i feed in-cage & i have to add in here that i've almost gotten tagged having one of the doors wide open while trying to keep the rat in...my girl could smell the rat but target locked on my hand but thankfully i saw the movement of the strike & yanked my hand back in the nick of time, thank you nervousness, lol. even, yesterday the cage was closed & the pup was exploring the back of the cage while my girl was at the doors staring at me until she caught the movements of the pup & redirected.
i've heard that some snakes are more inclined to strike wildly or come flying out of their cages after their food while others will sit back & wait.
i guess you just have to know the particular animals habits & respect them.