Hi All!

[HIMluv]

Hi everyone, HIMluv here.

I joined because I bought a Ball Python, Zuko, 3 weeks ago. He's my first snake, although I've had friends who have owned snakes, so I'm not COMPLETELY new, lol.

Unfortunately Zuko escaped 2 weeks ago, and that's why I've joined this forum. I'm distraught. I've done everything the mass intellect of the internet has suggested and still no Zuko. I can't stop worrying about it, I even dream about looking for him!

I know he can stay missing for a long time... I'm just very worried...

Anyway, hopefully he'll show up and I'll be posting on here for happier reasons!

[shaunyboy]

try looking in all the dark warm places in your house.you would be surprized at how small a place they can fit in (old boots,plant pots,coat pockets,etc).the only other thing i can think of is what i did to get a kingsnake back that had been missing for 2 weeks.i got one of his food items (a rat fluff) i brained it (crushed its head till brain matter was exposed ) quite severely then put it in a cloth sack.i left just a third of the sack propped open.i left the sack in a warm quiet corner of the room.i did this with a fresh rat for 3 nights,on the third night i awoke to see my kingsnake scuttling out from under the skirting board across the floor heading for the sack with the rat in it.i'm quite sure even if i hadnt woke up after eating his meal i would have found him curled up in the sack come morning.how old is your snake ? they can go quite a length of time without eating,so dont panic too much mate.best of luck in finding the little guy.
cheers shaun

[HIMluv]

I'm not sure how old he is, but he's about a foot and a half long.

Thank you for your help, we're keeping the mouse, though I'm not sure I could "brain" him. My boyfirned would have to do it, lol. I sure hope Zuko shows up soon.

[Will0W783]

At that size, check all the shoes in your closets. I had an escaped snake go into another room and snuggle into the toe of one of my sneakers. Also if you can fit your thumb into the gap between the baseboards and floor of any room, the snake may have wedged himself in there (I've also had that happen, but with a much thinner snake). If you have any open air vents try looking down the basement where all the pipes join if you can get in there to see if he's gone down a vent. You can try putting the live mouse into a Have-a-Heart trap so that if the snake goes in to eat it it can't get back out. He might not be able to get up into the feeding bucket to get the mouse.

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by HIMluv

I'm not sure how old he is, but he's about a foot and a half long.

Thank you for your help, we're keeping the mouse, though I'm not sure I could "brain" him. My boyfirned would have to do it, lol. I sure hope Zuko shows up soon.

i know its not a very pleasant thing to do,but sometimes its a neccessety.ive had to do it for non feeders and a missing snake.ITS A DEAD DEFROSTED FROZEN RAT OR MOUSE I'M TALIKING ABOUT.its just when you say your keeping the mouse,does that mean its a live mouse ? now we know its a 4.5ft python it should be a bit easier to find as it rules out all the really small places we've suggested.try down the back of radiators,hot water tank cuboard,under your bed,any where that theres a heat source thats big enough for it to fit into curled up.i hope you find him soon.the longer it goes on the more chance you have of tempting him out with food.just wrap the f/t rats head in a cloth,then give it a quick squeeze with a pair of plyers.its not a very nice experience but its an effective way of getting a hungry snake to break cover.
cheers shaun

[infernalis]

always look down at your feet when walking around also....

I once stepped on an escapee in our house, It really tore me up.

[Will0W783]

Shaunyboy, it's a baby BP - 1.5 feet long. But baby BPs tend to be pretty plump and thick, so it won't have gotten into a lot of the tiny places other babies can get into. Hopefully it turns up soon.