Help I have an escaped ball python!! (Part 1)

I get panicked calls from customers far too often about escaped ball pythons. And they have no idea where to look or how to find it.

Step 0: Snake-proof your environment

Why step Zero?  Simple your, the first step in finding your escaped ball python should have started BEFORE it escaped.  What? How was I supposed to know it was going to escape?  Ball pythons have nothing but time to explore their enclosures looking for that 1 mistake or opportunity to escape. Add to that the fact they are most active at night when most of us are asleep.  And you have the perfect escape.   So it’s more than likely a WHEN you have an escape than IF you will have an escape.

Examine your ball python room. Get down on the floor and look for nooks, crannies, voids, etc. Basically, anything and anywhere a ball python can crawl into, under, or thru.  It helps to think in “worst case scenarios” that a hatchling has escaped what could it crawl into?  To catch the snake you must think like the snake.  <channel inner ancient wise master> “To catch the snake, one must become the snake.” 

Void under cabinets:

If you have cabinets close to your snake enclosures look under them. Most cabinets (kitchen/bathroom) have hollow space under them. Once a snake crawls into there you’ll have no choice or (easy) way to get them out until they want to come out.  There are many ways to seal/cover these voids.  Do it BEFORE the escape and you’ll thank me later as it’ll be one less place you’ll have to worry about.  Stiff cardboard, plywood, etc work well to cover the entry to the void. Make sure you don’t leave even a small hole for them to crawl or force their way thru.

Doors:

I’ve put weather stripping under all the doors leading into/out of my ball python rooms.  Then I make sure the doors are closed at all times.  This helps prevent snakes from escaping out of the room and reduces my search area.

Windows:

Similar treatment as doors. Weatherstripping, screens, and always closed.

So as you can see the PREPARATION for the inevitable escape is key. If you’re one of those rare humans who never makes a mistake or has an escape. Think of this step as cheap insurance.

Step 1: Relax

You’ve had an escape!!! Relax you’re just human.  Ball pythons have nothing but time to explore their enclosures looking for that 1 mistake or opportunity to escape. You’re not the first one to have a ball python escape and you won’t be the last one.  If you’ve snake proofed your snake room(s) – I actually have several rooms I keep my snakes in- your search shouldn’t be too bad. I’ll go into more detail on this in a later post. But a short breakdown- qt room, breeding females, hatchlings, holdbacks, and males.

Think back when did you last see the snake in question?  If you’re like me I check them daily so my max time on the run is usually pretty short. Check the enclosure- other levels, even other tubs  (you would be surprised how often I hear about a snake turning up in another tub).   Ball Pythons are cold blooded so they eventually seek out hot spots.  It may be at the start of their adventure or it may be after they have explored a bit. But they will always seek out a hot spot.

Step 2: Assess your environment

You should have some ideas from Step 0.  Snakes will always gravitate to warm spots. This could be another level in the same enclosure. It may be directly on the heat (tape) source. In one of my snake rooms, I have electronic equipment on a power strip.  Even with the electronic equipment turned off it and the power strip generate some heat.  Don’t believe me, use your IR temp gun to check it out.

Side note: Even when turned off electronic equipment can still draw some power. It’s best to put them on a power strip/surge suppressor and turn everything off at the strip/suppressor when they aren’t in use.

Electronic equipment- TVs, computers, DVRs, network routers, surge suppressors all generate heat.

Appliances:  Refrigerators, dishwashers, washer and dryer all generate heat. Refrigerators and Freezers especially since they are on 24/7.

Computers and related equipment: Some extra care should be taken with computers. They have spinning fans which can be devastating if a snake manages to find its way into them.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who has several computers/servers/HTPC/Security systems running 24/7.  Computers, network routers, modems, etc are also great sources of heat for an escaped snake.