Successful recapture of escapee

Having fallen in love with my birthday corn in February, I soon being shopping for more. I picked out four from Kathy Love, and after some weather-related delay, they were shipped to arrive at the high school where I teach. The students were THRILLED when they arrived during class. I had the vivs at school, ready and waiting. The box-o'-snakes was opened. The deli cups within were placed by the prepared vivs, and the inhabitants released one at a time into their new homes.

Sure enough, Boz (the male - it's Charles Dicken's penname) found a corner of his lid to be not quite snug. I was placing one of the females in her tank, and distracted. He was contained for all of two minutes when he exited the his and entered the shelving unit behind my desk where I keep copy paper, forms, etc. Fortunately one of the students saw it happening.

I took out the paper in the section where he went. The section was
about 18" deep x 2.5" high x 12" wide. The students kept an eye on
him while I fixed his escape hole. Apparently there are gaps in the back of the shelves. He explored from section to section.

I wasn't sure how to get him out without terrifying him, and I darned sure didn't want him bolting out and dropping 3 or 4 feet to the floor. First I tried putting a hand in, but the space was too small to see what I was doing once my hand was in there. He was watching me, of course, but didn't seem defensive.

I told the students to back up and stay silent. They did. I moved my hand back to the edge of the opening and said softly, "Come on out, baby. I won't hurt you." Now, I know that snakes don't listen to such nonsense; talking to critters is a habit from years of working with horses and dogs. I was shocked when, moments later, he actually DID come out slowly and calmly. I picked him up and placed him in the now-hopefully-escape-proof-viv. The students were amazed, and I think my "cool-points" shot up quite a bit that day! :dancer:

I'd love to hear about others' successful recaptures. Your turn!

Great story! The teachers with the awesome reptiles are always the coolest, so way to go!

Obviously, Boz would be MY personal favorite.

Lucky. No succesful recaptures here.

Thats a great story!

I never had anything cool like that happen when I was in school. Blah!

Thank god, Ive never had an escapee. I own cats so a snake on the loose would not last long.

I tend to go overboard with tank clips LMAO

What a great story! I bet it's being told again over and over in lots of homes tonight And yup, I bet you did get more cool points My daughter had a reptile teacher in jr high school. He always had his school pictures taken with one of them on his shoulder or on his head

First I would just like to say that I think it is awesome that you have brought our slithering friends into the classroom. Educating people about animals like snakes that many people are scared of is extremely commendable. I am sure glad the little one was found and is now safe and snug.

I have only have one escape so far. It wasn't a corn so I hope it is ok for me to post about. I bought a nice breeding pair of MBKs a month ago at the Richmond, VA show and when I got home I sat them on my dining room table while I was setting up their new homes. While I was sitting at my desk in the computer room putting on the last UTH my dog started barking/whining at me (he had been outside less than a half hour ago). So I got up to see what he why he was making all the noise. As I walk into the other room I glance at the dining room table where I have the snakes sitting and I see the female in the little container she came in (she was stacked on top of the male's container). So I automatically think everything is fine as far as they are concerned. My dog leads me around to the other side of the table and sits down a few feet away from where my cat is sitting staring at something under my exo terra tank. When I look under to see what she is looking at I find my male MBK just sitting on top of the dog food cans just chilling out. Needless to say I was shocked and very lucky. Where he was my cat and dog could have easily gotten him if they had wished. Good thing my cat follows Garfield's methods of living "Nap, food, nap, nap some more, food, nap..."

Thanks for the positive comments, all. I've had a variety of classroom pets, and I really enjoy watching students who are afraid of an animal or a type of animal learn that there's really nothing to fear. A lot of snakes live in our area, including wild corns. Lots of hunters live here, too. More than one student has said they've seen tcorns in the woods - and wonder, of wonders, won't kill them on sight anymore!

I love the snake-on-the-shoulder photo idea. Next year......

And, Zoologymajor, I put your signature Poe quote on my board as a "Thought for the Day."