grip.
The 47-inch snake tong keeps the snake safely away from you and the serrated jaws hold it firmly in place.
The stainless steel construction adds a bit of weight so you might have use to two hands to lift a large snake.
Ed has been working in the pest control industry for years helping 1,000's of homeowners navigate the world of insect and rodent management. He manages Pest Strategies now helping homeowners around the world!
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Anrain 47″ Snake Catcher Wide Jaw Handling Tool
Features
- 47 inches long
- Stainless steel construction
- Pillstrom jaws accommodate many snakes
IC ICLOVER 47″ Heavy Duty Reptile Snake Tongs
Features
- 47 inches long
- Aluminum construction
- Pillstrom jaws on it
Fnova 47″ Professional Standard Snake Tong
Features
- 47 inches long
- Aluminum and stainless steel construction
- Has Pillstrom jaws
GYORGKSHI 47″ Extra Heavy Duty Snake Tongs
Features
- Heavy-duty construction
- Extra-long for added safety
- Professional, non-slip grip
Table Of Contents
5 Best Snake Tongs
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
What Are Snake Tongs?
Snake tongs are a way of handling snakes, especially venomous snakes, from a safe distance without being bitten. All reptile snake tongs have the same basic design.
They have a long handle made from either aluminum alloy or stainless steel. If it’s steel, it’s usually stainless steel tubing to reduce the weight.
One end has a pistol grip connected to a wide jaw on the other end by a metal cable like a bicycle brake cable.
There are two main types of jaws; the Pillstrom jaws (sometimes spelled Pilstrom) and the gentle giant jaws, along with minor variations on each.
The gentle giant is also known as a wide jaw type. A few models have a spring-loaded jaw.
There are also collapsible snake tongs, heavy-duty and extra heavy-duty ones (usually with longer rods). The longer ones are typically the ones made from stainless steel.
How Do Snake Tongs Work?
A standard snake tong lets you put the jaws around the snake then squeeze the handle to close the jaws, holding the snake in place or lifting them off the ground. The jaws prevent the snake from moving.
You have to be careful using reptile snake tongs that have Pillstrom jaws. Pillstrom jaws are thin, with the upper jaw fitting down inside the lower jaw when they are fully closed.This puts shearing force on a snake’s delicate spine and can injure or kill them.
Are Snake Tongs Effective For Removing Snakes?
Contrary to popular belief, snakes prefer to escape rather than attack. Thesefindings of non-aggressionhave been duplicated, but when provoked or stepped on, snakes will defend themselves by striking. For that reason alone, you’ll want them gone.
Read Also:What are the best repellents for snakes?
Snake tongs provide a way to physically capture a snake without exposing yourself to the possibility of getting bitten in the process.A snake’s striking distance is about half of its body lengthand these tongs keep you outside of that distance.
Professional snake handlers use snake tongs and snake hookson a regular basis to capture and transport snakes from one location to another. There is no safer or more effective way to safely remove snakes from your property.
How To Use Snake Tongs?
Snakes have a long flexible spine andaround 300 ribsdepending on the species. Be careful with the tongs.If you lift a snake just behind the head, it will put too much pressure on their spineand could result in killing them.
Instead, aim for the front third of the snake’s body. This distributes their weight more evenly but still keeps their head far enough from your hand that they can’t bite you.
Their spine is still easily broken though, so try to keep part of their body on the ground.
Use slow, steady movements when you extend the snake tongs. Fast, abrupt movements will startle them and they’ll retaliate by striking.
They’ll also react violently when the jaws clamp down on them, so don’t let yourself be startled when it happens.
Read Also:What are the top traps for snakes?
Snakes are fond of hiding under bushes or in holes in the ground. A longer set of snake tongs would be advisable in those situations to give yourself some extra distance.
Are Snake Tongs Safe Around My Pets and Children?
If the tongs are just lying there, it’s perfectly safe. However, children like to pick things up and swing them at each other.
Since snake tongs are made from metal, they could cause some serious injuries if they start swinging at each other.
Treat snake tongs the same way you’d treat a baseball bat or tire iron. Keep them out of reach of your kids until they’re old enough to acquire some maturity.
How Do You Find the Best Snake Tongs?
Snake tongs are metal. All else being equal, aluminum is lighter and easier to wield than stainless steel.
Stainless steel tubing is much stronger and won’t bend or break the way aluminum often does.
The weight difference between snake handling tongs made of aluminum or stainless steel isn’t that much but stainless steel is much more durable. We recommend getting the ones made from stainless steel.
