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SOS!!! Can’t lure snake out of couch frame
So today I was letting my ball python crawl around on the couch while I was sitting down and when I thought she was just getting cozy between the cushions, she actually ended up inside of the couch frame—she disappeared within 30 seconds of me noticing her going between the cushions. This is a new couch and I had no idea that was even possible...and yes I already know I need to be more careful in the future. Anyways, she has been in there for over 7 hours and I’m freaking out....I already tore the bottom fabric open but still no luck at getting to her. I can feel where she is but can’t grab her. I tried to lure her out with a dead mouse (she usually eats live...will I have to do a live one as bait? I am not confident that she’s hungry enough to eat yet and I don’t know what I’d do with the live critter in the meantime), as well as a heat lamp. I even put a cold drink near the spot in the couch where she’s hanging out for about 5 minutes hoping that would prompt her to go to the heat but that didn’t work. I’m in complete panic mode. I need to sleep but I can’t take my eye off the couch in case she comes Out...im worried it could be days and I have work in the morning. I already tried moving the couch Into a spare bedroom so that at least if I have to leave I’d know she’s in that room if she decides to come out but the couch didn’t fit through the door frame. This couch is my landlords so I am really trying to avoid tearing the fabric open. I am desperate and any advice will help pleeaaaaaaassesseeee.
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Unfortunately there's no magic for getting a snake out of a couch. You've pretty much covered the options: temptation with food (but a loose rodent might be even worse!), cutting the couch open (this would not be the first, believe me) or waiting for her to come out (but snakes rarely show up when you want them too- in fact they seem to KNOW when they're being watched & pursued, & hide until you're gone; then you have to worry about them getting into refrigerator/dishwasher/washer & dryer motors for warmth, or under kitchen/bathroom sink cupboards- and then into walls-places even harder to remove them from. Every now & then a loose snake has even dove into a toilet, only to come up thru someone else's plumbing in a nearby apartment- not a joke!)
From where I sit, the best option is cutting into the couch fabric...IF your landlord knows about your pet snake, & of course, you'll be paying to have it re-upholstered for them. This is the best thing for all concerned, including your snake. Consider your landlord...being unable to rent your place, not knowing when your escaped snake might emerge. Not a good situation, so I think they'd appreciate the couch being sacrificed, though from now on they might also reconsider allowing pet snakes. I hope they have a sense of humor about this, for your sake.
You wouldn't believe how many people find out the hard way as you did that upholstered furniture often has gaps in the stitching where snakes can make entry, & that somehow they manage to FIND those places.
Last edited by Bogertophis; 06-18-2021 at 11:19 PM.
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
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Lord Sorril (06-19-2021),nikkubus (06-19-2021)
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The first thing I would try is to put something warm (not hot) near the couch covered by a hide. Something like a laptop or phone charging. Turn the lights in the room really low. Then sit and wait quietly to see if that does the trick.
7.22 BP 1.4 corn 1.1 SD retic 0.1 hognose
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Re: SOS!!! Can’t lure snake out of couch frame
Originally Posted by nikkubus
The first thing I would try is to put something warm (not hot) near the couch covered by a hide. Something like a laptop or phone charging. Turn the lights in the room really low. Then sit and wait quietly to see if that does the trick.
How about the OP in a sleeping bag?
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
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Re: SOS!!! Can’t lure snake out of couch frame
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
How about the OP in a sleeping bag?
As long as they don't toss and turn much. If it were me, I'd have a squashed snake in the morning.
Another thing that might be helpful is dusting the floor with some flour or something so if he does move, it's easy to tell where he went. [edit: carefully, don't want the poor thing breathing it]
Last edited by nikkubus; 06-19-2021 at 12:58 AM.
7.22 BP 1.4 corn 1.1 SD retic 0.1 hognose
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Can you put your hand on the snake? If so a little ice (in an bag) on the tail will make him release an move. If you can’t get to the snake, we’ll do you like the couch? If not take it apart one piece at a time. Sawzals work great but will scare the snake deeper into the couch.
It takes time. If you can’t wait the couch is done.
Good luck!
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Re: SOS!!! Can’t lure snake out of couch frame
My Boa got into my couch once, I could see her but not reach her. I gently tapped her back end with a small wooden dowel until it got irritated and came out.
This was a couch with a pull out cushion in it. and she was in the mechanism. So I couldn't move the couch or the mechanism with her in there.
No harm to couch or snake.
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Re: SOS!!! Can’t lure snake out of couch frame
Originally Posted by Gocntry
...This was a couch with a pull out cushion in it. and she was in the mechanism. So I couldn't move the couch or the mechanism with her in there.
No harm to couch or snake.
What some call a "hide-a-bed"...yes, very dangerous for snakes to be inside- same goes for rocker-recliner chairs (in the spring/rocker mechanism). Be careful
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:
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Registered User
Re: SOS!!! Can’t lure snake out of couch frame
Thanks for all the advice and reassurance, glad to know this isn’t just a me problem. I managed to get the couch into a snake-proofed, mostly empty spare bedroom and put her enclosure without the lid in there as well. Hoping that soon enough I’ll find her in her hide inside her tank. Unfortunately, my landlord is one of the rudest people I’ve ever met and already has a vendetta against me and my snake (she thinks her heat lamp is a fire hazard and will be changing her pet policy for all future tenants)...so cutting up the couch is practically not an option for me. Not to mention there’s no way I could afford to reupholster it because I’m a student and unpaid intern 🙃 I’ll give my snake a day or two more in her fun couch maze, and then I’ll resort to possibly getting the boot from my landlord and spending all the money I have to my name on a new couch. I was able to feel where my snake was at in the couch, but after dragging it down the hallway into the bedroom she popped her sassy little face out to glare at me and then burrow deeper into the frame. Ugh
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I'm sorry you have the sort of landlord that you do, but try to see their side of things too. In terms of insurance & statistics (accidental fires started by tenants), heat lamps ARE actually dangerous. (as are space heaters) It's not so easy to be the manager of a building full of people & trying to keep everyone safe (& not to mention, keep their insurance rates affordable).
Anyone who is a landlord for very long is likely to become grumpy, after seeing all the damage that tenants do, & how many times they skip out (or try to).
I'm glad you were able to move the couch & I hope your plan works. It just might, though don't be surprised if it takes longer than a day or two. Wait it out, & try not to go in there too often- snakes love to hide & feel safe, & right now your snake is pretty pleased with herself- she has probably already named the place "Mammoth Cave", lol. Dragging the couch was probably unsettling for her though, hence the dirty look you got. I can almost see it!
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
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