Help. Lost bp

[kawaiikidney]

Just transferred my ball from a 20 gal to a 40 gal yesterday. The top was coming in today so I improvised and covered the top with a painting and weighed it down with books. It wasn't heavy enough as I just found today he's missing. Currently he's set up in the living room, I was going to move him to my bedroom. I've looked for a couple of hours but feel completely lost. Basically all the doors were open and I have no idea how I can find him. I put flower everywhere I believe he could be hiding in so I can track and put plastic bags along the walls. I've put his heater under a towel and his hide on top of it near his enclosure. He's 2 years old and I haven't lost him before. I don't know where to go from here.

[Bogertophis]

Having a snake escape really sucks...they're MUCH better at hiding than we generally give them credit for, & our houses have more hidy-holes than we usually
realize before this happens, so prevention is the best. Kitchens are the most dangerous...there is often a crawl-space under kitchen cupboards (use a mirror on
the floor to check) or snakes may gravitate to the dangerous warmth generated by refrigerator & dishwasher motors. There may be gaps around where pipes go
into walls too (under kitchen or bathroom sinks) & snakes find these places (in walls) to be enticing. If you're lucky, he's in a pile of laundry or under couch cushions
but you'll have to keep looking. If beds or any upholstered furniture has any tears in the lining underneath, guess where snakes love to go? Yup, inside! Take care
to check every time you sit or lay down until you find him...& soon, I hope. Good luck...happy hunting.

[kawaiikidney]

Thank you for the info!! I'm currently doing much deeper searches because I was a little frantic earlier and was a bit too light on my searching. I'll definitely take a closer look in those areas! I'll keep everyone updated.

[Bogertophis]

Most of the time BPs don't go very far initially...they try to remain hidden (travel along walls, hiding in/under things). If there's a closet nearby, might be time
to clean it out... They can go between a mattress & box-spring too. Dressers & cabinets can have access from the back, don't forget...& be careful opening any drawers...they can be in there & get hurt. Check bookcases...snakes have been found behind & in among books too.

If you leave his heat pad & hide on the floor nearby he'd be more apt to use it...not as likely to climb back up onto his cage above.

[kawaiikidney]

I FOUND HIM!!!!!!!!

He was hiding in the bookshelf of the garage!!!! he looks just fine but is a little skittish. Thank you so much for your advice! I don't think I would have found him otherwise!!!

[ballpythonsrock2]

I FOUND HIM!!!!!!!!

He was hiding in the bookshelf of the garage!!!! he looks just fine but is a little skittish. Thank you so much for your advice! I don't think I would have found him otherwise!!!

Glad you found him. Bogertophis will be happy to hear it.

PS just wondering. Which book was he reading?

[Craiga 01453]

Yay!!! I'm happy you found him!!!

I think this is a good opportunity to use this as a learning experience for yourself and anybody else who may read this thread...
You can't cut corners with security. These animals are fantastic escape artists, as we saw here. Proper cage screens, clips, locking mechanisms, etc...are an absolute must when keeping snakes.

Anyway, I'm stoked for you that you found him. obviously don't put him back in that enclosure without a proper licking system in place. Give him a little time to re-acclimate and you'll be good to go.

[Jakethesnake69]

PS just wondering. Which book was he reading?

The Complete Ball Python, perhaps.




good to hear you found em. It’s not much fun while they are missing. My First escape I couldn’t find her for nothing. Gave up and was packing up her cage and she was underneath it. Wish I could say that was the first and last time a snake got out.

[Craiga 01453]

The Complete Ball Python, perhaps.

Good guess!!!
.... or maybe Of Mice and Men?

[Craiga 01453]

Yay!!! I'm happy you found him!!!

I think this is a good opportunity to use this as a learning experience for yourself and anybody else who may read this thread...
You can't cut corners with security. These animals are fantastic escape artists, as we saw here. Proper cage screens, clips, locking mechanisms, etc...are an absolute must when keeping snakes.

Anyway, I'm stoked for you that you found him. obviously don't put him back in that enclosure without a proper licking system in place. Give him a little time to re-acclimate and you'll be good to go.

Too late to edit...

I meant to say a LOCKING system. I don't know what a LICKING system is, hahahhahahaha!!!