Ive had the same experience... fed my one stubborn jerk a live small rat... he strikes and kills and i go about cleanin his cage... since his is the top cage i use a little step ladder... im up doing my business and he decided hes more interested in me than the rat... i put the top on the tub and leave him for about an hr 1/2... come back and he didnt touch the rat. learned my lesson to leave em be and keep the top on the feeding tub so he cant see me!