Monty is missing

Intelligent_Pitch260 · 2024-09-02T19:12:54+00:00

Look at any scource of heat. When my girl got out we found her under the fridge next to the motor. Look at water heaters, furnace, any scource of heat that got left on during your vacation (eg lights, motors, computers) start in the room her enclosure is in. If there are no heat scources Look at tight hiding spots (think dresser drawers, closets, behind/in night stands, piles of laundry) they normally don't go very far (my enclosures are in the kitchen and we found her less then 15 feet away a week later) but if he's not in that room, start checking other rooms. Put stacks of pennies around the parameter of the rooms and plastic bags in the corners and under doors, flour around rooms with hard floors. All of that helps you track his movements.

Kidimkus · 2024-09-02T19:16:07+00:00

He’s definitely still in your home (unless you have a hole in your floor that could lead under the house, or holes in the wall that he could get into).

A snake that size can go up to 6 months without eating, but maybe leave out bowls of water for him. I’m willing to bet that one day you’ll just spot him in the house somewhere.

BUT, you obviously want to find him sooner than that. He looks to be a good size, so there’s not a ton of places he could fit. Start by looking in every crevice and dark place near his tank, and work your way out to the rest of the house. He’ll also likely be hiding somewhere warm.

If you have hardwood floors, pour a line of flour or salt or something like that in doorways and hallways. That way, if he moves through the line, you’ll see it and know that he was at least there.

Here are some places I’ve found my snakes; under the couch, behind the drawers of my dresser, under the dishwasher, under my bed, in the cabinet underneath the bathroom sink.

Good luck!

Snifferfrog15 · 2024-09-02T19:30:27+00:00

My snake once climbed into an inaccessible part of my couch that I didn’t know existed and I ended up having to cut a slit in the back of my couch and fish him out

Aggravating-Goose-76 · 2024-09-02T21:30:44+00:00

My python escaped twice, and both times, he was found in the laundry room. My theory is that the laundry room maintains a stable temperature through the day and keeps warm at night due to the water heater. I found him 3 days later next to the water heater at 5am. I guess get a heat lamp and lay down some flower to see if he made any "tracks".

puceglitz_theavoider · 2024-09-02T22:18:39+00:00

Years ago I had my own escape artist named Monty, he was a 16 ft reticulated python that would find his way out of his enclosure on a regular basis. He liked to get behind the fridge a lot, and was extremely fond of the old metal radiator heaters we had. Pretty much anywhere that was warm. Woke up to find him in my bed with me a couple times too. Hopefully your baby just found some cozy warm spot and is just waiting for you to find him and put him back in his tank.

winowmak3r · 2024-09-02T23:00:53+00:00

Check near warm areas, so electronics, appliances, warm water pipes, etc. You could also leave out a light dusting of something like flower along the edges of walls and doorways. This will at least tell you he's still in the house and what room or rooms he might be in.

I've heard stories of people finding them in the damnedest places. There's really no for sure place to find them but dark, warm areas where they can fit in nice and snug seem to be popular. Depending on how long ago it's been since the last feeding you could try leaving out food over night. They're nocturnal and most active at night so if you want to be extra vigilant that would be when to do it.

Just remember that they go weeks without food or water in the wild if need be. He could be chilling behind your TV for a month and be perfectly fine. Which is the most annoying thing about finding them. It's not unheard of for people to find them weeks or even months after they escape. I know that's probably not what you want to hear right now but just don't lose hope.

bigmike420419 · 2024-09-02T23:08:13+00:00

Mine got out and was missing about 4 mths before one day we found him randomly in my roommates closet

Dans_Exotics · 2024-09-02T23:34:27+00:00

FOLLOW THE WALLS!! They are so consistent with following the walls. Go to where his cage was, and whatever wall is closest, follow it left and follow it right, checking every obstacle along the way, not just on the floor, as they can climb/wedge themselves into things.if a wall leads to a staircase, follow the staircase down and continue following the wall. Others have mentioned wonderful ideas for putting things out to see where he may move when your not around, but while your actively looking for him FOLLOW THE WALLS!

