Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok so I am getting a job in Louisiana and I have to move there from Alabama. I have 35 snakes and I was wondering what is the best way to move all of them. What should I put them in? I have large adult boas down to baby rainbow boas and some sand boas and 2 year old corn snakes. Also I will be in a U-Haul with a car on a trailer behind me. I wont be able to have them in the truck cab with me but what is the best way to keep them from getting to hot in either the car or back of the truck? I would appreciate any help, thanks.
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.1 Colombian Redtails
1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

One thought, purchase the packing boxes for shipping them and pack them up like you were shipping them. Plan on driving at night and hightail it down there. The back of the uhaul should not get that hot. For the bigger snakes, maybe ice chest(s)?

When I moved almost exactly 13 years ago (much smaller collection), it was a short move (only 40 miles) and I made one trip late evening with the snakes, rodents and cages. Then moved the rest of the stuff the folowing day.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
21.29 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I am going to have to be on the road during the hottest part of the day.
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.1 Colombian Redtails
1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

The hottest part of the day, in that part of the country, during the summer months.. there is no way I would even consider attempting to put live animals in the back of a UHaul or a car without the AC running. If there is no way to put them in the cab, I would look for other options. Having someone Delta Dash them to you once your there.. Or even FEDEX overnight priority.. but the back of a UHaul, and your car will both be like an oven, and would certainly result in lost animals..

There is is not a cheap option if they can't ride w/ up front.. but it is not something I would skimp on. Worst case, reduce the collection.. I would much rather have to sell something then kill it.

>>I am going to have to be on the road during the hottest part of the day.
>>-----
>>1.1 Motley het butter corns
>>0.1 Snow corn
>>0.1 Okeetee corn
>>1.0 Anery mutt corn
>>0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
>>0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
>>2.1 Colombian Redtails
>>1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
>>1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
>>1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
>>0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa
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photos.xtremecombatsports.com

I just moved last week, but I only have about 30 reptiles (most of whom are young enough to fit in sandwich containers) so it was fairly easy for me.

Dave's suggestion to pack them as if you're shipping them is a good one. Heat/Cold packs are GREAT
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65 animals... and the number keeps growing!

They seem to move lots of herps during the summer months to go to different shows...

Maybe they'd have ideas.

The only thing I can think of is pack them in rubbermaids with spaghum or damp papertowls, put in styrofoam coolers with cool packs?

Good luck and welcome to Louisiana.

P.S. - Jefferson parish doesn't allow majority of constrictors so if you're going to New Orleans, keep the collection on the DL and don't tell the neighbors. I definitely know you're good if you're going to Metairie, Baton Rouge or Lafayette.
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-Iman

1.1 BRBs (Ying and Yang)
1.1 JCPs (Striker and Sheila)
0.0.2 BPs (Spot and Speck)
0.0.4 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Suriname Cobalts'
0.0.4 Dendrobates Auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black'
5.5 Fish (Insert your favorite names here)
1.0 Miniature Daschund (Rue)

Loving to Learn
Learning to Help
Helping to Love

Stimulate debates, stifle arguments.
Please be nice always.

going to alexandria to work at their zoo
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.1 Colombian Redtails
1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

New Orleans is Orleans Parish btw
Bob

Bob,

You are right! It's Jefferson parish that is friendly to herpers. Orleans parish isn't. Yet this is the same Orleans parish that says if 5 women live in the same building, it is considered a brothel. Gotta love it!
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-Iman

1.1 BRBs (Ying and Yang)
1.1 JCPs (Striker and Sheila)
0.0.2 BPs (Spot and Speck)
0.0.4 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Suriname Cobalts'
0.0.4 Dendrobates Auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black'
5.5 Fish (Insert your favorite names here)
1.0 Miniature Daschund (Rue)

Loving to Learn
Learning to Help
Helping to Love

Stimulate debates, stifle arguments.
Please be nice always.

-

As far as the summer shows goes there are a couple methods used for them that I am familliar with but which might or might not be helpfull.

First is that I know multiple breeders which transport the animals in smaller containers packed into ice chests and possibly with cold packs to maintain safe temps. Obviously this may be impractical with some of the truly large reptiles particularly lizards. But if you can put them into small enough containers to fit in icechest or in snakebages to be put in icechest then it may be of help.

Secondly is that many people doing shows do not use a uhaul(at least for the animals). Instead they use a van, suv, or similar large interior capacity vehicle so they can regulate the temps with the AC.

My suggestion would be to enlist a friend to drive your vehicle or a rented van/suv to transport the animals while you drive the uhaul.

Sean.

Just keep in mind, when it is in the low 90's outside, and the sun is hitting that UHaul.. the temps in the cargo box while it is closed up will easily hit 140 or more.. Insulation and cold packs is not enough in those temps. Insulation and heat packs won't help much at those temps.

Any resonable vendor would only ship when the temp allows. The shipments would be overnight, during the color parts of the day, and the package would get there early the next morning. Or - they ship in a climate controlled air frieght compartment (delta dash for example). This, with insulation and cold packs is possible.. simply because you beat the heat.

No cold pack and insulation would protect a species in the back of truck during those extreme temps.

I wish there was an easy answer.. But even looking for way to house them in the back of that truck is simply sacrificing them.

Look into having them shipped.. sell them.. re-arrange you plans so that you can drive at night. The trip can't be that bad (I have faught several times in Metairie and drove all the way from KY, it is not THAT bad), move your stuff and let the animals stay with someone and then come back for them when you can transport them in safe conditions (air conditioning).

>>They seem to move lots of herps during the summer months to go to different shows...
>>
>>Maybe they'd have ideas.
>>
>>The only thing I can think of is pack them in rubbermaids with spaghum or damp papertowls, put in styrofoam coolers with cool packs?
>>
>>Good luck and welcome to Louisiana.
>>
>>P.S. - Jefferson parish doesn't allow majority of constrictors so if you're going to New Orleans, keep the collection on the DL and don't tell the neighbors. I definitely know you're good if you're going to Metairie, Baton Rouge or Lafayette.
>>-----
>>-Iman
>>
>>1.1 BRBs (Ying and Yang)
>>1.1 JCPs (Striker and Sheila)
>>0.0.2 BPs (Spot and Speck)
>>0.0.4 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Suriname Cobalts'
>>0.0.4 Dendrobates Auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black'
>>5.5 Fish (Insert your favorite names here)
>>1.0 Miniature Daschund (Rue)
>>
>>
>>Loving to Learn
>>Learning to Help
>>Helping to Love
>>
>>Stimulate debates, stifle arguments.
>>Please be nice always.
>>
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photos.xtremecombatsports.com

one more time.. Just to beat the dead horse..

No cold pack and insulation would protect a species in the back of truck during those extreme temps
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photos.xtremecombatsports.com

Well selling them is not an option, moving at night is not an option, leaving them with someone is not an option, using my vehical (which has no a/c) is not an option. But I will try and find a way. I appreciate yalls help.
-----
1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.1 Colombian Redtails
1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

... you don't know anyone you could pay to drive a second vehicle there?

All you really need, push comes to shove, is to rent a van with AC for a day and have someone else drive it behind you.

Sean.

and we have 5-6 months of summer a year if you're not familiar and the worst roads in the country. I would definately not feed them no time soon before the trip invest in some cold packs and a vehicle with the windows down parked is still in the low 90's and then you start it and get that motor nice and hot, then those cold packs may save the day for you.
Bob