You don't need to watch them like a hawk. Checking up on them every few minutes is fine. The majority of feeding related injuries are sustained when the snake is left alone with the mouse for long periods of time with no interest in eating. This is when the prey item will start to attack the snake. A small bite or a scratch is not that big of a deal and will heal with a shed or two.


OP: from the way you are describing it, it sounds like a defensive strike. A strike and an immediate recoil makes me think that. I would also suggest just dropping the mouse in and letting your snake do its thing.