Re: Missing Indigo in So. Cal.

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: : I'm posting this message in hopes that someone may be able to offer a professional "opinion" if there is such a thing. I am not seeking random frivolous opinions, but rather an educated point of view on the following issue: : : On Fri. Nov. 2 I came home from work and discovered my 15 month old male Indigo missing.(For the record, let me say that I have several reasons to suspect foul play-abduction). Thinking he was just burrowing I gently unfolded his bedding but to no avail-he was not in his cage. His cage was custom built with attention to detail and to my satisfaction. BUT upon removing the bottom pan I (for the first time) noticed a space between the pan edge and the side grid. I believe he is too large to have been able to fit through this opening, but I need a professional opinion please. : : Details: He has been in this cage for 2 months. At the time I placed him in the cage he measured 59"inches in length and 6"inches in girth. The opening in question is 1" in width and no more than 2"inches in length; just about a perfect rectangle. Since I first placed him in the cage he has shed once and is likely larger than when he was placed in the cage. So, WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF HIS ESCAPING FROM THE CAGE? Or do I have a case of theft on my hands? : : Thanks in advance, : : Greg ~So. Cal. : Greg, : : Sorry to hear about the plight of your snake. : After reading..and in fact re-reading your post I came up with the following conclusions: : : You indicated that there were reasons, unexplained to those on this forum as to why you beeive that the snake could have been stolen from your house. : Because of the relative rarity of the snake, the resale value, aand the intrinsic beauty of it, theft is a definite possibility. : But.... : the question you need to ask yourself is this: : "Who has been in my house lately, seen my snake, and KNOWS the value of the animal..in other words, who have you brought in and bragged to lately." : That would be where I would start. : If local...make house calls. : I always prefer the "personal touch" :) : As far as that snake escapeing from your cage, definetly a possibility. Size of the hole is large enough to get head through, ergo, body will follow. Years ago(10+) I had one of my female Eastern Breeders work her way out of a cage whos' sliding doors werent shut all the way dureing cleaning. After ripping the apartment apart, both my friend and I started on the outside, which was heavily planted with shrubbery..AND adjacent to a canyon!! : Nothing.... : About 2 hrs later, totally exhausted and depressed, I saw something that looked like a log crawling TOWARD the apartment!! : Yep, it was my Gravid female eastern!! : I would THOUROUGHLY search the house. : Rip apart your couches. : Look under cabinets, refrigerators, stoves, pipes etc. : Then search outside. : The show up "unexpectedly" at friends and acquaintences houses, with no notice. : You dont have to be rude, just observant. : Chances are if someone ripped you off, its someone you know, either a good friend(*sic*) or a customer. If you dont have people involved in your life that have that type of character, ask yourself who you've shown the snake to who might. : Lastly...and perhaps most importantly, make sure that you close al doors tight dureing day, as the snake could still be inside, and watch out for the oungent fecal matter from your snake in your house, as this could be an easy sign that it is still there. : : Sincerely, : Fredrick Albury : (Aztec Reptiles)

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