It is different from snake to snake. I have some that refuse to even acknowledge the rat while I am around - but will eat it once I am out of line of sight. On the flipside there are also 2 who will NOT eat "left prey" but have to have the dead-rat dance continue until they strike - no matter how interested they seem a still target will just not be tagged - gotta be moving and preferably making little scuffing noises against the floor/substrate. There is no single good solid and consistent answer to this - as even the most steadfast and dependable of eaters can switch off on you. Our large male Suki will usually take a rat laid in front of his hide, sometimes overnight but almost always without fail - however the last two feeds have come and gone with the rat remaining.


EDIT - WHATEVER YOU DO do NOT dance jiggle or move the mouse "threateningly" (it's all perception remember) near the BPs head - if it begins shrinking back you're too close - you do not want to traumatize the poor thing by jamming a dead rodent in its face or chasing it around the cage with it - especially if you have the rat suspended by the tail as it then looks much taller than accustomed.