A week ago, my 400g hatchling somehow went missing. Her bin had a locking lid, with clips on every side. When I went to feed, she was gone. Everything was locked on, but she disappeared without a trace. I’ve left rats overnight, heat, hides, and even pulled apart some of my walls. I cannot find her, and I feel so guilty. I know this stuff happens sometimes, but she’s the first snake I’ve lost and haven’t been able to find. How does one move on from this feeling? I’ve checked this whole house too to bottom, even missing some work to do so. What is there even left to do to try and find her?
I live in NY, so it’s a little chilly in the house except the snake room. But once winter hits I’m scared she’s a goner if not found. Any words of wisdom? I just cannot fathom how she got out, everything was completely sealed shut! And no one else goes in that room
My words of wisdom to you is to search places that you wouldn’t even think a snake could get under/in/on top of.
I’ve only had 2 escapees in the 16 years I’ve kept reptiles and both times I found them in places I would’ve never imagined they could get to… a baby kingsnake on top of a 7ft tall TV entertainment center and my Boa when she was a juvenile hidden under a half inch gap of a 200lb old solid wood computer desk and the floor.
It may seem hopeless rn but I would still keep diligently searching, even if its just a quick glance around something. Heck I’ve heard of people who’ve lost reptiles for years only for the reptile to turn up basically unscathed randomly, it sounds crazy but it does happen.
Look in your garbage disposal. Found one of mine there. Look behind books on bookshelves, behind on top and under the refrigerator. Look under chair and couch cushions. If I think of anywhere else…….
Certainly looking everywhere! Even under a 1/4” gap of the snake racks, on top of shelves in a sealed closet, anywhere at all. I took absolutely everything out of the snake room and checked before moving it back in im just surprised she’s not in the baseboard heater or something warm. All appliances have been checked too! It’s just so heartbreaking. I’ve had many escapees (mostly hatchlings in a rack that wasn’t built the best), but it was super easy to find them
I’m hoping she wasn’t big enough to squeeze under the door to escape, but I mean she escaped a sealed container so anything is possible! But definitely triple checking everywhere
I am so sorry you are going through this. If it’s any consolation sometimes they will reappear in the same room they went missing. I found a missing milk snake in the middle of the room about 6 months after he had escaped. I used to get up in the middle of the night and turn the light on to see if he would show up and he finally did so don’t give up hope!
Lol I just went to double check one of my snakes was still in her enclosure after reading this thread. Realized I hadn’t seen her poke her nose out of her hide yet today. But she’s still safe and sound!
Found her in my bedroom closet! Had an urge to check there for some reason (despite having other chores to do), and I found her curled up in my backpack! Super cold, but she doesn’t seem to have an RI or anything. She’s in her bin now on the heat, acting like her usual self!
See Gabriella! You thought all was lost! I figured you would find her! I started to tell you to look in all your shoes but I never thought about a backpack!
Sometimes you just have to say something to someone else, and the missing thing mysteriously reappears!
We’ve all asked for help finding keys or something, only for the act of asking the other person to somehow spawn in your missing item in a place you totally checked! I think somehow posting here must have helped in some mysterious way
Not the first time my instincts were right! My first ever snake got lost when I was younger, my mom told me she checked the closet. I woke up at 6am and had an urge to check the closet and she was right there staring at me! Why are all my snakes going in the closet?
I honestly believe this! I’m so thankful I found her, and I believe that asking for help willed her into existence again (because I have no idea how she got out of a sealed, locked container, and through 3 sealed doors! Literally glitched the matrix)
im just surprised she’s not in the baseboard heater or something warm. All appliances have been checked too! It’s just so heartbreaking. I’ve had many escapees (mostly hatchlings in a rack that wasn’t built the best), but it was super easy to find them
