Snakes are escape artists by nature. So, even if you’re meeting every need your pet may have, it could still run (or slide) away. But don’t take it personally; we’re here to tell you what to do if your snake escapes and how to find it!
If your pet snake escaped, there might be small holes in its enclosure, or you left the lid open. To find your pet, start by looking behind the vivarium or under any furniture you may have in the room. These reptiles tend to seek shelter in dark places that resemble cozy caves.
But where else could your pet snake be hiding after escaping? And why do these reptiles feel the need to leave their enclosure? We have all the answers below!
Everything You Need to Know About Pet Snake Escapes
Where to Look When Your Pet Snake Escapes
So you come home one day or night after working, going to school, or for a walk. You check the clock and realize it’s time to feed your snake, but there’s a problem: your pet is not in its tank!
Of course, you start to worry. Where could your snake go? What if it let the house and ran into your reptile-hating neighbor? Could your pet be in danger?
Take a deep breath and start by closing doors and windows and putting a towel between the door and the floor.
Then, conduct a thorough search in the snake’s enclosure. If you own a small species like a Rosy Boa, there’s a chance you haven’t see your pet hiding somewhere in its tank.
If there aren’t any holes in the vivarium and the lid is not open, your snake is likely still in its enclosure. Some species also like to burrow, so your pet may be under the substrate.
Thus, dedicating a few minutes to look in the enclosure may come in handy, but please be careful.
If you’re sure the snake escaped its enclosure, don’t panic. Although these reptiles are fast, they rarely ever go too far.
In reality, your pet may have moved to the nearest dark, warm place to hide, especially if it’s daytime. Even diurnal snakes are more active during the night, so they may only look for somewhere to rest if the sun is still up.
First, look behind and all around the enclosure. Afterward, if the snake’s still missing, check behind beds, inside closets, and bookshelves. Hell, even trash cans and empty boxes can look like the most glamorous cave for a fugitive snake!
If you still can’t find the snake after turning the room upside down, there are two possibilities.
If the door or window in the room where you keep your snake remained closed, move to other rooms. Repeat the procedure by putting towels in the door’s gaps and look for your pet in dark, warm places. Sometimes, these reptiles can even get behind refrigerators or inside vents!
If you own other pets, you’ll need to place them in a closed, snake-free room. If your cat or dog run into the reptile, it will likely not end well. Mammals and cold-blooded animals don’t get along by default.
That said, if you left a door or window open before the snake disappeared, it might be in trouble. Nowadays, many people still fear snakes and think they may hurt them, their pets, or children.
As a consequence, your neighbors could try to make the reptile go away or, worse, hurt it. Thus, you’ll have to reassure and explain to people how your pet is not dangerous while you look for it.
Luckily, your snake will be just around the corner… or closer!
What Do I Do if I Looked Everywhere and I Still Can’t Find My Snake?
If you went after your escape artist snake for hours and still couldn’t find it, it’s time to make it come to you. How? By setting up a trap.
Of course, there’s no better motivation to make a cold-blooded animal move than prey. So, you can try placing a live mouse inside a cage and wait for the snake to come for a fresh meal.
But please, choose a cage that the prey can’t leave and your pet can still enter. With luck, the snake will slide right into the trap. You can also use a mouse that died recently.
You can also put things that make noises, like plastic bags, in every corner and dark area. Cover any place that you think your snake could slide through with objects that make sounds.
Likewise, try to leave a trace of flour on the floor so that when the snake moves around it, you can notice. If you left a straight line of flour and find it with breaks or curves later, your pet was and may still be around!
Keep a flashlight with you at all times since, as we mentioned before, snakes love darkness. And don’t panic! Your pet can survive for hours outside its enclosure, and it may turn around when you least expect it.
You only need to keep your eyes open and pay attention to the sounds.
Why Did My Pet Snake Escape?
There’s not a big, psychological reason why your snake escaped. You may offer the perfect enclosure and tasty treat for your pet, but it may still slide its way out of the vivarium.
Snakes are very instinctive and only seem to experience aggression, contentment, and fear. Thus, these cold-blooded animals may escape because they saw they could, and it has nothing to do with you. For, it’s not you, it’s them!
A pet snake can sense if there are holes in its tank and grow curious about what’s on the other side. These hunters also notice if live prey is around and feel the need to feed, even if it means leaving their cozy homes.
Another reason why a pet snake can leave is that its enclosure is too small for them. These creatures need to have enough space to explore in their vivarium. Otherwise, they’ll feel trapped and stressed out, so they’ll try to break out of their cage.
Thus, even if you get a small enclosure for your baby snake, you’ll need a bigger one as it becomes an adult.
That said, an enclosure that’s too big can also be stressful for a snake. Too much space means more time trying to find hiding spots, water dishes, and prey. So, although it’s tricky, aim to find the perfect size for your pet.
Research what the proper size for your species’ vivarium is and buy it.
How Can I Prevent My Pet Snake From Escaping?
The best way to prevent your pet snake from escaping is by getting a secured enclosure. Make sure you buy a container made for snakes, with locks or clamps that you can close after you feed or handle your pet. Investing in a high-quality vivarium can save you a lot of trouble.
Whether the enclosure opens at the top or on one side, always (always!) check twice that you closed it. Do you know the saying “better safe than sorry”? Well, it’s a fact!
Also, keep a close observation of the enclosure. Are there any holes in the walls that the snake could use to escape? You may think we’re exaggerating, but we’re not. These reptiles can sometimes slide through spaces that seem too small for them.
It would also help if you keep the windows and doors sealed. We’re not saying you should live in a cage, but try to keep the room surrounding the enclosure closed. Thus, even if the snake leaves its tank, it’ll be in the same room, and you’ll find your pet faster.
If you’re one of those pet owners who like to let its snake out now and then, pay attention. The slightest distraction while your snake is out could equal an escape attempt.
Likewise, your pet could end up getting hurt in the process. So, no phones in sight while your snake is sliding around!
It should be evident in this day and age, but all pets need constant supervision. And, if you have a cold-blooded animal, you should be even more careful.
