How we chose the best reptile feeding tongs
There are three broad variations of reptile feeding tong. Tweezers, forceps and clamps/grabbers are all available and best for different occasions.
Tweezers will often be fine, and are usually the longest option if you need to keep your hands away from the tank. But they can be difficult to fully grip particular foods with, particularly if you can’t apply too much pressure on them or they’re large, which is where forceps can come in.
Forceps often have broader tips, so are a bit less harsh when squeezed. Clamps are similar to forceps, except they have little bowls on the end so you can carry animals more gently. We tried to pick a variation and the best in each category.
Tong length is important in order to not scare or spook your reptile. You want to make the feeding process as natural as possible, and prevent stress. The longer the tongs, the more ‘natural’ it may be for them and the less chance of sudden movements on your part. You won’t have to move your hand out of the way quickly, basically.
Think about how deep your tank is, and whether you will have to gently place the insect or can just drop it in. Most people will need generously long tweezers, so they can at least position the insect before dropping.
Most feeding tongs are generally made from plastic, metal or wood. The former can be quite fragile so best for slight insects which are easy to control, and for dropping food into the tank as opposed to feeding directly.
Metal is good for direct feeding, especially for any animals which could bite the tongs. Wood is the most sustainable but there can be issues with cleaning, although the softer more pliable material makes it easier for the human to control.
While most of the decisions on which tongs to buy are in your hands, all of the feeding tongs we chose are safe and easy to use and also have great ratings from fellow reptile owners.
