Snakes. Even the word can bring shudders to those with a fear of the slithery reptiles. But not so with Hamilton, a much beloved snake at Issaquah High School.

Biology teacher Bryan Robles was concerned for the welfare of Hamilton, a 3-year-old, 2-and-a-half-foot long python, that escaped from its cage sometime between 10 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 10 and when Robles returned to his classroom at 7 a.m. the next morning.

The high school’s open house was the evening before and Hamilton was still in his cage when Robles finally left for home.

Robles said Hamilton grew quite a bit over the summer, so he thinks the snake was able to push the lid up on his cage and begin his great adventure. Robles believed he was hiding somewhere in his classroom, but where, only Hamilton knows.

“He’s on vacation,” Robles said before the python returned Sept. 17. He’s safe in his cage again.

When Hamilton disappeared, animal rescue workers, Robles, all three assistant principals and other administrators tore the classroom apart looking for the snake.

“He’s hiding somewhere in the classroom, maybe snuggling around water pipes under one of the sinks,” Robles said. “Pythons are not poisonous— they’re a constrictor. They squeeze their prey rather than bite them.”

Hamilton was a gift to Robles from a student about a year ago. Robles said the student who gave Hamilton to him, and many other students, were very upset because they have become attached to the snake.

Animal rescue suggested Robles leave a mouse out to lure the snake back. A small mouse was put in a cage with vents next to Hamilton’s cage where the snake wouldn’t be able to get to the mouse, but would certainly smell it.

Pythons also are attracted to heat. Robles said they can see thermal registry, much like the terminator, so he also had set up a device that heats up, hoping he’d cozy up to it.

“They’re pit vipers,” Robles said. “They have sensors that can locate prey by heat.”

Unlike the common garter snake that enjoys basking in the sun, pythons are nocturnal and like the dark.

A marine biology and biology teacher at the high school since 2000, Robles was baffled. They looked everywhere. He said pythons can go a long time without food, but they like water and he was worried Hamilton would get thirsty.

Robles said Hamilton is still waiting for his welcome home meal.

The school administration is on the fence as to what to do about Hamilton now.

Robles stands beside a small cage with a mouse in it that was used to attract the missing snake back to its cage, at left.