Aaaaaand we're gone :/

Jax · 04-19-14, 09:33 AM

We (my husband and I) purchased our first snake from the Denver Repticon about 2 weeks ago. Jax is a two year old spotted python and is around 3 feet/3.5 ft long. Wewake up this morning to find he had pushed his enclosure door open and is subsequently missing (pretty sure my husband forget the lock). I've been up since 5:30 searching for Jax having zero luck. What worries me is he got out of our apartment (750 sq ft) via a hole in the bottom of our heating vent or through the front door (the gap isn't very large at all, but I watched him squeeze into the crevice of our sectional ). Time is a bit of the essence here because we can't exactly ask any of our neighbors if they've seen a 3 ft python slithering around (most of them don't speak English... and I'm pretty sure we aren't supposed to have snakes). I've read about setting traps and everything but honestly at this point what is the likelihood Jax is still in our apartment: /? Second if he is still here...I'm worried that at night my 3 lb red satin (rabbit) might look like a tasty snack: /. I'm really desperate to find Jax or to know of we should just right him off as a loss as someone has probably already seen and killed him?

sharthun · 04-20-14, 07:30 AM

Hey and welcome! I hope you find your missing snake soon!

Jim Smith · 04-20-14, 07:59 AM

While I have only had one of my snakes escape one time, I know how frustrating and nerve racking it can be. When I asked opinions on how to find her, I was assured that she was very probably very near where she escaped and just holed up. They were right. She showed up nine days later less than 6 feet from her cage. You would be amazed at how small an area they need to hide and they will stay perfectly still only inches away from you as you search. I’d ty to block the possible exits out of the apartment, put a bowl of water down in case he gets thirsty and keep an eye out. I’m not sure how effective the traps are as they sure didn’t work for me, even when baited with a mouse. Good luck finding your missing snake and be patient, I suspect that he will show up when and where you least expect him to.

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Pirarucu · 04-20-14, 08:00 AM

Welcome aboard!
It is very likely he is still in the house, generally they don't go too far when they escape. Usually escapees are found relatively close to their cages.

jpsteele80 · 04-20-14, 08:31 AM

Welcome and I hope you find your snake, never had one get out so can't relate on that, Also I would think it would only roam for a little while if it did, once he/she starts getting cold there going to curl up somewhere. Like it was stated above cover up all exits and I'm sure it will pop up.

**EL Ziggy** · 04-20-14, 08:44 AM

Welcome and best wishes. I hope Jax turns up soon.

**Tsubaki** · 04-20-14, 09:01 AM

Welcome, hope you find your snake soon.

Brylee1233 · 04-20-14, 10:24 AM

I always wondered, if my snake ever got out, and since I don't have any really warm places around; if I put a moss box (Obioulsy some kind of trap box) and a heat mat under, to see if the snake would ever go there because he needs high humidity, and some heat.... Would that ever possibly work?

reyphox · 04-20-14, 11:55 PM

I don't know too much about snakes, but how warm is your house? Generally they seek out heat so look in places where it might be warmer? When I was a young *cough* strapping teenager, I had a snake that got out. Found it coiled underneath the fridge near a warm element.

Jax · 04-22-14, 04:03 PM

Thank you for the warm welcome everyone, I wish it was under a little better circumstances that I introduced, but it happens right. My hubby and I are going to try essentially crafting a "bait box" with some food and water in it for Jax. To date, he has yet to appear: /, my poor husband is upset over it: (.

xSerpentGoddess · 04-24-14, 09:45 PM

Unfortunately, In my experience setting safe traps doesn't work. But its still worth the offhand chance it will work. The best way to do it is to set an alarm and wake up around 3 AM (so your house has been dark for a few hours) and check with flashlights. Under beds, couches, any nook and cranny you wouldn't think of check. More often then not I have found them by accident weeks (even months later). When my fiance was a kid he lost a ball python and it was gone in the house for 3 MONTHS. It turned up when they were moving out.

I really wouldn't worry yet. They really do come out of nowhere sometimes. Good sized snakes are easier to find than babies, so you have that on your side. That snake is probably a little small to take a 3lb. rabbit. Retics eat those

I think he'd be intimidated by it.

Definitely cover the whole if you haven't already.

SnakeAddiction · 04-24-14, 11:01 PM

Also search your sectional. I had a python find a tear underneath my couch and climb in. Had to take the bottom cloth of and pull her out. And if Jax is wedged some where and won't come out, getting a freshly thawed rat put near his face and then pulled back will get him moving. good luck!

**Tsubaki** · 04-25-14, 05:48 AM

What works is laying noisy paper/plastic around the house, listen late at night if you can hear it moving over the bags. If you don't have carpet you can also put a thin layer of flour or babypowder on the ground, especially around corners.. So you can see if he has been there.

reptimama · 04-25-14, 09:51 PM

My king snake escaped about a year ago and we thought for sure he was GONE for good. We live in his native region so I just knew he had gotten out of the house and would never return. We were all ready to get another snake, in fact I think I started on this forum looking for advise as to what to get, when low and behold he came back! Slithered right back under the front door... Good luck to you, I hope your baby comes back too!