Depending on the snake, I'll usually let them coil it outside then guide them back in. My spider female and one of my husband's boas are usually the only ones who do this regularly. With the spider, I let her coil it and then just pick up the whole coil off the edge of the tub and set her back in.

My husbands boa, however, will let go of the rat lightening quick in order to hiss and snap at me WHILE still coiled around the rat if I try that with her! So for her I just let her eat it hanging half out of her tub. When this happens half the time she'll pull it back in then I can just slide her tub closed. The other times I just let her eat. She's over the 5.5lb mark so not huge by any means but I wouldn't want a bite from her. I think she's really convinced that I'm going to try to steal that rat back from her. No, no honey...it's all yours! LOL