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May 2026 - Snake Tongs

Not too long ago, “snake removers” were virtually unheard of. Unless you happened to know a nearby snake enthusiast, most people handled snake encounters themselves—often with a firearm or a spade.

In recent years, things have changed dramatically. The rise of social media, WhatsApp groups, and free apps like ASI Snakes has made it far easier to connect with a qualified snake remover in your area than it was even a decade ago.

Until recently, snake tongs were tools largely reserved for researchers, professional snake keepers, and snake parks. While using them isn’t overly complicated, applying the correct technique—such as where to grip the snake and how much pressure to use—is critical for both the handler’s safety and the wellbeing of the snake.

The correct position of a snake in the tongs. If the snake is too far back in the grip, the handler can apply too much pressure and harm the snake.

Young enthusiasts working at snake parks typically undergo hands-on training with tongs, often starting with simple exercises like picking up cigarette butts in the parking lot to develop the fine motor skills required. Once mastered, tong handling becomes second nature—much like riding a bike.

Within the snake removal community, opinions on snake tongs are divided. Some view them as the ultimate tool for safe removals, while others criticise them as harmful, even referring to them as “death grippers.” Most of the criticism comes from other countries where they do not have to deal with large mambas and cobras.

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The truth lies in how they are used. Like most animal-handling equipment, snake tongs can cause harm in untrained hands. Wild animals are unpredictable, and dealing with fast-moving, venomous snakes. Especially in high-pressure situations - can be nerve-wracking for inexperienced handlers. This is why proper training is essential.

We train over 4,000 delegates every year in the correct use of snake tongs, working with a variety of species (excluding large adders, where hooks are preferred).

Have you attended one of our courses or purchased snake handling equipment from us? We’d love to hear about your experience!

Share your feedback, photos, or review and stand a chance to WIN a signed copy of A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa — delivered straight to your door. 🐍📚

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In corporate environments, safety protocols strictly prohibit unnecessary physical contact with animals. Techniques like “tailing” (catching a snake with a hook and grabbing its tail) are considered high-risk and unnecessary—especially for individuals who may only encounter a snake once or twice a year. This often goes against company policy, and physical contact with venomous snakes is rarely permitted. For these situations, snake tongs are not just useful—they are essential.

It’s also important to understand that practising techniques on captive snakes during a course is very different from dealing with a wild snake in a real-world scenario. Things can go wrong in an instant, and corporate insurers are unlikely to cover incidents resulting from risky handling methods like tailing. Such techniques are best left to experienced herpetologists and seasoned professionals.

Advantages of snake tongs

• They keep the handler at a safe distance—typically 1 to 1.5 metres—well beyond a snake’s striking range.

• Snakes can be captured and contained without any direct physical contact. Especially important on corporate sites, where physical contact with snakes goes against health and safety protocols.

• They allow for quicker, more controlled captures, especially with fast-moving species like cobras and mambas.

• Faster captures reduce stress on the animal and improve safety for the handler.

• They offer better control and can be used to reach snakes in difficult places like trees or rafters.

• They are particularly useful when only part of the snake is visible.

Disadvantages of snake tongs

• Incorrect use—especially excessive pressure—can injure the snake.

• Gripping too close to the head can cause the snake to twist violently, increasing the risk of harm.

• Inexperienced users may drop the snake or handle it improperly.

• Some believe snakes remain calmer when hooked and tailed, though this largely depends on the handler’s skill level. Never compare working with captive snakes to capturing wild snakes.

Our CEO, Johan Marais, has over 45 years of experience using snake tongs. His global travels to snake parks and research facilities have reinforced that tongs are an accepted industry standard. This experience played a key role in developing our locally manufactured ASI Snake Tong range.

Snake tongs are widely available—from pet shops and agricultural suppliers to online retailers—with options ranging from premium imported models to cheaper alternatives. While some argue that access to tongs should be restricted, the reality is that far more snakes are killed by the public than injured by improper tong use. If given the choice, we would far rather see someone attempt a safe removal using tongs than kill a snake unnecessarily.

Through our training programmes, we’ve taught thousands of people how to use snake tongs correctly—and we have never had an injury to any of our captive snakes during a course.

For those working in snake removal, your role is vital. Continue educating the public—not to kill snakes or attempt risky DIY captures with braai tongs or welding gloves—but to contact trained professionals or attend accredited courses.

We’ve made great progress in changing perceptions around snakes, but there is still a long way to go.

We're proud to be introducing the revolutionary ASI Elite Snake Tong to the market — this is the next generation of snake handling equipment. This is not just another snake tong. It’s the first major redesign of a product that has remained virtually unchanged for over 60 years, bringing modern innovation to one of the most trusted tools in snake handling.

Engineered for professionals who demand the best, the ASI Elite Snake Tong is the lightest snake tong on the market, reducing fatigue and giving you greater control during every capture.

Manufactured from a precision-engineered nylon-glass composite, it delivers exceptional strength, durability, and performance while remaining significantly lighter than traditional aluminium tongs. After 12 months of rigorous field testing, every detail has been refined to ensure reliability when it matters most. Lighter. Stronger. Smarter.

The future of snake handling has arrived with the ASI Elite Snake Tong.

Order yours online now: https://bit.ly/3R2m1Bq For pre-order specials, please email Caylen on info@asiorg.co.za

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African Snakebite Institute | +27 60 957 2713
E-mail admin@asiorg.co.za
Find out more at www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com

Johan Marais is the author of various books on reptiles including the best-seller - A Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa. He is a popular public speaker and CEO of the African Snakebite Institute.

The African Snakebite Institute (ASI) offers a variety of courses including Snake Awareness First aid for Snakebite and Venomous Snake Handling. 

ASI is accredited by the International Society of Zoological Sciences (ISZS) and is a Travel Doctor-approved service provider. The courses are also accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

ASI is also the largest provider of quality snake handling and safety equipment in Africa!

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