My old BP would happily take anything I offered, as long as it was dangling by its tail. I mostly didn't even have to wiggle it around - mostly I never got the chance, LOL. But lying on the ground or running around was a no go. He was generally pretty confident and fearless actually, but the one thing that freaked him out was live mice running around. Makes me appreciate how easy going he was! He was younger when I first got him than the new guy is, but I'm not sure by how much. I never used tongs; I'm not sure if it was because it didn't occur to me or because I figured it didn't matter with a snake that couldn't do any real damage.

Not to mention my dear old departed corn, who didn't bother with any of that pretending-it's-alive business - he'd just waltz up to his f/t dinner and open wide. Ok, maybe not waltz per se.

New little guy just needs his time I think... but next time I think I'll try blocking the front of the tank so he can't see me sitting there looking at him. I didn't turn on any more lights than I needed to see by this time... maybe I can keep it a little darker next time, and block the view from the front of the tank (three sides are blocked already).