Swallowing rat while rat is alive..

[John1982]

I think all of this is very well-intended but completely subject to interpretation: wouldn't "(c)...to exhibit normal behaviour patterns" include feeding as it would
in nature? ie. live? And the "(e) need to be protected from...suffering...& disease" would surely preclude starving your snake that won't eat f/t

Exactly, why I mentioned that nobody has been successfully prosecuted for breaking the law by feeding live. Until that happens, and a precedent is set, interpretation is king - within reason.