lose.html

It's everybody's worse fear, a loose snake in the house! Corn snakes can escape through a hole the size of its head and larger snakes have been known to push out of lightweight lids. Take precautions, after feeding or handling make sure your snake's cage is securely closed. Close up any holes no matter how small and even place a book on top for extra security.

Over the years we have had three snakes escape. A good place to look for a lost snake is in the same room that it escaped. The first thing you'll want to do is to close all windows and doors and keep them shut. It will probably be somewhere off of the floor because the ground is usually cold. Corn snakes are great climbers so search up inside everything, even the smallest of holes with your hands and a flashlight. Also check around the windows thoroughly, we've found one of our snakes there before. You won't be able to listen for your snake because they don't make much noise. You'll eventually find your snake after you've given up hope.

The snakes that have escaped from us were found months later emaciated, but alive. One time we spotted one of our Amelanistic Corns dying on the hot pavement on the driveway outside. The damage was done, he died an hour or so later. That particular snake had been missing for a few months prior and it was strange finding him in that predicament. We found another one of our snakes hiding between the wall and the back of a dresser. It had been missing for 4 months. Another time, we heard some squeaking coming from a neighboring room at 2 a.m. in the morning where we had been keeping our mice for breeding purposes. To our surprise, we found one of our missing snakes inside of the mice cage constricting the mother mouse after eating two of her young. In the process, the snake had managed to climb up a three foot cabinet.

One day by luck you'll end up spotting something out of the corner of your eye which will most likely be your snake. Be prepared when finding your lost snake; it's best to provide the snake fresh water when returning it to its cage. Also don't forget to cover up any holes or cracks in its cage, even the smallest opening can result in your snake's freedom.

Success Stories, (thanks to our advice).

Here are a few e-mails:
    Dear Ryan and Gavin,
    We have a albino corn snake. He got loose in the kitchen around the stove. Don't know where he is I have searched the stove but I am afraid to use it. Got any idea's. He just ate the other day so I know it may be a few weeks before he comes out. Thank you.

Our response:

    Hello,
    I'm sorry to hear that your snake escaped. The first thing you'll want to do is to close all windows and doors and keep them shut. Your snake should still be in the kitchen and he will probably be somewhere off of the cold floor. What I first recommend doing is to turn off the gas to the stove or pull the cord from the wall. If there is a broiler on the bottom of the stove, carefully slide it out and with a flashlight look around in there. If you can, completley remove the broiler drawer. Corn snakes are great climbers so search up inside every crevice with your hands and the flashlight. If the snake wasn't underneath the stove, it should be safe to pull the stove out as far as you can pull it. Check the back of the stove thoroughly and shine the flashlight in every hole.
    If you still can't find it, do the same kind of searching with the other appliances. The refrigerator might not be as easy ( watch that fan! ). Also check around the windows thoroughly, we once found one of our snakes climbing in a window paine. Other than these ideas, I can't think of much else. You can't listen for your snake like you could with a lost hamster because they don't make much noise. I'm pretty sure you'll eventually find your snake after you've given up hope. I've lost a snake for close to 3 months until I found it again. Well that's everything, Good Luck and e-mail me if you find it.

Sincerley, Ryan
P.S. You don't have cats do you? If you do, keep an eye on it!

Result:
Dear Ryan & Gavin,
    Just got your mail this morning. Wow what great advice. We took the stove apart as much as we could. Made the kitchen all quiet. And around 11:00 last night he came out from in between the burners and the oven. Good thing we didn't use it.!! I appreciate your advice it was very helpful. The snake is my daughter Sarah's, She collects all kind of things. She is 12 and cried for most of the day over this snake. I told her to be more watchful of it when it is out. They are quick.

Sincerely, John H. Vickery

Here's Another

Dear Corn Snake Site Staff,
I was browsing your "lost snake" stories and don't see one that fits what I have going on. My teenage daughter, who is very very attached to her Oketee Corn, lost him in her car. Just yesterday. I barely got her to go to school this morning, she is so upset. We have unscrewed everything inside the car we can, but can't find the little devil anywhere! Any advice?????

