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Lost snake
- Thread starter DollysMom
- Start date
MysticExotics
(formerly NWHeather)
Babies can be good at escaping. I have a couple stories.
The first, I was when I was renting an old farmhouse, that was two stories tall. I had the snakes in an upstairs bedroom. I had this tiny hatchling, that on feeding day, wasn't going to wait for feeding, and she squeezed through a tiny gap in the hatchling rack. I tore the room apart but couldn't find her. I set up a bottle trap in the snake room and went downstairs to the main floor. Later that night, I was watching a movie, and saw movement on the floor. There she was!
A few weeks later, she did the same thing, and escaped on feeding day! UGH!
I searched for her, and could not find her. It was winter, and after a couple weeks, I started to think that I wasn't going to find her.
We had a big snowfall, and I was about to go out the door to the back deck. It was right next to the wood stove, in the living room. I picked up the rolled towel that was at the base of the door to stop drafts, and guess who was curled up under the towel? She was cold and hungry, but she was fine.
I moved her to a different spot on the rack, with a tighter fit, and she didn't escape again after that.
The other story was here in my house that I now own. It was the first winter I was here. November, if I recall. I didn't close a bin all of the way, and a hatchling got out. I searched everywhere, and could not find her. A few months went by, and I thought she was long gone.
Springtime rolls around, and I went out the back door to let the dogs out into the back yard, and I look down next to the porch, outside, and there she was, curled up next to the porch. She must have brumated herself over winter.
I got her warmed up, and back on a feeding schedule (I took it slow since she hadn't eaten in a few months), she is doing well now!
Search at night, that is when they are most active.
One more story.
A friend of mine, local breeder, had a Cornsnake get out, and after 8 months, thought the snake was long gone. Turns out, a neighbor found him in his wood pile, outside!
Alive and well.
Don't give up!
The first, I was when I was renting an old farmhouse, that was two stories tall. I had the snakes in an upstairs bedroom. I had this tiny hatchling, that on feeding day, wasn't going to wait for feeding, and she squeezed through a tiny gap in the hatchling rack. I tore the room apart but couldn't find her. I set up a bottle trap in the snake room and went downstairs to the main floor. Later that night, I was watching a movie, and saw movement on the floor. There she was!
A few weeks later, she did the same thing, and escaped on feeding day! UGH!
I searched for her, and could not find her. It was winter, and after a couple weeks, I started to think that I wasn't going to find her.
We had a big snowfall, and I was about to go out the door to the back deck. It was right next to the wood stove, in the living room. I picked up the rolled towel that was at the base of the door to stop drafts, and guess who was curled up under the towel? She was cold and hungry, but she was fine.
I moved her to a different spot on the rack, with a tighter fit, and she didn't escape again after that.
The other story was here in my house that I now own. It was the first winter I was here. November, if I recall. I didn't close a bin all of the way, and a hatchling got out. I searched everywhere, and could not find her. A few months went by, and I thought she was long gone.
Springtime rolls around, and I went out the back door to let the dogs out into the back yard, and I look down next to the porch, outside, and there she was, curled up next to the porch. She must have brumated herself over winter.
I got her warmed up, and back on a feeding schedule (I took it slow since she hadn't eaten in a few months), she is doing well now!
Search at night, that is when they are most active.
One more story.
A friend of mine, local breeder, had a Cornsnake get out, and after 8 months, thought the snake was long gone. Turns out, a neighbor found him in his wood pile, outside!
Alive and well.
Don't give up!
DollysMom
It never gets old!
Thanks so much for those wonderful found snake stories, Mystic! So hopeful. I know snakes can be found even a year later. Dolly ate Saturday night and is a healthy weight at 60 grams and an inch over two feet. I still have his next feeding on Friday on my calendar, but I had to turn off the daily care reminders. Just too painful for my phone to keep beeping me with those. I'll put them back when I find him.
We just discovered a few days ago that mice were coming into the basement. So we closed the hole and put out traps in the basement. Needless to say, we got rid of the traps. I'd rather have mice than a dead snake in a trap. So we know there is food in the neighborhood if not in the house. The basement, attic and enclosed back porch all get cold but do not freeze in the winter, so brumation is a possibility. The other household member is a clutterer and we are doing major decluttering right now. The good news is that nothing leaves the house without going though each piece of paper, and every item. Every piece of laundry will be shaken out and inspected as well.
