What do I do if I lose my snake?

[ViperSRT3g]

Honestly I see nothing wrong with anything OP has posted. Everyone else snapped to the conclusion that he may have actually lost his snake, which isn't an alarming issue. You wouldn't really be able to lure your snake anywhere as they enjoy roaming around at late hours, and exploring the place.

As posted above, placing water bowls around the place will ensure your snake has ample water during their excursions. Doing things like pouring salt/sugar/flour along doorways and hallways allows you to track what direction your snake may have been going in. Using plastic bags can also give you a heads up if you happen to hear them rustling as a snake travels over them. People have suggested trying to lure a snake from their hiding places by using food as a tool. I have no idea if that would ever work, nor do I believe that would work in a timely manner.

The most you can do is provide water, and actually do the searching for your snake. They aren't exactly going to come back to you when called. Nor will they make noises of their own just because you are also making noise at them.

[KMG]

I have lost my snakes before , two of them in fact, multiple times.

How does this happen?


After many of yall get more time as forum members and participate more you will see why skepticism came into this thread. Often we get post like "my friend wants to know...," "my brother says...," "my friend does..." and they are usually people that are embarrassed to say what really needs to be said. The problem is when only half truths are given it can be very difficult to give and receive the correct assistance to a problem.

Snakes escape all the time and the forum helps the best they can in every situation. The best thing you can do in that situation is be open and honest. This is a very friendly place but when a post seems fishy it will for sure be tested.

I still wish people would learn to search. It would save their time and others. Especially on a what if question with an endless amount of options.

[TexanLady]

I can tell you what I did. About eight years ago I lost my Mexican Black King snake. I thought I had pushed his bin all the way in, but I must have left it out just enough for him to squeeze through. Came home and freaked out! Spent hours searching for him. Solution? I have two dogs and two cats. The second he made a move anywhere they were barking, and hissing, and making all kinds of noise. Took me about ten minutes to locate him hiding behind the toilet. Learned a valuable lesson about how to secure my racks, and have not lost a snake since.

My advice to you (and I'm assuming you're like me and would like to prepare for every eventuality) would be to put some water in an enclosed area during the day where you can trap it easily (like a bathroom or a sparsely furnished bedroom), and then buy a really cheap motion sensor. I would do it during the day when you are at home so you don't miss it. Then when you're guy sets it off you'll be able to slam that door closed with him/her inside and then will only have a much smaller area to search. You can buy a very cheap motion sensor with a light at your local Walmart. They used to sell one with a buzzer, but I'm not sure if they still have those. I used one once to figure out which dog was getting into the trash, but mine had a camera. I picked it up off of Amazon for around $60. Was really cheap and probably wouldn't have lasted long, but it lasted long enough for me to find out it was Mohan digging into the trash every time I went to class!

And I do believe that you haven't lost your snake yet. If you are 13 and you had lost your snake I think your parents would be the ones on this site demanding to know how to find it, and then I think that would be the end of your reptile keeping days in their house. Good for you for trying to be prepared! This is one of those things it is better to have a game plan ready than for it to happen and have no idea what to do. Kind of like having a plan for when the heat goes out in winter. It's just smart to be a step ahead.

Also, for a thirteen year old you have a great amount of poise in your writing, and as a girl who graduated with a BA in English who was foolish enough to try teaching Freshman English one year I know how poorly kids older than you write. I have a great deal of respect for that, and I like how proactive you are about your herp hobbying!

[Liquid311]

I will admit I have had snakes get out on 2 occasions in the 15 years I have owned snakes. The first time I was about 16 and fell asleep with my blood python and woke up to her gone... Yeah pretty stupid on my part lol. I found her about 10 mins after I awoke. She was under my bed in a duffle bag. I have been happy to say that is the only escapee I have had... well last night I had my adult male yellow belly in a tote for feeding. Well the fiancée came home crabbing about her day and he was left in there with his f/t for about a half hour. No biggy he doesn't always eat right away. Well going down there expecting to find him with his uneaten rat I open the bin. There is the rat... lol no snake. It took me about 45 minutes to locate him in the basement. I started along the walls because I would suspect they would feel safer moving along the walls. I ended up finding him in a box of old baby clothes.

Prepare for it to happen. Rather be safe than sorry. My animals are quarantined to the basement. There isn't anywhere for them to go that isn't accessible. I am proud to say I have never had one escape from there permanent enclosures.

