I have a male Ball Python that is about a 26 months old and around 3 feet long. He has been eating 2-3 live adult mice every 7-12 days for the last five months. Now he seems to be eating his normal amount and still acting hungry. Also the mice just dont seem to be efficient size for him anymore. I have tried feeding him a small live rat after 2-3 weeks after his last eating but he is not very successful. He still acts interested in the rat but when he strikes at it, he does not keep ahold of it. After striking the rat a few times he just gives up and refuses to eat. What do I have to do to get my snake to eat a small live rat successfully? I have tried feeding him a small rat for three months now and have not been successful yet. And the rats are starting to get a little expensive to throw away.

Any Suggestions??
Thanks