Help!! Lost Gambian!!

[Grumpymouth]

(posted on ExoticKeepers as well)

I'm afraid Ben is lost! He got out of his cage during the night on Friday (early Saturday morning) and I haven't been able to find him since. Ususally when he gets out, he goes under the bookcase but I haven't seen him there at all. I was hoping he would come out from hiding last night, but I haven't seen any sign of him. I've checked under all the tables, cases, and stands, in the closets and under the bed, the only thing I can't see is behind the washing machine.

As far as I can tell there are no holes in my flat or places where he could get out. The balcony door was shut all night on Friday, and I watched the front door when I went out/in. Again, I can't see behind the washer, but the concierge in my building said there wouldn't be any holes there. I've used the machine today and it works, so he hadn't chewed any cables behind it to get out. I even asked the concierge if anyone had reported a rat in their flat, he said no but assured me that someone would let me know if a rat was spotted.

I'm so worried. The only trace of his movements on Saturday morning was a half dug-up potted plant. I left food out for him last night, near his cage, but it hasn't been touched.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can find out if he is still in my flat? I can't think of any way he could have gotten out, but I'm thinking the worst now...

[ichis-mom]

try leaving bits of food around where he might be hiding and check them in the morning

[Grumpymouth]

Thanks - I've put some banana near the washing machine, to test if he's actually back there. I hope he is, because it's the only place I can't see. I don't know what I'll do if he's lost

[georgieabc123]

put flour all over the floor and then you can follow his tracks just have the hoover ready

[Ratatouille]

Have answered on the other forum, but could he have got inside anything, like a chair or a sofa? And is there any way you could move the washer to see behind it.

I hope he is just asleep somewhere and turns up safe and sound

[Grumpymouth]

Originally Posted by georgieabc123

put flour all over the floor and then you can follow his tracks just have the hoover ready

That's a good suggestion - I just wish I knew if he was in the flat at all! My serious concern is he's somehow gotten out and into another flat, or even outside. Outside is my biggest fear of course, but if he turns up in someone else's flat their first response won't be, 'Oh, what a beautiful animal!' Fingers crossed...

[Grumpymouth]

Originally Posted by Ratatouille

Have answered on the other forum, but could he have got inside anything, like a chair or a sofa? And is there any way you could move the washer to see behind it.

I hope he is just asleep somewhere and turns up safe and sound

Thanks Marie, the only furniture he could get in would be my bed, but there's no sign of that. I can't move the washer as it's in a cupboard, and I don't dare try to pull it in case I break the pipes. A friend who knows my flat has assured me there's no way he could get out, but until I see his little face I'm going to suspect the worst!

[Fixx]

You need to go over your flat inch by inch Grumpymouth, check everywhere and anywhere for holes etc. Could he have got into the bathroom? Check under the bath etc. then keep that door shut. As you search each room close the door behind you and leave some food out. This way if any of the food has been touched you know which room he is in and he can't re-locate himself into any others.

[Grumpymouth]

Originally Posted by Fixx

You need to go over your flat inch by inch Grumpymouth, check everywhere and anywhere for holes etc. Could he have got into the bathroom? Check under the bath etc. then keep that door shut. As you search each room close the door behind you and leave some food out. This way if any of the food has been touched you know which room he is in and he can't re-locate himself into any others.

Thanks Fixx, I was hoping you and/or Lou would pop up on this one! You're the Gambian-masters

The problem with my flat is it's completely open-plan, so no doors to shut, but there are lots of closets and storage areas. I haven't found any holes and the only possible place is behind the washer, but the conciege assured me that there wouldn't be any holes there. I just can't see it myself, as the washer is in a cupboard. I'm going to put some posters up in my building just in case he's turned up in someone else's flat, but I still can't imagine how he would have gotten out.

I also can't really tell anything until he wakes up, if he is in here, he usually gets up about 9 or 10. Then I can listen out. I don't know how he could have got onto the balcony but that is a huge fear, because then he could get onto anyone's balcony, as they are connected. I'm just thinking the worst things right now.

[Fixx]

Have you been through all your closets, literally turning them out and checking each item, we thought we'd lost a sugar glider once, and were convinced she had got outside, she turned up a couple of days later snuggled up in a pocket on Lou's dressing gown hanging on the back of the bedroom door. I know a Gambian is a bit bigger but you'll be suprised where they can get.