well, i tried live in his cage, before i had the wooden substrate i had paper towels, and he wouldnt take the rat...as well i tried frozen in the cage, and he would smell it, get exicted, but wouldnt eat...that is now the only method that works really....which is getting him out, putting him on the towel, and holding the live mouse infront of him. I am just glad he is eating, my only concern is, wen he gets older and the rats get bigger, i dont wanna deal with rat bites