Quote Originally Posted by JimJam View Post
Before dropping the rat in though I think I messed up by lifting the rock, and exposed Skittles. I let her know we were there and waiting a second before dropping the rat in. As soon as the rat went in the terrarium it started exploring the edges and corners. The snake seemed completely uninterested and stayed coiled up. The rat, while exploring, even walked over the snake like she was a rock. The snake reacted and put her face right up against the rats face and was flicking her tongue. The rat seemed to bite or snap at the snake's face. I'm not sure whether the rat actually got her, but she's been inspected and no signs of harm can be seen. Then the rat seemed to be "digging" to get under the snake, and I immediately took it out.
Yeah, many snakes like to hit their prey from a secure location like their hide or a perch. Rats are naturally curious but it could have also been hungry, which would explain the digging around after taking a little test nibble - more like a lick with barely any pressure - on the snake's nose. You did right by removing it, that feed was going nowhere fast. If the rat was indeed hungry each test nibble would have been a bit harder until it hit paydirt or met his own demise - either scenario depending entirely on the snake's reaction to the situation. If you try live again, don't mess with the snake before offering - especially since it's a new animal and still adjusting to her surroundings. Without exposing the snake the rat would have likely made a few passes by the hide entrance while exploring, giving your snake a chance at an ambush if she was hungry and settled enough to accept.

The same principles apply when offering f/t or prekilled if you go that route. Until your girl is a strong feeder, and even after, you want to mess with her as little as possible during a feed.