My guess is the rat will try to chew through. I would try again tomorrow and if no success, see if the place you purchased the rat will take it back. I realize policies differ from place to place, but my source for feeders has told me they will take the mouse or rat back the next day if my bp doesn't eat it. (I've asked specifically because I only have one snake and couldn't figure out what I'd do with a live mouse or rat in case of a refusal.) Always worth asking!