I already know that if Dolly is not found soon, I will get another corn snake (Tinley is only 3.5 weeks away), but even that doesn't mean I will stop looking. If that happens and Dolly is found, I will have two corn snakes. There is no replacing Dolly, but for me I know I can't live too long with an empty viv.
I dearly hope Dolly is found soon. My son is coming over tomorrow to help look. Maybe we'll have a miracle.
We just discovered a few days ago that mice were coming into the basement. So we closed the hole and put out traps in the basement. Needless to say, we got rid of the traps. I'd rather have mice than a dead snake in a trap. So we know there is food in the neighborhood if not in the house. The basement, attic and enclosed back porch all get cold but do not freeze in the winter, so brumation is a possibility. The other household member is a clutterer and we are doing major decluttering right now. The good news is that nothing leaves the house without going though each piece of paper, and every item. Every piece of laundry will be shaken out and inspected as well.
I already know that if Dolly is not found soon, I will get another corn snake (Tinley is only 3.5 weeks away), but even that doesn't mean I will stop looking. If that happens and Dolly is found, I will have two corn snakes. There is no replacing Dolly, but for me I know I can't live too long with an empty viv.
I dearly hope Dolly is found soon. My son is coming over tomorrow to help look. Maybe we'll have a miracle.
DollysMom
It never gets old!
Lol. I just gave my bedroom and living room a thorough cleaning last week and now I'm on my hands and knees shoving crinkly old grocery bags under the bed, dressers and couch! My house is decorated in blue tape and before bed tonight I'll be sprinkling flour across doorways. I do see some humor in this!
Hikari
New member
Just now read about Dolly. I hope you find him soon! Really sucks when a pet goes missing. I haven't had my snake long enough to have any escape stories (and I hope I never will), but years ago my Basset Hound got loose. I remember how nerve-wracking that was. She thankfully found her way back home. Sending positive vibes your way and hoping Dolly finds his way back too. Or, at the very least that you find him in all that painters tape you put down. Good luck!
jagodzinski
New member
Sending hugs your way DollysMom. I hope you find him - sounds like you are doing everything right. Good luck and don't lose hope.
DollysMom
It never gets old!
Thanks for the prayers. It means a lot. I keep checking the hides in the viv and the ones I put on the floor.
Thanks so much for the hugs.
I know they turn up when you least expect it, especially after a few days have passed. Dolly's viv is waiting for him. Velcro straps are ready
.
DollysMom
It never gets old!
Thank you so much Haight. Your prayers are very appreciated.
Thankfully I have not had any escape attempts yet that have resulted in a lost snake. But I have come pretty darn close. Mostly when I have Lady out and about for some exercise and I just look away for a moment then turn back to find her completely disappeared.
I posted a video of one, to show an example of how, quickly they can disappear into the tiniest of places of be so completely hidden you'd never see them if you didn't go poking about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG6aJxDk1H8
That was the first time. The second time... it took me a lot longer, and a lot more panicking to find her. She was snoozing on my desk, and I had seen her start to move off but I got distracted by work and took my off her. So she did the inevitable.. and went to the place she always tries to go that I never let her go. Behind the monitor with all the fun cables to climb. So. I'm thinking she fell behind my desk (cause we know how great a climber they really are, right?) and this this is like.. 300lbs of solid wood. I'm freaking out, how do I tell my husband, what am I going to do? this is a horrible place to lose her because she could get crushed under my desk chair... literally every worse case scenario running through my head. I'm pulling my hair out looking and trying to wiggle and climb behid my desk to look for her with a flashlight.....
Know where she was? Coiled up inside the monitor's base. The base is a big flat circle with an arm up for the monitor, and a speaker bar filling the space between. she'd managed to wedge herself between the speaker and the base arm into a tiny little ball of stripes. Finally had to poke her with a chopstick to make her come out. All in all.. less than 8 inches away from the last place I had seen her. In a crevice I never would have looked in. Also, I find she is most active about 2-4 hours after dark is when she starts moving about to explore.
I posted a video of one, to show an example of how, quickly they can disappear into the tiniest of places of be so completely hidden you'd never see them if you didn't go poking about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG6aJxDk1H8
That was the first time. The second time... it took me a lot longer, and a lot more panicking to find her. She was snoozing on my desk, and I had seen her start to move off but I got distracted by work and took my off her. So she did the inevitable.. and went to the place she always tries to go that I never let her go. Behind the monitor with all the fun cables to climb. So. I'm thinking she fell behind my desk (cause we know how great a climber they really are, right?) and this this is like.. 300lbs of solid wood. I'm freaking out, how do I tell my husband, what am I going to do? this is a horrible place to lose her because she could get crushed under my desk chair... literally every worse case scenario running through my head. I'm pulling my hair out looking and trying to wiggle and climb behid my desk to look for her with a flashlight.....
