Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I will be shipping my Ackie out some time soon, and really do not want to screw up. the weather is nice out for it is spring, but would like some tips for shipping. I checked out pro exotics faq and know i must insulate the package well, but noticed not only the insulation but an other way of containing the reptile so it will help ensure its safety. I'm guessing i should still use a heat pack and just want any tips or links that can help me out thanks.

I shipped my Nile and 2 geckos from San Diego to Pittsburgh Pa in January. It was frigid cold in Pittsburgh (about 2' snow the day they arrived), but they had sufficient heat packs and were well insulated.

I wasnt sure as to how to ship a monitor (didnt have internet access at the time and getting suggestions in person from LLL reptiles Esco crew was the best I could do), but this is how I shipped him:

I used a good sized rubbermaid tub (about 15" long x 10" wide x 5" deep) filled with shredded paper towels, to provide something like a burrowable substrate and insulate abit. The monitor was bagged and placed into this tub (Note: My monitor liked to use the bag later on as a kind of hidespot). I punched a number of air holes in this to provide some ventilation. On one side, I placed 3-4 heat pads (as they simply refused to warm up well for me)- 2 attached to the sides of the tub and 2 on the bottom. The lid to the tub was taped on and it was placed in a larger shipping box (i think it was like 18' x 14' x 12 or something) and surrounded with crumbled newpaper, then a blanket was set all the way around the tub as a final line of insulation (like i say below, I forgot to insulate the bottom ). This was taped up, a few small vent holes punched and marked with "HARMLESS LIVE REPTILES -HANDLE WITH CARE" in large black-marker letters on each side/top of the box.

Along with providing temperature insulation, you also wanna provide what i think of as "slam" insulation- that is, just incase the person handling your package isnt quite as, uh, "gentle" as they should be, you dont want your animal getting battered about.

Also, something I did wrong that you should be careful of:

Dummy that I am, I forgot to insulated the bottom of the box. Well, you can imagine how worried I was when my lizard arrived and the bottom of his box, right where he was and which had been sitting on the cold metal floor of the truck, was absolutely freezing. I opened it up and he was ok, but still, beginner mistake that you wouldnt wanna make yourself.

Dont know if thats proper, but Im sure someone will correct me if my method was failing.

Good luck!

Bag or deli cup the lizard with a bit of crumpled news paper. Place the bag or cup within a styrofoam box that is lined with a few layers of news paper. Place the styro into a cardboard box that fits. Make sure that your plastic cup(if used)holding the animal has air holes and punch some air holes into the side of the cardboard box through the side walls of the styro that is inside. Place some more news paper on top of the cup or bagged animal then place the top on the styro, close the box, label and ship. You can place a heat pack or two inside the box(taped to the inside top of the styro)if you think that somewhere along the way the animal will encounter freezing temperatures. They can be dangerous and if over applied will overheat and kill your animal... The chances are you will not need to use them and even if the temps are low along the way, if the animal is received and set up properly (basking, etc.)there will be no harm. Worked for me for over 15 years. Best to you-Mike

Thanks both of you, I like the sound of a deli cup, but what exactly is it? i was thinking a plastic sports water bottle may be nice with some holes in it? Also depending where the little guy is going i don't think temps will drop below 55, so heat pad may be bad.

An example of a deli cup is the plastic container the grocery store uses for potato salads & cole slaw. You can buy them in bulk at any kitchen supply store, but you can also wash one out that you may have used. Also, margarine (butter) tubs work well. Make sure you use tape to reinforce the lid- so the animal can't pop out of it. I hope it works out well for you! -Mary

You can also go to the grocery store and buy the glad or ziplock disposable containers for your size animal. Just follow what the others told you about air holes, shredded or crumpled newspaper inside and make sure you tape the cover on the box so the animal doesn't get out, but don't cover the air holes. Good luck.

Pam
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1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
0.0.1 geochelone carbonaria (Rojo)
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