The mouse is nice and heated, and I use tongs and grab it by the lower back so the snake has tons of room too grab at it. Its worked both times he's eaten. Umm I've also tried leaving the mouse overnight and I've watched him at random times and he's been staring at it but hasnt eaten that way.. As for presenting the room.. I tried that by defrosting the mouse on top of his cage. It stunk up the room abit, but since he's in a tub with holes punched in it, i'm not sure how much of the smell made it too him. He's very nervous and gittery about eating seems scared too take it, and if you stay too close after he coils he'll drop it.