Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I had a 07 Thayeri escape less than a week ago... and I'm very upset about it!!! I know people have given could advice on how to catch and find it will you please help me out and tell me how and what to do???
Thanks so much I am very mad and upset this happened.
Chris

check places near its enclosure that would provide shelter or warmth, tvs, furniture, refrigerators, etc. I've heard some people placing food in an enclosure where the snake may come out to feed, i've also heard about placing maybe cornmeal or flour on the floor so if the come out they might leave a trail when moving through it. Hope that helps.

These guys spend 24/7 doing nothing but trying to escape. We are not perfect as keepers, anyone keeping kings that tells you it hasnt happened to him is lying. Before I moved my snakes into the new room I went around with GREAT STUFF and filled every concievable escape hole...around the heaters especially. Then I got glue traps and set them on either side of the door. They dont like being out in the open so they will crawl along the wall looking for a way out not go straight for the door....Putting traps down now all over will help, as will cranking the heat to get him moving..up to 80-90. Shut all the lites off and check the traps every hour or so.
Since I started using them I havent lost a snake, and most times the snakes are caught before I know they are even missing...one time a adult started banging around after one stuck to him just trying to get it off. Putting down a moist towel in a very dry room also will attract them.If he was going into a shed cycle you might not find him for a week or so but be prepared for when he starts to move around again.Good luck.

how do you get them outta the glue traps? and what type do you buy? do you bait them ? thanks so far

Getting them out of the glue trap is tedious and time consuming. Not to mention that the snake usually isnt too appreciative and will likely bite the hands that feeds it. I generally start at the head, and work my way down as if I were helping a shed. I try my best to remove any clumps of glue from the snake but the general stickiness is a mess. After it is completely off the trap I dowse everything(hands,snake and cage)with baby powder. The baby powder will adhere to the glue so the snake can then move a bit. It wont be comfortable for a while, and will certainly go into shed immediately. BE VERY CAREFUL with the snakes toungue, make sure its not in the glue when you start!!
Not sure what brand to recommend, as I just figured this out within the last year and dont have that much experience yet. But I would think that the smaller black one would last longer as it is deeper and has more glue compared to the white one that is bigger but the glue shallower.

works great....the glue just lets go.....try it....you'll like it...

Listen to Bob, the baby oil or vegetable oil works like magic, no residue left, gets the snake off without harm.
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Todd Hughes

Oh ya, you did tell me that before....but I havent had to try it since....and I dont see any of my guys volunteering to jump in the glue,lol. Thanks

For a small thayeri I would concentrate mostly within a foot from the ground. I have found most small snakes no further than one room away. Look for tight spots. I have found lost snakes in the most unusual spots and generally in a area it could just bairly get into. Also look after dark around the perimeter of rooms especially between things and the outer walls. A closet is the most common spot I have found small terrestrial snakes. Good luck. Randy

I once had and escaped red milk snake loose for about a week in the garage. It escaped out of my rack, which was right in front of the garage side door with a 1" gap under it. It had been raining a lot so I thought it still might be in the garage somewhere. I looked high and low for it, but no luck. I had a few baited hides with f/t mice, but no luck. I was unthawing about 20 mice in warm water one evening and thought, I'll give it one more shot, I took a piece of drift wood and dip one end in the water I was soaking the mice in, and then stuck it in a small paper bag and laid it on the floor right at the base of the rack. The next morning I pick up the bag and dump the wood out, and here comes the milk sliding out right behind the wood. ALLRIGHT!!!!!!MADE MY DAY!!!!!
I bet,the smell of the mice unthawing woke him up and got him moving. Then when he found the bag with the drift wood, which was a natural hide to him, decided to hang around trying to find the food. Wrap the bag snug around the wood to make the snake feel secure when he enters.
Good Luck;

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R.Bichlers Colubrids
http://www.webspawner.com/users/rbichler/index.html

I would pour myself a cold one, sit down, take a few deep breaths, and reason out that this is bound to happen to everyone sooner or later. Then pat yourself on the back that it is not a venomous snake as you would open yourself up to all kinds of issues over and above a simple escape. After this, I would systematically search the house, starting with the room the perpetrator escaped in. I have had luck finding them in closets, which is where I would start. If no success the first search, try middle of the night with a flashlight and look at the perimeters of the rooms. Above all be patient. The snake can survive much longer than you might think without food or water. As for the glue, I have never tried it, but it sounds like a possibly good aid to your search, providing it does no harm to the snake. Good luck to you in what I know has to be a very frustrating time for you.

This wouldn't happen if you housed them together, LMAO!!!
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Todd Hughes

Oh No!!! I thought we were done with that. Remember, I was told off by FR as being insecure and making silly remarks. Now I am laughing my rear facade off but in a very silly and insecure way.

HEEHEEHEE!
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Todd Hughes

Similar to the glue traps I have used tape. Try masking tape or the blue painters tape. Put the tape sticky side up, and use other peices to tape it on to the floor. I ran it across every door way in my house (bed rooms, closets, bathroom, etc). You can also run it along where the floor and wall meet. I've caught 2 escapees like that over night.
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"The band is just fantastic, that is really what I think. Oh by the way, which ones pink?"

Pick the most cluttered area, with the most junk, basically the last place you would want to search. Definitely search that place first as that is the most likely hide spot for your escapee, if your luck runs similarly to mine.

The adage that you only have about a 50% chance of getting a lost snake is not true - but it depends greatly upon your circumstances how likely you are to get your gem back.

Hard, fast rules:

1. No cats or dogs indoors anywhere near where it may be.
2. Close all doors & windows QUICKLY when you use them.
3. Check corner areas of closets, and inside cabinets.

Which season makes a difference. We are heading into warmer weather; more incentive for the snake to exit and be outside. Frequently check obvious basking areas near the home if you suspect it may have gotten out.

It is MOST likely:

1. Hidden & safe inside a heat grill on a wall.
2. Hidden & safe inside a closet.
3. Hidden & safe inside a stored box or unused room.

If it has gotten outside, with warm weather, and abundant cover, it's best to prepare yourself for a loss...