Guides

Snake handling guides

Everything we know about hooking, catching and moving snakes without stressing them. Written by one keeper, tested on one stubborn collection and a lot of spring weekends.

Herper crouching on a dirt road at dusk with a snake hook resting across one knee

Start with the snake hook if you keep small or mid-size snakes, add the tongs when you need to grip an animal rather than support it, and read the catching guide before the first time one turns up somewhere it should not be. Our method is documented on how we test and the ratings are on the reviews page.