I have read the pros and cons of feeding in the snake's enclosure versus feeding in a seperate tub. I choose to feed in the enclosure. This way, I don't have to handle the snake after it has eaten. Also, there is less chance for it to bite you...I was just recently talking to my husbands friend's friend....his girlfriend has a ball python and he told me it bit him. I asked him why and he replied that he was putting it back into its tank after feeding.
But, some people prefer to remove them from their enclosure to feed.
I breed african soft furred rats and they share the room with the snake so I don't even think about prescenting. I open the lid and drop the rat in. I used to remove the hides as well but now I leave them in there because my snake was on a hunger strike and I didn't want to take away his hiding spot and possibly stress him.
I monitor and if he doesn't eat after a certain amount of time I take the rat and offer it again days later. The only time I use tongs is on dead rats to make them do the zombie rat dance.
Hope this helped.
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