Freakin' Houdini

TheBoogieDown · 09-03-12, 10:04 AM

So, my snake shed last night. Full shed from the looks of it. But, and this is a huge but, he escaped. I have no freaking clue HOW he escaped because I have a fitted lid, that even takes ME a little effort to get off. Not only that, but I had two hardcover books to add a little weight to it (one was Under the Dome by Stephen King, the other was some random Harry Potter book I found... I wanna say the 7th one, either way, they were not small books by any means). Now, I have his favorite hide out, and am unthawing a pinky to coax him out of wherever he is hiding. You guys got any other tips?

EDIT: Disregard. Found him in a middle drawer of my chest. Still investigating how he got out.

Slcburm · 09-03-12, 10:27 AM

You need to do a better job of securing your snakes. This hobby doesnt have the best reputation and everytime something like this occurs it just continues to go lower. Find a way to lock them in

TheBoogieDown · 09-03-12, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slcburm

You need to do a better job of securing your snakes. This hobby doesnt have the best reputation and everytime something like this occurs it just continues to go lower. Find a way to lock them in

Well, I sort of figured that one out on my own. What I was hoping for was more... well, more of what item I should get to help secure the lid.

snake man12 · 09-03-12, 10:43 AM

Are u using an aquarium? if so get a locking lid, they are like twenty bucks.

TheBoogieDown · 09-03-12, 11:08 AM

I'm pretty sure it's one of those Exo-Tera ones with the lid that comes with it. (I bought the whole deal from someone.)

Kaetlinv · 09-03-12, 12:26 PM

Perhaps you left it unlatched or half latched? Look all over the tank and lid for any weakened points or damages. If it doesnt have actual latches youll have to find something heavier to put on it.

I have an adapted 100gal aquarium with a custom wood+wire mesh lid but it doesnt fit flush to it. But its a bp that lives in it. Shes around 3.5lbs and can easily lift the lid by itself. I added about 10-13lbs of weight to the center of the lid (its got a center support frame beam thing) and she has tried and tried to get out but cant even budge it. Im not sure how much weight / power your snake has. What is he? I would try adding more weight spread evenly across the lid if you can. If you have a single heavy object that would be better than stacking multiple items (in case the snake were still capable of getting out, you dont want several items falling over and possibly hurting your snake).

A little more information would help.

TheBoogieDown · 09-03-12, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaetlinv

Perhaps you left it unlatched or half latched? Look all over the tank and lid for any weakened points or damages. If it doesnt have actual latches youll have to find something heavier to put on it.

I have an adapted 100gal aquarium with a custom wood+wire mesh lid but it doesnt fit flush to it. But its a bp that lives in it. Shes around 3.5lbs and can easily lift the lid by itself. I added about 10-13lbs of weight to the center of the lid (its got a center support frame beam thing) and she has tried and tried to get out but cant even budge it. Im not sure how much weight / power your snake has. What is he? I would try adding more weight spread evenly across the lid if you can. If you have a single heavy object that would be better than stacking multiple items (in case the snake were still capable of getting out, you dont want several items falling over and possibly hurting your snake).

A little more information would help.

I just bought a latched lid. It fits nicely and doesn't allow him to push up on it. BUT just in case, I put the old lid over it as well. So he's double lided. I've been observing him, and he was getting in between the lid and the little lip thing under the lid... from there he could get enough force to lift the lid... Strong little bugger. This new lid takes that lip away from him. Phew. Hope that helps...

shaunyboy · 09-03-12, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBoogieDown

I just bought a latched lid. It fits nicely and doesn't allow him to push up on it. BUT just in case, I put the old lid over it as well. So he's double lided. I've been observing him, and he was getting in between the lid and the little lip thing under the lid... from there he could get enough force to lift the lid... Strong little bugger. This new lid takes that lip away from him. Phew. Hope that helps...

i think a lot of us underestimate the power of a snake,when it jams itself against something and pushes

imo my carpets have phenominal strength,when they do that,i had an adult squeeze between,the tank and the bulb guard,and you should have heard the tank creaking and groaning,as the carpet tried to dismantle it's tank,in an escape bid

cheers shaun

TheBoogieDown · 09-03-12, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

i think a lot of us underestimate the power of a snake,when it jams itself against something and pushes

imo my carpets have phenominal strength,when they do that,i had an adult squeeze between,the tank and the bulb guard,and you should have heard the tank creaking and groaning,as the carpet tried to dismantle it's tank,in an escape bid

cheers shaun

I know I underestimated him. But no more. Plus, it's feeding day. So, I'm sure he's freaking out over that haha.

shaunyboy · 09-03-12, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBoogieDown

I know I underestimated him. But no more. Plus, it's feeding day. So, I'm sure he's freaking out over that haha.

it also amazes me the places escaped snakes eventually turn up

i forgot to say,i'm glad you found him

cheers shaun

TheBoogieDown · 09-03-12, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

it also amazes me the places escaped snakes eventually turn up

i forgot to say,i'm glad you found him

cheers shaun

Thanks. I was glad too... And I was glad he left me his "parting gift" in the terrarium and not on my clothing (you know, the shed skin, and the nice thing of poop)

jaleely · 09-03-12, 03:11 PM

lol i'm glad you found him right away, theboogiedown! i'm also glad you were able to figure out how he was getting out, to stop it. even better! i applaud your efforts in actually trying to solve the problem...really! So many people just think "oh well, it was just a one time thing" then it happens again. This hobby is all about learning and providing good care for the reptiles, so kudos to you : )

slcburm, you could have been a bit more constructive in your post. You didn't have to be snotty. we're trying to get away from arrogant criticism around here, and lean more towards "oh, i see that you know what you did wrong, let's see how we can help prevent that in the future" so please try to keep that in mind when speaking with other forum members, especially new ones.
I'd much rather read a post that gives helpful advice for situations. Not only is it more pleasant, but maybe it's something i never thought of before either, and though i've been doing this a couple years, i am always learning as well. just say okay and move on. lol

TheBoogieDown · 09-03-12, 03:22 PM

I'm glad I found him to. Put me into a frenzy. I was all moving everything oh-so-careful. Then I was like "I didn't even check the drawers... and there he was. This was a problem I had feared for some time though. I'm glad I caught it before I left for work or something when I wouldn't be home for an extended period of time. And now that I have a locking lid, I think I can sleep a bit easier at night.

TheBoogieDown · 09-03-12, 03:27 PM

Also, to Slcburm, I didn't mean to sound snappy or rude. I apologize if it came off that way. I was just frustrated with the escape of my snake, so if I offended you, or peeved you off, I am sorry.

Kaetlinv · 09-03-12, 03:37 PM

The fact you acted so quickly is the thing that shows you arent allowing this to be a regular thing, and youre learning to be a more responsible owner.

Just a few weeks ago my largest royal escaped because we underestimated her. I wasnt there at the time but my stepdad was and he safely got her back in her tank and in the interim before i could take care of things he used wood clamps to secure her lid. Shes tried and failed to escape since.