Sorry, also i feed by hand and i just hold the tip of the tail. I have never once been bit.

I would use tongs if it was a red-tail though. I looked after and fattenned up a neglected one for six months and trust me i would not be feeding that one by hand. But with a BP even if you do get tagged, whats the worsed thing that can happen? Just a few pricks and some blood.

And you can have a yearly check up at the vet if you wish which would be good practise. You can also get fecal samples done.

Jim