Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,

I have a question regarding traveling with turtles. I live in TExas and need to fly to Philly to work there for a year. And I recently acquired 2 box turtle eggs from my female and I've been incubating them for about a month now. How is it possible to bring them over with me on the plane (3 hr ride)? Any gimmicks or tricks that some people know of? I'm thinking of telling airline security the eggs are food or something...running out of ideas. Or even better, do the airlines even care at all? I HAVE to bring them because my parents won't know a thing to do with them if/once they hatch at home. They're too precious to lose!

Thanks.

Johnny

I wouldn't try that with eggs. Too risky. Your best bet is to have your parents ship them as soon as they clear their eggs.

Get the shipping materials ready, print detailed instructions and do a "dry run" before you leave. It's easy and pretty cheap to overnight a small box with a delicup inside it holding turtles on moist paper towels, padding around the cup, above and below it, holes in cup and then tape box shut and mail. I use airborn express.

The eggs, though, could roll, tilt, break, etc, and the turtles are trapped in it and cannot flip over or whatever they need to do.

Hey, thanks for the quick reply. I've actually thought/read of the suggestion before, but only with live adult turtles.

I would do all that except my parents are ignorant and could really care less about how the turtles end up.

Let's say I do manage to convince them...should they wait until the yolk sacs are fully absorbed or it's alright to just ship them right away? And what reliable company can I ship them airborne express? Not really sure what deli cups are either. Hahhaha sorry for my ignorance.

Thanks again.

Maybe you have a reliable friend?

I would wait until the egg sacs disappeared, rinse them, and ship them. Egg sacs only take a day or two to vanish. They don't usually eat until a few days after the egg sack is gone anyway.

A deli cup is just a small plastic container like a margerin tub. The idea is that this small plastic container with some holes in it can hold moist paper towel to pad them and keep them humid. This is surrounded by newspaper to pad the container. The box around the whole affair is just a regular sturdy box.

I ship my babies out this way.

As the other poster mentioned, driving might be an option, otherwise, contact the airlines. I'd be a nervous wreck moving eggs myself, but if you completely bury them and make sure to keep careful the whole time, plus the airline will allow it, then maybe it'll work for you.

Actually, I would like to know if anyone knows whether domestic airlines permit carry-ons such as eggs/small turtles. Is it legal to bring a small reptile such as a turtle to another state? Just wondering.

When are you leaving? I don't suppose there is anyway you could drive? It would be extremely risky although if they were close to hatching, I would think it might be a little safer if the were handled extremely carefully, kept immobile, right end up, etc. Regarding the airlines, you would just have to call and ask. I know that some airlines allow small pets in carriers on board. The laws are complicated. Texas doesn't seem to have any laws regarding box turtles which is unfortunate because of the large numbers of wild caught turtles that are exported out of Texas for commercial sale.
So I don't think you'd have any trouble with Texas law, so what you'll need to find out is what Pennsylvania's laws are regarding keeping turtles. If this isn't an eastern box turtle, I
doubt you'd have any trouble since its not a native species to PA, unless PA prohibits keeping any turtles period.
I would go to the herplaw forum and ask.
Keep us posted and good luck!

Thanks so much for the tips. =)

Unfortunately, I just moved to Texas and do not know of that many people who can raise reptiles (although I know it's a big hobby here).

Anyway, I gave my airline a call and they say it's ok to bring them aboard since they're not "living." The lady even struck up a conversation about how her son raises lots of turtles, etc..hehe. I called up the airport and spoke with security and they say it's fine as well but instead of putting them thru the X-ray, I should just let them look it over carefully. So I think i'm going to have to pack more vermiculite to secure them as well as use a sturdier box outside the incubator.

A concern of mine was that the incubator is basically a styrofoam box with a wire coming out of it (I had glued a heating pad...but never used it cuz the temp gets too hot). This "box with a wire" might lead to some uneasiness so hopefully they'll be ok.

Sorry for the "analness" with this sitution. It's hard enough convincing my parents to watch over the rest of my pets at home (mostly adult turtles, including the mother boxer, and amphibians), and I don't want to risk them mishandling the babies when and if they hatch. =/

Thanks again.

Johnny

Well, give yourself plenty of time at the airport, maybe mark
"this end up" in big letters on the incubator, and make sure security understands the importance of not rotating the eggs when they inspect the setup.
Let us know how things go if you get a chance and good luck!

they can probably handle a day's temperature fluctuations easily as long as they are not too extreme. Pack them in a smaller container (less likely to get jostled, etc) and put in a thermometer. Keep an eye on it. If you are comfortable, they probably will be as well. They can handle a cooler day of air conditioned plane ride just fine your big worry is that they arrive intact, then you can plug all the setup back in and get them back to a warmer temp.

Remember, these eggs are laid only a few inches underground. They deal with cool days, scorching hot days, and in between with a thin layer of soil protecting them from the very extremes.

hehehe...I guess if you've read my newer posts, u'd realize I brought my eggs safely on the plane from TExas to Pennsylvania. We did just what the security department told us to do. Told them to hand check them (I opened it myself and scraped the vermiculite to show them the eggs) and see that they're no danger.

A few interesting remarks from the staff:

"Eggs? What am I gonna do with eggs? Make omelets?"
"Eggs? Are they alive?"
"Hey...um, do you know what we should do with turtle eggs?" (to other staff)

The incubator fit nicely underneath the seats...had a layover in Atlanta (delayed for 4 hrs) but finally brought them to my room safe and sound.

The eggs have now hatched and the babies are ready for their new world. =)

Johnny