Missing ball python

So.. we are having a major heat wave here and we don't have A/C.. and it is much, much too hot for the ball.. so I decided to soak him in some water in the bathtub (80F) to cool him down a bit. I closed the door and checked on him every few minutes. Well, the last time I checked on him.. he was gone.

The gap under the door is so small I can barely put my finger under it.. I ripped apart EVERYTHING in the bathroom, there are no holes, nooks, crannies etc that he could have gotten under.

Could he have lifted the lid of the toilet and gone down there?? I took the toilet off the floor and could not see anything, though I couldn't see very far. He is around 8 years old, and 1500g or so. 4 feet long.

I feel awful, he is my first snake and I never ever thought he could go any where. I figured if he got out of the bathtub he'd just be chilling on the floor or behind the toilet... I am so worried for him!

Not sure if serirous..

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Yeah.. I'm gonna go ahead and call you out on your shenanigans..

Not sure if trolling

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...0/87fd8631.jpg

or just not looking by the pipes under the sink

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scubaf250

Not sure if trolling

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...0/87fd8631.jpg

or just not looking by the pipes under the sink

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This ^, x2.

what they said, :rolleyes:
but also look in real tiny nooks cause they like to squish themselves up in tiny crevices.

Um really guys? I'm telling the truth. I didn't know how else to cool him in this awful heat. I looked everywhere in the bathroom, in the cupboard, behind everything.. unless he shoved himself under the door which I'm not sure is possible.. I dunno where else he would be! Can a large BP go under the door when I can barely fit a finger in there?

did you check IN everything? Why would you leave him alone in a bathtub?

Not trying to be funny and if you're being serious, you might check in the toilet tank, under the lid on the back by the wall. It's a stretch but given the size you mentioned him as being, it's possible he could have shoved it up enough to get in there. Otherwise, I'd start checking in drawers as in taking them completely out of the cabinets and looking in any possible conceivable place he might have curled up if you're positive that he couldn't have fit under the door. Tear that room apart and completely eliminate any possible hiding spot before you expanding your search would be my advice.

still think trolling is involved. :bored:

Lay on the floor and look to see if there is an opening under the ledge over the kick plate on the front of the sink cabinet. If there is, it is possible he climbed up in it and is hiding beneath the bottom of the cabinet under the sink. The space is hollow, dark, and humid. Just what a snake would want.

In the future you should put him in a rubbermaid with a locking lid to soak. That way its hard for it to get out but you can also put it where you are going to be to keep an eye on it. Dont forget to drill holes. Lowes has a large selection at good prices.

I keep a container for each snake so I always have a place to put them when needed, like major tank cleaning or soaking.

Make sure you check the under side of the counter where your sink sits. It could be perched in the pipes and hoses going to the sink.

I dont think a snake that size could fit throught the gap you described.

Yea, keep looking at snake level. I'm wondering about an 8 year old BP that weighs 1500g.

You're right.. there's a 2"x2" gap under the cabinet that I never noticed.. I hope it doesn't like lead straight into the floor or something.. or we will never get him out. I feel AWFUL. What's the best way to lead him out (if there is one??).. A f/t mouse in the middle of the floor in the dark.. could the smell work? It's been about two weeks since he's last eaten, and he shed in that time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by caty

You're right.. there's a 2"x2" gap under the cabinet that I never noticed.. I hope it doesn't like lead straight into the floor or something.. or we will never get him out. I feel AWFUL. What's the best way to lead him out (if there is one??).. A f/t mouse in the middle of the floor in the dark.. could the smell work? It's been about two weeks since he's last eaten, and he shed in that time.

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Could it have gotten into the crawl space underneath the house? It's dark and alot cooler under there. Couldn't you put a fan facing the enclosure to cool him down? How hot is it in your house?

95 degrees! We don't have a crawl space at all, but if he got INSIDE the actual cabinet I am sure there are heating ducts etc since the floor vent is right under the cabinet. So he could really be any where.

Well that is not good.

You could try a feeder in a clear critter carrier placed on the floor. I would use a live one so it will make noise. Then you have to hope the your snake is in range and hungry. If it is listen for the snake trying to get the mouse.

You can also sprinkle flour on the floor so you can see if it comes out and maybe get a direction of travel.


I hope it doesn't bite your neighbors baby.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

Well that is not good.

You could try a feeder in a clear critter carrier placed on the floor. I would use a live one so it will make noise. Then you have to hope the your snake is in range and hungry. If it is listen for the snake trying to get the mouse.

You can also sprinkle flour on the floor so you can see if it comes out and maybe get a direction of travel.


I hope it doesn't bite your neighbors baby.

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Well he'd have to get outside the actual home to do that. We live in a suburban single family home, not an apartment.

Can a snake sense a mouse in a clear plastic cage, or would one with bars be better?

The critter carriers have open air tops.

Like these.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_4gjnakwin3_e

Just for future reference, don't leave your snake unattended unless it is completely secured in a tank or tub.

Also, how do you live in a house that is 95*??? Get some AC!

Another idea for cooling down a room is to freeze a couple two liters of water and place them behind a big box fan. This will circulate some cool air through the room.

Ha- it's NEVER that hot here (I'm in Canada).. houses rarely have AC here.

Good news- we rescued Nugget. He was in the kick plate as was suggested- he was really wedged in there and has a couple scratches but is otherwise unharmed. :-)

Glad I could help and glad you found her quickly. If it does get too warm for her again, you can still use the bath tub. Just put her in a plastic tub and then fill the tub with some mildly cool water and set the tub in it. It will still cool her down but she wont be able to get away.

Glad you found your BP man, def keep a closer eye on her in the future!!!

Yes.. as I said, first snake.. I feel like a moron LOL. I'm much better with dogs and cats! ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

Just for future reference, don't leave your snake unattended unless it is completely secured in a tank or tub.

Also, how do you live in a house that is 95*??? Get some AC!

Another idea for cooling down a room is to freeze a couple two liters of water and place them behind a big box fan. This will circulate some cool air through the room.

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My fiance's parents house has always done fine without AC during the summer but because of this damn heat wave it's unbearable.
Luckily I have A/C in my apartment.

Why does everyone claim he's trolling, it seems pretty serious to me. I remember when my first ball python was big enough he could lift up the screen top with his head and get out and I looked everywhere for him to find out he was hiding in my shoe box.

If you were a snake, where would you hide to escape the heat?
Remember that he's probably in a place that's cool but also where he feels secure.
Check to see if there's any nook or crannies by the toilet, since it's ceramic it tends to be cooler to the touch.

Edit: oops, didn't see that you found him.,
I'm very happy for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Navy

My fiance's parents house has always done fine without AC during the summer but because of this damn heat wave it's unbearable.
Luckily I have A/C in my apartment.

Why does everyone claim he's trolling, it seems pretty serious to me. I remember when my first ball python was big enough he could lift up the screen top with his head and get out and I looked everywhere for him to find out he was hiding in my shoe box.

If you were a snake, where would you hide to escape the heat?
Remember that he's probably in a place that's cool but also where he feels secure.
Check to see if there's any nook or crannies by the toilet, since it's ceramic it tends to be cooler to the touch.

Edit: oops, didn't see that you found him.,
I'm very happy for you.

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My evil little jerk roamed the spaces between the ceilings and floors for three weeks.

I only found him because I was in my bathroom doing my nails when he fell out of the wall with a puny little mouse in his mouth.

He was cold, thinner, sticky and filthy!

I never saw a snake so happy to see a warm, dead rat pup and big bowl of clean water in my life.

:D