Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have no idea how, but my honduran milksnake got out of it's cage sometime last night. I need ANY tips anyone can give me on finding it. It should be in the same room as the rest of my snakes, but it is the only really small snake I have, and it could have gotten under the door. Anything at all you could tell me would be lifesaving (or snake-saving in this incident). I do not want to loose thi amasing little fello. Againa thank you very mcuh for ANY ideas you have.

Hmmm... I've never had to deal with that, but have heard some things on how.
First, flour lines across wherever the snake might pass could give you a good idea of his location if he leaves a trail. If this makes the floor of your place look like a chessboard concocted by a mad baker, so be it. Make sure nothing else can disturb these lines.
Second, he's going to look for a warm place.
Third, and possibly most important, snakes love snug areas where they can feel contact on all sides (like a sock drawer or something)
Fourth, snake safety. Look carefully before you sit down on anything, under cushions, etc. Also be careful opening or closing doors, cubboards, and so on. And if you have any free roaming carnivores (dogs or cats) you want to be very careful they don't find him first or mess up the flour lines.
Fifth, I've heard of people putting a dead mouse in a container that the snake can only just squeeze into. Then when the snake goes in and eats the food, he can't squeeze out again. I really don't know about that one, as it'd have to be closely monitored for snake safety, but oh, well.
Sixth, check your perimiters. If there's a chance he has escaped your house, you may want to warn your neighbors that your tiny harmless baby pet may be outside, so they'll know what it is and call you instead of taking, um... bad measures. Or even put up a lost pet/reward poster. (this partially depends on the mentality of your community)
And I don't know if this is any comfort, but I've heard of a missing cornsnake show up alive and well after something like a year. Good luck.
P.S. It's possible that www.anapsid.org might have an article about escaped critters.
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0.2 chickens
0.2 dog mutts (half ownership, only mine when they misbehave)
0.1 Halflinger horse
0.0 Arizona Mountain Kingsnake (coming soon)
1.1 parents
Still searching for 1.0 WC human

This is a fossorial snake and not the best climber by any means. Look low. I have had escapes and usually find them by searching late at night after the house lights have been off with a flashlight.

Check low boxes, drawers and shoes...Etc...

Good luck,

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Although I would agree with what you say about not being a climber type species, I have a funny story to share.
Way back when I lived with my buddy Kyle, and our caging wasnt as good as it could have been, we had a 3 foot female honduran get out. We didnt even know she was out until my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) looked up from watching tv one day, pointed to the doorknob on a vented bi-fold door and said "Theres a snake climbing up the door"
There it was, 3 feet or so off the floor, heading north to the top. We all got quite a kick out of that one.

Good luck finding your snake.
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

I agree with looking low and in tight spots. if there are any gaps along the baseboard or under the door you can expect that he has already escaped the room. More then heat or food, your snake will seek water, so look for water sources in your house, snakes are really good at getting around so don't under estimate his ability to get outside.

http://www.anapsid.org/escapedsnake.html