Why not just hold the rat in the palm of your hand? They're not only more secure, but they feel more secure and therefore are more relaxed when being offered. Whenever I have a live rodent to feed off, I just stand there, give it a few moments (or minutes) of cuddling and affection. It seems to help the rats go to the feed more calmly and then I don't have scarred up snakes because I was too callous to be nice to their dinner. Also I don't even hold them in place. I'll use my hand or hemostats to keep them to the side of the tub the snake is in but I don't touch them.