Posting from work so exact information is off -

I have a male spider ball python that I bought from a breeder in milwaukee named Tim, who informed me that it was eating weaned rat pups.

I looked at the size of weaned rat pups and then the size of my snake and determined that it should definitly be on a bigger size.( small rat )

I attempted to feed it a small rat and it did not take it, however it did take a FT small mouse. Peculiar.

I am trying to get it to become a strong feeder, and could use advice. I am thinking putting live Weaned rat pups in its enclosure and allowing it to hunt the defensless creatures, and observe it's feeding response and perhaps add a small rat after it has swallowed the weaned rat. Suggestions?