What are the odds

[guidofatherof5]

I was sent a few T.ordinoides(Northwestern Garter Snake) that were rescued by Richard(Concinnusman). During there first night with me one of the larger ones escaped. I wasn't very worried as they most often show up in the snake room. I had been checking for the snake is most of the usual spots but hadn't seen it.
Fast forward to this afternoon. I went and picked my kids up at school. After arriving home my two youngest asked if they could go out and play in the backyard. Chores were done and it was a beautiful day so out into the yard they went.
A few moments later my youngest(Hailee) came running into he house and said she saw a snake but that Gabby had caught it. I figured it was a radix heading to the den but Gabby had recognized something different about it. She said it didn't look like a radix.
She brought the snake to me and recognized it as the ordinoides that had escape. It made it's way out of the house and was out in the garden.
What are the odds we would have recaptured this snake?

[Stefan-A]

What are the odds of it escaping again?

[guidofatherof5]

What are the odds of it escaping again?

It should happen again as the problem has been fixed.

I don't use plastic tubs and lids anymore.

[brain]

Yea go figure

[Stefan-A]

What exactly was the problem?

[guidofatherof5]

What exactly was the problem?

I was using a rubbermaid clear tub and lid. The kind that latch on the ends. The problem is the sides of the tub don't have anything holding them down so I think the snake was able to force itself out at that point.
Smaller snakes wouldn't have been able to reach the lid and larger snake wouldn't have been able to sqeeze under. I think this snake was a perfect size for escaping from this container.
Lesson learned. I'm thankful to have the snake back.

[guidofatherof5]

Here's a look at the container in question.

[ConcinusMan]

Funny, I had them in a similar container and yes, if they push on the lid near the middle, they can squeeze through. That's why I had a heavy rock on top of it. Silly Steve I would think you'd be wise to that by now.

That is incredible it made it outside and that it was found again!

[guidofatherof5]

I'm not used to having these small narrow headed garters. I've never had an escape from those tubs until the T.ordinoides arrived.
I'm happy it turned out well for the snake as it didn't have time to find a place to brumate and would have probably died.
She was able to find a way outside in 48 hours.
I'm going to like these Northwesterns.

[ConcinusMan]

With the comings and goings of all the radixes at the ranch, it doesn't surprise me one bit that he found his way out. They do recognize pathways traveled by other species of snakes, and they can even follow rabbit and rodent trails. Not for food, but in their instinct to find shelter at this time of year. They smell the trails laid down by other garters or rodents and they know that's where they will find resources they need.