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inkiepixie
Hatchling
United Kingdom
445 Posts |
 Posted - 06/03/2010 : 21:40:26
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Heartbroken doens't cover it. I feel so guilty because I didn't plug the gap up where her probe goes in properly and she got out that way. I feel so terrible.
We've searched the usual places - back of the fridge, airing cupboard - but we're a messy pair and we just don't know what to do or where to start. L is convinced she's dead; we can't remember seeing her since her last feed on Monday although I *think* I might have seen her since. And of course we have two cats and a dog and she'd make a lovely toy/snack for them. So we don't even know how long she's been out. She found out she'd gone because it was feeding time today. I've put flour down round the edges of the kitchen and on the worktop where her and Luna's houses are. We put a freshly defrosted fuzzy in a drinks bottle in a corner near the radiator. What else can we do??
My poor Bella.  |
0.0.1 classic: Bellatrix
0.1.0 anery (het amel): Luna
1.0.0 hypo lavender (het amel ph stripe): Orion
1.1.0 kittycats: George and Pixie
1.0.0 hound: Shadow
1.0.0 husband: Louis
Location: Nottingham
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mozacchio
Sub Adult
Greece
1135 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 21:42:57
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I hope you find her..
Don't give up hope.. :/ |
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dinner83
Hatchling
United Kingdom
108 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 22:06:45
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| same as mozacchio dont give up |
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mozacchio
Sub Adult
Greece
1135 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 22:07:58
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quote:
Originally posted by dinner83
same as mozacchio dont give up
My name is Electra btw! :) |
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DannyBrown91
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3070 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 23:15:30
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Did you have a propperly good look in her tank, i know this sounds like a silly question but i have had a fright with casper before today to eventually find her burried under the aspen.
Other than that all i can say is don't give up hope, many snakes go missing and are found again days, weeks even months later somewhat unharmed. |
0.0.1 Ghost Corn - Casper
0.0.1 Diffused Corn - Reggie
0.0.1 Amel Corn - Candy A.K.A Baby
1.0 Commom BCI - Rocky
0.1 Japanese Akita - Sasha
Location: Liverpool |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2010 : 03:16:02
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Firstly Jacqueline, you must stop feeling guilty. I know that is really easy to type but so much harder to do....but it has happened and you cannot change that fact. Beating yourself up about it is not going to help anyone and all it will do is make you feel worse than you already do. Corns are amazing escape artists and many of the forum members have lost snakes, many by ways that are a lot more obvious than the gap where the probes go in.
These are some notes I have made on finding lost snakes:
Firstly corn snakes are amazingly hardy so can survive under difficult circumstances, so dont panic (easily said I know).
Now to start trying to find Bella - when you look for her start from the very top. Ceiling. Start slowly come down from there to top of lampshades if any, down electric wires, anything that dangles from the ceiling. Then you choose the least cluttered wall and start to go down it methodically. If there are shelves, everything comes off them and only gets put back once it's been inspected, books opened, etc. If there are cupboards, the drawers come out completely, and if possibly, the cupboard or closet gets pulled away from the wall so the area behind it can be searched too. The frame of mind is to inspect every surface no matter how unlikely. The floor and any object on it gets done last, and any carpets would get their underside inspected too if possible. If still no go, I'd go under the floorboards.For those awkward places with the pipes I'd get a good torch and a mirror, so you can inspect the hidden areas. Apart from "every surface" I'd also think as if I'm looking for something much smaller e.g. think you're looking for a contact lense. Check near any heat sources - near radiators, pipes, in the oven, the washer, behind the fridge, check all your washing before they go in the washing machine, computer leads, behind tv, sterio, boiler...they will search out heat.
Do any of your seats/sofas have holes in she could have got into?
Make sure you check all clothing, towels etc...especially dirty stuff about to go in the washing machine...one forum member nearly sent his escaped snake for a wet wash.
As Danny said, but are you sure she has left her faun? Could she be hiding in substrate or in small hole in a branch you have in it? A few forum members have thought their snakes lost but then discovered them buried in substrate. One totally emptied his viv, no snake...but then discovered her curled up under the branch in a really tiny hole.
Try putting the viv on the floor near a dish of water, she may decide to come home by herself. You must put a number of water dishes down cos a snake can go for a long time without food but not long without water.
