I'm glad it all worked out. : )

As far as feeding in the cage, we do the same thing. However, I do know that snakes will associate the opening the cage with food then, so make sure they understand the difference by avoiding their heads until they settle down. Our Corn Snake, Jack, is really nice and doesn't snap, but he sure will go after your fingers when he is hungry. We just reach in and touch his back and then he understands it is handling time and not feed time.