I have tanks and I see my snakes at night from time to time and the crawl around all night.... I rarely handle them, I like to observe them more than handle.....

I have always fed my snakes in a different container, they have become used to it and as soon as I put them in the feeding tub you can see them go into feeding mode... Somtimes I handle them for 5-10 mins before... I know many people say this is a no no but I believe the snakes have grown to like it this way....