In college we did one of those dumb college things and got a couple of pet rats. After a while we realized it was stupid and decided we needed to get rid of them. Well, we had a friend with a huge pet snake (python or boa but it’s been so long I forget which) and we told him he could have them. When it came time to feed his snake he asked for the rats and we gave him the rats.
When they were put in the aquarium the snake didn’t do a thing. The rats, however, went on the offensive. We had to take the cheap rats out before they really hurt the very expensive snake.
I’ve had a pet rat and I’d much rather have a rat than an expensive snake. The cost of the animal does not influence me. I am glad you took the rats out.