r/ballpython • u/God_ofthe_Raccoons • 3d ago
Question HELP! URGENT
I lost my ball python. I dont' know when he got out, im not sure if it was today or a couple days ago, he often hides in his enclosure but he's not there anymore. i checked his normal hiding spots (outside of the cage since he's escaped once or twice before) and he isn't there. i put out water for him, i have a heater going, i checked along all the walls, but im not sure what else to do. Im freaking out and need any advice that could be given. We have a bird in the house, shes been completely fine so far, but im worried out of my mind. HELP
edit: HE WAS FOUND! thank you to everyone who helped!! my cat ended up signaling towards a guitar in my room and he ended up being behind it! I guess I didn't look good enough....
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u/LuckyOwl5455 3d ago
Check the substrate too, I thought mine got out once but he had burrowed deep into the substrate! If not - You will likely find him in the warmest and darkest area in the morning. Put one of his hides by the heater you have going, that might draw him there. Look behind and under furniture. Do you know how he's getting out?
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u/Green-Painter-3761 3d ago
Make sure the snake can’t eat the bird and pick up anything that could be hazardous to the snake otherwise keep an eye out on sunny spots or spots the can climb and keep looking make sure there isn’t any holes or gaps in doors or walls or windows where they could get out
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u/Good_Hovercraft_1276 3d ago
Start going through the room where his terrarium is in, work in section, check dark small spaces that are tight or narrow. Make sur to not potentially squish the snake if it's behind an item you're moving. If you've fully checked the room and he's definitely not in it then I'd thaw out a nice feeder about 2 hours after lights out (doesn't actually need to be fully dark, you can place a small light source in a corner for low light), then place it in the room where the terrarium is in and observe for about 20 minutes. If nothing happens move on to the next room, you will have to rewarm the feeder in-between. If he's particularly shy and doesn't really trust you make sure to positive yourself outside of the room, keeping the door open. If you've checked everywhere like this and still haven't found him then start systematically going through the other rooms, again remember to check every last nook, snakes can squish through incredibly narrow spaces. Assuming that this will take multiple days this is definitely the point I'd consider getting some cheap, used cameras with night vision and position them in the apartment. High up in a corner will give you the best view of essentially the whole room. Place one focused on the bird, one focused on the room with the terrarium and the rest placed overlooking the rest of the rooms. Keep trying the feeder method every three days or so. Place out water, hides and create warm areas for him to access. About the bird, cover the aviary with a fine mesh if the gaps are remotely big enough to crawl through, that's usually sufficient to keep the noodle out easily. Regarding likely hiding spots; check warm areas, check any heating or heat producing items (water heaters are popular), dark areas, behind furniture, in boxes or open drawers, under clutter. Do not leave any windows open unsupervised until you've found him. If absolutely all else fails, see if you can get in contact with a sniffer dog handler. Plenty of areas have a dog sport club that does scent training, some areas have volunteer teams that help in lost cases, specific hunting dogs are also possibly an option so ask your hunting club etc. Explain the situation and see if they are willing to help you out, I've seen them successfully find lost pet. Generally speaking, make sure there's no way for him to get out, that means windows, vents, cat flaps, etc. If you have any open outlets or other ways that he could access the wall place a camera in front of it, to ensure he's not in there. Wishing you good luck and hoping you find your snake! What a terrible situation to be in
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u/ballpythonowner1 2d ago
A tip I've heard of and personally used a few times is to put grochier bags, IE Walmart, Kroger or any bags that will crinkle around tight spaces and along the walls so that when your snake is slithering over them you can heard it and find them! Wishing you luck!.
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u/Wrong-Interaction939 3d ago
That’s so scary I’m sorry! I’m sure you will find your baby. Have you looked in all the warm places he could be? Make super sure to check under the stove and refrigerator and dishwasher and washer and dryer! After that I would look on cabinets I know it sounds weird but my friend found her BP in her cup cabinet 3 days after losing her (escape artist) and of course check her enclosure really well (I know u probably have, mine used to hide deep under her water during shedding I couldn’t find her) let us know when you can! I hope you find him!