We examined the pattern of temperature fluctuations in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), temporal muscle, and skin, along with locomotion in food-deprived and non-deprived rats following the presentation of an open or closed food container and during subsequent eating or food-seeking behavior without eating. Although rats in food-deprived, quiet resting conditions had more than two-fold lower spontaneous locomotion and lower temperatures values than in non-deprived conditions, after presentation of a container they consistently displayed food-seeking behavior, showing much larger and longer temperature changes. When the container was open, rats rapidly retrieved food and consumed it. Food consumption was preceded and accompanied by gradual increases in brain and muscle temperatures (~1.5°C) and a weaker, delayed increase in skin temperature (~0.8°C). All temperature began to rapidly fall immediately after eating was completed, but NAcc and muscle temperature returned to baseline after ~35 min. When the container was closed and rats were unable to obtain food, they continued food-seeking activity during the entire period of presentation. Similar to eating, this activity was preceded and accompanied by gradual temperature increases in the brain and muscle, which were somewhat smaller than those during eating (~1.2°C), with no changes in skin temperature. In contrast to trials with eating, NAcc and muscle temperatures continued to increase for ~10 min after the container was removed from the cage and the rat continued seeking behavior, with a return to baselines after ~50 min. These temperature fluctuations are discussed with respect to alterations in metabolic brain activity associated with feeding behavior depending upon deprivation state and food availability