Whats the best way to switch to Rats from Mice?

[West Coast Jungle]

That's a good point, and one of the reasons I prefer not to feed rats... since most of my BPs are live-only feeders, they just scare me too much! I'd rather feed a (large) ball 4 mice, rather than risk injury with a live full-grown rat. Guess I was thinking of smaller rats, when I first read the OP's question.

I have never fed a ball python a large rat ever, live or dead, that's way too big of a meal for a BP. Even my largest girls get small rats that they kill instantly when they hit them, no danger whatsoever.