Very similar indeed. I wouldn't be surprised if they were 'bin mates' a couple months ago
Congrats on the 1st strike! Fred (formerly known as Jose Con Snake O) struck at a mouse a couple weeks ago but I think it was a defensive strike. Nothing since....
I never even considered thawing both a mouse and rat at the same time for scent purposes. Did you then toss the mouse since he ate the rat? As for smell, I've never been able to smell a mouse (maybe it's my lack of smell) and I'm hoping a rat isn't any different (to me...).