Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A snake that I purchased was delayed through UPS' process. Instead of being delivered via Next Day Air, she was accidentally sent through Ground Mail. She (the Dumeril's Boa) was about 4 months old and was sent from Virginia on the 12th. She was suppose to arrive in Texas. However, she spent numerous hours in Virgina and Tennessee. The package has just now arrived in Dallas. There were heat packs in there but they have surely expired when they reached the 40 hour mark. She hasn't had any water or food, and has probably been cold for a while now. She's about a 4-5 hour drive away from me, but she could be stuck in Dallas for a whole other day.

Is it possible that she could've survived the trip? Should I make preparations for a tragic outcome when the package finally arrives here? I've spoken with the seller about all of the options to correct this situation, but I'm still curious as to whether or not this snake still has a chance.

You know I am not sure. The chances are very slim that it is still alive. These sort of things really irritate me? Why wasn't this package inercepted earlier? Sent after the holidays? Etc??...I just bought an animal and I am having the shipping delayed after the holidays as well as delaying shipping an animal I sold. Are you sure it was a mistake or was the seller trying to save on shipping? I have made mistakes before but have caught them and intercepted packaging after working with the shipper.

I hope the Boa turns up alive but I wouldn't count on it considering it's pretty darn cold out there.....

Let us know what happens.

I don't think the seller was trying to save on shipping, as it was irrelevant to me as to how much shipping would be. I had talked to the seller for perhaps a month before placing an order. He sells very few snakes, and had some Dumeril's boas because a female he purchased from someone else arrived gravid. This snake had about 5 feedings before he decided to sell her. He wasn't asking for any kind of unreasonable rate on the snake (about average for a Dumeril's Boa). He still has a few of her siblings left.

I honestly think the seller never took into consideration that the holidays would interfere with the delivery. He's been terribly worried--more so than me about the fate of the snake. He's offered a full refund or to send a sibling if the snake had perished. But he's hoping that she had made it too.

I don't think the seller was trying to be greedy. He might've been trying to have the snake there before Christmas.

He did try to intercept the package but for about it was "lost" in Memphis, TN. I have the tracking number and according to the records, the package sat in Memphis for 3 days. He tried to have it sent back, put on a plane and sent to me immediately, and still UPS continued with their ground shipping. It's a very peculiar situation. I guess it's just bad luck along with a series of mishaps.

I hope she's ok.

I hope the Boa makes it OK. It is a little tough to intercept a package and the carrier not knowing what is inside as UPS doesn't allow snakes from what I have been told. It must be frustrating to say the least and I hope everything works out. Please let us know.

i would assume it would be okay. it might develop a respiratory infection from the "cold" (this is texas) conditions but should do okay if you warm her up when she gets here. Where in Texas are you at? I'm in central texas. Good luck and keep us updated.... Jon
-----
1.1.1 breeding pair blue tongue skinks w/ juv. offspring
1.0.0 Juv. Albino Bullfrog
0.0.2 Giant Pixie Frog (one juv. and one adult)
1.1.0 Clawed frogs
1.1.0 Albino Clawed frogs
0.0.1 Superlight juv Sulcatta
0.0.2 Fly river turtles
0.0.2 Savannah Monitors (one pastel)
0.2.0 juv pastel Columbian boas
1.1.0 monster pink pastel columbian boas
1.2.0 Hypo Hog boas
1.0.0 Hypo boa
1.1.0 Hypo boa babies, Poss. DH sunglow
0.2.0 Hypo poss. DH sunglow
1.0.0 Coral albino boa (my baby)
and
1.2.0 Pomeranians (the wifes babies)

I'm in Deep East Texas, about an hour's drive from Louisiana. Even when it's cold (but not freezing)outside the humidity stays about 60% and can jump up to 80% on warmer days. Should I warm her up slowly to keep her from going into shock? If so, how slow? Over the course of a few hours?