I see the pros and cons of both sides. I personally go by the mid section test. None of our big girls get large rats. They get good sized mediums but not adult rats.The only ones to get large in our house is the big boas,the burm and our big carpet. I don't think it's bad to see a lump when they have just eaten. I do however thinks it's bad to see a giant bulge. But if you think about it, in the wild I doubt they see a rat and say " oh that rats to big for me to eat, it'll leave a bulge ..."