Mine stays in his hides now he's settled in, only exploring when I do a clean/change and move some stuff around. It's a small space and I'm sure they have some capacity to "remember" their surroundings, so there isn't much need for him to be exploring every night like the place is new to him.
Head out is common and mine's default state, he'll be watching us from about now (just now dark out) until bedtime. He actually throws tantrums if I give him hides he can't peek out of. (He gets huffy, tries to burrow under and flip the hides to sit in them, etc.)
This is with mine specifically, but I think he recognizes the vibration of the blow dryer. If he's awake and I turn it on (even if not heating a rodent) he'll make a show of cramming his face up against the glass and staring at us for food hanging half out of his hide. Last time, he was so eager (he fasted for two weeks for whatever reason) he spent 15 minutes trying to eat the food crammed upside down against the front glass.
As the others have said, he might take the rat no issues. Mine takes either willingly.
As mentioned, scenting is an option.
Another trick is waiting for a shed and cutting off the food supply soon as you see them dulling out; make them not eat for the week+ it takes. They tend to be ravenous afterward.
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