The most hopeless escape case *ever*

The smart guy who fiddled with his locks finally did it.

He squeezed out of the gap he created some time between last and midnight tonight and I have hunted everywhere.

Here's the big problem; the house is a house log almost 300 years old, there are holes everywhere, 'false walls' where layers of clapboard and siding were added later in the history of the house and the bottoms of those additions are NOT sealed from the outside.

We have torn apart both rooms where the snakes are.

Upended fridges and stoves.

Took down a 'wet wall panel' and looked back in the plumbing space.

Gone down into the dirt dug Root Cellar Of Horror, just in case.

Looked in every box, piece of clothing, looked up, looked down, looked all over the other snakes' racks.

He's just nowhere to be seen.

He's a bright yellow Pastel almost 4 feet long and weighs over 1700 grams so we're not looking for a little camouflaged snake, here.

I've got a drinking bowl with flour around it.

Foil/plastic laid down does no good because I'm too hard of hearing to know if he goes over it.

I'm am just devastated.

This is my beloved 'lap snake' Alice who is like a dog with scales.

He's hopeless when it comes to being a 'real snake'.

I am going to leave out a dead mouse *but* he only eats his mice if they're very warm and won't touch them, cold.

I don't know what else to do but pray.

I could beat myself for leaving that one key in.

It's the one he 'picked' and that gave him a difficult but apparently doable way out of his tank/with Lucy lid.

If he's gotten into the walls and goes outside, would he venture into the open?

My dad or my neighbor will kill him on sight if he does.

[neither of them know I have snakes and they are SO phobic I'd rather not tell them to 'be on the lookout' unless you all think it's possible he'll surface outside in the open yards]

I hate myself.

Not your fault, it happens to the best of us. To err is human, to escape is snake. :rolleye2:

But anyway, beating yourself up over it won't help you find him! Calm down, take a breath, listen. How long has he been missing? Make sure you look near his cage (I'm sure you did, but keep looking). Many escapes are found really close to the enclosure. When I first got my boa, she escaped and I tore apart the house for hours looking for her. She was behind the hood of the aquarium. :oops:

Good luck and keep us updated. Don't be too hard on yourself, or your house. I bet he'll turn up :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rebelrachel13

Not your fault, it happens to the best of us. To err is human, to escape is snake. :rolleye2:

But anyway, beating yourself up over it won't help you find him! Calm down, take a breath, listen. How long has he been missing? Make sure you look near his cage (I'm sure you did, but keep looking). Many escapes are found really close to the enclosure. When I first got my boa, she escaped and I tore apart the house for hours looking for her. She was behind the hood of the aquarium. :oops:

Good luck and keep us updated. Don't be too hard on yourself, or your house. I bet he'll turn up :)

---

Having read so many escape stories, the first place was everywhere near his house.

That was easy because his tank is on a table and it's easy to look under/around.

No snake....:(

Then the search went into a progressively wider sweep finally ending with the dragging and searching of appliances.

I'm terrified that the black rat snake who lives in the walls will get him before I do.

It's 4 feet long but very slim [sub adult] and I know they'll eat snakes even though Alice is *way* too big for him, theoretically.

I've never lost a pet before and the not knowing is killing me.

He could've gotten out anywhere between Thursday night and 5 hours ago.
I saw him lounging on his deck during that time span but cannot remember *when* exactly.

What's worse is that he's not a typical BP.
He's fearless and bold to the point of recklessness.
I can easily imagine him going off on a "big adventure" instead of freaking out and balling up somewhere "safe".

This is a waking nightmare.

What if he gets too cold to move and just lays somewhere and dies?

The nights are still really chilly, here.

:tears:

You will shocked at the small spaces they will hide in. My sister's corn snake hid in a box of dog biscuits, not just in the box but under the treats, he is a fully grown orange corn snake and although we looked there we had no clue he was in the box. What we ended up doing was reading in the room his cage was in and eventually we heard the treats rattling and there he was, we actually had to dig in the box to see him.

Calm down, take a deep breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. Good.
Now, QUIETLY look in dark, small warm spaces. Look in shoes, (if he's 4 ft, not likely, but some boots are tall enough- if you're female.) Look in the spaces closest to his enclosure. Double check his enclosure. If it's cold where you are, shut the vents. that is a very likely place for him to go. Place a small, dark box or something similar big enough for him to fit in near a vent. Chances are, that's where he'll go. Making noise will not help you out, and it will only scare him more, making him retreat more. Once you've cleared a room, block it off (if possible) and move on. Make sure you check thoroughly. Don't think "this is to small a place" they can curl up really tight and fit in places you'd never imagine.
Don't leave any place unsearched. If he feeds live or fresh killed, make a trap so where the lid is a hinge and lets him in, but not out. (the opening flap will move inwards)
If you suspect he's in a room, move his enclosure in that room, lid off, and try to make the room slightly colder. The idea is, he will get cold, sense the heat, and retreat to his home. Maybe put flower around his enclosure, so that way, if he goes into it and comes out, you will at least know he was there. Check it at night, as ball pythons don't like bright lights. Maybe leave a food item in his enclosure to tempt him.
Sat up a trap? good. now search in closets and under beds. search in shoe boxes and storage bins. search in your clothes drawers. search in backpacks, purses and other bags.
Finish searching everywhere? Good. now take a well deserved break, and then start again. remember to be as quiet as possible. I know it is hard because you are panicking and upset and scared, but you can do it.
Depending on your living situation and your age, you may want to tell your dad about your snakes. Tell him that if he sees a snake, to not kill it, but to get you.
Most important, DON'T give up hope. It is possible he could turn up in a few months (let's hope it doesn't take that long). Ball pythons can go several weeks without food. As long as the temperature in your house doesn't get below 75, he should be fine. and remember to check small dark WARM places. Check behind the washer or dryer. Check under the sinks. Even check by the water heater and by the other snake enclosures. Any source of heat needs to be checked.
Good luck and I hope you find him soon.

