It really depends on the substrate your using, if your using bark or mulch, I would defently feed outside the cage our atleast put newspaper down over the substrate. Things like aspen shavings should pass right threw. It is also possible for the snake to associate you opening the cage with feeding time(if you feed in the cage) and thatwould make a bite more likely. I have 1 snake that is like that if I feed him in his cage but since I stopped feeding him in the cage, he is alot better. Its really more of a personal preference then anything