Now what do I do?

Scubadiver59 · 03-02-17, 08:37 PM

I don't even know how to start this off...somehow, within the last 24 hours, my Corn Snake got out of it's enclosure. I just had the snake delivered yesterday!!

I searched the tank over, under, everywhere, leaving everything in the enclosure just in case, but she's nowhere to be found.

Now the question is...how do I find her? Two floors, a basement, a Doberman, German Shepherd, and a Lab/Rottie mix to figure into the equation.

Oh, and I checked the tank...there was one suspect area in the Zilla Critter Cage where she "might have" squeeze through, providing she could stretch 18in straight up the corner.

Any suggestions would be welcome...any.

RAD House · 03-02-17, 09:01 PM

Do you have any hides or decorations that it could have climbed into a hole?

regi375 · 03-02-17, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MesoCorney

Do you have any hides or decorations that it could have climbed into a hole?

^ could still be in there. They tend to burrow into the substrate as well. If you're sure the snake isn't in there, then looks like you're on a snake hunt.

Scubadiver59 · 03-02-17, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regi375

^ could still be in there. They tend to burrow into the substrate as well. If you're sure the snake isn't in there, then looks like you're on a snake hunt.

No substrate, just paper towels

Scubadiver59 · 03-02-17, 10:38 PM

False alarm...she's still in there.

Good advice...don't panic (ha!). Look in all nooks and crannies, etc. (I did). I'm just glad I didn't take out any of the "hidey hole" furniture, I put a new one in last night, but left it in the cage, sealed up all the holes I spoke of earlier, and went and fixed dinner for my three boys (dogs).

Well, lo and behold, after searching all over the upstairs, narrowly missing my finger and almost peeling it with a very sharp knife while cutting up some rotisserie chicken for the boys' dinner (I did take off part of a fingernail...to the quick), I checked the enclosure and there she was at the top of the plant looking at the back side where the top slides into, looking for a way out. What a relief!!!!!

Now I need to put my mind at rest and seal the top up a bit better either with silicon bead or something else. In the meantime I have tape over the openings and a piece of cardboard JAMMED in the one opening at the right, front, top corner I thought she made her escape from.

I'd have a beer but I'm on antibiotics right now so I think I'll go to bed instead.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and advice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MesoCorney

Do you have any hides or decorations that it could have climbed into a hole?

Yes, but I looked in it with a flashlight and couldn't see her...she must have jammed herself WAY UP in the one "faux" branch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GyGbeetle

Try a plastic tub with either a fresh kill or live mouse for her to come after. It might come out for a treat. My albino burm got out our first night, and I had a full blown panic attack. She had managed to slither under my bed past 3 cats, and burrowed under the nightstand on the opposite side of the room (she had to pass by another exact same nightstand before slithering under the bed to the other one). She's slithering on my belly now. Don't panic. She could still be in the enclosure. Or she could be relatively close to the room. Look under furniture and places you wouldn't think to look. She probably hasn't gone far.

I had heard of this method, the live kill, but didn't have anything to offer other than the chicken above (the feeders I ordered won't be here until tomorrow). I did fire up an oil space heater in the hall, and put two rolls of wrapping paper down near the heater to see if she would get in them to get warm, but as you can see above, not necessary.

eminart · 03-03-17, 08:31 AM

Glad you found her. That's always a panicky feeling when you can't find them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubadiver59

In the meantime I have tape over the openings

Obviously I can't see what you've done, but be very careful with tape. It can be a snake trap.

The first snakes I was allowed to keep as a kid were little ringnecks that I'd caught. Not THE first one I kept, but one of the first - I covered some cracks around a fish tank lid (Shut up, it was the early 80's and I was young). It was a 20 gal tall tank, and my ringneck was maybe 5 inches long. I never thought it would get to the top of the tank anyway. But, you guessed it, I found it stuck to the tape, dead. I later figured out young ringnecks are so light, they can sort of stick to wet glass and climb up the corners.

whistlepig · 03-02-17, 09:03 PM

That sucks. I don't know how you would find*her outside the*tank, but my first instinct would be to double check the*enclosure, removing each item and inspecting it thoroughly*as it's removed until there's nothing left. *Good luck. I hope you find her.

Scubadiver59 · 03-02-17, 09:14 PM

The King is quite safe, due to its size, but that skinny little Corn could be anywhere.

Heat is on downstairs so I hope she doesn't come down and get into the ventilation system. Upstairs it's cooler since I don't turn on the heat and let the downstairs heat rise upstairs.

I'm beginning to wonder if getting snakes was such a good idea after all.

GyGbeetle · 03-02-17, 10:20 PM

Try a plastic tub with either a fresh kill or live mouse for her to come after. It might come out for a treat. My albino burm got out our first night, and I had a full blown panic attack. She had managed to slither under my bed past 3 cats, and burrowed under the nightstand on the opposite side of the room (she had to pass by another exact same nightstand before slithering under the bed to the other one). She's slithering on my belly now. Don't panic. She could still be in the enclosure. Or she could be relatively close to the room. Look under furniture and places you wouldn't think to look. She probably hasn't gone far.

GyGbeetle · 03-02-17, 10:45 PM

Hahahah! You're officially a snake keeper now! If you're heart's not pounding at least once a week....

RAD House · 03-02-17, 11:11 PM

I think we have all done something similar. You can tell as our first instinct that the snake was still in its enclosure. When I acquired my first snake I would freak out and dig up the entire enclosure trying to locate the little guy. You will become more comfortable with time and they are easier to locate as they get better. I am glad it is all fine.

Scubadiver59 · 03-03-17, 05:33 AM

I think I just need her to grow up fast so she can't hide like she does. She's about the size of a #2 pencil, girth-wise, and can squirrel herself away in the darndest places. She seems to like it in that plant...she was there last night and again this morning.

Now the King is nowhere to be found...the hunt is on!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MesoCorney

I think we have all done something similar. You can tell as our first instinct that the snake was still in its enclosure. When I acquired my first snake I would freak out and dig up the entire enclosure trying to locate the little guy. You will become more comfortable with time and they are easier to locate as they get better. I am glad it is all fine.

afsgr88 · 03-03-17, 06:31 AM

Have you considered moving them into tubs or something that would allow you to locate them easily, without the risk of a heart attack? x) Just until they get a bit bigger and easier to see.

Scubadiver59 · 03-03-17, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afsgr88

Have you considered moving them into tubs or something that would allow you to locate them easily, without the risk of a heart attack? x) Just until they get a bit bigger and easier to see.

That's a thought...but which one(s) and would I need a small UTH to keep them warm? I have a space heater, mentioned previously, and the room is small enough I can keep it at any temp I want.

afsgr88 · 03-03-17, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubadiver59

That's a thought...but which one(s) and would I need a small UTH to keep them warm? I have a space heater, mentioned previously, and the room is small enough I can keep it at any temp I want.

Since it is a temporary solution until they get some girth to them, I would go for a simple storing plastic tub. I think you can get them at Home Depot or something like that. Just make sure it is one that has a safe and secure lid. I would advise a specific heating solution for the tub, instead of the whole room, since it is easier to control. A small UTH would be enough, I guess.