My garter got out!

[Snaky]

I think everything is said, you should check and recheck every spot where the snake could go.

Put food, water and a hide with a heating mat beneath it somewhere in the house. Spread flour in the doorways and along walls. If it moves around, it will leave tracks and will tell you where it has been.

I know this technique is used often, sometimes with and sometimes without results.

I hope you'll find her.

[adamanteus]

In the past I have had snakes escape. Sorry to say but I found them very quickly, or not at all.

[Cazador]

Yep, finding a snake that has escaped can be very difficult. I'd also suggest putting a rolled up towell at the base of doors that lead out of your home in order to block the snake's exit.

Here's a twist on Stefan's suggestion. You might prepare a few containers of worms, and put them in the middle of a flat cardboard box with flour on it. Then lay block the gap under doors with towells. If the snake comes to investigate the worm smell, it would leave tracks in whichever room it's in. I actually found an escaped snake in a cold room with it's chin resting on a container of worms, so I know it can work. I didn't use the flour trick, though.

[Dracaena828]

Hi all~
Many thanks for all the kind replies. I found Azuli at about 4:00 in the morning when I had completely given up for the night. I'd just gone out into the living room to turn out the lights when I saw her come out from under the futon. She saw me and whipped right around and flew back across the room, but I caught her in a corner. It was so late I just went straight to bed, and this morning I woke up very late for work. My apologies for not writing an update sooner I am so relieved.
I have no clue as to where she could have been, we took every inch of this apartment apart. Including removing the futon mattress, all books from every shelf, looking in all shoes, under every appliance, and putting anything that she could get into (including the ferret cage) on top of the futon once we were sure she wasn't there. Sneaky little thing, but she is now safely back in her tank and about to get a nice meal of minnows. My apartment is a bit of a disaster, but that's ok
Angela
P.S. There were some really good suggestions there, maybe we should make a list to put under care sheets? I never would have thought of the flour, that's very clever. I had planned to make a basking spot with a bowl of fish, but it really wouldn't have occurred to me to put a hide next to it. Duh....

[Cazador]

I found Azuli at about 4:00 in the morning when I had completely given up for the night.

Maybe that's the best advise of all... just give up. Then they have a way of turning up right away. Also, thanks for the advise about turning this thread into an article. There are, indeed, some very good suggestions here.



Stefan,
I've started a page in the caresheets about finding lost snakes (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...g_a_Lost_Snake). Since you proposed the most original idea (the flour trick), would you like to summarize this thread into a short article? If you don't have time, please send me a PM, and I'll do it after I return from a 4-day trip on Monday. Cheers,

Rick

[Stefan-A]

I'll see what I can do.

[adamanteus]

Angela, I'm so pleased you found your snake. Good news.

[drache]

Angela
I'm glad you found her
what a relief

[Odie]

you found your snake, Angela

[FitnessFreak]

i hope you find her. i personally never have lost a snake and i never want too but i lost a tarantula once...i lured her out with a fresh mouse traped in a feeder box by here cage, she was missing 3 days and then i found her munching down the feeder mouse. but best of luck mate, put food out in other locations not just one area but multiple areas leave out water dishes like large pans or bowls it could get into because if its like mine it will love water.

my goodness a tarantual running lose in your house for 3 days?!?

im aracnophobic so i probably wouldn't sleep at night lol.


PS : congrats on ginding oyur snake!!!