My enclosure lights turn on at 7:00 am and go off at 7:00 pm. My ball will only eat after 10:00 pm, about three hours after lights out. She never misses a meal after 10:00 pm. She never eats before then. I would try turning out the lights for a few hours before feeding, and feeding f/t or pre-killed. Leave the dead rodent in the cage and walk away. Remove after an hour if not eaten. Do not check to see if prey is eaten for at least an hour. Also, try a dead mouse instead of a rat. Some pythons dislike rats.

David