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Escapee!

littlebreezy

littlebreezy

New member
I recently got a baby Amel (about 3 months old, 1/2" by ~14"), cute as can be, but it seems I really shot myself in the foot by naming him Loki. He escaped earlier in the week, and we found him one room over, not having even realized he had gotten out. He got put back into his viv, and the gap we think he might have wriggled through was reenforced with duct tape.

Last night I saw him when I got home in the evening, but left him alone because he ate on tuesday and was still lumpy. This morning, I go to check on him and there is *no snake* in the viv. We've poked around several piles of clothes, checked a few heating vents, and gotten my younger brother to swear to step gently. We have also set up his viv on it's side in one part of my room, and a small heat pad with a hide on it and his water dish near it in another. Is there anything else anyone could suggest? I know the chances of finding him are slim, but I'd like to do anything possible to increase our chances.

(and now an unnecessary but cute picture)
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Sounds stupid, but...Are you totally, positively sure that Loki isn't deep in Aspen digesting? Or perhaps you have some kind of decor that he might me up in?
 
We pretty much combed and sifted the bedding, as it's only a 20 gal tank. Thanks for the idiot check though, because that would be pretty silly of us.
 
You need to keep him in something else that he can't escape from until you get a different viv, now. Tape won't keep a snake in. Now that he's escaped twice, he is going to be VERY sure he can do it again and very determined. You are very lucky to have recovered him two times- next time you may not be so lucky.
 
Congrats on finding your escapee!

Don Soderberg has an interesting chapter in his book devoted to ways to find an escaped snake. I haven't had to try any yet, but they seem pretty interesting. Was wondering if anyone else has tried any of his methods?
 
Right now he is in the perforated salad container he came in from the breeder, sitting inside his old viv, and yes I am very aware how lucky I am. The current plan is to switch him to a much higher-walled viv with a better locking lid, and to keep climbing-structures much lower than they were.
 
You can't ever count on him not being able to reach the top- they can climb straight up in the corners without having anything to climb on. That's the whole purpose of having ribs down the entire body- to make them stiff so they can support their body and reach across large distances without anything to hang on to!

Those Zilla cages are _perfect_ for keeping snakes in.
 
Last weekend the Mister and I watched an itty bitty corn snake climb straight up the back wall of a PetCo cage! We could see his belly scales sticking straight out as hooks, holding onto the back wall. It was amazing, and also quite the exhibition of how agile these 'escape artists' truly are! Check with you local PetCo, as the Zilla Locking lid tanks have been on sale (in our area anyway...maybe yours too)!
 
I second the motion for a Zilla Critter Cage, if you can afford one. They are wonderful and you won't have to worry about your snake escaping again.

They really are amazing escape artists, too. One night we watched Sienna climb the glass of her viv without any means of support. Her entire body was stuck to the side of the viv. So your snake can reach the top of any cage/tank without any climbing branches at all.
 
that is a gorgeous snake omg. it would suck to not have it. There is a hole on the top of my Dazy's coconut husk. I thought it was way to small for her to get through and then I watched her sneak right through. She has not excaped the viv yet, but given the chance i suppose she will.
 
I'm the third vote for a zilla! I absolutely love mine and the only thing that i could see myself getting besides a zilla, is a Boaphile
 
Another one for the Zilla critter cage... I would feel safe with even a baby corn in one. The way it snaps let's you know it's shut all the way, and you can even get a lock for it... Worth the money IMO
 
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definitely switch out cages, and as others have said, higher won't be better. i, too, have watched an itty bitty corn snake climb straight up the corner of a tank.
 
I also vote on the zilla. I had been using just a tank with a screen top and a coupe of locks. got a cheap zilla at a reptile expo and I dont know if im ever going back. Even if it cant get out of a reg one zilla makes life soooo much easier
 
I've had my snake in a 29 gallon fishtank since he was the size of your guy. I bought a screen clip on top from Petco and realized that the open corners and loos fit on the top would be a problem. I got some foam rubber weatherstrip and ran it around the top of the tank so when I pet the top on it's compressed with no gaps. Snakey climbed up the temp probe and tried to sneak out with the cord, but there was no way.
Might work for you if you're low on cash and looking for a cheap fix for a similar setup.
 
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