Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a ball python on the loose and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to how to re-capture it or perhaps lure it from wherever it is hiding.
My questions are;
1- How far is it likely to roam
2- Will it come out of it's hiding place when it gets thirsty, and how long might that be?
3- Is there any possibility that it could have gone down a toilet?

We've checked all the accessible places, couches, bookcases etc. but there are still places that it could have gone, such as between walls etc.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Craig

snakes are crevice seekers . A tight spot . NEVER underestimate their speed regarding how much ground they cover . STOP , and listen , you may hear it moving in , and around things in the house . Look for a trail of things knocked over , or moved , could help you .I've had 3 escapees in a basement that you wouldn't dream of lossing a dog in....and found all three . put a source of heat somewhere , that may work...or look where there is heat , I found one coiled up next to the Hot water heater , sorry so lengthy.....we've all been there at least once .

Rich-OSC

I had the same thing happen to me and this is what worked for me. Lower the temp to the area where it got loose chances are that it's not far from there. Leave one area that is nice and warm and it will find the heat source. Hope this helps.

Louie

I tossed my house every day for three weeks until we found Harry - Don't worry, he'll show up when he's ready. Keep an eye out, keep the room or house closed off so he can't get out.

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Tosha

8.15.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
1.0.0 Angolan Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.3 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

These methods have worked for me with my escape artist cal king snake...

One time I rubbed mouse on the floor from all rooms, leading to the room I was in. I left the mouse on the floor and turned out the lights. Not even 5 minutes later she came out. 5 minutes was luck, might take longer but worth a try.

Another time I just turned out the lights for about a half an hour, then turned them back on and searched and found her in a spot that I already checked.

The last time I put plastic bags along the baseboard of my whole aparement. That way if the snake came out of hiding, it would rustle the plastic bags (shopping bags like from Wal-Mart). I also poured lines of baking powder onto the tile, that way if she crossed the baking powder I would know which way she went by the direction of the tail drag trail.

One last important thing...DONT LOSE HOPE!!!

My snake escaped for the last time for over a month. I looked everywhere ten times. I lost hope, even started to clean out her cage. I tried everything I could think of. Then, one night, my girlfriend went to the bathroom and found her in the tub. Now this snake is a very small snake, and we still have absolutely no idea how she got into the tube, just shows anything is possible. That last time we found her in the beginning of March she was missing since late Feb. About three nights ago I was looking for something under the sink, and when I moved a cleaning product I found a perfect shed. So she had been sitting under there somewhere, preparing for a shed. I have the shed and I am keeping it for good because of the story (but that's another story lol). Don't lose hope, and don't go crazy!! Trust me I and probably many other people have been there! Good luck and keep us updated! -Joe D.

Years ago before I learned how to PROPERLY house my Ball Python, he would occassionally escape. Luckily, I kept my bedroom in complete disorder. Every single time, I would find him about a foot from his cage asleep in the leg of some discarded jeans. (They probably look for the closest nesting spot.)

Start at the base of the cage and spiral outward looking for any small opening. I'm willing to bet that he won't go farther than he has to.

Good Luck,
Chris

PS -- Ask Tosha for the photo of her escaped snake. =)
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“Next time don't buy $10K worth of snakes out of the back of a van!” -- Toshamc

Great photo. I love it. =)

Chris
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“Next time don't buy $10K worth of snakes out of the back of a van!” -- Toshamc

But look around there anyway! Who was it who misplaced their mojave and found him curled up behind the toilet? That was a funny photo. Tosha's is pretty hilarious, too. I once heard a story of someone's green tree python ending up on a cieling fan in the middle of a room! Snakes can be amazing climbers and squeezers. Look in cupboards and closets, don't underestimate them.

Look, look, look! Never give up. I have had a few escapes. My pastel got out and I found him in a closet. Found the cornsnake curled up behind the freezer, and the first time he escaped, I got him using the plastic bag trick that was mentioned. I found a normal ball in my brother's dirty laundry. It's part luck and part perserverance, but you will find him. Good luck!

I have never had to do this, but a good friend of mine explained it to me and it sounds like it would work great.

Place a live rat or two in a container with a ventilated lid. Place the container with the rats in it close to the area where you lost your snake. Your lost snake will soon seek out the irresistible smell of the rats.

I was told that most times the snake will be found curled up right on top of the container with the rats in it!

Make sure you use a container that the rats can't escape from and that your snake will not knock over. The last thing you want is rats running around your house with your snake!!

Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out.

Jesse Wilson