Houdini the corn snake is missing. This morning his vivarium lid was off and his tank was empty. He's called Houdini for a reason — he's a famous escape artist — but everyone's pointing fingers, and the room was full of people last night.
Here's the catch: one of the suspects is lying. Your job is to spot the lie — and then work out what it really means. Because in this case, the lie and the crime might not be the same thing at all.
⚠️ Expert tip: Always ask the biggest question first — are you even sure a crime happened?
🔍 Examine every clue. The details matter more than ever.
🪟 The vivarium lid +
Not broken — just pushed slightly ajar. The keeper's log notes that the lid's safety clip snapped last week and was never replaced. A determined snake could nudge a loose lid open from the inside.
🌡️ The heat map +
Snakes are cold-blooded and follow warmth. Last night the central heating was off — and the warmest spot in the whole room was the hot-water pipe running behind the radiator.
🧱 A gap behind the radiator +
There's a narrow, snake-sized gap in the wall behind the radiator, where the warm pipes go in. Exactly where a cold snake looking for heat would head.
🕊️ No sign of a struggle +
Nothing knocked over. No marks. No sign anyone grabbed a snake in a hurry. Whatever happened here was calm and quiet.
📒 The keeper's log +
The log says clearly: "Vivarium lid clip BROKEN — do not rely on it" — written a week ago. So nobody could honestly say the lid was "locked tight." Anyone who claims it was… isn't telling the truth.
🕵️ Four people were here last night. Compare their words to the evidence. Someone's story doesn't add up.
👩🔬
Priya
New keeper · last to leave
Statement
"I locked the vivarium tight at 6pm before I left. It was completely secure, I promise."
"There's no way he got out on my watch. The lid was locked tight."
🔧
Dev
Maintenance
Statement
"I was fixing the radiator last night — right next to the tank. I know it looks bad, but I never touched the snake."
"I was by the radiator, sure. But I'd never go near Houdini — snakes give me the shivers."
🙍♀️
Mrs Okafor
Visitor
Statement
"I don't like snakes, I'll admit it, and I did complain about him. But I left at 4pm — it's on the camera."
"Yes, I complained. But I was long gone by four. Check the CCTV."
🧒
Leo
Young visitor
Statement
"I love Houdini! I wanted to hold him, but Mum said no and we stayed together the whole time."
"I'd never sneak him out! Mum was with me every single minute."
Remember: spotting the liar is only half the puzzle.
💡 Unlock in order. Fewer hints = higher rank.
Hint 1 — Step back
Houdini is a famous escape artist. Before you accuse anyone, ask: did a person take him at all? Look hard at the lid, the broken clip, and where a cold snake would want to go.
Hint 2 — Catch the lie
One suspect's story clashes with the keeper's log. The log says the lid clip was broken a week ago — so anyone claiming it was "locked tight" is lying. But here's the clever part: does lying about the lid make them the thief… or are they hiding something else?
Hint 3 — The whole truth
Broken lid + warmest spot behind the radiator + a snake-sized gap + no struggle = a snake who let himself out and followed the heat. Nobody took him. The "lie" is just someone covering up a different little secret.
Hints used: 0 of 3
⚖️ What really happened to Houdini? Choose carefully.
PETS ON THE GREEN · ANIMAL ACADEMY · CASE FILE 016
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