Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So, my ball python got out and i have been looking for her for two days. she is a hatchling (like 18-22'', im not sure didnthave time to measure her before she got out) i was wondering if there was any i could try to lure her out? she gotout in the basment that is about 80 x30 feet and is full of junk. I look through it all and no luck...help me!

andrew

Place a basking light in the area, because she is likely to get cold in the basement. It may lure her out to warm herself up. Food could also be a good lure, since she will eventually get hungry. My bet is on the basking area though, balls can go a long time without eating if they are so inclined.

Other than that, keep looking in and around and under everything. Even check the rest of the house, look up if there's anything she might have been able to climb. If there's anything I've learned about snakes is you'll find them in the most pain in the butt place to retrieve them from. Heating/air ducts, under/in major appliances, etc. I was lucky with my last escapee, she was trying to climb into the baseboard heater when found. :-/ That could have been ugly.

If you have windows in your basement, check for any places where she may have gotten outside. This also applies if your washer and dryer are down there. Plug any sink, the vent for the dryer, drains in the floor, etc.

Good luck, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

~L~

I agree with the basking lamp trick. That's your best bet. There are also other tricks such as sprinkling flour around the edges of the floor so you can see where he crawls. DO plug up any exits from the basement such as dryer vents.

Also, did you know that kingsnake has a lost herp forum. you might check that out.

Good luck! Let us know when you find your snake.
GratefulFred
-----
GratefulFred

didnt know kingsnake had a missing herp forum. i have had the basking lamp out since i first saw she got out. maybe i will try to flour. thanks.

andrew

My favorite snake trap is a computer. No, seriously! Computers give off a gentle heat. I had a snake loose (a 4 footer) get out (how? Stupid Handler Trick - unlatched cage lid!). I turned up the A/C and left the computer on all night. Guess who was curled up on the only warm spot in the room by morning?

Barring that, just wait. He'll show up eventually. Just be glad that it's a PYTHON that got loose. The experts all say that the difference between owning a python and a cobra is that if the python gets loose, you spread some cornmeal around and go back to bed, but if the COBRA gets loose, NOBODY sleeps and you tear the house apart brick-by-brick until you find it.

In addition to the flour trick I've heard of people putting bags down on the floor or along the walls like the flour so that when the snake slides accross it hopefully rustles the bag and enables you to pinpoint it's location. Suppose it would mean al all-night watch mind you!