Know where she was? Coiled up inside the monitor's base. The base is a big flat circle with an arm up for the monitor, and a speaker bar filling the space between. she'd managed to wedge herself between the speaker and the base arm into a tiny little ball of stripes. Finally had to poke her with a chopstick to make her come out. All in all.. less than 8 inches away from the last place I had seen her. In a crevice I never would have looked in. Also, I find she is most active about 2-4 hours after dark is when she starts moving about to explore.
DollysMom
It never gets old!
Yep, been doing that. It truly is like looking for a needle n a haystack. Thanks for the encouragement!
No, just went on a night raid here. Still no sign. I assure everyone here, when he's found the second thing I do, the first is to secure him in his viv, is to come here and let everyone know. Thanks for the crossed fingers!
I've been looking anywhere a tv or anything is warm like that for sure. Not a sign of him. Still, the found stories give a lot of hope. Thanks!
Thanks to everyone who has a prayer or good thought for finding Dolly. Deeply appreciated. One of my Catholic friends has even enlisted St. Anthony to help. I thought that was so dear of him.
Of course, Dolly doesn't even know he's missing. He's just doing what corn snakes do. I hope he's enjoying his big adventure, 'cause that'll at least make one of us!
IrishInIsengard
New member
Dollysmom noooo. Dolly should be renamed "scamp."
You will find him soon. You're going everything right. Keep doing searches at night (around 8-10 pm) and you will find him soon enough. It hasn't been too long yet. He's probably taking a long snake-nap somewhere and will be out and about soon.
Make sure the small flour trails are across every doorway and around big/hidey pieces of furniture. Make sure to check under mattresses, next to anything warm, etc.
Keep us all posted on what's going on! I know you will.
noooo. Dolly should be renamed "scamp."You will find him soon. You're going everything right. Keep doing searches at night (around 8-10 pm) and you will find him soon enough. It hasn't been too long yet. He's probably taking a long snake-nap somewhere and will be out and about soon.
Make sure the small flour trails are across every doorway and around big/hidey pieces of furniture. Make sure to check under mattresses, next to anything warm, etc.
Keep us all posted on what's going on! I know you will.
DollysMom
It never gets old!
Thanks IrishInIsengard. We are still looking. I didn't run the vacuum today without checking it for snakey . Yes, when he is found I'll be right back here to share the good news.
Im still looking and still hopeful, but it's difficult not to fear the worst and I feel heartbroken. It's okay. I've learned that I need to feel what I feel. Fighting it is a no win.
The other household member has been instructed how to pick him up (mid body, or scoop, not head like on tv) if seen and told to not harm Dolly if bitten (it won't hurt much and it will heal-- don't pull him off!)
Thanks again for the encouragement. It means sooooooo much!
. Yes, when he is found I'll be right back here to share the good news.Im still looking and still hopeful, but it's difficult not to fear the worst and I feel heartbroken. It's okay. I've learned that I need to feel what I feel. Fighting it is a no win.
The other household member has been instructed how to pick him up (mid body, or scoop, not head like on tv) if seen and told to not harm Dolly if bitten (it won't hurt much and it will heal-- don't pull him off!)
Thanks again for the encouragement. It means sooooooo much!
Rigby & Marcy
New member
Oh no, I've been awol a few weeks and just saw this! Hope he turns up ASAP and gives you some relief! I've only had one escape but her viv is on a tall dresser with no place to go, so I found her immediately, curled up underneath her heat mat below the viv.
DollysMom
It never gets old!
I found out today that's where my son found his African House Snake when he escaped. I'm glad yours was easily found.
I'm busy with Industrial Velcro and Monoprice One Wrap and literally closing the viv door after the snake escaped. I still can't quite get the Velcro to hold as tight as I'd like if the latches are open. It would be better than what happened though when he got the one latch turned. I may just try to also secure the latch externally with Velcro as well, because as long as the latches are not turned, they hold the lid very tightly. Anyway, I'm working on it. It will be a darn sight harder than it was, that's for sure.
Thanks for your good wishes. We are still actively looking. Nothing goes out the door, including garbage, or into the washer without being searched.