I think snakes can get "lazy" when they know the prey is already dead. Doesn't mean hand-feeding would be a safe thing to do. When a keeper gets complacent and thinks his snake is going to behave the exact same way each time...that's when he gets bit. Even if you're not scared of getting bit by a BP...why risk it? It may cause your snake to lose a tooth and/or may cause it to go off feed for awhile.