Hadrurus arizonensis Vanished...

Ok,

I feel stupid posting this. Had a Desert Hairy for about a year with no problems. Tonight I went to feed him and noticed he wasn't in the tank or burrow by the glass at all... I'm trying to wrap my head around how he either got out or if anyone else has seen this before. Trying to find him now at the moment but not the slightest clue on where this species likes to hid in houses. I have a mesh grate that covers the tank with heat lamp and a hat on top to weigh it down and I (THOUGHT) I kept the substrate low enough to prevent it.


So ya.... Where can I start my search or double check and has anyone had this species escape in this manner?

Any timely help is much appreciated!

How about a pic of the tank? do you have a uv flash light?

Maybe he burrowed somewhere else.

Get yourself a UV light ASAP!

I agree with Ed. They burrow like crazy and are super smart burrowers on top of it. In the wild, they adapt their burrows based on the surroundings. I have seen mine have 3 burrows at a time before which she used at different times.

It is completely normal behavior for an H. arizonensis to burrow and disappear for a while, also. Especially if it is pre molt. Don't worry. I would recommend NOT digging around in the enclosure looking for it, though. They are not eaasy to get to molt successfully in captivity and digging around in there may cause it undue stress which could end up being fatal. Just be patient and keep looking around the house just in case. It will turn up.