Cali Kingsnake Escape!

[Lana's_mom]

Well, the Kingsnake that my friend gave me because she couldn't take care of it any more pulled a disappearing act yesterday. I don't know how she got out of her tub in the rack, but she did and now she is gone. I haven't been able to find her. I guess my biggest worry is that I go out of town in a couple of weeks and my 2 little dogs are staying home with a pet sitter checking on them twice a day. Is the kingsnake a threat to them in any way. My 2 little dogs are very curious, and both are 6 pounds, I know the kingsnake can't eat them, but her feeding response was so high that I worry she might try to anyways, and I don't want my dogs hurt and I don't want the kingsnake hurt either. The back part of the house where the racks are in is under construction, so holes in the walls and floors. I have no clue how to find her before I leave. She is an adult Kingsnake, probably 5 feet or so long. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Pyrate81]

I wouldn't worry about the dogs, they are more likely to get a defensive nip on the nose to keep them away. I'd be more worried about harm to the snake depending on how aggressive the dogs get. If they are just curious little guys, they''ll probably just sniff it few times and just keep "tracking" it.

For finding the snake there a bunch of different methods to use:

1. Put flour at doorways and if you see snake tracks, you can get an idea of the general location in the house.

2. Tare apart everything in the room the snake was in. Generally they don't venture to far. Go inch by inch around the room.

3. Place tin foil around the edges of the room so you can listen for it moving over the floor.

4. Place a heat lamp, bowl of water, and a f/t rodent in a location to attract the snake there.

5. Perhaps if the dogs are acute they will give you signs of where the snake may be. I found a lost snake one time cause the dog kept staring and whining at the closet.

6. If you have a rodent room, keep a very close eye on your rodent room and check your other snake tubs as well. I say this cause if it is hungry I would not put it passed it to eat something other than a rodent. My cali king escaped his enclosure 3 times to eat 2 lizards and a frog before I bought him. I'm not saying this to scare you, just being informative as to what could occur before you find it.

Good luck and hope you find it soon.

[Lana's_mom]

Thanks for the information. Yeah the 2 little dogs in the house I doubt would hurt the snake. I will try all of your ideas. I know that they eat other snakes, and have been keeping an eye on my other tubs and my rat rack.Thank you again for the suggestions, I will get right on them.

[Pyrate81]

Righto. Good luck.

[Lana's_mom]

Thanks again for the advice. I found her this evening in the room where my incubator is, its the room next to the room with the racks in it. So happy to have found her.

[Pyrate81]

Gratz! Glad you found her.