You could try turning down the heat in the rest of the house and turning it up in the room you hope Bella is in. Also you could try putting the heatmat in a corner with a towel over it and pillows round it, to give her somewhere warm and safe to hide.
I have heard of owners sitting up all night in case the missing snake puts in an appearance, which may be an idea for you to try. Try putting bits of foil or crumpled wrapping paper along skirting boards cos snake will move along edge of room and hopefully you will then hear it move.
I know you have said that she was fed last Monday. When is she due a feed again? I am not sure what sort of bottle-trap you have put down, but this is an example of one:
http://www.thekingsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=263. Dont leave a pinky in a bottle trap for more than 24hrs...throw it away. Wait a few days and then try again.
As she was fed fairly recently, or if she takes the offered fuzzy, then put down some boxes like empty cereal boxes in warm place's, she'll be looking for a warm secure place to digest. You can use covered hot water bottles to offer extra warm places for her to go.
Put flour across doorways so you can see slither marks which will show the snake is around and whether it has gone into or out of a room.
Some people suggest you put sticky tape down to try and 'catch' the snake, but this can be very dangerous to them and I would seriously advise against it.
These are some examples of where people have found their snakes - in a box file of paperwork, behind books on a shelf, on a bathroom shelf, curled up in-between plugs in a 4 point adaptor and in their granddad's room in his towel basket as he got out a towel to have a shower! One forum member's OH opened the living room window, pulled the curtain cos of the sun, they heard a thud, thought it was a candle falling over, so didn't take any notice and a few minutes later the snake appeared trying to climb up the wall. Just recently a snake was found after being missing about 9 weeks, lying under the front door mat.
I know you are worried about the cats and dog, but corn snakes do have survival instincts and it is likely that she will be able to hide and evade them.
Hope some of this helps (and much thanks to other forum members for their tips 'borrowed').
Just keep looking, even where you have already looked. The main thing is not to give up hope....snakes have gone missing for days, weeks, even months and still turned up healthy and happy.
xxx
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Rik
Hatchling
United Kingdom
135 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2010 : 08:23:53
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| Keeping everything crossed that you find Bella again. |
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n/a
deleted
480 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2010 : 12:52:30
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| lets hope Bella shows up soon. |
1.0.0 Amel, Steve
WISH LIST: blue tongue skink. |
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Chimp276
Yearling
United Kingdom
587 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2010 : 19:11:56
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| She will shown up in the most random place when she feels like it lol! |
0.1.0 Hypo Stripe - Aero
1.1.0 Leopard Geckos - Marley and Lemon
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HannahB
The Corn Snake Moderator
United Kingdom
5491 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2010 : 21:46:17
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when Lucien got out we had no idea where to start.. lukes room (hope he doesnt read this!!) was a bombsite.. you couldnt see the floor so we had no idea where to start, we eventually started by the door and methodically worked out way inwards, checking pockets twice and then moving them to a 'safe' area, we checked all boxes noooks and crannies everywhere before putting stuff back and then rechecking in the morning,
in the end he turned up just down the corridor hidden in some towels
DONT PANIC.. if you panic then you will end up over looking things, split the rooms up into 2 halves and have one each, im sure you will find her soon  |
2.0 Normal Royal Pythons - Q and Little One
1.0 Chihauhaun Mountain Kingsnake - Simba
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n/a
deleted
915 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 17:14:29
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don't feel quilty, don't panic, and don't stop looking!
2 of those are easier said than done i know, but they are crucial in your efforts to finding her. ima keep my fingers and toes crossed for her safe return, she will pop up eventually |
0.1.0 Snow Corn Snake - Tof
1.0.0 Stripe Cali King - Su'tey
1.0.0 Staffordshire Bull Terrier x Rottweiler - Twix |
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inkiepixie
Hatchling
United Kingdom
445 Posts |
Posted - 23/05/2010 : 23:56:47
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GOOD NEWS!!!
Bella is back home :) The dog actually found her about 15 minutes ago; he was snuffling at the front door mat and the other half went out to see what was going on and saw her tail poking out and grabbed her! I'm so happy :) Even if she did give me a nip when I reached out to hold her. That's my girl :) She has had a nice long drink and is currently squeezing the fattest fluff we have down. She looks in pretty good nick actually; she's not lost much weight at all.
