Strange that you just noticed (after trying to feed the rat to your snake) that your snake has one clouded eye? Maybe an old stuck eye-cap that you hadn't noticed
before? That might be why your snake didn't strike as effectively.
I agree on feeding either fresh killed or frozen-thawed. Had this been my snake (which it wouldn't have been since feeding any live rats other than pups is 1. too
dangerous for the snake and 2. cruel to the rats, which are intelligent & personable pets too -I had pet rats long before I got into snakes, btw)...but "had this been
my snake" I'd probably have dispatched (euth'd) the rat quickly & re-offered it while the snake seemed to want to eat, but being a BP, who knows if it would have
been successful...it does sound as if your snake was not up to the task today, for whatever reason.
I am not in favor of "knocking a rat on the head" or other methods to stun...unless you are really good at this (NOT an "animal lover") you are more likely to only hurt
the rodent & not be successful. Much like- if you've ever taken medical training- when you try to use a sterile lancet to prick your own finger to draw a small blood
sample, your brain automatically blocks you from doing it, knowing it will hurt, lol...& then you ask your classmate to do it for you & you do theirs.
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