To make a long story short, early last November the lid to my corn snake tank was left with a slight gap and my baby corn got out. I searched for weeks, and then lost all hope that I would find him again. I never did post this on here because I was just too heartbroken to do so, plus i couldn't face any possible negativity that may have come from a thread.

So today I was outside doing some yard work and went into a black plastic trunk we use outside to store extension cords and stuff in, and what do you know.... I see my missing baby!!! Needless to say that ended any hopes of getting any more yard stuff done at that time, I caught my not quite as little corn snake, fixed him up a tub, and got him in all nicely settled and gave him something to eat. He seems to be okay, the end of his tail seemed a little thin, but hopefully that will be corrected with a few good meals in him. I was just utterly shocked that he was still alive and that I found him outside!! He is quite a bit bigger than when he escaped, so he must have found something to eat while he was gone, plus he looks to be going into shed!! He is currently in quarantine, and will be taking him to the vet for an overall checkup probably next week (he just ate and I wanted him to destress a bit in his new tub).

So, through all of this I have learned a number of things.
1. Never underestimate your snakes.
2. Make sure that your enclosures are secure at all times. I have all of my snakes now in tubs, with either bungee cords or binder clips to help keep the lids in place and secure. And I double check to make sure that they are secure after I do anything with them as well as when I do my snake checks a few times a day.
3. Snakes are resilient!! I thought for sure that my snake was probably no longer alive, who knows where he has been all winter??? But to find him alive and seemingly well, bigger and getting ready to shed! Not to mention finding him outside!!
4. Never give up hope. Maybe I never fully gave up, but as the weeks passed, it seemed much less likely that I would ever find him. Especially 5-6 months afterwards!!
5. Maybe I mentioned this already.....Make sure your enclosures are secure!!!