Snake Catcher Tongs Grabber Rattle Heavy Duty

Considered the cheaper models of this tool after finding a rattlesnake about 2ft from my face at night. Glad I chose this model due to its length & adjustability and grip/teeth design and construction. Also, for the already-designed flashlight and holder. It's not a high quality flashlight, but you could add a better one if you wanted to. I don't plan on using this very often, but it will be a lifesaver when I do (quite literally). It's quite a bit more ~2x than I wanted to spend on this (due to the low number of times I will likely need to use it), but it will be great to take camping/hunting, as well, for a camp tool to keep the area safe for humans and the snakes. It can also be used for picking up dead critters other than snakes as long as they aren't too heavy. The complaints about the tool being 'too heavy' are surprising to me based on this item's weight vs. its length and adjustability. It is likely a fair bit heavier than one that does not extend/collapse, it has a nice lock feature built into the handle, and one last thing to address regarding complaints about the grip force and 'jaws'. The jaws are more aggressive than a lot of models, but the radiused features are designed to increase the ability to grip objects/snakes more substantially than most other designs I saw. I'm more of a fan of human safety than a dangerous snake's injuries, so I prefer this jaw design. It should be noted that the edges of the stainless steel are deburred, so they won't cut into a snake unless you squeeze the handle too hard, which isn't necessary. You can vary the amount of force the jaws impart on the snake or critter, and you can adjust the jaws to where it doesn't even clamp onto the object. Rather, you can use it to 'hang' an object without even clamping it. The clamping force is well designed, enough to hurt your finger if you grip it tightly, but enough that clamping it down hard on your foot doesn't hurt. Basically, you can vary the grip force to match any situation you need. Someone complained that it 'clamps too hard'...then don't clamp the grip strenuously and it won't clamp the jaws down very hard. The last thing I can say is that the length is paramount for adjustability. At the full length where I plan to use it for a 3-5ft rattlesnake, I can pick up a 2.5 lb weight with it as long as you use a 2nd hand roughly supporting it about 1ft down the pole without a problem. I picked up a 10 lb weight as well, and it's doable, just takes a more intense grip on your support hand. If you're a small-framed person or have weak arms/hands, you can simple move your hand further out and still be at a relatively safe distance from the snake. Consider the fact that the majority of these snake grippers are only offered at the smallest length this unit collapses down to. The mechanism to extend or collapse the length is well designed and convenient/easy to operate, but secure when it engages. Highly recommend this model of variable length and grip/lock design, as well as the provisions for a flashlight mount and flashlight. I thought it was hilarious that the hardware, allen wrench and flashlight mount came in a USB cable/adapter package...doesn't make sense, but it works, Lol. Great design & good manufacturing. If you're worried about the price, consider the cost of an emergency room visit if you use a shorter design or if the snake slips through the jaws before you're able to get out of the way or re-grip it and get bit. Get a 5-gallon bucket with a locking lid and you can take the snake a few miles away. At least for rattlesnakes they say to take it no more than about 3 miles away from where you found it or it will most likely die.

Catcher tongs work very well; caught 2 rat snakes already that were killing my chicks. The little flashlight is not reliable (one catch was at night); but the tongs themselves did the job with ease. Very easy to operate.

I have seen a lot of comments about these being pricey, what's pricier, getting bit by a venomous snake or buying quality snake tongs? I am tasked with removal and relocation of the rattlers we have here at work (landfill out west) and these are excellent value for money. They work well, are adjustable and just all around great tongs. I have a set of snake buckle lids I bought off of amazon and they work equally as well when paired with my Home Depot/Lowes buckets. I have moved relocated many a rattlers with these and love them. Oh, if any of you think these are overpriced, google professional snake tongs..prices range from the price of these into the mid $100's.

I bought a cheaper snake catcher a couple years ago. Very thin metal. Whacked it once with the machete, trying to hit the snake, and it's never been the same. I can't seem to bend it back to work well enough. This one is more robust. I'm more careful with it, but it is more thick steel. Just better quality. Just buy one from this company. You will save yourself from problems. Yes, the flashlight is weak, but I'm never going out with only that weak flashlight. The collapsible system is great to make it shorter for storage. And it has a locking mechanism, so you can keep the snake locked in if you need to let go of the device. Great option with kids catching snakes waiting for you to help kill an invasive species.

We have now had this catcher for a year and it has helped us catch 2 Garter snakes and 2 Rattlesnakes. Love that this can extend so that you do not have to be really close to the snake. My first time using it, I was shaking like a leaf. By the fourth time, I was very confident and felt like I caught the snake like a pro even though it was a good sized Rattlesnake. Have not noticed this catcher damaging the snakes skin at all or harming the snakes. We release the ones we catch and they all seemed fine as they slithered away. If we didn't have this catcher, I don't know what we would have done with the snakes we needed to move. Am considering getting another to keep by our barn so that we don't have to run to the house to get our current one if needed.