Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Bummed. Missing.
My 3 y/o West Langtry female has been missing for 7 days now. My fault. I was handling her, she got snuggled up in my shirt sleeve and I fell asleep. I woke up 2 hours later, walked up stairs like a zombie and collapsed into bed. The next day, I noticed that the her enclosure was open and I realized that I never put her back.
I don't know if she went gallivanting while I was sleeping on the first floor or if I stumbled upstairs with her still in my shirt.

Stupid.

I've been turning this house upside down for a week. She ate 3 days prior and the house is starting to warm up here in GA.

I don't even know what floor she is on. 2 stories over a basement.
The house was 68deg when she got loose and the basement would have been about 60deg. Now the house is warm and the basement is about 62.

I've done all I can think of so far. I disassemble an entire floor at least once per day. With so many places to hide, I can't imagine that she wouldn't be in any of them. Can she really get through anything that she can get her head through?

I've moved every appliance and almost every piece of furniture. Have opened up the bottoms of couches. I've laid flour, have heating pads out with hides.

I kinda hope that she finds her way outside so that she does not dehydrate or starve.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

Fearnot,

I would tell you to be patient. This has happened to me before.

Back in 2008, my now almost 5 year old alterna got out. Pissed off and disappointed, a couple of days went by and one of my female visitors was "surprised" to see a gray,orange and black snake going under the couch.

I have had 3 snakes get out of my enclosures. Each time, I found all 3 snakes after a day or two. My advice to you, be patient, try and search at night time. As long as your doors and windows are secure, she will pop up.

Good luck man.

Last year my daughter was looking at our seven hatchling emoryis and left the lid ajar slightly. All seven got out. I eventually found all of them in the same enclosed room where they got loose. However, in your situation there are a lot more hiding places, so be patient. One of my friends lost his Tokay gecko at home and didn't see it for a year or so. It was a juvie when it escaped, but fed on insects in the house for many months, growing in size. One day he accidentally dropped something behind his fridge and moved the fridge out to get what had fallen behind it. When he bent down, he said the lizard screamed in his ear from about two inches away on the back of the fridge, and just about scared him to death. It was very healthy and robust from eating presumably every insect, spider, etc, it could get its jaws on.

Marlon

Please keep us updated on what happens.

Okay. Will do. Thanks for the encouragement.

Just be patient, and vilgilant. It will happen, likely when you least expect it.

........is for people to stop posting how their snake escaped. no wonder all of these cities and states are trying to pass legislation against the keeping of exotic or non native reptiles. people can't keep them in their cages and then advertise their escapes to the world on these forums. i don't want you to think i'm picking on you, there are posts like this every week on multiple forums. i hope you find your snake.

Point taken..

Hadn't thought of that. sorry.

Accidentally escaping and deliberating escaping, as in the case of some exotic specials, such as Burmese Pythons. Unfortunately, some of us are not perfect and their snakes escape, only to be found in the bathroom or closet a couple of days later.

Sorry that a snake escaped, in this person's case, they are concerned because their snake escaped. Accidents happen, and the escaped and established exotic reptile species, are not from true herp enthusiasts, its from those that are unaware of that particular snake species requirements, as in the case with Burmese Pythons in Florida.

Just saying......

your points. However I have read posts on KS forums in the past about people finding their escaped snakes months later, outside their house. Usually these incidents involve snakes (exotic or otherwise) that are not indiginous to those areas. I understand that people are fallible, that's not the point. The point is state fish and wildlife agencies have laws restricting the introduction of non-native species to the outdoor environment. Most any colubrid 4' or smaller can escape a house to find itself into the great outdoors. I believe we all know and understand why they have these laws, and they don't care if the animals were accidentally or intentionally introduced, they just don't want them there. If a polititian interested in passing restrictive laws was to use use all of the "escape posts" from this sites forums to bolster his/her case it would do nothing except make their case easier to sell to other voting politicians. So my main point is these escape posts do us and our future right to legally possess these animals no good at all. This is a friendly post with what I feel is good advice so please don't take it the wrong way. Self preservation is the name of this game. And bottom line, no matter how you slice it, it is our resonsibility to the reptiles (if to nothing or no one else) to keep these animals in their cages where they are safe. An escaped reptile, with few exceptions is almost always due to keeper error/irresponsibility.............On the lighter side: I would like to see a law passed banning wild and free black rat snakes from breaking into my basement and trying to make a meal of my white mice that I breed down there. I suppose even if that law was passed it would be difficult to enforce. LOL

Your points are all valid.

The greatest weight that I feel is, as you said, my failing in my responsibility to care for and keep the animal safe. It really bugs me. I have always been so careful. It sucks that it took this for me too learn not put myself in a situation where I could fall asleep.

I know all to well about communities' conversations being used against them in the creation of legislation. Didn't think of it before I posted here. I guess I am not as intimately aware of the legislative intent regarding exotics or non-indigenous. Additional lesson learned.

Just to be clear. I don't take any of this lightly, but over looked taking the cry for help public.

Don't beat yourself up over it. My advice is consider the snake gone forever. That doesn't mean you can't continue looking for it. Hopefully it will show up. The rare occasion I have a snake get sick, I am beside myself for about five minutes, then I come to terms with the fact that the snake may not pull through. In my mind I write it off as no longer a part of my collection so that I can alleviate myself of any emotional attachment and grief. It is much easier for me to deal with the situation that way. Don't get me wrong, I will treat it and they usually pull through. I would suggest the same philosophy to you regarding your escapee. Take it easy on yourself. Regards, Rusty

Where you are coming from. It is not easy being a herp enthusiast, especially with new laws fighting against us. So I can relate to your frustration about escaped herps.

at night , in the dark with a flashlight. After all they are nocturnal. I have been successful finding escapees this way. If you have anything you can leave a scent trail with that might help also. Like a lizard in a deli cup with holes so if the snake finds it she might hang around long enough to be discovered!

Good Luck!

Stu

I have found one behind books on my bookshelf. Pull out books, CDs, DVDs, Videos, whatever on shelfs and look behind. Also, plug your tubs and sinks. I found my one in my tub.
Now I'm fanatical about security and haven't had a breakout for many years, but kings are escape artists.
Let us know if you find her. I can tell from your post you're sick about losing her.
-----
1.0.0 Mexican Kingsnake, Vincent Price
1.0.0 277 Graybanded Kingsnake, Boris Karloff
1.0.0 Crockett Graybanded Kingsnake, Julien Sands
2.0.0 Ball Pythons, Pete (Peter Cushing) and Frank Langella
1.0.0 Pastel Ball Python, Claude Raines
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon, Sid Vicious
1.0.0 Sweet Rosy Bourke Parakeet, Didgeridoo
0.1.0 Smart & Loving Teenager
1.0.0 Old rat, Hugo

Found her today!

Sorry rustduggler for digging up this thread. I just wanted to let everyone know that all is well.

6:45am this morning she was on the floor in the same room, not two feet away from where I lost her. Don't know where she's been since, but she is healthy and was very hungry.

That won't happen again.