First escape. (Nightmare).

[MuicyJelon]

I took him out the viv and put him in the snake bag an then on to my bed. Did a spot check, removed a turd, cleaned the glass window & put some substrate in were I cleaned it. Did all that turned around to put him back in the viv, lifted the bag up & he weren’t in it. So I’m panicking like ****, I looked to my right an quickly turned left an saw the back end of him sliding down the back of the bed.
I didn’t know what to do so I pulled the mattress back an tried to get him before he got all the way down, he could feel that I was there then got off dead quick, it was the fastest I’d seen him move. So I’m still panicking an tried lifting up the base of the bed, and failed. (which didn’t help the panicking).
I had to play the waiting game for about 5-10 minutes, so I’ve got a torch & I’m down on me knees with my head pressed against the floor checking to see where about he was going, I phoned my Dad to get him to lift the base of the bed, it was 2:30am so he wasn’t pleased.
As I’m waiting for him to come up to us I was checking where his head was, an the torch was sort of pointed at his face, an he struck at it.
So ye, Dad came up lifted the base up and then I just put him back in the viv, he felt a bit cold. He was out for about 25 - 30 minutes. Will definitely be putting something down by the bed to prevent him getting back under there just in case he manages to do it again.

Is it possible that he’d gotten/caught something whilst he was down on the floor (carpet)?




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[Bogertophis]

...Is it possible that he’d gotten/caught something whilst he was down on the floor (carpet)? ...

You are asking if he might have "caught a cold" while on the loose? I wouldn't worry about it. Germs cause illnesses, not cool temperatures per se, & I don't think his
immune system was depressed for long enough to do any harm.

You're lucky you were right there & caught him quickly though, & I hope you remember that snakes learn their way around...he will likely remember how he got loose this
time & will try it again. How did he get out of the bag, anyway? Whenever I bag my snakes (like when I've moved cross-country, or taken them to programs), the way I secure them is that I first use a twist-wire around the loose end (make sure the snake is well out of the way), and then take that part of the bag & fold it over onto itself, & wrap a strong rubber band tightly around that...I've never had a snake escape, & I find this is also far easier to undo than actually tying knots in the fabric bags.

Snakes often move very quickly when they sense they're escaping...especially because it scares them even more to be pursued (even by those they "know").
It's just instinctive. One thing, if a snake starts going into a crevice or hole, it's important to never pull them out...you need to restrain them from going forward & hope they take the hint and back up, but if you pull on them with much force, you can dislocate all sorts of bones or organs, not realizing your own strength. Actually, it's just better to prevent the whole escape. Was there a hole in the bag?

[MuicyJelon]

You are asking if he might have "caught a cold" while on the loose? I wouldn't worry about it. Germs cause illnesses, not cool temperatures per se, & I don't think his
immune system was depressed for long enough to do any harm.

You're lucky you were right there & caught him quickly though, & I hope you remember that snakes learn their way around...he will likely remember how he got loose this
time & will try it again. How did he get out of the bag, anyway? Whenever I bag my snakes (like when I've moved cross-country, or taken them to programs), the way I secure them is that I first use a twist-wire around the loose end (make sure the snake is well out of the way), and then take that part of the bag & fold it over onto itself, & wrap a strong rubber band tightly around that...I've never had a snake escape, & I find this is also far easier to undo than actually tying knots in the fabric bags.

Snakes often move very quickly when they sense they're escaping...especially because it scares them even more to be pursued (even by those they "know").
It's just instinctive. One thing, if a snake starts going into a crevice or hole, it's important to never pull them out...you need to restrain them from going forward & hope they take the hint and back up, but if you pull on them with much force, you can dislocate all sorts of bones or organs, not realizing your own strength. Actually, it's just better to prevent the whole escape. Was there a hole in the bag?

No there isn’t a hole in the bag I just didn’t tighten the strings enough on it & he pushed through the knot. Will start using a rubber band as well.
I didn’t pull on him, I tried to slide my hand under him an lift him, I couldn’t so I just let him go.
100% my fault.
Will be putting wood or something underneath the bed so he can’t get under there as a precaution.
I just wanted to make sure that he’ll be alright, health wise.


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[Bogertophis]

I would think so (that he'll be fine). And yeah, that bag wasn't much of a challenge, lol...

That looks like it might be too small of a bag...just adding a rubber-band (without folding the open end over itself) won't likely contain him.
Rubber-bands stretch, & snakes can be mighty pushy.

[MarkL1561]

Don’t use a bag. Go to Wallyworld and get a ziplock locking bin. They have four clamps that lock in place making it impossible for the snake to escape. Make sure to drill holes on the sides of course. Next time don’t rush to pull the snake as you could have severely injured him. You already knew where he was so use a snake hook to reach back and grab him if your arm doesn’t reach. It kinda sounds like you might have overreacted which is understandable when you’re new to keeping animals. If it ever happens again try not to panic as it can result in you unintentionally hurting the snake. Seriously though the bins are like $5, great investment imo haha


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[MuicyJelon]

Don’t use a bag. Go to Wallyworld and get a ziplock locking bin. They have four clamps that lock in place making it impossible for the snake to escape. Make sure to drill holes on the sides of course. Next time don’t rush to pull the snake as you could have severely injured him. You already knew where he was so use a snake hook to reach back and grab him if your arm doesn’t reach. It kinda sounds like you might have overreacted which is understandable when you’re new to keeping animals. If it ever happens again try not to panic as it can result in you unintentionally hurting the snake. Seriously though the bins are like $5, great investment imo haha


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From the looks of it. He’s acting normal so I doubt there’d be something wrong with him. I didn’t pull I just tried lifting him.
I don’t know what Wallyworld is, we don’t have that here in England. But I’ve got a few of the RUB boxes if that’s the sort of thing you’re describing.


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[Bogertophis]

I guess they're making plastic bins better than they used to...I've known snakes to push their way out of them (not my snakes) & get injured in the process...that's
why I do things the way I do...but a really secure bin is fine too as Mark described. Whatever you're comfortable with. Bins just don't always fit when you're moving,
shipping or traveling & need to minimize space.

[Bogertophis]

Wallyworld is Walmart...(or where the Griswold's took a vacation in the movie Vacation, LOL)

[MuicyJelon]

Wallyworld is Walmart...(or where the Griswold's took a vacation in the movie Vacation, LOL)

We don’t have Walmart either. We’ve got Asda whose parent company is Walmart.
Funny movie that.


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[Bogertophis]

We don’t have Walmart either. We’ve got Asda whose parent company is Walmart.
Funny movie that.


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Yup, a classic (movie).