"A snake cannot survive on meatballs."
As I've said before, it's your responsibility to give your pets the best life they can have. In the case of rats, that means NOT feeding them off to snakes. How hard is this? Yes, it's 'natural'. What's unnatural is when you play God and pick the doomed rat out yourself, then toss it into a 3x2 foot glass tank with a preditor fifteen times it's size, with no means of escape. In the wild it's natural. Both prey and preditor have the ability to survive-- the rat can escape and the snake either move on or pass on. And yes, a snake's got to eat. But there are a number of companies that offer "pre-killed" rodents. These animals are supposedly humanely put down. That being fact or not, the companies still do it, and offer animals of all sizes. So because they're already dead, DON'T KILL MORE! We may picket the rodent farms later, but personally, (assuming the killing is painless and humane), I feel they're a good idea. It gives those pet shop rats a chance to be loved. Remember; ONLY CREEPS FEED LIVE FOODS.

In the case of snakes, that means you must feed them their rodents. A snake cannot survive on meatballs. I wish they could, but they can't. But, as afore mentioned, feeding livefoods is FOR CREEPS. Not only are you putting an innocent animal to death for your own sick amusement, but you could be putting your reptile in danger too! There have been countless injuries and deaths due to stupid people tossing in live rodents. Guess what? Rodents CHEW STUFF. Including your reptile. Yep! It's true! Snakes don't notice some sensations-- especially when they're sleeping. Snakes have even been known to burn themselves on hot rocks. Rats and mice have chewed large holes into their preditors whilst they slept, leading to deaths by infection or exsanguination, or a hefty vet bill. Most open wounds in reptiles aren't easilly stitched up. Lots of creams and antibiotics would be in your futures.

It's more kind to both, reptiles and rodents, to feed prekilled foods. You can find your snake's food in most (if not all) your local pet shops. Simply ask for frozen rats/mice of your prefered size, and a clerk will scamper off to fetch it for you.

DISCLAIMER:
I've gotten a number of replies annoyed about my rat vs. snake rant. Let me clarify.. Though I am a firm believer in frozen thawed feedings, I know there are some situations where you just cant help but feed live foods. Some snakes are stubborn, and will actually starve to death if not offered live foods. Until bulk breeders start early training and feeding finicky breeds prekilled or alternatives, there will always be a snake that rather die than touch your substitute. The person that feeds snake their desperately needed live food, is NOT "a creep", they're a good caretaker. I was generalizing above, and of course, not all snake owners are freaks that enjoy keeping snakes specifically for the weekly kill.