Lost ball python! Please help!

[BallP]

I went to purchase a ball python in person via paypal. The owner pulled the snakes out and showed me, and closed them back up in boxes. The paypal wasn't working correctly and all the attention were to that issue. We drove a half a mile to my house and we made the transaction. I opened up the boxes to double check and the female pastel was gone. She was around 400-500 grams and escaped inside the car when we were trying to work out the paypal. We checked every seat coil, as well as under every single mat and crevice from the drivers seat back. We took apart 80% of the dash and STILL couldn't find her. Does anyone have any insight as to what we should do? He refunded the money but I am worried about the snake and so is he. I would rather have the snake safe. After two long hours he finally went home and I gave him a thawed small rat, and a hide. I told him to put hot water bottles in the hide next to the mouse. I am worried because the temp gets really cold at night around here, and I do not want the snake to die.


Any other ideas?

[Reinz]

Oh man, sorry to hear this!

There was a long thread of the exact same thing a few months ago. It would be easier for you to read that.
The girl even took the car to the dealership for a some sort of partial strip down.

Last, I read, the snake was never found. But each case is different and there is always hope.

[Albert Clark]

I went to purchase a ball python in person via paypal. The owner pulled the snakes out and showed me, and closed them back up in boxes. The paypal wasn't working correctly and all the attention were to that issue. We drove a half a mile to my house and we made the transaction. I opened up the boxes to double check and the female pastel was gone. She was around 400-500 grams and escaped inside the car when we were trying to work out the paypal. We checked every seat coil, as well as under every single mat and crevice from the drivers seat back. We took apart 80% of the dash and STILL couldn't find her. Does anyone have any insight as to what we should do? He refunded the money but I am worried about the snake and so is he. I would rather have the snake safe. After two long hours he finally went home and I gave him a thawed small rat, and a hide. I told him to put hot water bottles in the hide next to the mouse. I am worried because the temp gets really cold at night around here, and I do not want the snake to die.


Any other ideas?

Wow, very tough scenario! I feel bad for all involved. Most times snakes go missing in the home so this is quite a bit more perplexing. Can you park the car inside a indoor garage? That would eliminate a big part of the risk to the snake. Hopefully the garage can or has heat. Try not to start the engine and get as many friends and or family to help. Did you guys check the trunk yet? Pop that hood and get a few high powered flashlights! Were the snakes on the front seat, back seat, floor? I think your going to have to have 1 person underneath the car with a flashlight as well as inside and out the vehicle. You can also try to leave a couple of f/t mice on the floor of the vehicle front and back and both sides. Be vigilant and stay positive. You can do this!!!!!!!!!! Good luck! Stay in peace and not pieces. I hope you find her and keep us posted!

[AngleusGabriel]

I would suggest posting what kind of car you had and where in it the snake was while in the box. This would help people suggest things such that if they have that kind of car and might know of a crevice.

Here is my suggestion, if it is a sedan type vehicle or what not. Look under your seats, then up to the bottom of them, technically there is enough space in some cars that they will hide in the bottom part of the seat. There could be enough things to get tangled up in there. Gently remove the back seat bottom part (going with nothing since I do not know what kind of car it is). Some cars have dead space there where a snake could work itself into. If this was a sedan trunk, once again look under and up, my Camry has niches that a snake could get up and into.

I would suggest using a different car and getting some hand warmers (a few) and putting them in 3 sections in your in a box wrapped with a cloth so that the snake can get to one if it feels like moving any more.

Last Idea i have is when the sun sets, sit in your car, and just listen. Maybe if you are lucky it decides to move and you hear a sound then you would know where to look to find him.

Best of luck.

[Felidae]

Maybe I misunderstood, but the escape not in the OP's car happened.*edit: ouch.. Is that English? *

Anyway, with the car must parking in a heated garage to give a little chance for the snake, and try every tricks what written here.

Here is the thread:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ke-in-my-car-(

[BallP]

the snakes were on the front seat. The pastel is the one that ventured. I checked within the padding of all of the seats. Under the amp, behind the stereo, behind the glove compartment, spare tire place, behind the steering wheel, and every other crevice we could get to. The only place we couldn't get to was under the center console where the cupholders are. It does not pop up like most of the other dashes I have taken apart. There is a lot of open space down there, though.


It is a 2008 santa fe limited awd. I was using online tutorials to take everything apart.

[Foxton]

This is or there isn't a lot of space there? Most of those consoles between seats are usually pretty flush to the floor.

Are you sure the snake was in the box when you left the sellers home?

Making a few hotspots around the car, a hot rat/mouse, and possibly sitting there as still and quietly as possible might be the only thing you can do if the temp is going to drop down into dangerous levels.

[AngleusGabriel]

Looking at pictures of the car on the internet, I assume so but you have checked the back part of the car yes?

[BallP]

we met in a public place. i held both snakes too.

she will die tonight if the owner doesn'd find her. hes been checking every hour too.

im sure she would search for heat but it is 25 degrees right now

[anicatgirl]

Dunno if it's too late to suggest, but I agree. Use some kind of heat and hides and sit in that car. All night long if ya gotta