I’m looking for expertise on how to find a ball python that escaped its enclosure. I’ve searched thoroughly every nook and cranny through all rooms near the room its enclosure was in. I also have in-laws who are very concerned about my kids safety and I am doubtful they will listen to me expressing that it’s unlikely going to a danger to them. So I need advice on finding it/luring it without knowledge of what room/ floor it’s now on and confirmation that it’s of little safety risk to my children with it being out somewhere in my house, as the in-laws think my kids shouldn’t be home until it’s found. Unfortunately finding it isn’t that simple and quick. The python is maybe 4 feet in length just fyi.
If I were to try and lure it by placing live mice in small containers/cages, what during the day/night should I place them and should I focus on one room and hope it picks up the scent from potentially rooms away or should in try to set up mice in multiple rooms? Also if I set up mice like this in hopes to attract it will the snake leave the area after a short while of realizing it can’t access the mouse or would it stick around for a while? Basically would I need to closely monitor the situation for a few hours or could I set them up somehow and leave the room and still be able to find the snake after a prolonged duration after. Any advice is appreciated, fortunately in my house it’s not easy to search as it was in a room full of toys and clutter and all rooms surrounding it are rooms full kids toys and clutter. I had searched through a significant amount of things including drawers, boxes, under everything, inside everything and focused along the wall and closets then worked my way inwards. Apparently they are very good at hiding.
I I have tried setting up heat mats with hides along the wall near where its terrarium was to lure it back at night, with no success so far.
How long has it been gone? If it hasn’t been gone that long then chances are it’s still in the room its tank is in.
Also Have you looked high as well as low? If there are bookcases/shelving in the room I would look in and on the tops. Ball pythons are very secretive and like dark, tight hiding places generally. If it has eaten recently it might look for a quiet warm spot to digest.
I would say that a 4ft BP should be easier to spot than a baby. I found a couple of my loose snakes when I turned the lights on at night in the rooms where the enclosures were. When darkness takes over in the evening go around and turn on the lights in all the rooms in your house periodically. Snakes in the wild usually venture out at night when they are somewhat protected in the darkness. You might find your escapee.
It’s been gone for about 3 days now. I’ve searched high and low in the room it was in and attached room. He got out once before and I found him up above his enclosure under a tote. I’ve researched every spot I can think of in the same room each day thoroughly and in the connecting room and other rooms around. I’ve tried to upload a picture of it from a few months ago to show size. Will see if it shows up, not that it matters much.
So glad you found it! My boa escaped quite a while ago and I found him in a bookcase back in a corner as far as he could get.
Could I ask its name/male or female? Please don’t take this as criticism but I’m hoping that finding your lost BP really DID matter to you. Thank you for the pic btw. Is that the enclosure that it lives in? I’m just wondering how it escaped.
As far your in-laws are concerned, they need to understand that your children have a better chance of being stung by a bee than being bitten by a BP on the lam. I am curious if your children ever interact with the snake, given your in-laws concern for their safety with a snake, albeit a loose one, in the house.
Again I am not being critical of you or judging you in ANY WAY! I am just thinking of the well being of the animal. But I know you searched “high” and low for it so it must be considered a family pet. And again I am thankful that you found it!
My kids names it banana split. It’s a male. My inlaws are just extremely over cautious about everything. My kids have all held the snake many times and they themselves had no worries about the snake. I didn’t imagine it would be much of a threat as it’s never bitten me or anyone else. Glad to hear you agree that it’s very unlikely to harm someone even having been out and about at night.
Oh and it managed to press against the top of the lid hard enough to break loose a clamp holding the lid on. I thought I had it fixed but apparently not as he broke off the same clamp again pushing up on the same area. It’s been well secured now. He will be getting an overdue enclosure upgrade very soon.
Well they can be determined little devils sometimes. Not to mention stronger than you would think. Let’s just hope you have remedied the situation so Banana Split doesn’t “split” again before he gets his new more secure enclosure!