Although Pillstrom jaws are more dangerous to snakes than flat or gentle giant jaws, most manufacturers have shifted to Pillstrom jaws.
Unless you’re willing to spend a lot of extra money, go ahead and get tongs with Pillstrom jaws.
Read Also:What snake proof boots are worth buying?
Finally, the length should be a consideration. Longer tongs create more distance between you and the snake, but they’re also harder to maneuver with a snake’s weight out there on the end of the stick.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, 47″ should be fine.
Best Snake Tongs Reviewed
Related Articles
Anrain 47″ Snake Catcher Wide Jaw Handling Tool
Anrain is a relative newcomer to the snake tong market but this tool passed every test with flying colors.
The wide jaws on the grabber ensure you can handle any medium to large snake. The 47-inch snake tong keeps the snake safely away from you.
It’s made from stainless steel for strength and durability while the pistol grip handle is covered with green non-slip rubber for a secure grip.
The serrated edges on the Pillstrom jaws prevent the snake from escaping or turning to attack.
The spring-loaded jaws ensure they’ll open as soon as you release the trigger. The stainless steel construction adds a bit of weight so you might have to use two hands to lift a large snake.
The Good And The Bad
- 锯齿状的边缘防止蛇移动
- Heavy-duty design
- Easy to use
- It has a non-slip rubber grip
- Rust-proof
- Stainless steel can be heavy
- Have to maintain pressure to keep the jaws closed
IC ICLOVER 47″ Heavy Duty Reptile Snake Tongs
This popular tool is made of aluminum alloy in a 19mm tube with a green rubberized, non-slip grip so you don’t drop it (and the snake!) when you’re using it. It’s safe, lightweight, and easy to use.
It has a locking mechanism so you don’t have to maintain pressure on the grip to keep the Pillstrom jaws closed but there have been complaints the lock doesn’t always work.
The spring-loaded jaws open as soon as you release the trigger.
The serrated edges on the jaws hold snakes firmly in place and the aluminum construction ensures it is rust-proof. A repair kit is included.
The Good And The Bad
- Easy to use
- Rust-proof
- The jaws have serrated edges
- Non-slip rubberized grip
- The locking mechanism doesn’t always work
Fnova 47″ Professional Standard Snake Tong
This snake grabber has a 22mm aluminum alloy rod that is powder-coated blue for an elegant appearance.
The Pillstrom jaws are wide and gently serrated on the edges to hold snakes firmly in place. The pistol grip is ergonomically designed stainless steel.
The cable stays hidden inside the tube so it doesn’t get snagged on limbs and bushes. The jaws are spring-loaded for a quick release.
There is a locking mechanism to hold the jaws in place but it only works when there is no snake in the jaws.
It’s lightweight and comes with a 2-year warranty, but the handle doesn’t have a non-slip grip on it.
The Good And The Bad
- The cable is hidden inside so it doesn’t get snagged
- Spring-loaded jaws
- Jaws have serrated edges to hold snakes
- Rust-proof
- It doesn’t have a non-slip grip
- The latch only works when there is nothing in the jaws
GYORGKSHI 47”他额外的avy Duty Snake Tongs
This extra heavy-duty snake grabber tool from GYORGKSHI represents the latest technological breakthroughs in snake handling equipment. It features a 47-inch pole with an ergonomic grip system for easy maneuvering.
专业品质的材料在偶数the most rugged conditions. In addition, the rubber grip ends allow for a non-slip catch to ensure the safety of both the animal and the handler.
The GYORGKSHI Extra Heavy Duty Snake Tong Set is ideal for hanging in the garage just in case. It can also be used on camping trips or as a household grabbing tool.
The Good And The Bad
- Heavy-duty construction
- Extra-long for added safety
- Professional, non-slip grip
- Lightweight and portable
- Must be placed in an optimal position to avoid harming the animal
Ouronehome 60" Snake Tong
The Ouronehome 60″ Snake Tong is ideal for picking up snakes around your home, and releasing them is just as easy. Just unlock the trigger, and away it goes.
The unique design of the pistol grip guarantees your hands won’t slip, and the serrated edges ensure the snake stays firmly in place until you’re ready to release it.
The Ouronehome 60″ snake tong is extra long for increased safety of the user. It also uses quality materials throughout, ensuring it will hold up under the most rigorous conditions year after year.
The Good And The Bad
- Locking trigger
- Non-slip handle
- Super long reach
- Quality materials
- Locking mechanism may get stuck occasionally