C. Lemmons

Response:
Hi there,

Very sorry to hear about your lost snake, it's a horrible feeling isn't it? My friend had a ball python escape in a station wagon once, it was found later jammed up inside the dashboard. Try there or in the springs of the seats, try removing the seats and flashing a light inside the springs, try not to use the seats in the meantime and don't forget to look up inside that dash! Please let me know what happens!

Best Regards and Good Luck!
Ryan

Result:

Breaking News! We found the lost snake!!! After tearing apart a Jeep Cherokee last weekend and finding nothing...after leaving water, a pinkie, a hide-away, a basking lamp in a car and not using our car for 2 weeks...up pops a little orange head in a flower bed in my back yard this morning!!!
Seth the motley corn has returned to our lives, a little dirty, but 2 inches longer and still tame and friendly as usual!
Thanks for all the support, advice, and well wishes. We have a happy ending! To the reply about...don't know whether to send me a vet or a mechanic...how about a gardener!

C. Lemmons

Other Stories, (provided by visitors).

Hello!

Hi, I am Doug Stienstra

    I have had lost my corn snakes three times and have found them every time. I first lost them when they were just little babies about 10 inches long. My family had gone on vacation for two weeks so I had my cousins watch them while I was gone. They said they would feed them and give them water. I told them REMEMBER TO LOCK THE CAGE!! They said they would remember, but when I got home...The cage was unlocked and two out of the three corn snakes were missing. We thought they would be gone for sure. I was only nine years old and I collected rubber snakes. So one night, my dad was downstairs and he thought he saw one of my rubber snakes move. But then he realized it was Snow White...My snow corn snake! He showed me and I was very happy, but We still had one snake missing. About a week later I was upstairs watching TV, when I heard my brother scream. He said the snake went under his bed. So I captured the snake and put it back in the cage.

    A few months later we decided to raise mice. We made a big mistake when me put the mouse cage next to the snake cage. The lid had some tiny holes on it and I didn't think the snakes could fit through it. But I was wrong. One morning my mom said one of the pregnant mice were missing. We looked everywhere for it. We looked under a desk and we saw Black Diamond, one of the corn snakes...With a HUGE belly. He had eaten the pregnant mouse and he was only a baby. He puked up the mouse the next day and I duct taped the holes on the lid shut.

    About a year after that experience it was really nice out and we decided to put the snake cage outside. My cousin was over and we were just getting ready to leave. So my cousin threw the basketball in his hands by the snake cage. Then we left. When we got back we saw a big hole in the snake cage lid from the basketball. We looked to see if any snakes were missing...And sure enough...Black Diamond was gone for the third time. Except I didn't think we would find him this time since he was outside. So we all looked everywhere for him and I finally saw him inside the garage by a pile of bricks. I was so lucky.

    I am now thirteen and the snakes haven't gotten out for a long time. I dont think they'll ever get out again.

Sincerely,
Doug Stienstra

Another

    If you want to hear a lost snake story read this (there is a very important lesson as well).

    One day I woke up and got ready for school, and as usual, my corn snake was up and about, but my Solomon Island boa wasn't. I found this a bit peculiar since he's always up getting his morning rays, but i didn't think to much of it. So, running late, I picked up my shoes, hopped in my car in socks and headed for school.

    About half way there, I carefully slipped on my shoe and I thought a sock was in it until something jumped out and latched onto my foot. It was my snake! This almost caused me to get into a car accident. But don't worry, fortunately nothing serious happened to me or my snake.

    So please remember this "IF A SNAKE ESCAPES IN YOUR ROOM CHECK EVERY ARTICLE OF CLOTHING BEFORE YOU PUT THEM ON!" especially your shoes! Hopefully this story will save someone a toe.

SEAN MAHONEY, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH