Snakes can pose serious risks to people. Each year, 7,000–8,000 Americans are bitten by venomous snakes. For safety, many handlers rely on a snake tongs grabber 60 inch to catch and relocate snakes from a distance. This extra-long snake handling tool keeps you far from harm, drastically reducing the chance of bites. Even a beginner can use it: snake tongs act like an extension of your arm, allowing a non-expert to grab and hold a snake without direct contact. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why 60-inch snake grabbers are ideal, outline key features to look for (wide jaws, locking handles, etc.), review top 60″ snake tongs models, and share best practices for safe snake handling snake tongs grabber 60 inch.

Table of Contents
Why Choose a Snake Tongs Grabber 60 Inch?
- Extended Reach & Safety: A 60-inch snake grabber tool provides a long reach to keep snakes well out of striking range. By maintaining distance, you significantly lower bite risk. According to one expert, this “well-made, strong, and long-reaching snake grabber ensures you maintain a safe distance… making it easier and safer to catch and relocate” snakes.
- Beginner-Friendly: Snake tongs allow even novices to handle snakes safely. Midwest Tongs notes that 40″ is its best-selling length, but a longer 60″ can give extra comfort. In fact, “snake tongs are a tool that can grab and hold a snake at a distance. The tongs will allow someone with no experience to grab and move a snake”. Experts also emphasize using tongs (and hooks) to handle snakes from afar, so beginners avoid getting too close snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Versatility: Many 60″ snake tongs feature wide zigzag jaws or serrations that grip snakes securely without injuring them. This wide-jaw design makes the grabber capable of handling various sizes of snakes (even fast or arboreal species) and even other small animals (raccoons, possums, etc.). Outside of snake encounters, extra-long tongs are handy for camping tasks, reaching high shelves, picking up debris, and more snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Better Leverage: The extra length often provides improved leverage when controlling large or heavy snakes. A 60″ grabber can hold a big snake’s weight more steadily than a shorter tool, making capture more controlled and less stressful for you and the snake.
Key Features to Look for in 60″ Snake Tongs Grabbers
- Wide Gripping Jaws: Look for tongs with wide jaws (at least 2″–3″ across) that distribute pressure and reduce injury. For example, Midwest’s Gentle Giant 60″ Snake Tong has 2¼-inch wide rubber-coated jaws designed to grip snakes gently. These wide jaws “disperse pressure over a greater surface area of the snake’s body,” minimizing scale and bone damage snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Sturdy Construction: Quality 60″ tongs are often made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel. Aluminum alloy (often with a colored oxide coating) is lightweight yet strong, while stainless steel offers rugged durability. The Misopily 60″ grabber, for example, uses high-grade stainless steel for corrosion resistance. A solid build ensures the tool won’t bend or break on a struggling snake.
- Locking Handle: A comfortable pistol-style handle with a reliable locking latch is important. Many 60″ tongs have an auto-lock feature so the jaws stay clamped on the snake without constant squeezing. Midwest’s design includes a lock latch for secure, hands-free gripping. This prevents the snake from escaping while you move it snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Collapsible/Portable Design: Given their length, good snake grabbers often collapse or fold for transport. Check that the 60″ tongs can break down (e.g. into 2–3 telescoping sections) and include a safety clip or cap for storage. This makes them easy to carry in a backpack or vehicle.
- Extras & Accessories: Some models include useful add-ons. For instance, certain 60″ snake grabbers come with an integrated flashlight for night use. Others might feature interchangeable heads or even a snake hook attachment. While not essential, these extras can increase versatility for nighttime snake patrols or dual-purpose use snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
Top 60-Inch Snake Tongs Grabber Tools in the USA
- Gentle Giant 60-Inch Snake Tongs (Midwest Tongs): A professional-grade aluminum snake grabber with 2¼″ wide rubber-coated jaws. This model’s wide jaws and hidden cable spring give a secure, gentle grip on snakes (even quick-moving water or tree snakes) with minimal stress. Midwest Tongs also offers versions with extra-long reach (up to 72″).
- Misopily 60-Inch Collapsible Snake Tongs: Available at Home Depot, this is a heavy-duty stainless-steel snake catcher. It features a wide serrated jaw (for a firm bite on the snake’s body) and an auto-lock mechanism. It extends to 60″ for safety and collapses to around 22″ for easy storage. Users appreciate its sturdy feel and rust-resistant build snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Other Popular 60″ Snake Grabbers: Several brands offer 60″ snake tongs with similar features. For example, ICLOVER and AAPROTOOLS sell extra-long aluminum grabbers, and Snake Stix (a well-known brand) offers collapsible 60″ tongs. When choosing, check customer reviews for quality and be sure the jaws are wide enough for “snake grabber” use. (Always avoid cheap flimsy tongs, as they may fail on larger snakes.)
Snake Tongs vs Snake Hooks: Which Tool to Use?
Snake handlers often carry both a snake tongs and hook set to cover different scenarios. A snake hook is a long metal rod with a curve at the end; it lets you lift or guide a snake gently under its midsection or head. Hooks are excellent for calmly moving a snake into a bag or repositioning it without gripping tightly. Tongs, by contrast, pinch the snake’s body and can immobilize even quick snakes instantly snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Snake Hooks: Best for minimal-stress handling of large or nervous snakes. You can slide a hook under the snake’s mid-body and lift slowly. Because there is no grip, you must support the snake’s weight and ensure it can’t flop off. Hooks are favored by experienced herpetologists for trust builds with the animal snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Snake Tongs: Allow quick capture and control, ideal for moving aggressive or fast-moving snakes. Tongs can grab on any part of the snake’s body (except the head) and hold it until you’re ready. They require less technique than hooks and often come with locking handles for safety snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Combo Sets: Many 60″ snake grabber kits include both a tong and a hook. This “snake tongs and hook set” approach gives maximum flexibility. Experts advise using tongs or hooks from a distance to handle snakes. In practice, you might use a hook to coax a snake into a container and use tongs to secure it once partially trapped snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
How to Use 60-Inch Snake Tongs Safely
- Assess the situation: Keep calm and maintain a safe distance. If the snake is venomous or you feel unsure, call a professional wildlife removal service instead of risking a bite snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Approach slowly: Extend the tongs fully (60″) and walk up from behind the snake. Do not approach the head. Use the tongs to gently encircle the snake’s midsection snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
- Grasp mid-body: Position the jaws around the middle of the snake’s body, not too close to the head. Midwest Tongs recommends picking up snakes about halfway down their length, which balances the weight and keeps the snake calmer.
- Lock and lift: Squeeze the handles firmly (but not crushing) and engage the lock. Lift the snake smoothly, supporting its tail end as needed. Ensure the snake is straight and not bunched to avoid injuring its spine.
- Contain the snake: Place the snake into a secure snake bag, ventilated bucket, or onto a flat surface (like a board or mat). Release the tongs’ lock and let the snake slide out gently. Always keep the head pointed away from you.
- Aftercare: If the snake struck the tongs, check the jaws for damage (blood or bites). Clean and disinfect the tongs after use to remove snake skin or saliva. Store your grabber safely to stay ready for next time snake tongs grabber 60 inch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a snake tongs grabber tool?
A: A snake tongs grabber (also called snake grabber or snake catch tool) is a long-handled clamp designed to catch and hold snakes safely. It works like a pair of tongs or pliers: you squeeze a handle to close the jaws around the snake’s body. The tool lets you keep a safe distance while controlling the snake. Snake tongs usually have serrated or rubber-coated jaws to grip the snake securely without cutting into it snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
Q: Why choose a 60-inch snake tongs grabber?
A: The extra 60″ length provides maximum safety. With this reach, you can catch snakes even if they are fairly far away or hidden, without ever getting your hands close. The long length also improves leverage on large snakes. Most experts agree that staying as far back as possible – especially from venomous snakes – is safest. A 60-inch grabber is ideal for homeowners, hikers, or animal control who want an extra margin of safety snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
Q: How do snake tongs compare to snake hooks?
A: Snake hooks are metal rods with a J-hook at the end, used to lift or guide snakes gently. They are great for precise moves and stressing the snake less, especially useful with calm or large snakes. Snake tongs, on the other hand, pinch the snake’s body for immediate control. A hook set is often preferred by professional herpetologists, while a 60″ grabber is favored by beginners or those needing quick capture. Many handlers carry both: use hooks when you can, and tongs when you need a firm grip. Experts recommend using whichever tool keeps you safely distanced from the snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
Q: Are snake tongs safe for the snake and the handler?
A: Yes, when used properly. Quality tongs are designed to minimize harm to the snake. For example, Midwest’s Gentle Giant model has wide rubber-coated jaws that spread out the gripping pressure. This reduces the risk of injuring the snake’s spine or scales. At the same time, the 60″ length greatly protects the handler by keeping them far away from fangs. However, always squeeze gently and avoid gripping near the snake’s head. With correct technique, a 60″ snake tongs grabber is a safe handling tool for both snake and person snake tongs grabber 60 inch.
Conclusion
A snake tongs grabber 60 inch is an essential tool for anyone who might encounter snakes. Whether you’re camping, managing a pet snake, or simply want peace of mind around critter habitats, the extra-long reach and sturdy design of a 60″ grabber keep you out of danger while respecting the animal. Key features like wide jaws, a reliable locking handle, and durable aluminum construction make these grabbers effective and long-lasting. Remember to always use proper technique (grasp mid-body, never the head) and consider combining your grabber with a snake hook for maximum control. We hope this guide helps you choose the best 60-inch snake grabber tool and use it safely. If you found this information useful, share it with fellow outdoor enthusiasts and leave a comment with your experiences or questions about snake tongs in the USA. Stay safe and happy snake handling!
Sources: Expert guides and manufacturer details on snake handling tools.