I feed 15 snakes f/t rats and have never had one split.

I purchase my rodents from The Mouse Factory and allow them to thaw all day long near the snake cages and tubs. In the evening, I take each rat and use a blow dryer to heat the head. I use hemostats to offer the prey to the snakes who totally slam them every week!!!

I have never viewed my process as playing with, or desiccating in any way, the lifeless body of what was, in life, a rat. I do view my feeding activities as necessary given my choice to keep snakes.

I would suggest feeding live multiples of mice given your feelings on this issue.