Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am trying to get three adult beardies shipped to Arkansas from New Jersey. The lengths are 20", 16", and 12". They would be shipped FedEx priority overnight. I just want to know how to package them so as not to cause them any harm. Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions, etc?

Thanks,
Anya

i live in orlando and my local fedex has special packaging for different animals including reptiles. she if the can help or go to a local pet shop not store and see if they can help.
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Jeff Kearney Orlando Florida (407) 766 6066

0.1 CB Spouse
4.4.1 Bearded Dragons
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
2.5 Ball Pythons
1.1 Blue Dumpys Tree Frogs
1.0 Armadillo Lizard
1.0 Tokay Gecko
0.1 Marble Gecko
1.0 Fat-tailed Gecko
1.0 Lucy Leopard Gecko
0.1 Carrot Tail Leopard Gecko
0.1 Speckeled Hog-Nose
0.1 Garter Snake
1.1 Dogs
2.3 Cats

I know that FedEx provides shipping containers. The thing I'm concerned about is the actual packaging. Meaning, do they need to be in sacks, large deli cups, or what? I know how to package snakes, I have just never packaged bearded dragons, especially large ones. None of the pet shops in my area know jack squat about shipping reptiles. By the way, I am not doing the shipping. They are being shipped to me, just so that aspect is clear. Thank you for the reply!

Anya

i think a bag would be fine i personally dont like the deli cups because they can see out and that might stress them out.
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Jeff Kearney Orlando Florida (407) 766 6066

0.1 CB Spouse
4.4.1 Bearded Dragons
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
2.5 Ball Pythons
1.1 Blue Dumpys Tree Frogs
1.0 Armadillo Lizard
1.0 Tokay Gecko
0.1 Marble Gecko
1.0 Fat-tailed Gecko
1.0 Lucy Leopard Gecko
0.1 Carrot Tail Leopard Gecko
0.1 Speckeled Hog-Nose
0.1 Garter Snake
1.1 Dogs
2.3 Cats

I was thinking pack them up in a styrofoam lined box with a few holes for ventilation. Put them in individual snake bags and put a bit of crumpled up newspaper in around them for cushioning. Is it ok to have all three of them in the same box, though? This is just how I'm guessing it would be done. That is what we do with snakes. I just don't want them to get hurt, that's all.

Anya

thats perfectly fine
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Jeff Kearney Orlando Florida (407) 766 6066

0.1 CB Spouse
4.4.1 Bearded Dragons
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
2.5 Ball Pythons
1.1 Blue Dumpys Tree Frogs
1.0 Armadillo Lizard
1.0 Tokay Gecko
0.1 Marble Gecko
1.0 Fat-tailed Gecko
1.0 Lucy Leopard Gecko
0.1 Carrot Tail Leopard Gecko
0.1 Speckeled Hog-Nose
0.1 Garter Snake
1.1 Dogs
2.3 Cats

I hope so. Just glad that it is priority overnight, the less time in the box the better. Doesn't sound very comfortable, lol. Thanks for the advice!

Anya

buy a couple plastic containers that are long enough so each dragon can be stretched out with their tail curved comfortable about half way down the length of the tail. These should also be wide enough that the sides of the dragon barely touches the sides of the container or there is some space (this is with the dragon lying down) It should be a few inches deep but not too deep. I have seen containers like this in Dollar stores.

The box should be lined with styrofoam (the denser foam sheets used for insulation are better than the bead foam but either works) including a piece on the bottom and top.

Use as large a box as you can, this way it is easier to ensure a constant temperature inside the box. A too small box can change temperature alot faster.

For packaging dragons I find its best to wait till night time, while they are sleeping, gently put them into the small container, then into the box, or just keep them in the small container before putting them into the box. (this ensures the whole packaging part is less stressful. They are asleep and if they wake up during the day and see its dark and cool..they will just rest. There are dark cloudy cool days in the middle of summer all the time. Of course have air holes in the container. You shouldn't need any in the packaging box at all. Big holes just let heat/cool escape.

Oh in the containers, you can line it with paper towel, newspaper etc for padding. Around the containers in the packaging box, use crumpled newspaper or other packaging 'filler', especially any that allows good 'breathing' (ie don't wrap them up in bubble wrap).

Before boxing up your reptiles, make sure your courier/airline etc. actually accepts harmless lizards. Make sure they understand these animals are alive and can't be too hot or too cold.

As for snake bags or pillow cases, I don't' recommend that for bearded dragons. Their spines can catch on the cloth and this will be uncomfortable and painful for them.
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PHLdyPayne