i'm new to the reptile world, and i got my ball python, Mr Pink, this past august. so far, things have been going fairly smoothly, considering i'm a beginner. i have been feeding him f/t mice in a separate enclosure since i got him. i usually leave him in the enclosure for a little while after eating, as i can only imagine he might be uncomfortable after having swallowed a mouse. the problem arises when i attempt to transfer him back to his tank...he has snapped at me a few times. he has never actually bitten me, but this is the only time he ever tries. i try not to startle him, but now i'm scared to touch him every time i feed him. what is the best way to get him back into his tank? and how long should i wait after he finishes eating?

it seems like most people here don't think it's necessary to use a separate enclosure, so i thought i would try to feed him inside his tank yesterday. he was curled up inside his hide when i did it, and i get the feeling i must have scared him. he quickly snatched up the mouse, but didn't eat it right away. he seemed to be on edge and constantly looking around as if he felt threatened and was ready to attack. in retrospect, i imagine it wasn't the best idea to do it while he was hiding, since i must have startled him...especially since he was never fed in his tank before. but how else can i go about it, if i almost never see him outside his hide at a normal hour?

also, i'm scared to even attempt to put my hand in his tank now after seeing him like that. do you think he will be more aggressive towards me?