P.S. I am glad i proof-read before posting, because I typed the "s" word instead of "shut the vents" whoops

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kookie17

Calm down, take a deep breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. Good.
Now, QUIETLY look in dark, small warm spaces. Look in shoes, (if he's 4 ft, not likely, but some boots are tall enough- if you're female.) Look in the spaces closest to his enclosure. Double check his enclosure. If it's cold where you are, shut the vents. that is a very likely place for him to go. Place a small, dark box or something similar big enough for him to fit in near a vent. Chances are, that's where he'll go. Making noise will not help you out, and it will only scare him more, making him retreat more. Once you've cleared a room, block it off (if possible) and move on. Make sure you check thoroughly. Don't think "this is to small a place" they can curl up really tight and fit in places you'd never imagine.
Don't leave any place unsearched. If he feeds live or fresh killed, make a trap so where the lid is a hinge and lets him in, but not out. (the opening flap will move inwards)
If you suspect he's in a room, move his enclosure in that room, lid off, and try to make the room slightly colder. The idea is, he will get cold, sense the heat, and retreat to his home. Maybe put flower around his enclosure, so that way, if he goes into it and comes out, you will at least know he was there. Check it at night, as ball pythons don't like bright lights. Maybe leave a food item in his enclosure to tempt him.
Sat up a trap? good. now search in closets and under beds. search in shoe boxes and storage bins. search in your clothes drawers. search in backpacks, purses and other bags.
Finish searching everywhere? Good. now take a well deserved break, and then start again. remember to be as quiet as possible. I know it is hard because you are panicking and upset and scared, but you can do it.
Depending on your living situation and your age, you may want to tell your dad about your snakes. Tell him that if he sees a snake, to not kill it, but to get you.
Most important, DON'T give up hope. It is possible he could turn up in a few months (let's hope it doesn't take that long). Ball pythons can go several weeks without food. As long as the temperature in your house doesn't get below 75, he should be fine. and remember to check small dark WARM places. Check behind the washer or dryer. Check under the sinks. Even check by the water heater and by the other snake enclosures. Any source of heat needs to be checked.
Good luck and I hope you find him soon.

P.S. I am glad i proof-read before posting, because I typed the "s" word instead of "shut the vents" whoops

---

This is a log house.
No vents anywhere.
We don't even have a furnace, just electric heat.

I can't get his tank down but I have a spare tank already wired for heat that I can put on the floor.

I don't know if a cold dead mouse will draw him, though.

He's pretty snotty about his food being very warm....:(

The kitchen/snake room adjoin and are separated by doors from everywhere else.

The steps to the upstairs are what scare me.

He's not a good climber, especially on slippery surfaces and the very old steps are worn smooth and shiny from hundreds of years of use so I don't think he went up the steps but worry he did.

If he got upstairs into the storage rooms, it's a lost cause.

Houses this old had no closets whatsoever and everything we own is in stacked up storage tubs and boxes.

There are several dressers up there but that's it.

Two large rooms are nearly impassable because we store everything up there.

If he did it's not hard to get into the attic and then all bets are off.

It's an archaeological dig up there.

300 years of families stuffing things up there and it's never been cleaned out.

I don't even go up there because the floors have 'surprise' broken boards and holes and wasps galore.

There are 12 rooms of ":O" in this place.

I have ripped everything apart twice already and need to rest.

I'm currently dealing with mercury poisoning and feel very, very ill and weak.

I need to rest some or I'll end up in the ER.

I still hate myself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sama

You will shocked at the small spaces they will hide in. My sister's corn snake hid in a box of dog biscuits, not just in the box but under the treats, he is a fully grown orange corn snake and although we looked there we had no clue he was in the box. What we ended up doing was reading in the room his cage was in and eventually we heard the treats rattling and there he was, we actually had to dig in the box to see him.

---

He can *just barely* stuff himself into a PetCo large "rock cave" so I know pretty much his limits if he's balled up.
He's pretty beefy.

Flattened out, I don't know.

:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kookie17

Calm down, take a deep breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. Good.
Now, QUIETLY look in dark, small warm spaces. Look in shoes, (if he's 4 ft, not likely, but some boots are tall enough- if you're female.) Look in the spaces closest to his enclosure. Double check his enclosure. If it's cold where you are, shut the vents. that is a very likely place for him to go. Place a small, dark box or something similar big enough for him to fit in near a vent. Chances are, that's where he'll go. Making noise will not help you out, and it will only scare him more, making him retreat more. Once you've cleared a room, block it off (if possible) and move on. Make sure you check thoroughly. Don't think "this is to small a place" they can curl up really tight and fit in places you'd never imagine.
Don't leave any place unsearched. If he feeds live or fresh killed, make a trap so where the lid is a hinge and lets him in, but not out. (the opening flap will move inwards)
If you suspect he's in a room, move his enclosure in that room, lid off, and try to make the room slightly colder. The idea is, he will get cold, sense the heat, and retreat to his home. Maybe put flower around his enclosure, so that way, if he goes into it and comes out, you will at least know he was there. Check it at night, as ball pythons don't like bright lights. Maybe leave a food item in his enclosure to tempt him.
Sat up a trap? good. now search in closets and under beds. search in shoe boxes and storage bins. search in your clothes drawers. search in backpacks, purses and other bags.
Finish searching everywhere? Good. now take a well deserved break, and then start again. remember to be as quiet as possible. I know it is hard because you are panicking and upset and scared, but you can do it.
Depending on your living situation and your age, you may want to tell your dad about your snakes. Tell him that if he sees a snake, to not kill it, but to get you.
Most important, DON'T give up hope. It is possible he could turn up in a few months (let's hope it doesn't take that long). Ball pythons can go several weeks without food. As long as the temperature in your house doesn't get below 75, he should be fine. and remember to check small dark WARM places. Check behind the washer or dryer. Check under the sinks. Even check by the water heater and by the other snake enclosures. Any source of heat needs to be checked.
Good luck and I hope you find him soon.

P.S. I am glad i proof-read before posting, because I typed the "s" word instead of "shut the vents" whoops

---

P.S....even though I'm 50, my dad owns this house and is the most snake hating person you'll ever meet.
He kills all snakes, no matter type or size.
If I tell him I have snakes in here, I'm not entirely sure I won't wind up homeless.
They already think I'm "weird" because I love furry animals.
Scaly ones would put my parents right over the edge, I fear.

I know it's pathetic to be this old and still under his thumb but he set it up this way back when I had no choice but to accept the offer of the house that went with the mountain property he'd bought.

If I had to do it over again, I'd have said no but 22 years later, everything we own is here, including a very expensive machine shop hubby built.

I can't afford to get kicked out just because he's phobic.

:(

If there's any "pet psychics" on BP, this is the boy I'm looking for:

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...pastelmale.jpg

[trying everything!]

You might want to try putting a heating pad like you would use for your back on the floor with some flour around it and putting a mouse on it. You would be amazed at how well a python can scent food. If he doesn't pick it up then swap it out daily so as not to get too bad. Make certain to put the setting low enough that if he does come out and lay on it, it wont burn him.

When I was just a lad I had a retic go missing for weeks. Mom was so happy when he turned up in her closet one morning. Yikes!

Best of luck finding Alice. BTW, a male named Alice, anything to do with "The Coop"?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

You might want to try putting a heating pad like you would use for your back on the floor with some flour around it and putting a mouse on it. You would be amazed at how well a python can scent food. If he doesn't pick it up then swap it out daily so as not to get too bad. Make certain to put the setting low enough that if he does come out and lay on it, it wont burn him.

When I was just a lad I had a retic go missing for weeks. Mom was so happy when he turned up in her closet one morning. Yikes!

Best of luck finding Alice. BTW, a male named Alice, anything to do with "The Coop"?

---

Oddly enough, I just got done plugging in a heating pad on the floor after making yet another sweep of the area before reading your post.

A tank he used to live in, his matching hides and water bowl are in it with the currently thawing mouse.

We have mice galore running through the walls and I'm afraid he's going to be smelling them instead even though he doesn't eat live.
[even 'too wiggly' F/T freaks him out]

Yes, he's named after The Coop.

As a long time [35+ years] fan, this makes my loss doubly painful.

Hang in there and don't lose hope. They have a way of turning up when you least expect it. I really hope everything works out for you. I know how anxious it can be.

BTW, when I was twelve the first "album" I ever bought at a "record store" was Alice Cooper, Goes to Hell. So that should give you a good idea of my age. Huge Cooper fan here. I remember watching his Welcome to my Nightmare show on TV back in 75. Went and saw him at Cobo Hall in 76 or 77. It was his King of the Silver Screen tour.

Take care and keep us posted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rlditmars

Hang in there and don't lose hope. They have a way of turning up when you least expect it. I really hope everything works out for you. I know how anxious it can be.

BTW, when I was twelve the first "album" I ever bought at a "record store" was Alice Cooper, Goes to Hell. So that should give you a good idea of my age. Huge Cooper fan here. I remember watching his Welcome to my Nightmare show on TV back in 75. Went and saw him at Cobo Hall in 76 or 77. It was his King of the Silver Screen tour.

Take care and keep us posted.

