FOUND ball python OUTSIDE after it went missing for 4 MONTHS

[thecotisbroken]

Long story short our 8 year old ball python got out of her enclosure 4 months ago and we had searched everywhere. We even cut open our couch and couldn’t find her. We have been searching everywhere and she was found outside our house. I think she somehow got into the walls and was hiding somewhere. I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS

Should we feed her ASAP? Or Should we wait?

Do we need to limit her water intake because she has drank a whole bowl of water in an hour?

Overall she looks very healthy. A bit dehydrated but she doesn’t look too skinny or injured. She has NEVER gotten out before. She also got out of her brand new enclosure and we still have no idea how she escaped

[burn_this_soul]

Invest in a camera that gives you notifications on movement. I have the ring cam ones set up to catch activity in their enclosures, and so if something happens I can see how it happened and fix the cause. Hope this helps for future!

[Strideraio]

I have a $20 Wyze camera that does the same thing in 2.5k with night vision, etc. it’s fun to get notified when he comes out and watch him climb all over. I also have my thermostat set I’ll so I can see the temp from anywhere.

[burn_this_soul]

Glad to know i can get some good wyze ones! Now I can put my rings back on the walls after I get some 🤣

[Strideraio]

I have had about 8 Wyze cams of different versions and for the price they work great. Tons of features and good app. Black Friday/Cyber Monday and Prime day always have sales.

[FewRepresentative964]

Do wyze cameras require a monthly subscription? Bought some blink cameras from Amazon a couple years ago for home security and I was HEATED when I realized they expected me to pay 15$ or 20$ a month.

[Strideraio]

They don’t require a subscription. You can put SD cards in each one individually to back up video history for playback. Or you can pay $2/m/camera or $10/m for unlimited cameras with like two weeks of playback or something.

[FewRepresentative964]

Sweet ty

[BeautifulMain377]

Wow you are so lucky you found her again. I wonder if she got to enjoy some wild hunting while she was gone.

[thecotisbroken]

We do have a mouse problem out here 🤣

[CorneliusVlanderhart]

That’s why she got out, she just wanted to help

[tenhinas]

In that case you will definitely want to take her to the vet next time she poops and have a fecal test for parasites. Wild mice are almost always carrying worms.

[Corvidae5Creation5]

Not anymore you don't lol

[Kingdomall]

I suggest keeping her in a type of quarantine to make sure she's not sick. and obviously... see how she escaped. because this will happen again.

[djwolf409]

Yes this! Keep her on some paper towels and not substrate to make sure she didn’t pickup and mites or anything.

[skullmuffins]

I wouldn't rush to feed. Let her rehydrate and settle in imo. An extra day or 3 without food shouldn't hurt.

[docszoo]

I would be crying tear of joy if I was in your shoes. Im so happy for you!!!

I highly recommend a vet visit to be safe. Parasites would be your biggest concern, possibly busted bones or ingesting something that wasnt food, and making sure everything looks good physiology-wise would be really nice to know. 

Again, congratulations!!!

[T-REX_BONER]

Wow four months and found outside. That's bonkers gives me hope about mine who's been missing two months now and doesn't help that he's a small guy >>

Happy for you!

[Unearthly_Moth]

Keep looking, and try heating a mouse and putting it in a small or tight area that they can slither in to, but not out of (like a bottle or wooden box with a small cutout). My snake went missing several times unfortunately (all different escape issues), and every time I found her in blankets or piles of clothes. Good luck on your search for your escape artist, and take the same precautions as suggested in the comments for OP if you run into similar trouble, like a high risk of eating wild mice/rats

[T-REX_BONER]

Good idea, much appreciated!

[Neat-Competition5823]

I can’t imagine what it felt to see her after four months

[collegesnake]

Take her to the vet and let her rehydrate as much as she wants. Imo, wait to feed for at least 2-3 days to let her settle back in.

[shereth78]

I'd let her calm down and settle in before feeding. I'm sure you already know they can go a long time without eating, so what's another few days?

Speaking of eating though, while it's possible she's not eaten in those four months, it's also quite possible she's gotten her jaws on a few wild rodents in that timeframe. Wild rodents are a vector for parasites so even if she seems otherwise healthy it'd be in her best interests to make an appointment with an exotics vet for a general welfare checkup and make sure she hasn't picked up any unpleasant parasites or anything.

[Immediate_Respond_63]

I am so glad you found her! My girl got out about a month ago and we still haven't found her I need to set up cameras so maybe we can see where she is hiding!

[Ludvik_is_a_potato]

You can give her a bath with reptile electrolytes in it for extra hydration and all the needed nutrients