Tongs rock...

[Ginevive]

Last night I was feeding Goblin his usual big prekilled rat. It was all nice and warm, so there could be no doubt that it'd give off a good-enough heat signal and he could see it. Well, he went into the S position, got all ready to strike, and lo and behold, he struck too high and almost got my fingers (which were holding the tail of the rat as usual.) ! He struck two more times, each time missing it. But he was still interested; though I was not interested in getting bitten. :/
I got out some old barbecue tongs, and tried feeding it to him from those. In seconds he was wrapped around the rat, and he ate it great.
Maybe if we try to feed the rat/mouse directly form our hands, the heat signal from our hand could confuse them and make their aim go off? I think so. Everyone who has a problem feeder, try tongs!

[First_time_herp]

I used tongs for my F/T mice but Link was always morei nterested in the tings than the food.

[Blink]

I just drop the F/T rat into the bin, and come back when it's gone.

[mlededee]

i always use tongs and nellie has never missed when she struck. so i'd say your theory is a good one.

[Jeanne]

I have always used a pair of surgical snaps to feed from.

[Schlyne]

I use a pair of tongs except after Issa completes a shed. After he completes a shed his feeding response is so strong, I'm afraid he'll hit the tongs, so I just drop the mouse in his feeding box and nudge it.

I used a pair of needlenose pliers for his first mouse (held by end of tail and dropped as soon as he went for the the strike) since I didn't have tongs...that thought crosses my mind every time i use those pliers for EE work now, even though I scrubbed em down afterward...eww

[hhw]

Not only will it prevent you from getting bitten, but you'll be able to move rodents around without them hanging vertically by their tails.

Tongs and forceps are good, but nothing beats tweezers for precision and dexterity.

[Cody]

lol, I always use tongs for that exact reason. I don't want the warmth of my hand confusing the snake and having it bite me. Just dangerous for both of us, but mainly the snake.