Here's some tips...
1. Start your search near the cage and go from there.
2. Check behind furniture along the baseboards.
3. Check under the furniture.
4. Check inside cabinets, drawers, shelves and bookcases. Check behind, in, and under any items in these places.
5. Remove cushions from couches and chairs, and check down the sides and back of the furniture.
6. Check the underside of furniture and beds for any holes through which a creature could climb inside the furniture/bed.
7. Check inside any boxes you have around the house, including tissue boxes.
8. Look inside any backpacks, purses, or other bags.
9. Look in boots and shoes, or any other small, dark hiding places you can think of.
10. Check the undersides and backs of appliances for holes your pet could have climbed into.
11. Make sure cage is left open, and place favorite treat or food around and in cage.
12. Place foil around the room (or crinkly plastic) in potential hiding places so you can hear your pet moving around.
13. Sprinkle some flour on the floor in areas where you suspect your pet might be hiding - you might get a set of footprints to help you.
Tips:
Don't discount a hiding place because you think it is too small or inaccessible - snakes, lizards and even small mammals can fit through surprisingly small spaces.
If your pet is nocturnal, consider putting out its favorite treat after dark (e.g. in the cage), turning out the lights, and waiting.
Many pets do consider their cage their home, and will return to it given the chance. Make sure your home is safe, and that your pet can get some food and water if they have been missing for longer than 12-24 hrs.
These tips can be found at:
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/reptilesgeneral/ht/escapedpets.htm
