I have a few BPs that take large rats. One being a freakishly large male. It takes a bit longer to get it down but I have never had any hang-ups like that. I would just give slightly smaller rats from now on. I have noticed that some snakes never quite get the hang of swallowing their food the right way. I have a fire that cant swallow her rat unless I pull the tub all the way out. Every time she must use the top edge of the tub to rub against to get it down. No matter how small the rat is.