---

I managed to snag the VHS of WTMTN.
I was watching it on TV with you.
Goes to Hell was a really under-rated album.
Lace & Whiskey [the Silver Screen tour] was another hidden gem.

Brutal Planet and Dragontown are 2 others that didn't get enough credit, IMO.

[but then again, I *loved* Special Forces] :rolleyes:

I am trying not to abandon hope but it's pretty hard.

There are so many places he could be in this house that it's surreal.

Thanks for the comfort.

[and check your PMs in a couple minutes]

Man I hope you find him and don't give up hope man he will come back

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KrazyKevin

Man I hope you find him and don't give up hope man he will come back

---

I dearly hope so.
His empty house is killing me.

:tears:

I found my male mojo one curled up between the mattress ans the bed frame. Maybe check there? My first escape artist LOVED my sock drawer and my pillow cases. Nothing like laying down to go to sleep and finding that!

Keep calm and be patient. Remember, when you look while stressed you will probably over look something.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jbean7916

I found my male mojo one curled up between the mattress ans the bed frame. Maybe check there? My first escape artist LOVED my sock drawer and my pillow cases. Nothing like laying down to go to sleep and finding that!

Keep calm and be patient. Remember, when you look while stressed you will probably over look something.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

---

I checked there just now.

No joy.

I'm so stressed I feel like I'm blind.

We're just hoping he settles down and comes out from wherever he is and goes into his tank on the floor.

I don't think he even understands that he's in trouble.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Salamander

Oddly enough, I just got done plugging in a heating pad on the floor after making yet another sweep of the area before reading your post.

A tank he used to live in, his matching hides and water bowl are in it with the currently thawing mouse.

We have mice galore running through the walls and I'm afraid he's going to be smelling them instead even though he doesn't eat live.
[even 'too wiggly' F/T freaks him out]

Yes, he's named after The Coop.

As a long time [35+ years] fan, this makes my loss doubly painful.

---

Ball pythons are stubborn feeders. If he's never fed on live, he probably won't now unless (and if) he gets extremely hungry. and with it only being day 3 (i think) I don't imagine he is feeling famished right about now. Put a water bowl down for him as well, outside of the tank, so he can drink if he gets thirsty (if you haven't done so). Don't give up hope. Never give up hope, until the day that house is bulldozed (which i'm assuming won't be in your lifetime). One thing is pretty likely- wherever he is, he is probably terrified. I hope you find him, and don't stress to much. This is a moot point, because you will stress no matter what, and that's normal. But try to keep yourself calm. Think positive thoughts and will him to show up.
Also, if you do not mind my asking, how did you get mercury poisoning? (I'm an LPN, still pretty freshly graduated though, so I am trying to keep myself learning)

As mentioned, don't give up hope yet. My girl was out for two weeks once, I tore the computer room apart pretty much once a day, often with help from my sister or husband, or both. Going from one side of the room following the wall till we where back at the door. She is nearly at the 2000 gram mark so not a little snake. I checked the computer room multiple times a day and after work my husband practically lives in the room and we never saw her. Then one day a little over two weeks later I popped my head in just to look before going to bed and there she was! Sitting right at the corner of my desk, to this day I still have no clue where she hung out for all that time? So you never know, check the room his cage is in often and you might just catch him sneaking around a corner one night when you least expect it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kookie17

Ball pythons are stubborn feeders. If he's never fed on live, he probably won't now unless (and if) he gets extremely hungry. and with it only being day 3 (i think) I don't imagine he is feeling famished right about now. Put a water bowl down for him as well, outside of the tank, so he can drink if he gets thirsty (if you haven't done so). Don't give up hope. Never give up hope, until the day that house is bulldozed (which i'm assuming won't be in your lifetime). One thing is pretty likely- wherever he is, he is probably terrified. I hope you find him, and don't stress to much. This is a moot point, because you will stress no matter what, and that's normal. But try to keep yourself calm. Think positive thoughts and will him to show up.
Also, if you do not mind my asking, how did you get mercury poisoning? (I'm an LPN, still pretty freshly graduated though, so I am trying to keep myself learning)

---

He's a very regular eater and just had a medium mouse Wednesday night.
[he got too fat on rats and is now on a mouse diet]

He never refuses and is always up sniffing and begging while the rodents are thawing.

I put water down for him immediately that night because he's also a frequent drinker.

I have been sending him mental messages constantly except for when I'm sleeping.
[which is rarely, now]

I just spent hours sitting out there with the red lights on, hoping he'd show himself in the 'dark'.

I put one of my freshly worn t-shirts in his tank, hoping he'll follow my smell.
[he only likes me and I assume he associates my smell as "me"]

The thought of him balled up and terrified is like a dagger twisted in my heart.

He's never known fear or want, only love and security.
[yes, he's my "baby snake", despite his size and age]

And no, I don't mind you asking.

I got mercury poisoning from eating too much tuna and/or cleaning up *4* of those wonderful new federally mandated eco-friendly CFL bulbs.

Two years ago, I had another rash of exploding CFLs and had it then, too.
This time it's much worse and I'm totally flattened by the symptoms. :(

Not that there's ever a good time to lose a snake but this has to be the worst time, for me, anyway.

