These tongs are safe and easy to use. The handles are set at an easy angle instead of a hard ninety degree angle found in lesser tongs. The jaws are made from warm polymer plastic, not cold steel or metal that can irritate a reptile. Internally, the tongs use a solid rod linkage instead of more unreliable cable. When not in use, the jaws can be locked in the closed position with a thumb switch on the handle. The jaws close up nice and tight to make it easy to hold a small mouse tail for feeding.