I'm sure there are a billion different threads and even more opinions, but here's my take/question on it.

First, I like to live feed. I'm new to snakes but love all animals. My snake sleeps under a rock all week, his entire purpose in life is to make more snakes and eat rodents. That being said I do think all animals are rewarded for completing those tasks. I know it feels good when I catch and eat a fish, I won't even get into my personal breeding however . I feed my snake mice, usually 2-3 at a time. He is 1600g and the last owner said he ate mice 2-3 at a time as well. Of course I also follow safe practices and watch him eat, he strikes fast and sure every time and a few times the strike itself appeared to break the spine of the mouse before he even constricted it.

I want to swap to rats for 2 reasons. 1) They're bigger so I don't have to have so many on hand, which is important as I want more snakes in the future and 3x? can get ugly each week. 2) Rat urine doesn't smell half as bad as mice, mice are gross. Rats are cleaner and as a result easier to breed in my limited space in the basement.

My issue is I want to live feed and I understand the dangers of the rodent biting my snake. I know mice can hurt him but I'm certain a bigger rat would do more damage even faster. I want to allow him to be as natural and happy as possible while still minimizing his exposure to danger.

What do you think? Swap to rats or keep feeding mice?

If you say mice, any ideas on how to house that many in a colony? And are there any dangers feeding wild caught mice to him? My friends and family have more than a few in barns in the area.