Quality Snake Handling Tools are Important

During the course of our work as professional herpetologists my wife and I are called upon hundreds of times each year to handle snakes, many of them venomous. We have found that quality equals safety in the tools that we utilize for our trade. When working in the field we gather data on every snake we see. This data includes identification of the snake to species, weighing it, measurement from snout to vent, sexing and approximate age (young of the year, juvenile, adult). Notes on the habitat the snake was found in and current weather conditions are also taken. How does one handle the snake safely to obtain this data? We utilize quality professional snake handling equipment. The equipment we utilize is designed with our safety and the safety of the snake in mind. The hooks and tongs we use are made of aircraft quality aluminum so it would take quite an ordeal to damage the tools. A snake tong with a wide jaw provides for a safe grip on both the top and the bottom of the snake and provides much more support than an economy tong. It also cuts down on damage to the snake if an inexperienced person grabs the snake with a tong and squeezes too hard on the hand grips. We always use restraining tubes to immobilize the snake while we are working with them in hand. Always remember to use a tube that is small enough so that the snake cannot turn around in it or you may get bitten. Restraining tubes are utilized by slipping one end over the head and body of a snake until about half of the snake is inside the tube. The body is then grasped at the point where it exits the tube. One hand should hold the body of the snake and the tube simultaneously. This assures that the snake cannot back out of the tube. Tubes are used to increase the safety factor during probing to sex the snake or doing minor veterinary work. When sexing the snakes we utilize sexing probes with ball tips which have gone through extensive deburring and polishing processes to assure the smoothest surface available for the protection and comfort of the snake. All beginners should read the instructions carefully and/or seek the guidance of an experienced herpetologist before attempting to probe a snake. The snake may easily be injured if the procedure is not done properly.


Always remember that inexperienced people should not handle venomous snakes. If you do not know if a snake is venomous, leave it alone and walk away. Experience may be gained in snake handling by working with and under the direct guidance of an experienced herpetologist, zoo keeper or curator of snakes. Venomous snakes should generally not be handled while you are alone.


Whether you are working with snakes in the field or with caged specimens in your reptile room, having the proper snake handling equipment is important for both you and the snake. Be smart. Spend a little more for a quality, safe product.

Reptaid - Great Aid in the Fight Against Reptile Disease

We have found a great new product called Reptaid™ which provides a wonderful aid in the fight against reptile disease. Reptaid™ is for animals weighing 250 grams or less (Use ReptaidXL™ for larger reptiles) This product was created to provide a natural and organic product to aid in the fight of parasitic infections, primarily coccidia, as well as other assorted ailments in reptiles. Reptaid™ is designed to help your reptile overcome viral, bacterial and microscopic infections without the complications one would get from more traditional treatments. It is well known in the reptile world that traditional medications can have limited success and debilitating side effects. While undergoing traditional treatments for parasitic infections, reptiles can experience loss of appetite, lethargy, hydration issues, even organ damage. Reptaid™ is found to be effective for use against: coccidia and other parasites, bacterial infections, viral infections, appetite loss, loss of coloration and low reptile libido. It is simple to administer! Just insert it into the mouth when the reptile eats or gapes, or inject it into a feeder animal, then immediately feed it to the reptile. There is no prescription necessary and the finest, researched ingredients are combined to help complement the body's natural ability to heal itself. Each organic natural ingredient in Reptaid™ was selectively chosen to help speed your pet's recovery without the complications associated with other medications. Each 1 ounce bottle contains approximately 300 doses.

This product is a must for people who keep wild caught reptiles or amphibians in captivity as it eliminates the internal parasite loads commonly carried in these animals and cures many bacterial infections common to wild caught frogs, toads and salamanders. We have used it on Russian Tortoises, always notorious for carrying heavy parasite loads, as well as a variety of aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles, small native lizards and amphibians. We have also used it as a wipe on the shells of semi-aquatic turtles to prevent or cure shell fungus. While, to my knowledge there have been no tests made on this product as far as use as a fungicide, it does eliminate the bacterial infections which attack wounds and opens them up for the fungus. For amphibians which have water permeable skin, treatment is as simple as placing the recommended dose in a jar with enough water to cover the animal. The medication is then absorbed through the animal's skin. Such frog killing maladies as red leg are easily cured using this method. For all practical purposes, this product should be used on every new animal placed into your collection while they are placed in an isolation enclosure. This will lessen the likelihood of spreading disease to your collection. This is a great product for anyone with a collection of reptiles or amphibians to assure a disease free collection.