Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am considering shipping our female to Maryland for a gentlemen and don't know squat in shipping totoises. I thought I'd come to the experts. Any suggestion GREATLY appc.
Thanks in advance.

Materials which are easy to come by are...

Pillow case (no packing material in the case.

Newspaper

Rubbermaid container (tough tote)

Place the tortoise in the pillow case. Tywrap/zip tie... the pillow case. Place the Newspaper on the bottom crumpled and lots of it. Place styrofoam peanuts in the remaining space.

Place a few heat packs in the container.

Drill holes in the container and seal the lid with duct tape using 2 bands in each direction from top to bottom.

Place this in a cardboard box lined with 1in thich styrofoam board. (no holes)

Label it and off you go. You're best bet is to use Delta dash.

>>I am considering shipping our female to Maryland for a gentlemen and don't know squat in shipping totoises. I thought I'd come to the experts. Any suggestion GREATLY appc.
>>Thanks in advance.
-----
Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

The plastic tote Ed mentioned is ideal, (adds strength), but it can be also be done without putting a plastic container inside the styrofoam lined cardboard box as long as the tortoise is inside a zip tied pillow case so it can not claw through the styrofoam. With a 17in animal, I would also re-enforce the bottom with a sheet of 1/4in plywood.

I put woodchips in the bottom and place buffer material that doesn't stop airflow around the animal.

The best place to get styrofoam lined boxes is tropical fish stores which often throw them out. You will need the biggest size they use.

You can by also buy them but it may be hard to find one large enough for a 17in animal. Here are a few links I've found but never needed to use.

http://www.packagingprice.com/forms/product_detail.cfm?categoryID=10185&productID=5188
or
http://www.cameronpackaging.com/insulated_boxes.html#13-11-10
or
http://www.thermosafe.com/content.cfm/cong_10x12

Delta-dash is the safest, especially in colder whether. Tends to cost around $100 per package and you can tape multiple boxes together to be part of just one package.

Good luck,

John

I just purchased a 15" male sulcata from Captive Bred Wildlife a few months ago and he was shipped in a kennel just like a dog would.

He had a bunch of shredded newspaper in with him to minimize sliding around, but other than that all I had to do was open the door and let him out.

This was going from Phoenix to Austin.

You people are to trusting. 5/8th" plywood screws cornerbead.Make sure tort. wont shift=wood braces.Silcuta in a pillow case?try this at home first! hes out in 10min.Army duffle bag with head end filled with news paper (to protect tort. nose from rubbing on bag.Yes its heavy,have reciever pay shipping.$20,000 glop. or $50 Sulcata they deserve the best.Also try putting a heat pack in a cooler with a temp.device put it outside then inside, you will freek-out.You can put them on the outside ouer a hole cover with tape and cardboard.100% alive arrival 30yrs.Vic Morgan