Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone have experience shipping a baby tortoise? I am moving and need to find a way to bring the little guy. I'm going to be flying and will be shipping my stuff, and unfortunately the airline won't allow tortoises of any size to fly on the plane.

I have been looking into an overnight delivery system. I just want to make the move as stress-free as possible. I know DHL does overnight delivery for tortoises. Does anyone have any other recommendations? I'm having him shipped between Iowa and New York. It's a pretty long way

Also, he's only two inches long. Any recommendations on how I can best package him? I'm thinking a small plastic container with holes and a paper towel inside. I would package this inside a small cardboard box with newspaper stuffed in to cushion him. This is how he was delivered to me.

Thank you in advance.
Mariam

You should be able to put the tortoise in a small (airline approved) animal carrier and check it in at the airport as excess baggage. This used to be done with dogs all the time and probably still is. That way, the animals fly on the same flights with the owners and arrive when they do. The only difference being that you are not allowed to carry them into the passenger cabin with you, they ride in the animal cargo area. The cargo areas for pets and other live animals are supposed to be climate controlled and pressurized, unnlike the regular cargo holds. The cost to buy the carrier is minimal and the charge for excess baggage used to be $20, but I am sure it is higher now. You can and should check this info with the airline involved in advance of your travel date to make sure it is still permissable and what it will cost.

If you click on the 'Turtle Night' link above, it is bringing you to 'Turtle Island' and in their article section they have one on shipping turtles!

Gaby

Most airlines will not allow you to carry on a tortoise but they do seem to make execptions. If you do get an agent to let you do it get a name and the permission in writing.

shipping it on the same flight will cost you about 70 bucks and it usually has to be at the airport 2 hours before the flight.

Not all the cargo holds are heated and if there are no animals listed on the manifest then the cargo heat is not turned on... the animal can freeze if you just place it in your bag.

Again, email me for more info.

>>Does anyone have experience shipping a baby tortoise? I am moving and need to find a way to bring the little guy. I'm going to be flying and will be shipping my stuff, and unfortunately the airline won't allow tortoises of any size to fly on the plane.
>>
>>I have been looking into an overnight delivery system. I just want to make the move as stress-free as possible. I know DHL does overnight delivery for tortoises. Does anyone have any other recommendations? I'm having him shipped between Iowa and New York. It's a pretty long way
>>
>>Also, he's only two inches long. Any recommendations on how I can best package him? I'm thinking a small plastic container with holes and a paper towel inside. I would package this inside a small cardboard box with newspaper stuffed in to cushion him. This is how he was delivered to me.
>>
>>Thank you in advance.
>>Mariam
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care