>>That only applies if you have heat packs that give unlimited heat. If you're heat pack reaches an upper limit of 90F, then no amount of "heated room" 90F and below is going to make that box climb any higher. If you have a heat pack that keeps giving heat infinitely until 150F, then yeah, its going to heat the box up more in a warm room than a freezing room. But to my knowledge, such heat packs do not exist. Remember, these heat packs are designed for the FISH industry. Fish don't like the heat. They like it less than reptiles. It take the O2 out of the water.

I use UniHeat (for fish) and it states an average of 108* but can reach 135*. How long do you think an animal will last at 135*?

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>>Furthermore, the use of heat-retainign gel packs eliminates any over-heating problems. Heat the gel pack to 90F, and it will slowly cool over time. By the time that box hits a sunny tarmac or an over-heated room, the gel packs are slightly less than what they started at. It takes a LOT to warm them up. Therefore, the box stays at the temp of the heat pack as well. This works well in the HEAT of summer where I heat the gel packs to 70F, then I don't have to worry about over-heating.

By the time? The study I read also contained a graph that showed rising and falling temperatures throughout the shipment. You might think your animal is only going to be heated at the end of the trip. They just might be heated enroute when you are expecting the coldest temps.

>>How is shipping at any other time of year going to help if the box is lost?? If the box is lost, its LOST! LOL!

Let me rephrase that: Lost for a couple of hours, or a day. It makes a huge difference. Boxes are (temporarily) lost all the time.

>>Noooooo.....(for reasons stated above). If you pack the box properly with the right amount of heat SINKS and enough buffer capacity, the box can withstand AMAZING amounts of heat and cold. When I first started out 11 years ago, I did TONS of tests on empty (no herps) boxes. Leaving them outside in winter, leaving them in DIRECT sun, etc etc. If you pack them PROPERLY, they take a LONG time to fluctuate.

I'll take your word for it. And still ship when I feel it's safe and affords the best survival rate for the animal if, for whatever reason, something goes wrong.

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>>These animals can tolerate extreme cold far better than extreme heat. And that's what concerns me with added heat packs.
>>
>>Shipping is 10x easier than most people think.

This is probably one of the biggest reasons why we hear so many stories about DOAs. As long as it works for you... enjoy
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

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