I bought a baby ball python, got out of the cage the first night home any suggestions on how to find it?

Question

Already tore up house looking for it.

Answer 1

Look anywhere dark and secluded. In cupboards, under sinks, etc. Even if you think it couldn't possibly have gotten there you should look anyway. Also look at the underside of any furniture you have. If it got under a chair or sofa it may have found or made a hole and gotten up inside to where the springs are.

Next you should check anything that gets even remotely warm. Being cold blooded it'll want some place to keep warm. Check the back of the refrigerator by the motor. I had a ball python that got out of his cage once and it took me two days to find him wrapped around the back of my freezer by the motor. Actually, my cat found him and she was none too happy when she did. ;)

If you still can't find the little guy you could try putting a warming pad out in one of your rooms and plugging it in at night. You might find him curled up on it in the morning.

Good luck with the hunt, and remember, be creative about where you look.

Answer 2

Even if you had the snake for years it wouldnt help much other than it couldnt get into as small of spaces. I have had my ball for about 7 or 8 years and he has gotten "lost" anywhere from hours to months and always turned back up eventually. The best thing you could do to maybe help is get a mouse or pinky whatever size your ball eats and then put it in a cage or box that breaths well in the middle of the floor maybe put a fan on it to send the scent far and wide..... The snake will probably eventually come for the easy meal. Good luck.

-s

Answer 3

Lost snakes are tough to find, but here is what worked for me a few times.

Get a hot rock that isn't too hot. Get a handful of used mouse litter from the pet store. Place these on a piece of cardboard or an old towel in a quiet area of the house fairly close to where the snake excaped. Cover them with a cardboard box that has one or two small snake sized holes cut in the sides at the bottom to provide access with darkness and privacy. Toss in a few crumpled paper towels or sheets of newspaper to hide in. Check every morning.

Snakes have an acute sense of smell. Mouse litter scattered on the hot rock will provide the aroma of "dinner" for the snake and if he finds this scent in an area that is warm and dark and quiet, he's likely to linger. This doesn't always work by any means but I've found it more effective than tearing the house apart, as snakes are accomplished at hiding.

Good luck finding your snake.

Answer 4

Start your search near the cage and go from there.
Check behind furniture along the baseboards.
Check under the furniture.
Check inside cabinets, drawers, shelves and bookcases. Check behind, in, and under any items in these places.
Remove cushions from couches and chairs, and check down the sides and back of the furniture.
Check the underside of furniture and beds for any holes through which a creature could climb inside the furniture/bed.
Check inside any boxes you have around the house, including tissue boxes.
Look inside any backpacks, purses, or other bags.
Look in boots and shoes, or any other small, dark hiding places you can think of.
Check the undersides and backs of appliances for holes your pet could have climbed into.
Make sure cage is left open, and place favorite treat or food around and in cage.
Place foil around the room (or crinkly plastic) in potential hiding places so you can hear your pet moving around.
Sprinkle some flour on the floor in areas where you suspect your pet might be hiding - you might get a set of footprints to help you.
Tips:
Don't discount a hiding place because you think it is too small or inaccessible - snakes, lizards and even small mammals can fit through surprisingly small spaces.
If your pet is nocturnal, consider putting out its favorite treat after dark (e.g. in the cage), turning out the lights, and waiting.
Many pets do consider their cage their home, and will return to it given the chance. Make sure your home is safe, and that your pet can get some food and water if they have been missing for longer than 12-24 hrs.

Answer 5

Best thing you can do is make your house as cold as possible, then put out a heat lamp in an open area (where you can catch the snake or rig up something with a heat lamp in the snake's cage). The snake is cold blooded and will seek out the warmest spot in the house eventually.

Answer 6

Well anywhere around the cage or in that room would be good.

Look in tight dark places. Also look in warm spots in the house.
I once found my brothers snake underneath the couch pillows and my snake curled up around my sheets.


If it has been awhile broaden you search, even to neighbors house. Snakes are escape masters, they can get though almost anything.

Hope you find your ball phython.

P.S. Alert local animal shelters and rescues that he is lost, perhaps some one will call in saying there is a snake in her house and they will call to see if it is yours.

Answer 7

You could try to find a good breeder to take a couple in, they might enjoy taking new ones in. Try a herpetology society, they will take in any reptiles and give them good homes, they can adopt them out when they're ready. Post an ad on craigslist or something for experienced owners only.

Answer 8

oh no! get a frozen mouse and set it out and hope hes hungry and come to get it. other then that i have no idea when my friends got out it, was out of the bath tub, and she was easy to find she was an 8 footer!
good luck in finding it:)

Answer 9

i agree look in dark warm laces where it will feel secure and warm. if that fail try a frozen mouseunder a heat lamp where you may think it is and also look any high places it may wanna hang.

Answer 10

Cover yourself in honey and wait to be swallowed alive.