It is usually safe to ship them if you do it right.
How big is the snake?

Do not feed the snake for at least 5 days before shipping.
If it is a baby, use a deli cup with holes poked in the sides - and tape the lid to the deli cup. A little bit of crumpled newspaper in the deli cup isn't a bad idea.

If it is an adult - you will probably want to use a snake bag that is tied securely.

Use styrofoam an the bottom and all four sides, I recommend an inch thick. If it is hot where you are or where the snake is going, put a cold pack against the styrofoam.

Add packing material as additional cushing, shredded newspaper is fairly common to use - and put the snake dead center in the box, with packing material above it and styrofoam above it.

Label the box perishable, and ship it next day delivery 10:30 AM delivery. Do not ship if the forecast in your area OR the delivery area is above 98F. Do not drop it off for shipment until the last possible time to get the 10:30 AM delivery.

Oh - and before you drop it off, call the receiving person to make sure they are going to be at the specified address to receive it.

I'm sure other people will have advice - but you may want to specify both species and size of the individual to get better responses.

Even if you do everything right, it is still possible that something goes wrong and the snake is DOA - but you can do a lot to minimize that risk.
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3.0 WC; 0.2 CB L. getula californiae
0.1 WC; 10 eggs (7/11) Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

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