Ball Python escape, could he have gotten out of the house?

[Malum Argenteum]

Scanning this thread, I didn't catch a mention of the fact that snakes loose in a house often head for warmth -- so under the fridge or other appliances that generate heat are good places to carefully look. One of my adult rainbow boas escaped a couple years ago (slid the glass AP cage door open -- locks on them now) and just curled up under a snake rack.

My most memorable colubrid escape was a just purchased micropholis hatchling that slipped the cage and crawled into the attached garage that butts up against the basement reptile room. He somehow got into an empty 5 gallon bucket and wasn't quite large enough to get out, so he was recaptured and to this day I don't give him any chance to repeat the trick.

Anyway, it sounds like you've got a lot of good plans in place for locating him -- I think you'll find him.

[Argentum]

Might also try picking up a live mouse or two and leaving them in a wire cage on the floor, if the other methods don't work. Sometimes I find that the sounds and scents of live rodents get their attention best, depending on the snake. Awkward to say, but kind of like how some dogs react strongly to squeaky toys and others don't. Still squeaky, just not a toy...

[KaijuSpy]

Okay it's morning, there was no trace of movement in the flour, the rat is still uneaten and there's still no sign of him.

Part of me is worried he wouldn't be able to take the cold, it got down to 16 degrees celsius in the night - when we checked behind the furniture fridge etc last night there was no trace of him at all, so I'm genuinely not sure he's even in the house

[KaijuSpy]

After another check this morning, he really doesn't appear to be anywhere in the living room, not behind or under any furniture - have any of you had this experience?

[Homebody]

After another check this morning, he really doesn't appear to be anywhere in the living room, not behind or under any furniture - have any of you had this experience?

I already shared my most recent experience with losing my Children's python, but I'll expand on it. I believe my snake was in the laundry cart the whole time. None of the newspaper I spread out was disturbed because he never moved. The thing is that I looked in that cart. It was one of the first places that I looked. I believe that I didn't see him because he camouflaged so well with all the clothes and because, at the time, I was frantic. I looked right at him, but I didn't see him. He was invisible to me.

So, I advise you to try and calm down. Take a nap. Eat a good meal. Looking for a snake is like one of those hidden pictures puzzles where you have to find the toothbrush or fire hydrant in a picture of a jungle. It's easy enough in the waiting room of your pediatrician's office. Much more difficult when your house is burning down around you.

You bp may never be found. I think it's important to accept that fact in order to get past it. Sometimes, they don't come back, but don't despair because usually they do.

[Bogertophis]

Might also try picking up a live mouse or two and leaving them in a wire cage on the floor, if the other methods don't work. Sometimes I find that the sounds and scents of live rodents get their attention best, depending on the snake. Awkward to say, but kind of like how some dogs react strongly to squeaky toys and others don't. Still squeaky, just not a toy...

CAUTION- if you try this, it can be deadly for the snake. Yes, the scent might attract the snake, but snakes have been known to get stuck between the wire bars of cages trying to get at the occupant (bird or rodent) & they can die trying, because the animal inside is going to attack the snake & may do enough damage to kill it (if the cage itself doesn't). DO NOT USE a wire cage- but a plastic-type one with secure snap-on top- the kind with very narrow slits for ventilation that NOTHING can crawl thru, much less get stuck in.

[Bogertophis]

Okay it's morning, there was no trace of movement in the flour, the rat is still uneaten and there's still no sign of him.

Part of me is worried he wouldn't be able to take the cold, it got down to 16 degrees celsius in the night - when we checked behind the furniture fridge etc last night there was no trace of him at all, so I'm genuinely not sure he's even in the house

If your house is cold- remember that floors are colder than higher up- your snake will either be hiding near a source of warmth- something like the running motor UNDER your refrigerator- which can be VERY dangerous for a snake- or he'll be too chilly to move around much at all. Keep looking- many times loose snakes are not found for a few days or more- you've only just started. I get your frustration- most of us have been there, & once you have, you'll be much more motivated to never allow a snake to escape again.

[Animallover3541]

If your house is cold- remember that floors are colder than higher up- your snake will either be hiding near a source of warmth- something like the running motor UNDER your refrigerator- which can be VERY dangerous for a snake- or he'll be too chilly to move around much at all. Keep looking- many times loose snakes are not found for a few days or more- you've only just started. I get your frustration- most of us have been there, & once you have, you'll be much more motivated to never allow a snake to escape again.

Also don't forget that ball pythons can climb! Especially the males. If your little guy had the desire to crawl around and escape, it's likely he also was inclined to climb up high somewhere. Could he have possibly found his way back into his enclosure and buried himself? I had that happen with my boyfriend's White's tree frogs when I was "frog sitting" once. He turned up in his tank the next morning.

[KaijuSpy]

Hi everyone I just wanted to update you all - we found him safe and sound. He had found a back passageway behind our kitchen sink, fridge, draws etc and was hiding behind a layer of insulation - he was cold but okay - i'm just gonna keep an eye on him and if he needs we'll take him to a vet.


Thank you all so much for your help, the panic is now over!

[Albert Clark]

Congrats! They truly don’t travel far from their enclosures.