I can only search for an hour or so before I go down like a whipped cart horse.

Total collapse.

It's pretty miserable, especially now.

The irony of it all is that, while I was in the bathroom this afternoon, the resident rat snake came out from behind the washer upstairs and and kept slithering around my feet until he/she finally just wound itself around my ankles and laid there.

I could've just picked it up, if I'd wanted to.
It was completely calm and comfortable with me.

I'm "communing" with wild snakes but can't even find my pet snake?

This is crazy.

The rat snake truly is a beautifully elegant, sinuous and lithesome creature and I enjoyed my time with it but I really want my fat old clumsy Alice back.

I would never have imagined any person could love a cold blooded critter this much but I do.

:tears:

I've asked God for a lot of weird things in my life but I'd bet this one tops His "You want what?!?!" list.

*shrug*

He should be used to me by now.

:oops:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sama

As mentioned, don't give up hope yet. My girl was out for two weeks once, I tore the computer room apart pretty much once a day, often with help from my sister or husband, or both. Going from one side of the room following the wall till we where back at the door. She is nearly at the 2000 gram mark so not a little snake. I checked the computer room multiple times a day and after work my husband practically lives in the room and we never saw her. Then one day a little over two weeks later I popped my head in just to look before going to bed and there she was! Sitting right at the corner of my desk, to this day I still have no clue where she hung out for all that time? So you never know, check the room his cage is in often and you might just catch him sneaking around a corner one night when you least expect it.

---

God bless you for that generous handful of hope.
I can use all I can get right now.
[and some sleep would be nice]

:oops:

I'm am hopeful that he's at least half as smart as the rat snake.

I toted him from the bathroom out to the smokehouse last week and he's already back in the bathroom again.

If he can remember where he "apparently belongs" [Evidently I have no say in the matter] surely Alice can remember where "home" is?

I hope.

:( good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by decensored

:( good luck!

---

Thank you.

i keep opening this thread looking for good news :(

I hope he turns up soon!!

I'm so sorry!
Our little Monty is currently on a walkabout and we're a mess too. No idea how he got out, he's in a melamine cage with sliding plexiglas doors that were tightly closed. He was there Wed night, wasn't there Thursday night.

The room his cage is in is our "catch all" room so there are a bazillion things he could be tucked away in. We're doing all the recommended search tips, have water out, the AC on and a warm spot set up.

Snake hunting is not how I envisioned spending the long weekend but on the upside, the house is getting a much needed decluttering!

Poor baby, I feel so bad for you. Having a snake escape is never a good feeling. And somehow, despite my being a careful snake parent { I swear I am } I still have one get out and give me heart palpitations about once every 4 months.

I cannot stress enough, think small, of all the times I've had a snake escape, when I finally see them, it's about a 3" long piece of snake, and not the whole thing. Look up, down, inside, upside down, backwards, behind, between and through.

I had a 6' long 3500 grams female escape. This is an animal you would think would be easy to find. She was missing for over 3 hours, and I live in a mobile home for crying out loud, just not that many places for a snake that big to hide. Know where I finally found her ? Wedged into the 3" crack between the rack and the wall. And how on earth she squeezed her massive body back there I will never know.

People here have found their snakes in some amazing places. Here are a few I remember: 6' off the ground behind a massive picture on top of the frame. Inside a computer. Inside a stereo speaker. Inside a box of clothing in a closet on a different floor of the house. Inside a toilet. Inside a couch arm, curled up between the frame and the padding. Behind another snakes enclosure on the heat mat. Under a buffet along a kitchen wall. Under a refrigerator. In a vase inside a cabinet over top of the refrigerator.

The list goes on and on. My point is, keep looking. But look slowly, carefully and with a magnifying glass. Don't try to see a 4 foot long snake, you'll miss him. Think of those I Spy books, look for just a piece of him, and I bet he'll turn up right under your nose.

Sending all the "snakey come home" vibes your way.

Gale

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hoolym

I'm so sorry!
Our little Monty is currently on a walkabout and we're a mess too. No idea how he got out, he's in a melamine cage with sliding plexiglas doors that were tightly closed. He was there Wed night, wasn't there Thursday night.

The room his cage is in is our "catch all" room so there are a bazillion things he could be tucked away in. We're doing all the recommended search tips, have water out, the AC on and a warm spot set up.

Snake hunting is not how I envisioned spending the long weekend but on the upside, the house is getting a much needed decluttering!

---

I know just how you feel.

Alice had 3 'trunk locks' on his lexan door and for quite a while, he's been using his face as a crescent wrench to turn the interior latches.

We took all but one key out of the locks because with the key in, he could turn them.

We left the key on the side where the door sticks so hard you have to bump it into the frame but he managed it.

He really wanted out, I reckon.

This whole house is a 'catch all' and I have no way to look for him without potentially squashing him in the process.

This week, if the ground's dry, we're backing a trailer up to the upstairs window and going to just start going through/throwing out everything.

There's no AC up there as the bedrooms just serve as 'junk rooms' now and it's going to be miserable.