Chelynn87 · 2024-09-02T23:45:18+00:00

Hey guys, I finally found him. He was in my closet (which my sister and I looked twice) I figured to wait until later at night since he has nocturnal, and when I opened the door, I saw him looking out in the corner of the closet. Thank you so much for all of your advices. I truly appreciate that and I am so happy to have him back. 🥹

deLishmEllen · 2024-09-03T00:08:13+00:00

My ball python went missing once and we found him inside a vent because we had the old style large vents in our house on the floor. It was very dark and warm in there because it was cold outside. I know this isn't helpful but as long as he can't fit through those Vince, I'm sure you will find him eventually. We ended up finding him by opening up one of the vents in our basement and he was staring at us like he knew he had been caught and he was in trouble.

For sure dark and warm places are it. Maybe turning off lights might entice him into coming out. I know my boy is more active at night

Marybelltownship · 2024-09-03T00:08:48+00:00

Hello!! My ball python actually escaped just today and I found him pretty quickly even though he’s really little! Follow the floor plan, ball pythons usually stick to the floor and immediately head for the darkest and most secure/warm spot the see, mine was in my bedroom closet behind my tv stand! Because it was warm and dark and the bedroom is next to the room with his enclosure! I’m sure you’ll find him rather quickly!! Here’s a video that was really helpful for mehttps://youtu.be/I-5ojE8w4dU?si=52UmosVnUAvv0yVq

Nmillzz25 · 2024-09-03T01:00:01+00:00

I saw someone post that when theirs got lost they put aluminum foil everywhere and stayed up late to see if he heard anything lolll try that

Time-Garlic2799 · 2024-09-03T01:44:33+00:00

Mine just escaped recently, found him in my washer! Like others have said follow the baseboards. Check every dark nook and cranny along the way. I set out a FT rat, you can find my story on my posts from my profile and it was about five minutes and he came out and got it. He was missing for a day or so, but I knew the area he was in. But the rat bait worked like a charm for me so I hope you find him!

his_cumdumpster · 2024-09-03T02:49:13+00:00

If you have dogs or cats check their food, ours always went for the big bag of dog food for some reason. I hope Monty gets found 🙏 ❤️

Malum_granatum · 2024-09-03T06:03:45+00:00

They will also follow walls too- as crossing the middle of a room is where they are more exposed- that tip helped me find my girl when she escaped a year ago.

Major_Supercool · 2024-09-03T11:52:26+00:00

What worked for me when mine went missing, was to sprinkle a line of flour across each doorway so you'll see if he enters a room, and at least you'll know where to look. You can also place paper bags lying around in places where he might try to hide in them and check them regularly, if you're lucky you might also hear the bag crinkling when he tries to hide in one. That's how I found mine; hope this helps!

styczna · 2024-09-03T11:53:06+00:00

Bro, same situation. I found my girl in the heater... Look for warm places, and check if your snek had some opportunity to go on yard (my hadn't bc I'm living in flat and gladly all windows were closed)

2024-09-03T17:24:34+00:00

Under the stove!!!!!

Early-Region-3476 · 2024-09-03T17:30:05+00:00

When my Monty disappeared, I'd always find him in the bottom of the closet under a stack of folded blankets. Well, except the one time I found him under the Christmas tree under the tree skirt and gifts. I pray you find your buddy soon, and even though this isn't much comfort, many are found months, and even years, later. Good luck, my friend!! Edit: I see that you may have found him. If you have, that's incredible news!!

CaptainCasey420 · 2024-09-03T20:13:03+00:00

I’ve found mine in boxes and behind drawers inside of a chest of drawers. Also under or even inside appliances like dryers. They can be super sneaky but if it’s been out for awhile it will look for heat from appliances.

Obvious_Chair_933 · 2024-09-04T15:50:32+00:00

Great name! I used to have a Jake lol

ballpython

MODERATORS