I was feeding one of my stubborn easterns yesterday, which I've already had to force feed once, when I accidentally came upon a new feeding technique. I was holding the snake about an inch or two from it's head and was about to force feed him again, but knowing that it has a pretty low tolerence for handling I started lightly tapping the peice of food on the snakes head. after a few tries he striked at the meat and then proceeded to swallow it. I did this four times before he was done. I like this better a whole lot better than force feeding. and I think it's better on the snake because instead of throwing food down his throat I'm just getting him a little pi**ed off.