I will leave him alone. but it seems like thats the only way he eats. i put the pinky in his mouth and let him swallow it. otherwise he just asks as if he has never eaten a mouse in his life. I may hold the pinky w/ tounges in front of him ,while shaking it gently, to try and provoke a strike. he may move towards the mouse, sit and look at it, then turn sharply away from it. this feeding method worked great w/ my kingsnake.