Trouble switching to the next size up of rats?

[soapapilla]

Yes, definitely. What's more, male BPs don't usually need rats larger than "smalls" anyway. And it's a huge error to leave a live rodent- especially a rat!- in with a snake overnight. In fact, don't leave them alone together for any length of time- stay right there with tongs in hand, ready to intervene.

Your snake has GOOD reason to fear larger rats- he's likely gotten bit, even if you didn't know it. He could even stop eating any rats at all if you persist. I'd suggest waiting a week or so, then offering a small.

Better yet, do try to get him on f/t. Rats can seriously injure or kill snakes- ask any vet that sees snakes & has for a while- they can fill you in on the horrific injuries that rats do to snakes.

When a snake doesn't want to eat, it won't kill a rat in its enclosure- seemingly oblivious to the danger (because in the wild, they'd just move on if not hungry), but rats get hungry & all bets are off where they're concerned. They've been known to feed on snakes.

I'm so sorry, I DO feed f/t, I just really didn't want to waste that rat 😅 Didn't realize I didn't mention that at all. That would be terrible! Thanks for the advice! I read that I should be feeding 10% of his body weight. I'm not sure if he has a lot more growing to do or not, but if you would stick with smalls, you would just feed him more frequently?