I'm still sneaking out the dark kitchen every few with a very bright handheld search light...just in case.

It's feeding night and I'm thawing everybody's food in his aquarium on the floor to send waves of stinky yummy rat smell throughout the rooms.

As if there were some kind of warped universal balance, the Fire male who's been off his feed for almost four months just took his second mouse with a will.

[we had to force feed him 3 times just to keep him alive]

I don't know what finally changed his demented little mind but thank God something did.

Unless Alice shows up, I guess my new project is Fires/Fireflies and Yellow Belly/Pastel/Pastel Yellow Belly/Spider/Spider Yellow Belly/Bumble Bee/Bumble Belly.

I was really looking forward to super pastels.

:(



I thought worrying over the life of a snake with RI was bad...this is much worse.

Whether she lived or died, at least I knew where she was.

I dearly hope and pray your Monty comes home.

:please:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Poor baby, I feel so bad for you. Having a snake escape is never a good feeling. And somehow, despite my being a careful snake parent { I swear I am } I still have one get out and give me heart palpitations about once every 4 months.

I cannot stress enough, think small, of all the times I've had a snake escape, when I finally see them, it's about a 3" long piece of snake, and not the whole thing. Look up, down, inside, upside down, backwards, behind, between and through.

I had a 6' long 3500 grams female escape. This is an animal you would think would be easy to find. She was missing for over 3 hours, and I live in a mobile home for crying out loud, just not that many places for a snake that big to hide. Know where I finally found her ? Wedged into the 3" crack between the rack and the wall. And how on earth she squeezed her massive body back there I will never know.

People here have found their snakes in some amazing places. Here are a few I remember: 6' off the ground behind a massive picture on top of the frame. Inside a computer. Inside a stereo speaker. Inside a box of clothing in a closet on a different floor of the house. Inside a toilet. Inside a couch arm, curled up between the frame and the padding. Behind another snakes enclosure on the heat mat. Under a buffet along a kitchen wall. Under a refrigerator. In a vase inside a cabinet over top of the refrigerator.

The list goes on and on. My point is, keep looking. But look slowly, carefully and with a magnifying glass. Don't try to see a 4 foot long snake, you'll miss him. Think of those I Spy books, look for just a piece of him, and I bet he'll turn up right under your nose.

Sending all the "snakey come home" vibes your way.

Gale

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I was raised by a prison guard, later married a prison guard, got divorced and married a welder at the prison who responsible for keeping the bad guys in.

I have nature/nurture OCD about doors and locks...yet this happened.

I never thought it would due to my obsessive lock checking.

Hubris, maybe....:(

No matter how hard I try or how careful I am, I guess I have to reconcile myself to the fact that pobody's nerfect.

You should've heard me ranting to the electric company Thursday night when the electricity went off and I flipped over my snakes having a heat interruption.

I just hope he didn't go upstairs.

Downstairs is daunting beyond words....upstairs is simply impossible.

[I wonder if that psychic Fitzpatrick woman "talks to snakes"?]

:oops:

What about putting some water in your bathtub?

I really hope you find him :(

i know how you feel.. i once lost my new baby.. i got it one day and found it lost the next and it never came home.. it was my 1st ball python.. i really hope you find him back.. you have my prayers..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zeonczk

i know how you feel.. i once lost my new baby.. i got it one day and found it lost the next and it never came home.. it was my 1st ball python.. i really hope you find him back.. you have my prayers..

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I'm so sorry about your lost baby.

:(

I'm not holding out much hope, myself.

There's just too many places and too many holes in this place.

Hubby has stopped helping me move heavy stuff and I'm just about physically done in.

He's telling me "He'll come home when he good and ready" as though Alice was an un-neutered dog gone off roaming for girls.

I'm thinking I should just go ahead and cry it out.

If does he surprise me by showing up some day, great.
If he never does, I won't still be sitting here a nervous wreck, killing myself by degrees spending every waking moment hunting.

If I maintain this pace, I'm for sure gonna land in the hospital.

Thanks for your prayers.

You can't imagine how much they're appreciated.

I would absolutely hate myself too if my snake escaped. I only have one and he is my favorite creature in the world. A pastel male like your Alice. But Alice sounds like a true escape artist so try not to beat yourself up too much. Crap things happen sometimes and we just have to deal with it. Don't give up!! I am wishing Alice back safe with all my wishing power!! Like another poster said- will him home! He will come back, he will come back. You are gonna wake up someday soon and find him, I know it. Sending lots of positive vibes your way.

Don't give up hope. Snakes are amazing at surviving and seeing as it's no longer the depths of winter, he has a better shot. My escape artist was loose for 3+ months when a friend had her and showed up one day with a full belly despite having lived loose in an old farmhouse with multiple cats and 2 border collies who ate any small animal they could find. Just keep looking and watching. You never know where he might show up at. My girl was found upstairs under the vacuum cleaner after her little vacation so just keep your eyes open.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emeraldwinter

I would absolutely hate myself too if my snake escaped. I only have one and he is my favorite creature in the world. A pastel male like your Alice. But Alice sounds like a true escape artist so try not to beat yourself up too much. Crap things happen sometimes and we just have to deal with it. Don't give up!! I am wishing Alice back safe with all my wishing power!! Like another poster said- will him home! He will come back, he will come back. You are gonna wake up someday soon and find him, I know it. Sending lots of positive vibes your way.