We're ordering a secure new viv for her tomorrow...!
I'M SO HAPPY! Big round of applause for Shadow the dog :) |
0.0.1 classic: Bellatrix
0.1.0 anery (het amel): Luna
1.0.0 hypo lavender (het amel ph stripe): Orion
1.1.0 kittycats: George and Pixie
1.0.0 hound: Shadow
1.0.0 husband: Louis
Location: Nottingham
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mrsT
Hatchling
United Kingdom
186 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2010 : 07:40:00
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Yay!so pleased you have found her,......and a big well done to Shadow 
you must be so relieved x |
1 carolina corn - Jake
1 hypo lavender - Kane
1 xb dog - Zak
Location: Essex |
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Dan-sunkist
Hatchling
Ireland
143 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2010 : 08:30:13
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brilliant so pleased shadow found her
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HannahB
The Corn Snake Moderator
United Kingdom
5491 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2010 : 08:30:56
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so glad you found her - must be a massive relief!
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2.0 Normal Royal Pythons - Q and Little One
1.0 Chihauhaun Mountain Kingsnake - Simba
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Mouse
Yearling
United Kingdom
958 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2010 : 10:58:55
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| Glad she's safely back with you. Mine went wandering and I found him wrapped round a book on one of my bookshelves! |
 
1.0.0 - Gobo - Snow Corn (RIP)
0.1.0 - Sprockett - Normal/hypo/het snow Corn
2.0.0 Anery Hatchlings
0.1.0 Amel Hatchling
0.1.0 Normal Hatchling
*Location - Southampton, UK*
http://www.weneedcake.co.uk |
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n/a
deleted
243 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2010 : 11:02:26
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| ah its good shes back. shadow deserves a treat ? |
 
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n/a
deleted
124 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2010 : 12:43:23
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So glad she's back safe & well. I know how happy you must be feeling and a big juicy bone to Shadow the dog!!!
As its been nearly 3 months since she disappeared, you should start by feeding her smaller prey than she was eating before she disappeared. If she's dehydrated she'll need some time for her gut flora to get back up to speed. When Bubbles came home after his 7 month holiday, the vet told us to take it slowly with the feeding at first, start him on pinkies and move gradually up the prey size until he was back on small mice. He's now back up to his normal prey size without any problems.
Happy home coming Bella! |
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crazy JJ
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
2326 Posts |
Posted - 24/05/2010 : 12:55:15
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| glad she is back with you.... congrats 2 the doggie :D |
2.5 corns 2.0 cali kings 1.0 tange hondo milk 1.0 apricot pueblan milk 1.0 royal (overgrown slug) 0.1 tarantula 1.0 chinchilla chico, 0.1 goldfish tigger 0.0.4 minows 0.2 cats fudge and porsha and 0.3.2 tarantula’s that are my mummys
r.i.p to the lil ones that i and mummy have lost recently |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2010 : 04:37:46
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quote:
Originally posted by inkiepixie
GOOD NEWS!!!
Bella is back home :) The dog actually found her ..........
I'M SO HAPPY! Big round of applause for Shadow the dog :)
That is amazing news Jacqui .....I am sure that you tried not to give up hope but it has been a long 2 months since she went missing.
I cant believe Shadow found her under the front door mat! I am sure another forum member found their snake in exactly the same place!
I guess it isnt surprising she gave you a good nip, who knows where she has been and what she has been doing all this time. It is great that she is looking good and has already eaten....so is settling in.
I would suggest a hands-off period (longer than the usual 48hrs after a feed), just to let her get readjusted to being back in her viv and to your smells again....then it is back to taking it slowly with the handling and seeing how she reacts.
I am so relieved for you and Shadow definitely deserves lots of praise!
xxx
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inkiepixie
Hatchling
United Kingdom
445 Posts |
Posted - 25/05/2010 : 14:06:10
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I reckon she was under there cooling off in the warm spell - our house gets FAR TOO HOT very quickly and there's a nice draught by the front door. Unlucky for her Shadow is hawk-eyed!  |
0.0.1 classic: Bellatrix
0.1.0 anery (het amel): Luna
1.0.0 hypo lavender (het amel ph stripe): Orion
1.1.0 kittycats: George and Pixie
1.0.0 hound: Shadow
1.0.0 husband: Louis
Location: Nottingham
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Bella has got out
