I leave frozen in the refrigerator for 24 hours prior to feeding to thaw I use an old chicken egg incubator set to 97 for an hour our two before I offer to warm the rat up, hot water works, hair dryer works

Two of the ball pythons in my collection will only eat if I place it in their enclosure and move away, no dangling, a couple take from tongs like its alive, some won't even look at a dead rat so be prepared

good luck