people need to realize that snakes function, their whole lives in modes. feeding mode which is also a lot of times resting mode, exploring/thinking mode, defensive mode, ect. any snake, no matter what species is going to first be ready to defend themselves, they are, after all...prey in the wild. so until they realize that they are not being threatened....they are going to be ready to defend themselves. also, not so much with balls, but after almost twenty years working with retics....I can assure anyone, that a big, food responding hungry striking retic is WAY easier to deal with IN their enclosure, than outside it!!!! I know balls are not retics, but a striking snake, that does not want to 'snap' out of the food response, is a lot easier to deal with when you can just slide the tub closed or close the door....instead of trying to get the snake BACK INTO its enclosure. and no offense, but your boss does not know what he is talking about if he thinks that feeding an animal in its enclosure will make it more aggressive. they exist in modes, understanding what mode your snake is in, and dealing with it properly....will result in almost never getting bitten, if ever. if you know your animal, and understand it....then you should not get bitten by a food response. period. snakes do not have the mental capacity or ability to be 'mean', they react to their environment...weather that be food, predators, or what ever.