Quote Originally Posted by Kookie17 View Post
Calm down, take a deep breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. Good.
Now, QUIETLY look in dark, small warm spaces. Look in shoes, (if he's 4 ft, not likely, but some boots are tall enough- if you're female.) Look in the spaces closest to his enclosure. Double check his enclosure. If it's cold where you are, shut the vents. that is a very likely place for him to go. Place a small, dark box or something similar big enough for him to fit in near a vent. Chances are, that's where he'll go. Making noise will not help you out, and it will only scare him more, making him retreat more. Once you've cleared a room, block it off (if possible) and move on. Make sure you check thoroughly. Don't think "this is to small a place" they can curl up really tight and fit in places you'd never imagine.
Don't leave any place unsearched. If he feeds live or fresh killed, make a trap so where the lid is a hinge and lets him in, but not out. (the opening flap will move inwards)
If you suspect he's in a room, move his enclosure in that room, lid off, and try to make the room slightly colder. The idea is, he will get cold, sense the heat, and retreat to his home. Maybe put flower around his enclosure, so that way, if he goes into it and comes out, you will at least know he was there. Check it at night, as ball pythons don't like bright lights. Maybe leave a food item in his enclosure to tempt him.
Sat up a trap? good. now search in closets and under beds. search in shoe boxes and storage bins. search in your clothes drawers. search in backpacks, purses and other bags.
Finish searching everywhere? Good. now take a well deserved break, and then start again. remember to be as quiet as possible. I know it is hard because you are panicking and upset and scared, but you can do it.
Depending on your living situation and your age, you may want to tell your dad about your snakes. Tell him that if he sees a snake, to not kill it, but to get you.
Most important, DON'T give up hope. It is possible he could turn up in a few months (let's hope it doesn't take that long). Ball pythons can go several weeks without food. As long as the temperature in your house doesn't get below 75, he should be fine. and remember to check small dark WARM places. Check behind the washer or dryer. Check under the sinks. Even check by the water heater and by the other snake enclosures. Any source of heat needs to be checked.
Good luck and I hope you find him soon.

P.S. I am glad i proof-read before posting, because I typed the "s" word instead of "shut the vents" whoops
P.S....even though I'm 50, my dad owns this house and is the most snake hating person you'll ever meet.
He kills all snakes, no matter type or size.
If I tell him I have snakes in here, I'm not entirely sure I won't wind up homeless.
They already think I'm "weird" because I love furry animals.
Scaly ones would put my parents right over the edge, I fear.

I know it's pathetic to be this old and still under his thumb but he set it up this way back when I had no choice but to accept the offer of the house that went with the mountain property he'd bought.

If I had to do it over again, I'd have said no but 22 years later, everything we own is here, including a very expensive machine shop hubby built.

I can't afford to get kicked out just because he's phobic.