About Our Equipment

Our snake handling equipment has been specifically designed for animal welfare and are being used by RSPCA and Parks & Wildlife Rangers in Tasmania, Australia.

Animal welfare is our top priority and the main influence on the design of our products.

The Raptor Mk2 has a rubber support on the lower jaw, while the restraining action hinges down to allow a leather thong to conform to the profile of the snake's back, securing it firmly regardless of snake size.

About Us

Ian Norton, who lives in Tasmania, Australia, along with his wife Sylvia, has produced this range of raptor snake equipment through necessity. Having been involved with reptiles since childhood, he witnessed a variety of tongs and pinners capable of injuring snakes when force was applied.

Ian is a well-known herpetologist in his home state and a veteran of ten years research on Chappell Island, in Bass Strait. Ian and co researcher Jane Guy have an active research project at Wesley Vale, a long term study of a marshland where over three hundred snakes have been micro-chipped. The effects of climate change have had a detrimental impact on the population and will significantly determine the viability of this coastal habitat.

Snake handling Equipment

All our snake catching equipment comes with a twelve-month warranty and is manufactured with animal welfare and safety as a prerequisite. The raptor range is designed to be used with enthusiasm without injuring the animal while maintaining security for the operator, if maintained in good working order.

The pinner is handcrafted from a tempered spring steel Y section under tension and fitted to an adjustable spring-loaded trekking pole. The pinner can be interchanged with a hook to create a combo if only one pole is preferred. The snake bag hoop is stainless steel, bags can be changed in under a minute. Bags are dark green allowing reptiles to be easily enticed. We can also produce (on request) square hoop with extendable handle and walking tips for the trekking pole.

The Raptor snake gripper comes in three lengths 500mm,700mm and 2 metres. Powder coated, these instruments are robust and easy to deploy. Having an adjustable activated handle allows the user the option to tailor the instrument to choice. We prefer to use the pinner as the primary tool and the short raptor tong to bag specimens. The raptor, if used alone, is deployed horizontally to the first third of the body from the head, the snake will be carried forward with the momentum of the instrument. (see video)