Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Juvie JCP slipped out of it's cage 6 weeks ago and after a 3 day search I feared the worst. Last night I came home and flipped on the lights to find it in the middle of the floor looking surprisingly alive and well. I quickly picked her up and examined her for any respiratory problems because I was gone for two weeks and I know that it has been absolutely freezing in my house. No mucus or labored breathing, or clicking sounds that I can tell. She buried her head in her water dish for about 30 seconds and climbed up close to my red heatlamp and seems fine this morning. Did I just get extremely lucky or should there be more that I should look for. I want to feed her but is it possible that her stomach flora could be weakened or anything? I know for a fact that the temperature was down in the 40's for at least two weaks and that she had no access to water during that time. I have put a lock on my cage now so that she can't go "exploring" again but I just want her to be OK. I was so excited that she was still alive. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Dr. Rosenrosen

"Boys, Boys, Boys! Maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ballbearings these days!"

>>Did I just get extremely lucky or should there be more that I should look for. I want to feed her but is it possible that her stomach flora could be weakened or anything? I know for a fact that the temperature was down in the 40's for at least two weaks and that she had no access to water during that time. I have put a lock on my cage now so that she can't go "exploring" again but I just want her to be OK. I was so excited that she was still alive. Any advice would be appreciated.

Yep, you were lucky that she was still alive after that kind of ordeal. But they are pretty tough little guys. I'd keep a close watch on her for a few weeks for a developing RI but other than that, if she looks fine she's probably going to be fine.

Snakes aren't like mammals. They can go for weeks between meals. So she should be fine eating a normal sized meal. Not to mention she's probably as hungry as she was thirsty

Congrats!
Darci
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Takes all kinds to make a World...

Thanks Darci, I appreciate the info. I have been lurking around on this board for probably a year now but just decided to post. You have always been supportive. Thanks again.
Seth
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"Oh c'mon guys, it's so simple, maybe you need a refresher course! It's all ballbearings now-a-days!"

When i was much younger, i had a neonate coastal escape on me. However, i was storing some extra hide-boxes under her cage. She crawled right in there, and thankfully that's the first place i looked.

I also had a CA Kingsnake escape and stay gone for a good 3 months. I woke up one morning to find him on the kitchen floor!

All of the snakes are kept in escape proof cages now.. no more glass enclosures.

-Aston