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I'm hoping with all my heart and soul.
[and crying a lot]

I've started looking upstairs and found a huge hole in the wall that goes straight down to under the house where I absolutely cannot look.

The Root Cellar Of Horror is on the old log house side but this is under the "new" 120 year old part of the house where the kitchen is.

It's logs laid on a rock foundation with the floor built right over top of it creating a low crawlspace and there's no way to see under there.

There's also an old drystone well about 15 feet deep down there.

I never realized what a labyrinth of sheer peril this place is.

I pray he hasn't gone under the house or in the walls.

Last night I dreamed that I found him and woke up with my eyes stuck shut from tears.

The odd thing about that is that in 50 years, no matter how much I loved a pet, I've *never* dreamed about them after they passed away.

Just...never.

Some kind of emotional safety valve, I reckon.

I don't know what that dream meant.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dracoluna

Don't give up hope. Snakes are amazing at surviving and seeing as it's no longer the depths of winter, he has a better shot. My escape artist was loose for 3+ months when a friend had her and showed up one day with a full belly despite having lived loose in an old farmhouse with multiple cats and 2 border collies who ate any small animal they could find. Just keep looking and watching. You never know where he might show up at. My girl was found upstairs under the vacuum cleaner after her little vacation so just keep your eyes open.

---

Two of my dogs [the Ibizan Hound and the Portuguese Podengo Medio] 'hunt' under the house edges where the black rat snake goes in and out with very serious "hunting tails" going.

If they find Alice, it's a bad thing unless he stays still and doesn't provoke their chase/kill drive.

I've stopped frantically ripping apart everything.

Now I just scan the rooms and hope.

I'm one of those of thickheads who thinks they can fix anything if only they try hard enough.

This is not one of those things, I fear.

I must just wait and hope.

I'm glad your little wayfarer came home, finally.

:oops:

I have a good friend whom lost her snake and 6 months later she showed up waiting patiently on feeding day in the middle of the snake room floor like nothing was a miss. We live in NS Canada and that snake was gone a whole winter where she was is anybodies guess.

You might try in a few days warm a rat (or was that mouse what ever normal food is) with a hair dryer and see if anyone comes hunting for diner.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I have a good friend whom lost her snake and 6 months later she showed up waiting patiently on feeding day in the middle of the snake room floor like nothing was a miss. We live in NS Canada and that snake was gone a whole winter where she was is anybodies guess.

You might try in a few days warm a rat (or was that mouse what ever normal food is) with a hair dryer and see if anyone comes hunting for diner.

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OMG...what a miracle that was!

I'm so happy for her!

There's been a fresh thawed warm mouse on the floor every night, along with his hides, his water bowl, his "carpet", a heating pad and one of my freshly worn t-shirts.

I've even sat out there in the dark for hours, myself.

[it's awful to say but I wouldn't go to this much trouble if hubby ran off]

My Poss het pied male disappeared in the Ohio winter for almost four months on the previous owner. He got out because their kitten pokes holes in his lid and he squeezed out. They woke up and he was gone, they checked their basement and searched their whole house. Nothing. Then one morning he showed up on their steps like nothing happened. And he kept his weight (lost 100 grams) It was incredible. He also was out for two weeks in the West Virginia summer, he popped up in his previous owners shoe. So just keep calm, he'll show up soon. Hoping for the best for your little Alice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foxtuning65

My Poss het pied male disappeared in the Ohio winter for almost four months on the previous owner. He got out because their kitten pokes holes in his lid and he squeezed out. They woke up and he was gone, they checked their basement and searched their whole house. Nothing. Then one morning he showed up on their steps like nothing happened. And he kept his weight (lost 100 grams) It was incredible. He also was out for two weeks in the West Virginia summer, he popped up in his previous owners shoe. So just keep calm, he'll show up soon. Hoping for the best for your little Alice.

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Why do they do this to us?!?

:O

I hope I have a happy ending, too.

Definitely don't give out hope. My cockatiel, Raptor was spooked and accidentally flew out the patio door last summer. My boyfriend didn't know he was out, and I didn't know the door was open. He was gone 3 nights and 4 days. He flew almost 15km away from where I lived. I was 100% sure that he was dead, and I would never see him again. But! He hopped onto somebodies railing and they recognized that he was not a wild bird. They went out and he jumped right on their finger, and then flew to their kitchen tap. They turned on the water and apparently he drank and drank and drank. Then they got him some food and set up a little hospital cage and called Animal Control, who then called me. I was in the middle of cleaning somebodies house (that's what I do for work) but I ripped out of there so fast when I got that call. I forgot to even grab something to bring Raptor home in! But, he is home!