[Saber402]

How does this happen?


After many of yall get more time as forum members and participate more you will see why skepticism came into this thread. Often we get post like "my friend wants to know...," "my brother says...," "my friend does..." and they are usually people that are embarrassed to say what really needs to be said. The problem is when only half truths are given it can be very difficult to give and receive the correct assistance to a problem.

Snakes escape all the time and the forum helps the best they can in every situation. The best thing you can do in that situation is be open and honest. This is a very friendly place but when a post seems fishy it will for sure be tested.

I still wish people would learn to search. It would save their time and others. Especially on a what if question with an endless amount of options.

Disagree! - Since when is posting a "what if" scenario an admission of guilt. Does your "scenario" happen...sure it does. But it doesn't mean everyone is guilty of hiding behind a "what if" question. And so what if they are? Big deal! A person should never be afraid to post a question on this forum. If you don't like the post, move on to the next one.

Kudos to the OP. Keep the questions coming! That's how all of us learn. Most of the people are here to help or share experiences. Ignore those who jump to conclusions (without merit I might add) and try to put you down!

Good luck!

[KMG]

Disagree! - Since when is posting a "what if" scenario an admission of guilt. Does your "scenario" happen...sure it does. But it doesn't mean everyone is guilty of hiding behind a "what if" question. And so what if they are? Big deal! A person should never be afraid to post a question on this forum. If you don't like the post, move on to the next one.

Kudos to the OP. Keep the questions coming! That's how all of us learn. Most of the people are here to help or share experiences. Ignore those who jump to conclusions (without merit I might add) and try to put you down!

Good luck!

I never said it was an admission of guilt. I just said it makes us skeptical. I like dealing with people that are truthful and not ashamed to take responsibility for their mistakes.

I don't believe the OP lost their snake but did in the beginning have my doubts.

I read the thread again. So Neal said the OP was a brat, you don't know Neal. He can be blunt. Even so, he and the OP settled that and the OP handled it fine.

Keep hanging out and you will see a heated thread get started. We all get along but in different degrees. Some of us really have firm beliefs and are not afraid to state them.

We have some real keyboard warriors here that have really given me a good laugh. This thread was not even a ripple. Nobody even got an infraction.

Have you asked permission to enter the quarantine room? That's where the good stuff ends up.

[Saber402]

I never said it was an admission of guilt. I just said it makes us skeptical. I like dealing with people that are truthful and not ashamed to take responsibility for their mistakes.

I don't believe the OP lost their snake but did in the beginning have my doubts.

I read the thread again. So Neal said the OP was a brat, you don't know Neal. He can be blunt. Even so, he and the OP settled that and the OP handled it fine.

Keep hanging out and you will see a heated thread get started. We all get along but in different degrees. Some of us really have firm beliefs and are not afraid to state them.

We have some real keyboard warriors here that have really given me a good laugh. This thread was not even a ripple. Nobody even got an infraction.

Have you asked permission to enter the quarantine room? That's where the good stuff ends up.

Wow, that apparently ruffled some feathers. No need to try to intimidate with the "heated thread" comment. I don't get intimidated my friend. I am laughing on that one as well!

[KMG]

Wow, that apparently ruffled some feathers. No need to try to intimidate with the "heated thread" comment. I don't get intimidated my friend. I am laughing on that one as well!

No, no, no. I'm sorry. I didn't mean this thread. This one is not heated at all and my feathers are fine. I meant some threads really do get heated but this one is in no way one.

I see how it read to you. That was not my intention.

[Libby]

Dylan, you don't sound like someone "asking for a friend", you sound like a new parent, especially now that I know that you're a little younger than some of the forum members. You've gotten home and you're holding this amazing creature that you are suddenly responsible for, and you have all these questions about how to keep it safe and healthy. If you don't have a parent or friend or pediatrician/veterinarian you can ask, you go online to find answers, because no one else in your life wants to talk about your new baby's poop. This is the right place to ask these questions, though starting with the search tool isn't a bad idea.

KMG, what is this quarantine room you mention? And is it really worth a visit?

[Saber402]

No, no, no. I'm sorry. I didn't mean this thread. This one is not heated at all and my feathers are fine. I meant some threads really do get heated but this one is in no way one.

I see how it read to you. That was not my intention.

Then all is good!