Feeding Tongs: Why Length Matters

Tongs seem like the least interesting item in a reptile cupboard until you have used a pair that were too short.

Distance is safety for both parties

Length keeps your fingers away from a feeding response, which protects you and stops the animal associating your hand with food. Longer is generally better than shorter for anything with an enthusiastic strike.

Blunt tips, not sharp

Rounded ends matter because tongs are used near a mouth. A sharp point risks injury if the animal lunges and connects with the tool rather than the food.

Material and cleaning

Stainless steel is preferred because it can be washed properly and does not absorb odours the way plastic can. Tongs go in the enclosure and then in a drawer, so being able to clean them thoroughly between uses is not a small thing.

Grip and control

The tension of the arms decides how much control you have. Too stiff and you cannot feel the grip; too loose and you drop the food. This is worth checking in the hand rather than from a photograph.