Hola!

So I'm between a bit of a rock and a hard place. My lovely ball python who I have now had about 2 months is growing wonderfully, and has now gained a bit over 100 grams since I got him, resting today at a solid 266 grams from the 146 he was at time of purchase. I have been giving him as large of mice as I can get at my pet store, all falling between 10 and 15% of his body weight, every 5 days. He's starting to look much more round and much less triangular.

Except, now, the largest I can find is 26 grams - 9% of his body weight, since he's grown so much. It's not enough for him, especially growing like he is. That's my problem - the next size up anywhere I can go without ordering online is a small rat. Online ordering, while I plan to do so once he's on small rats consistently (so I can place a large order) would not at all be logical quite yet, as he's still growing - so ordering a handful of rat weanlings would end up incredibly pricey.

Here is my question. Is it safe to feed a small rat at this point, or are they too large? I'll post a pic I took of him last week on my laptop for scale. My other choice would be to feed something a little less - use up the large mice I have bought, but feed them every 4 days instead of 5 until he's up to a safer weight. Or feed a large mouse, and then a fuzzy mouse or something? All of the sizing charts say he should be getting at the 15% end something that's about 40 grams - and that's about as small as small rats come, it looks like they're 40-60 grams. What would happen if he ate something too big for himself? This week he is getting the large mouse, but next feeding they will definitely be too small. Sorry if this is a dumb question, I want to feed what's best and I'm unsure The one he was fed today even just looks so little for him.

Here's a picture of the little guy, as well as one of him eating today. Not a great pic since he's halfway in his hide, but best I could do. Also one of him right as he's done eating - you can see the mouse didn't make much of a bump! Suggestions appreciated.