You won't believe this!!!!

[blb]

Ok, over a month ago my baby King Snake, Queen, went missing. I posted here and got some great feedback. I put out small containers with holes in the tops and a pinkie in them. I must of gone through over 30 pinkies trying to get Queen.

This morning I decided to move snakes around. I opened Queens tank. I hadn't put any new water in but did leave the heat lamp on because my deaf cat Sweetpea loves to lay on the tank under the lamp and look out the basement window. First thing I see is a shed. I lift one of the hides and there is Queen !!!!! I was so shocked! I had gone though that tank at least twice, taking everything out and luckily putting it back in. I think Queen was in one of the plastic plants. The poor snake was skinny but looking good. I quickly gave it water and defrosted 2 pinkies which were promptly eaten.

I love having Queen back!!!! First, Queen is a little over 12". I usually feed 2 pinkies once a week. Should I feed twice a week or once a week again. It (don't know if Queen is a boy or girl. named after the band) really does look for a month of nothing.

I still feel bad, it will take a little time for forgive myself over this.

[Suzy]

First of all, YAY! I'm glad you found him/her.
Secondly, I would definitely go with a little bit smaller of a meal, and then work your way up back to the way you were feeding the snake. I would say 1 pinkie at a time right now, and then in 2 or 3 feedings, bump it up to double pinks again. After not eating for a month, you don't want to stress out it's digestive system by introducing too much prey. Just think of it like a regurge - start slow, and work your way up.

[wilomn]

First of all, YAY! I'm glad you found him/her.
Secondly, I would definitely go with a little bit smaller of a meal, and then work your way up back to the way you were feeding the snake. I would say 1 pinkie at a time right now, and then in 2 or 3 feedings, bump it up to double pinks again. After not eating for a month, you don't want to stress out it's digestive system by introducing too much prey. Just think of it like a regurge - start slow, and work your way up.

Not a bad choice.

Or, you could just figure the snake has gone a month, much as it may well have in the wild, and is now ready to eat two or three, I'd stick with two if it's only 12", pinks at a time.

There was no loss of digestive enzymes, no real stress, just a month without food in the fall. No biggie for an other wise healthy snake.

I wouldn't feed more than two every five days though, even weekly would be ok.

But, like I said and as was posted above, one a week is also fine.

[greenzebra 01]

That's awesome that you found her!! I had a retic get loose once for over a month and i found her curled up in the dish washer. I guess moisture seeking, but have no idea how she got in there.

[mainbutter]

I don't see how snakes get loose.. I guess I'll count my lucky stars that it hasn't happened to me! They're clever at escaping, but I never figure out how they do it most of the time.

[blb]

Thanks all. I will continue with 2 pinkies once a week.

I did put fish tank airline tubing around the bottom of the mess top the other day. Got super glue all over my hands, lol, but it was well worth it. Now I don't have to worry about Queen anymore.

[wilomn]

I don't see how snakes get loose.. I guess I'll count my lucky stars that it hasn't happened to me! They're clever at escaping, but I never figure out how they do it most of the time.

It's the crack or hole you don't see that your snake gets out of. If you don't see it, would not your not seeing validate the fact that what you do not see does in fact exist? Provided of course the snake actually did get out.

Did I just postulate a theory that could prove there is a god?

[littleindiangirl]

It's the crack or hole you don't see that your snake gets out of. If you don't see it, would not your not seeing validate the fact that what you do not see does in fact exist? Provided of course the snake actually did get out.

Did I just postulate a theory that could prove there is a god?

Well, your theory makes sense...

[filly77]

I think Queen was in one of the plastic plants.

are you saying she was in the tank the whole time? or she somehow got back in there on her own? if you're saying she was in it the whole time. ive had a similar thing happen. Within the first few months of getting my Australian Velvet Gecko, I happened to check on him one night (like always) and could NOT find him anywhere.. Looked all over, even took everything out of his tank. Got freaked out cuz he was NOT in the tank anywhere!! Woke everyone up to help look for him.

My sister who is deathly afraid of all reptiles was visiting for a few days, she was sleeping on the couch in our living room and thats where his tank was. LMFAO I remember it like it was yesterday, my sister started twitching kinda, shaking her clothes and almost crying. Saying if its on my Im going to kill you! LOL

We looked all over, couldnt find him so I figured I will have to harder later, as I picked up the sliding screen top (you know those reptile tanks w/ the sliding lids they sell at like petco) he was stuck to the front part of the inside lid. The lil punk wasn't even lost lol

I'm sure you know exactly how relieved I was to "find" him!

I'm glad you found your Queenie!! She should put weight on in no time

[blb]

I really don't know if Queen was there the whole time. One time I took everything out, including the mat. Queen was no where. I guess it could of been in one of the plastic plants but I thought I shook all of them out too.

I'm just glad it is back! I have the tubing all around the top of the tank so there are no little escape routes anywhere.