Need help on catching Ball Python lost for 2 years

Lost a Ball a few years ago and I just found a good size skin near a hole that's under my pool deck. I live in Florida so the snake for sure has had no problem surviving. Looking for some suggestions on how to catch her now that I know where she is. Thanks.

Are you sure the skin belongs to your ball python? 2 years seeks like an awful long time for it to be sticking around.

I think so. For sure it's a good size smake. I catch Florida Racers here and they're about 3' long but slim. This snake has some mass and the length of a Ball.

I've seen some water moccians that are the size of a good size male BP.. I'd be careful

I'm pretty sure if it's a ball you should be able to tell by the pattern on the skin. ;)

I live in Florida also, and Ive seen mocassins, and eastern diamond back that are about the size of ball pythons.... I would try to get a visual of the snake first....

dont go reaching in any random holes now...

does the pattern on the skin look like a balls pattern? post up some pics!

About where in florida are you? Could a BP really survive outside during the winter? Where I live in Florida this past winter we had a few nights of below freezing weather.

Cottonmouths and Copperheads, as well as some rattlesnakes, can get quite fat as well. Make sure it's not one of THEM living under you house ;)

stratman, thats very exciting...if in fact this is your long lost buddy, make sure to post pics of him when you get him back.

i would start by putting a small, short, open tank with mice in it overnight and see if they start disappearing. maybe just a few so he doesnt get a full belly. do this once a week like clockwork. if they start to disappear like clockwork, then you have the correct night to look for him. its been two years...another month of getting him to get used to feeding out of your tank shouldnt be a lengthy process.

and of course if you have a wildlife night camera that takes pictures of movement, this could help you identify what it is. just block the camera from taking pictures of the mice all night.

If you could take a pic of the shed skin that would help us figure out wether it is a BP or another (more dangerous) snake. You should be able to tell just by the pattern on the shed.

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Originally Posted by Jakob

stratman, thats very exciting...if in fact this is your long lost buddy, make sure to post pics of him when you get him back.

i would start by putting a small, short, open tank with mice in it overnight and see if they start disappearing. maybe just a few so he doesnt get a full belly. do this once a week like clockwork. if they start to disappear like clockwork, then you have the correct night to look for him. its been two years...another month of getting him to get used to feeding out of your tank shouldnt be a lengthy process.

and of course if you have a wildlife night camera that takes pictures of movement, this could help you identify what it is. just block the camera from taking pictures of the mice all night.

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But what if it's another creature eating them? Like an OWL! He could be sitting outside, waiting for a snake to come out and an owl flies into his head!! *Silent kamikaze pilot!!*

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

But what if it's another creature eating them? Like an OWL! He could be sitting outside, waiting for a snake to come out and an owl flies into his head!! *Silent kamikaze pilot!!*

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hahaha, littleindiangirl, when you have children your kids will be clutching their sheets and pillows at bed time stories.

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Originally Posted by Jakob

hahaha, littleindiangirl, when you have children your kids will be clutching their sheets and pillows at bed time stories.

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LOL very true. :oops:

I found a cottonmouth shed today while on my bike ride (I always stop by the side of the creek where I find lots of snakes)

It had huge scales, and many fewer, than a ball python, while being just as fat.

I hope this helps in determining what kind of snake left the shed!

Here is an idea.... dig a hole near the hole under the deck. Put a glass tank in the hole. make it so the top of the tank is 5 inches or so above the surface. put a rat in the glass tank.... one small enough that isn't easily able to jump out. put a UTH under one side of the tank, and a good hide inside the tank. Check it first thing in the morning. Maybe, just maybe he will go in the tank to get eat, then go into the nice warm hide. Now don't just stick your hand in there to see what kind of snake it is! use a long stick or something to flip over the hide!

Do you have, or can you borrow a video camera? If so, set up video servalence! Whatever it is, you want to catch it!

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Originally Posted by mcavana

Here is an idea.... dig a hole near the hole under the deck. Put a glass tank in the hole. make it so the top of the tank is 5 inches or so above the surface. put a rat in the glass tank.... one small enough that isn't easily able to jump out. put a UTH under one side of the tank, and a good hide inside the tank. Check it first thing in the morning. Maybe, just maybe he will go in the tank to get eat, then go into the nice warm hide. Now don't just stick your hand in there to see what kind of snake it is! use a long stick or something to flip over the hide!

Do you have, or can you borrow a video camera? If so, set up video servalence! Whatever it is, you want to catch it!

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that is a DAMN good idea. what cold blooded creature could resist a heat spot on a cool night? good brains mcavana!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jakob

stratman, thats very exciting...if in fact this is your long lost buddy, make sure to post pics of him when you get him back.

i would start by putting a small, short, open tank with mice in it overnight and see if they start disappearing. maybe just a few so he doesnt get a full belly. do this once a week like clockwork. if they start to disappear like clockwork, then you have the correct night to look for him. its been two years...another month of getting him to get used to feeding out of your tank shouldnt be a lengthy process.

and of course if you have a wildlife night camera that takes pictures of movement, this could help you identify what it is. just block the camera from taking pictures of the mice all night.

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That is crazy!!! LMAO! I didn't see this reply until this morning!!! LOL, I guess great minds think alike!

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Originally Posted by mcavana

That is crazy!!! LMAO! I didn't see this reply until this morning!!! LOL, I guess great minds think alike!

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i was only a part of the way. putting an under the tank heater is brilliant for getting the snake to find himself comfortable with staying there. i hope he finds...SOMETHING!