Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So doing a little shipping tomorrow. Let me start by saying that I am a very experienced shipper, with no problems to date. Looks like the overnight low at the destination is going to be around 50 degrees F tomorrow night (and well above that at the regular hub). Normally this time of year I don't use any heat packs at all...just doesn't normally seem necessary (and heat will kill a snake a whole lot quicker than a little chill). This one seems kind of borderline to me. I think a heat pack is probably justified, but the ones I have access to will crap out before they reach the destination anyway. Also, I'm using a new smaller box to cut down on dimensional weight, so I haven't test run the box with heat packs to see how hot it gets. I didn't expect it to go from typical late July/early August temps to October temps so quickly, so I'm just a bit unprepared for cool weather shipping.

So...whaddya think? Should I go with a heat pack or no? Thoughts?

I sent a box out last week and the biggest shipping concern was if it was going to be too HOT to ship. Six days later the concern is if it is too cold. Man, gotta love the weather....

I think it depends on a few factors:

* Carrier - does your carrier put animals in temp-controlled holds?
* Is 50 the low for the destination? At what time will the low be? If the animal will be delivered when the temps are higher... That is, if the low won't be reached until mid-night the next day, but your package will be delivered by 10:30am...
* You are right. They can handle extreme cold much better than extreme heat.

I try to determine where the animal will be at all stops and check the temps for those locations. For example, 85 degrees in FL, 70 degrees at hub in Memphis and 65 degrees in Iowa.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

is that it will probably be about 65 at the hub in Memphis when it gets there, and probably around 50-52 at the destination airport. I do FedEx. I'm assuming it makes it fairly quickly into a sort facility that should be minimally heated, then fairly quickly onto a truck, which should also be somewhat heated.

I really don't want to do a heat pack....thoughts? By the way, for hatchlings I'm now using a 10" X 10" X 10" box that is lined with 1" thick styro.

By the way, do you (or any of you) have the info as to what equipment FedEx flies, and what the conditions are inside? I've seen it somewhere...maybe even had a copy of it somewhere...but can't seem to locate it now. Just curious about that as well.

I had the letter I got from FedEx somewhere. Most of their planes are temp-controlled cargo holds at 80ish degrees (if I remember correctly). Every so often, I place a probe in the box that measures min/max temps. I have never had any wild jumps even when shipping in cold or hot.

Personally, I think you would be ok with a heat pack. I use 40 hour heat packs. But I also think you'd be fine without - especially since you are using 1" foam.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Well...I'm going to watch the weather and see how it goes. Next week is probably better from a temps. standpoint, but I think it will be fine. I don't have any "real" heat packs on hand anyway. I got caught unaware as I often due with the weather changes around here. Couple years ago I had a 75 degree day in early April, and then the next day I was skiing at a resort about 1.5 hours away and it was 19 degrees......

What you're saying about the FedEx cargo holds is reassuring as well. Thanks!

Maybe you could duct tape the heat pack into one of the top corners? This way the snake will not touch directly onto the pack & get burnt, but the ambient temps of the box will be raised if its left in a colder area. This shouldnt raise the overall temps to high, unless it is left in a place that is so hot that 5-8 degrees more will be the difference. The 5-8 degrees will be a nice safeguard just in case it is left in a colder area for a time.

Also, I would go with the fewest holes possible to cut down on cold drafts.