I'm sure you don't care for me to chime in here after all these people, but in I've had no problems with "nasty feeding responses". I feel like I have some credibility in this matter because I keep my snakes in the same room as my rat colony (which is only 12x12 feet).
I've had no problems with getting bit because they think I'm food. Granted I only have six snakes, but I've yet to be bitten. I do follow a ritual when feeding them so they know it's feeding time not by the smell, but by what I do. I take their water dish and hides out of the tubs and give them a minute before putting the food in. All six snakes take the food within a couple seconds of placing it in the tub.
I'm just saying this to tell you that in my experience I've not had any problems with feeding my snakes in their enclosures.
About your snake, with a clear belly there is a chance that he could be a het for something.
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