Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am moving from Michigan to Arizona and planning on transporting my JCP and 2 Cal King's with me in my car. Has anyone ever transported snakes across the country? How do you suggest I do this? I heard that I should place them in pillow cases inside a cooler to regulate their temperature during the journey. Please elaborate on this or any other methods you know to work. Thank you!

Welcome to Arizona,
How long you think you'll be on the road?
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1.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher,
2.1 Leucistic Texas ratsnake
0.1 het leucistic Rusty ratsnake
2.3 W.C Okeetee Corn,
1.1 Abbt line Okeetee Corn,
1.2 W.C Miami Phase Corn
1.1 Sinaloan Milk,
1.0 Orange Pueblian Milk,
1.1 W.C Mexican Black King
1.0 W.C Cal King,
0.1 Durango Mountain King
1.0 Desert King,
1.2 Bearded Dragon
45 Tanks full with African Cichlids.
Many Mice, Rats and feeder Roaches

I am anticipating 3 days and 2 nights on the road.

Yup- I just did the same with my southern pine, olive python and bredli python from San Diego, CA to Austin, TX.

I got some good advice from the regulars on this forum.

We took the LONG route with 3 kids, 3 dogs, 3 snakes and wife, so it actually took us 3 nights in hotels before we finally reached 'home'.

I got myself the largest cooler I could find to fit 2 shoebox sterilites and a 15qt sterilite (olive python). Lined each of them with aspen shavings, taped the tops shut, gave each of them plenty of air holes, and had a thermometer inside the cooler so I could check temps.

They rode shotgun with me the whole way, and I probably checked the temps on them every 15-20 minutes. (I was REALLY paranoid)

The were absolutely fine. When we stopped to grab a bite, I'd make sure the lid on the cooler was shut good, and that we weren't away too long. Everytime I'd get back to my car, I'd open up the cooler and check the temps- they barely moved.

The biggest thing you want to make sure of is that they don't overheat!

Every night in the hotel, I'd give each of them a bowl of water, and find a nice spot for them to chill away from the dogs.

Good luck to you on the move!

//Todd

The most important thing is a tolerable temperature. If you have air-conditioning in your car, you should be fine. If you're going to have to leave them unattended in the car for a while, it is better to temporarily place them in the trunk (as long as its not a hatchback) as the trunk doesn't have any windows and won't heat up as fast. You can use a cooler to keep them at a good temperature if you don't have air-conditioning. I've transported snakes long distances in pillow-cases, shoe/sweater boxes, and aquariums, whichever was most convenient. Pillow cases are fairly inescapable, and are probably the easiest option.

Pillow cases are fine, but check for loose threads.
I've personally never seen this happen or know anyone it has happened to, but allegedly a snake can get tangled in loose threads and damage themselves, so any loose threads should be cut.

When you stop to eat, park in the shade and crack the windows. Stopping to eat is most likely when the temp will get too high.
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3.0 WC; 0.3 CB L. getula californiae
0.1.1 WC; 0.0.3 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata