This is definitely one of those cases where it is owner's preference. You have to know what's best for your particular snake
Agree 100%....I feed in the same inclosure, only difference is that I remove everything out prior to feeding him. When he is finished eating I am able to put everything back in without having to hold him.
I dont make it a practice (though I have done it several times) I occasionally put my hand in the tank to get the mouse moving and Monty has never once mistaken my hand for the mouse, matter of fact he has never even shown signs of taking my hand on rather than the mouse. He definetly knows the difference between an eatable food item and my hand and arm that is MUCH larger then he would even think about trying to eat. Like I said....I dont make it a practice....Just have done it several times. Nor am I saying that Monty wont strike my hand, just that he has never showed any interest to. I probably wouldnt do it except that I have been bitten so many times by other snakes that it does not bother me or scare me.