View Full Version : Escape artist. I need help!!!
suz1000
10-13-13, 05:50 PM
My Savannah Monitor escaped! I put him in my restroom while cleaning his habitat and he escaped. He dug his way between the sheetrock and the floor level wall vent and got into the crawl space. My crawl space covers the entire length and with of my house and I'm not quite sure how to get him out. I live in New Mexico and winter is almost on us. I'm afraid he won't survive it if I don't find him. The temp in my crawl space is about 65 degrees and stays that way all year long. (it is extremely dry under there since I live in the desert) Help!!!!
suz1000
10-13-13, 05:52 PM
He's about 15" long and is very healthy extremely intelligent and incredibly fast (as all monitors are)
Are you sure he is in the crawl space? It would be very unusual for a properly constructed wall to open to the crawl space below.
Joshchimera
10-13-13, 07:31 PM
Tell us if you do find him! Sorry to hear he escaped.
suz1000
10-13-13, 07:34 PM
Are you sure he is in the crawl space? It would be very unusual for a properly constructed wall to open to the crawl space below.
Unfortunately my house was built in the late 40's. I retrofitted it 8 years ago with a pkg or combo refrigeration and heating unit. I installed all the duct work. (I was a sheet-metal journeyman then) That particular vent is the only one I didn't change because it came up through the floor in the closet elbowed through the wall and straight into the bathroom. if he didn't get in the crawlspace through the closet he got in it through the wall itself. The vent is only 24" away from a cast-iron tub which is framed right into the wall. the bottom of the tub is exposed in the crawlspace. I sheet-rocked most of the bathroom so I could upgrade plumbing pipes but I haven't the time or money to change the tub yet. He's definitely in the crawl space!
Gotcha, I understand what your saying about old houses!
Hope you catch him and he is ok.
suz1000
10-14-13, 12:01 AM
I took that vent out of the wall, and left 3 mice out for him. Hopefully he'll eat one to let me know he's still in the house. If not I'll spend a few hours under the house until I find him. My son is distraught. He was crying for about an hour, he's thinking the Lizard is going to get bit by a spider or get out from under the house and freeze to death. I'll keep you posted.
suz1000
10-14-13, 12:03 PM
I just finished searching the crawl space of the house (took me all morning) no monitor found. I've lost my sons best friend in the world. He must've made it into the duct work. There is over 350' of duct work under my house I'm not sure if i'll ever find him. I'm sad!
I'm sure you'll find him! Prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Good luck. If it's possible, I'd get some sort of heat source in the crawl space.
Joshchimera
10-15-13, 11:01 AM
I thought my Blue-tongue skink escaped and was gone forever too. He ended up behind my mattress and wall wedged in the middle. Just look behind furniture... Good chance your monitor escaped the bathroom door and ran into the house. These guys cab squeeze underneath closed bathroom door crevices. I doubt he went in a cold dark area.
Every time I see this post come up to the top I'm hoping it's you telling us that you found it.
suz1000
10-24-13, 11:36 AM
Good news he came out today. I didn't see him but my son saw him in the restroom this morning. He went back in the wall before I could get to him. I left out some stinky fish hopefully that will get him to come back out. so I can catch him.
Hotchkiss
10-24-13, 11:47 AM
I hate to say it... but it's kinda funny that he burrowed into the wall. Anyway, I really hope you find him. I hope i never lose my snake.
suz1000
10-25-13, 09:42 AM
I put out a pile of fish (stunk up the house pretty good) he ate it all and went back in the wall. Then this morning He came out and let me pick him up and put him back in his habitat. Guess he had enough of the wild. My son was so excited he ran around the house yelling "Mom, dad caught him he's safe, he's safe" I'm really glad he's home safe.
dbank999
10-25-13, 10:34 AM
Glad to hear everything has worked out!
Maybe consider a holding tub for next time when you clean his enclosure??
Or a leash :p
sharthun
10-25-13, 10:37 AM
I put out a pile of fish (stunk up the house pretty good) he ate it all and went back in the wall. Then this morning He came out and let me pick him up and put him back in his habitat. Guess he had enough of the wild. My son was so excited he ran around the house yelling "Mom, dad caught him he's safe, he's safe" I'm really glad he's home safe.
Great News!:)
EL Ziggy
10-25-13, 12:06 PM
That's great news suz. I love happy endings. Congrats on finding him and best wishes going forward.
formica
10-25-13, 12:13 PM
great stuff! does he usually let you handle him? or possibly just cooled down enough to not feel like struggling?
Joshchimera
10-26-13, 02:49 AM
Congratulations on finding him! Your little guy could not resist the fish that smelled so good! :crazy:
suz1000
10-26-13, 01:59 PM
Glad to hear everything has worked out!
Maybe consider a holding tub for next time when you clean his enclosure??
Or a leash :p
That is great advice. I actually purchased a leash for next time.
suz1000
10-26-13, 02:02 PM
great stuff! does he usually let you handle him? or possibly just cooled down enough to not feel like struggling?
He does let me handle him but like all monitors it's only when he wants to be handled. He was actually pretty warm when he came out I clamped a couple floods under the house so he wouldn't die through the winter. I was hoping (i guess correctly so) that he was hiding to well for me to find him.
suz1000
10-26-13, 02:07 PM
Congratulations on finding him! Your little guy could not resist the fish that smelled so good! :crazy:
It's crazy I left mice out several times but he never came out to eat them. But the fish, the fish wasn't even out 20 minutes before he came out of the wall to eat it. I guess it was just irresistible. :D I'm really happy, he's home and he's healthy. I couldn't ask for a better outcome.
I'm so glad to hear you got your monitor back! My little kingsnake escaped through one of the holes in the terrarium that wires are supposed to go through. I found him in the kitchen unharmed. The cat had cornered him up but didn't do any damage! I was so relieved, as I imagine you are too.
I'm so glad you found him!
My oldest Kenyan sand boa got out when I moved here from NY. I had her in a snake bag in a messenger bag with heat packs. She had to be left in there overnight because we were waiting on the sealant in the new cage to dry. She had been fine in there during the whole move so I was surprised when she escaped! Luckily, she actually stayed in the messenger bag...found her chilling by the heat pack :p.
Sharlynn93
11-04-13, 06:19 PM
so glad you found him:) i was heartbroken when my lavender corn got loose. she was missing for a month and just suddenly reappeared one evening in front of the electric fireplace :) i actually cried with happiness that she was found, i feared my dogs or cats had gotten a hold of her!
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