kingsnake escaped

[sdiamond808]

So my 8 month grey banded kingsnake escaped. I have no clue how. I have an exoterra terrarium with a locking lid. Only thing I can think of is that the locks are on the side, and if you push up on the lid in the middle it is somewhat flimsy. But I didn't realize they were strong enough for that. He's got a 12-36 hour head start. How do I find him? Tried looking in cabinets and drawers, behind the fridge, no luck. He is normally only active at night, and I can't stay up all night. Any safe traps I can set or other ways to find him? I have a cat and I am worried what might happen if they meet.

Thank you,

[Jim Smith]

First, thoroughly check EVERYWHERE inside the enclosure. I had one of my Honduran Milk Snakes make a mystery escape and after the initial panic, I checked again and found that she had wormed he way inside of one of the ceramic decorations in the enclosure. If you don't find him in the enclosure, start by closing off all access to vents for A/C and heating and then start your search withing six feet of the enclosure; checking even tiny spaces inside shoes, etc. Best of luck.

[Veronica]

Agreed, look really carefully in the enclosure. Once I 'lost' my leopard gecko only to find him hidden in one of his few decorations.
If you are sure he isn't there, I've heard that placing towels around the room (and maybe house) has some success, since they might hide under them. Also check nice warm places where he might like to hide (think computers, fridge/freezer, anything in the laundry room. Any electronic, really)
Most animals will stick to the edges of rooms where there is more cover and it is less exposed.
Good luck!

[sdiamond808]

I looked in the enclosure for hours. emptied it and played in the sub straight. Then slowly sifted all of the sub straight out just to be sure. He is definitely gone. From what I understand grey banded kings like less humidity, but I have heard people lay down wet towels?

[Bandit]

Good advice above. You're still in that early window where the chances are pretty high that it stuck near the enclosure. Gray-banded Kings are definitely one of the smaller, nocturnal, and more secretive species of kings, so it likely is hiding out in some tiny crevice/object. I doubt it went very far as of yet.

Make sure you block off anywhere that can lead under the floors, into the walls, or outside. You can try laying towels out (maybe along the walls). If you decide to do wet them, make sure they aren't too wet - damp at most. I tried laying towels/blankets out when my king got out, but she never utilized them. Put one near the back of the fridge. If it got up into the inner workings of the fridge you'll just have to wait for it to come out and hopefully not go back in.

The problem you're going to have is that gray-bands are small snakes that tends to make a habit out of hiding in small spaces. It's definitely possible that you will find it, and I hope you do. Keep us updated.

[sdiamond808]

I was thinking about turning my ac way down and getting it cold in the house. Putting the terrarium on the floor with the heat lamp on at night. I don't have a heat pad so it would have to be the lamp. Then putting plastic bags down and hopefully I hear it over night going back to his home. Does this sound like a good idea?

[sdiamond808]

Searched everything within 6 feet, nothing. Set out plastic bags and put water and heat on the floor overnight, complete quiet. This is getting rough, don't know what else to search.

[Bandit]

Best of luck, mate. I''d keep searching for a couple days at least. The thing about snakes is that they move, so it could take shelter in an area that you checked the day before. People have found snakes months after they escape. You just never know.

[sdiamond808]

is there any easier way to do this? If I look through a thermal device can I see the snake?

[Bandit]

Unfortunately, there is no easy way. Thermal device would not work as the snake is likely the same temperature as whatever it is in/on.

You might try waiting for a while for nightfall and turning off all of the lights, and then using a flashlight to look for it. In the wild, Gray-banded Kings typically emerge from their hiding spots at night. Can't be too cold in the house though or it may not want to move.

[sdiamond808]

Unfortunately, there is no easy way. Thermal device would not work as the snake is likely the same temperature as whatever it is in/on.

You might try waiting for a while for nightfall and turning off all of the lights, and then using a flashlight to look for it. In the wild, Gray-banded Kings typically emerge from their hiding spots at night. Can't be too cold in the house though or it may not want to move.


last night i tried getting it cold in the house, and putting his cage low with his heat lamp off, was that the wrong way?

tonight should i leave it warm in the house and put a mouse out?

[Bandit]

Well, if you make it too cold, there is a chance that the snake will just hunker down and wait until it warms up. Leave it warmer, and hope that it comes out to hunt.

[sdiamond808]

Got the house to 78 degrees last night. Got some pinkies and put them in a box with mesh wire all around and I set up a night vision cam to record about 15 feet away. Nothing. Could swear I heard noises, but it must have been the pinkies. Reviewed video footage and nothing came near the box. Don't know how many more days I can sleep on the couch listening for noise and keeping the house hot. After tonight I'm going to give up the search. Dont know what else to do

[Bandit]

I can understand that. Hopefully it pops up at some point.

[sdiamond808]

i swear i heard movement in the refrigerator, so my goal tonight is to throw on the mechanics gloves and get under the refrigerator, pull out the dishwasher and get under the washer and dryer. After that, I'll just leave some water out and hopefully I can catch her on camera.

[sdiamond808]

I can understand that. Hopefully it pops up at some point.

I was wondering, If i get some snake repellent from home depot and put it in and around my appliances, will that drive her out of hiding?

She is just so damn small it is like a needle in a haystack, and she has the advantage.

[Bandit]

When mine got out, I'm almost positive she was in the fridge for at least a couple of days. I could've sworn I was hearing noises from that area, and then they stopped, and then I found her a day or two after that. Fridges are a tempting hiding spot for snakes...it's warm, dark, and they can get way up in the back of them to feel secure.

Most (if not all) of those snake repellants don't work.

[sdiamond808]

checked the refrigerator last night, nothing. Having to look in all these tiny places is exhausting. I placed the mesh box with live pinkies out again last night. Kept the house warm and dark. Nothing. Maybe she is just stubborn and not wanting to come out? No noise. My dog and cat are not sniffing any corners or acting like there is a snake out. I am going out of town again this weekend. Going to leave some pinkies and water out. Hopefully I get something.

[Bandit]

Could just be hiding until it feels safe. When was the last time it ate? If it's still in the house, it'll start moving once it gets hungry. It may do a bit of moving around while the house is empty for a couple days.

[sdiamond808]

She last ate 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I am going to set the terrarium the floor with a heating pad under and set up my best cams and hope to get something.

[sdiamond808]

Could just be hiding until it feels safe. When was the last time it ate? If it's still in the house, it'll start moving once it gets hungry. It may do a bit of moving around while the house is empty for a couple days.

Literally as I hit send on my last post, my kids come running in screaming. They found her in the drawer RIGHT UNDER the terrarium. I checked and cleaned that drawer 4 times this week. I took the back and bottom off the damn refrigerator last night haha. O well happy to have her back. Terrarium lid heavily taped down and weighted.

[Bandit]

Glad you got her back! I know how big of a relief that is!

[sdiamond808]

Definitely a relief.

[Bandit]

I'd just keep an eye on her for the next couple weeks to make sure she's all good. Although I'm sure she's fine, it's best to just keep a close eye on her since she was out and about.

[Veronica]

I'm so glad you (or your kids) found her!

[EL Ziggy]

Glad you found her. Sometimes they don't stray far at all. :)

[craigafrechette]

Yay!!! Great news!!

[sdiamond808]

I cleared that drawer at least 4 times. O well, just happy it's over and ended well.