Hi, I recently have created a little problem for my sister and I. We
live in my parents 5 bedroom house. I recently had a friend over and
we found it interesting to watch my 10 month old Ball Python find his
way out of an artificial decorative bush. We could tell the snake
loved it so we left him there for a few minutes and eventually we went
to my backyard to smoke. Almost 2 hours later I remembered my snake
and since then...24 hours ago the snake has been roaming my house
freely. I have no idea where he is and my sister won't come out of her
room. How do I find the snake, keep in mind my house is big and there
are many places for the snake to hide. Thank you.

Again my question is : How do I find my snake in my very own home?

Snakes tend to seek a place that is warm and secluded. Some friends of
mine lost their rosy boa once. Two years later the snake was found,
alive and healthy, living behind the kitchen stove.

I have some friends who lost their pet snake. 

They searched high and low without success but weeks later they found
him up a chimney.

Snakes can be very elusive.

Are you sure he's still inside the house?

Assuming that you are in the northern hemisphere, your snake may have
left the house for a bit of sunny fresh air, greenery, hunting,
poaching.
Even is you know that it was impossible for the snake to escape the
house, maybe your sister will still believe a story about its having
done so.

It won't hurt your veracity much if she later stumbles upon him/her: 
sisters only believe what they want to, regardless of the facts.  ;-)

LOL...thanks everyone for the great advice. I've heard to constantly
check behind the stove and oven. But I'm in Toronto right now and its
always hott out. THerefore it could definitely be possible he is
outside, but then it would mean he is lost forever. We have forest and
lots of land behind our house :( I keep checking behind stoves and
fridges, but where else is he most likely to be? Or is there a way to
bring him to me?

help your sister with her fears; start with her bedroom, and then the
next closest room, and then the next and the next and search
everywhere, every nook and cranny for each room.  close off each room
as you finish searching.  It's daunting but not impossible.

a snake will be active if it's warm, but will always go for seclusion.
 they seem to be able to go without food and water for a long long
time

I caught a baby King snake when I was a kid and brought it into the
house.  of course it got loose and disappeared, then emerged from my
bedroom closet four months later.

***

If you're willing to invest some money, a snake trap might work:

http://www.nixalite.com/snakeguard.aspx

http://www.bugspray.com/catalog/products/page100.html

I think I like your suggestion best about searching the house room by
room. I'll let you guys know where he ends up. Thanks for all the
great stuff.

Hi samdaman,

Perhaps this will be helpful to you.  (Good luck!)

Troubleshooting Guide to Ball Pythons
http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/

"ESCAPE! One of the worst feelings I've had is the realization that
the snake in not in it's cage. Most often it's due to the fact that
you've forgot to secure the cage. If this unfortunate event happens to
you, there are a few things you can do to get it back. First off, try
and pinpoint exactly when it got out. If it's been a few hours, it's
most likely in the nearest spot which is small, dark, and warm (like
the cushions of a sofa). If it has been awhile, you Ball Python may be
anywhere in the house. Good placed to look are around or in appliances
that give off heat: Refrigerator, Oven, Water Heater, TV, VCR, etc.
It's advisable to look at night, since Ball Pythons are nocturnal. You
may also want to set a scent trap, which may or may not work. Drag a
prekilled rodent (a gerbil would be best) along the base boards of the
room(s) that you think your snake might be in. Then place the rodent
into a cardboard box that you've cut an access hole into, and place
the box in a corner. You may want to put a heat pad under the box. The
reasoning is that chances are the snake will crawl along the wall,
hopefully pick up the scent trail and follow it into the box. Once in
the box, it may eat and decide to stay in the dark warm location and
digest. You may also want to restrict other house pets like cats and
dogs, from being in the room(s)."


Best regards,
tlspiegel

Pythons are tree dwellers, I believe, so don't limit your search to the floor.

Good point, Myoarin

If you have any trees in your house, start there ...

Shoe Trees, Christmas Trees, Family Trees, Bonsai, etc., etc.

Good hunting!

PB

WOW...even more great advice thanks a lot tlspiegel. It has now been
exactly 3 days since its been missing and I'm only half done our 3
storey house. I'm glad I ended up reading the posts today, cause it
seems to me the scent trap would be a lot less work and more hopeful.
This is because I'm not sure how well I am searching, since someone
just told me it could be in a VCR!! Snakes are an elusive pet, but
still want it back in its tank. Thanks again everyone.

PS my sister did not by the whole "I saw it outside" story. She just
goes to  friend's places in the city to relax, also giving me the
house to myself. :)