I'll try heating the nose then, as that seems like the most logical explanation. The body of the rat was warm enough - I let it sit in a covered pan of hot water for ages, constantly changing the water to keep it hot, and then I let it sit under her heat lamp. I guess she just doesn't know where to begin. Though that doesn't really explain the dragging of the animal. She doesn't take it back to her hide, she just moves it a little.

I should stop trying to explain all the things this girl does. She's always been a little wacky. For example, http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53035