I just got bitten. I was a bit late in feeding him - been busy in the rest of my life - and he's been 'searching' for the last couple of days. Also, I approached him with the food from behind where he was looking, simply because it was more convenient. Rather than coming across for the rat as he usually does, he came up and got me. I recovered the rat with the hemostat, presented it again and he struck on it, not on me.

I also have to mention that I handled the (F/T) rat (with the hand that was bitten) just before the feeding, to be sure it was sufficiently warmed. So it's possible it smelled like food.

Bottom line: it wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't a big deal, either. My ball is perhaps 1-1/2 years old, and the description I've read that "it's like a bite from a kitten" wasn't far off. I actually feel a bit more comfortable, just like a rider who's finally been down for the first time and knows what to expect.

My plan? I intend to present food in front of him, rather than having him double back on himself. That raised his head up and probably made my thumb look like a better target. In the past, I've actually pulled him from a hide when I knew it was time to eat, placed him back on the floor of his enclosure and presented the meal. That way, I was able to orient him to allow me space around his 'furniture' to approach and strike the food. Ah, always a learning process.