We aren't all the same ;)
And I'll be the first to admit, I'm not perfect. But I do try to keep my animals safe. Godzilla, it is absolutely your prerogative to do as you please with your animals.
I just don't feel that a snake in a large room with no heat source other then a space heater to crawl on is really not fair to the animal. We've all seen the many snakes with devastating burns, and that was just from unregulated heat tape or rock. I take stupid risks all the time, with myself, but try to do better for the animals in my care, that only have me to rely on. But again, your animal, your decision. Let's not look down on one another.
Back to OP and on topic. There are small traps, much like a trap for racoons only way smaller, that work GREAT. You can safely trap the rat and then do with it as you please. Even if you think the room cannot be gotten out of, the loose snake may just find the spot. Its amazing what they can squeeze through. Or attempt to do. We have seen the injuries on snakes that tried to squeeze in or out of areas they couldn't, and the damage it did. Not to mention that rat may turn on your snake instead EVEN if you leave rat food in there. Some rats prefer "fresh".
The possible outcome of the snake hunting and eating the rat without coming to any harm just doesn't justify the risk, in my humble opinion ;)