So, miracles do happen, my friend, and I am sure you will find your snake! My fingers are crossed for you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SquamishSerpents

Definitely don't give out hope. My cockatiel, Raptor was spooked and accidentally flew out the patio door last summer. My boyfriend didn't know he was out, and I didn't know the door was open. He was gone 3 nights and 4 days. He flew almost 15km away from where I lived. I was 100% sure that he was dead, and I would never see him again. But! He hopped onto somebodies railing and they recognized that he was not a wild bird. They went out and he jumped right on their finger, and then flew to their kitchen tap. They turned on the water and apparently he drank and drank and drank. Then they got him some food and set up a little hospital cage and called Animal Control, who then called me. I was in the middle of cleaning somebodies house (that's what I do for work) but I ripped out of there so fast when I got that call. I forgot to even grab something to bring Raptor home in! But, he is home!

So, miracles do happen, my friend, and I am sure you will find your snake! My fingers are crossed for you

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Wow.

What nice people!

Some folks would've just kept him.

He's a very lucky bird.

To keep from going completely insane with grief, I just put down a deposit on a Super Pastel.

Not only will I have something "happy" to look forward to, knowng my luck, now that my money is gone, Alice will show up.

[this is a pattern in my life...when I lose a thing and go buy another, not long after, the thing I was searching for miraculously appears right after it's too late to return the replacement]

/Crossing my fingers like crazy too, hoping my weird 'luck' happens again.

:)


[You hear that, Alice?!? If you don't get your big dumb butt home soon your tank will taken over by a young punk!!!]

Don't give up hope dear.

Some time after I joined this forum years ago, someone posted the most unbelievable story I had ever heard. Apparently they had lost a snake, a cornsnake I believe. After months of searching, they gave him up as lost and eventually moved. Almost 18 months after it disappeared, it showed up in the middle of the kitchen floor of the house they used to live in, scared the daylights out of the new owners. Fortunately, they had mentioned loosing him as one reason why they wanted to move, so the new owners didn't kill it thinking it was a wild snake.

But think about that, 18 months of being heaven knows where, and then all of a sudden, here he is like nothing happened. Apparently, he wasn't even sick or all that skinny. He went back home with them, to a brand new much more secure cage, and lived happily ever after.

So, don't ever stop hoping.

Gale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Don't give up hope dear.

Some time after I joined this forum years ago, someone posted the most unbelievable story I had ever heard. Apparently they had lost a snake, a cornsnake I believe. After months of searching, they gave him up as lost and eventually moved. Almost 18 months after it disappeared, it showed up in the middle of the kitchen floor of the house they used to live in, scared the daylights out of the new owners. Fortunately, they had mentioned loosing him as one reason why they wanted to move, so the new owners didn't kill it thinking it was a wild snake.

But think about that, 18 months of being heaven knows where, and then all of a sudden, here he is like nothing happened. Apparently, he wasn't even sick or all that skinny. He went back home with them, to a brand new much more secure cage, and lived happily ever after.

So, don't ever stop hoping.

Gale

---

Thank you for the wonderful story.

I can't ever stop hoping because I sure do love and miss my little guy.

:oops:

Not to hijack but our little Monty is home!
We did find him! Midnight last night!

We spent the whole holiday weekend searching for him, nothing. I set up a heater, water & hides in the room he was most likely in. Nothing. Left out mice, nothing. Plastic bags, flour....all the stuff you are supposed to do. Nothing.

Older son's computer is in that room. He didn't have school today so was up later than usual. Heard a rustling in the closet, peeked in and there was Monty peering out from a wrapping paper tube! He took a looonnnggg drink of water when he went back in his cage and seems no worse for wear thankfully. I was shocked, I really thought he was gone for good.

I hope your Alice comes back to you soon too. It seems like most escapees aren't found by looking for them, they show themselves when they are ready.

I'm brand new to the board and I'm sorry to hear about this. I've lost (passed away) a pet before and I was out of work for 3 days.

I sorta know how you feel as do many here I'm guessing.

Just so you know there are folks in your corner sending positive vibes. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Gio

Put flour where the walls meet the floor. That's how I found my guy! Also you may want to put a hide box with some sort of heating device under it to attract him.

Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

I'm brand new to the board and I'm sorry to hear about this. I've lost (passed away) a pet before and I was out of work for 3 days.

I sorta know how you feel as do many here I'm guessing.

Just so you know there are folks in your corner sending positive vibes. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Gio

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Thank you, Gio.

When my heart-Ibizan passed away in 2002, I cried non-stop for months and then off and on for years.
It's only been recently that I can even speak of her.

I've been grieving for a Doberman who passed away in 1984.

Some animals, you'll always remember.
Some animals, you can never forget.

I guess my worst 'flaw' is that I love too much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by masonhall

Put flour where the walls meet the floor. That's how I found my guy! Also you may want to put a hide box with some sort of heating device under it to attract him.

Good luck!

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I have all that done already and the floor looks like we had a blizzard inside.

Haven't seen so much as a tiny ruffling of the flour.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Salamander

I have all that done already and the floor looks like we had a blizzard inside.

Haven't seen so much as a tiny ruffling of the flour.

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Just hold out! I thought all hope was lost because there was a hole in the floor right next to her cage but no! We found her!


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?an3b5s