Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am ordering my supplies this week to prepare for shipping leos, this is my first year shipping and am not sure what size boxes to get.

I am looking at some insulated shipping boxes that are 12x9x6? Are these good (I will probably be shipping one or two leos at a time)? They also make the in a 15x11x7 size. Are insulated boxes best for shipping leos at all times of year, or only certain times of year? Or are regular boxes just as good? The insulated boxes are relatively expensive and will add quite a bit to my shippping cost, so I want to know if they actually provide an advantage in all weather or just winter. When I had leos shipped to me from tremper back in 2000 the box wasn't insulated, but it was quite a bit larger than the leos inside with lots of crumpled paper.

Also does anyone have any rules of thumb about when to use hot packs, cold packs, or nothing? For example if the temp is 68 at departure point and 82 at arrival point would you use a hot pack, cold pack, or nothing?

I suppose you do not NEED to use an insulated box, but i would think it would be better. I am not too sure about that. I use insulated boxes, and i would think having them would be good. But i am a little unsure. As for the hot/cold packs, unless it is extreme temperatures, i wouldnt use them for leos, if they are at room temperature they are fine.
Good luck, also, where are you getting them from?
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Lauren
1.1 Saharan Uromastyx (Rico-orange, ????-yellow)
1.1 Albino Leopard Gecko (????-male, ????-female)
Cozmo-Hannovarian/Trakehner Gelding
Chip-Dutch Warmblood Gelding
Ck-Hannovarian Gelding
Cruiser-Irish Sporthorse Gelding
Morgan-Labrador Retriever
Opal-Persian Cat
Dude-Jack Russel Terrier
Sky-Blue Male Betta
From: New Jersey

I am going to order from Superior Enterprises

just because im curious... what kind of leos are you shipping?
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Matt
Owner of:
1.0.0 Brown (Bahaman) Anole
0.1.0 Green Anole
0.2.0 leopard geckos (tempature sexed)

I'll be selling and shipping hypotangerine albinos, Tangerine albinos, hypo/reduced spotting tangerines het albino, and a few reduced spotting hets w/ tang highlights.

I'll be posting individual geckos for sale on the Kingsnake classifieds once I get all my shipping materials together, so keep an eye out.

We ship in either 8x8x8 boxes for up to 3 babies, or in 10x10x10 boxes for up to 8 babies. We get our boxes either from UPS online or at the UPS Store (old Mail Boxes Etc). You can get sheets of 3/4 inch styrofoam from lowes or home depot and cut it to size using a carpenters square (or any straight edge) and a utility knife. On average you'll save about $2.00 per box plus the cost of shipping from whoever you would order them from. To finish off the box just print off your own labels and attach with packing tape. As for shipping and using heat/cold packs: We very rarely if ever use cold packs. For the majority of the trip it will be very cool anyway. In the late fall through early spring when overnight temps are below 60 we tape a 60hr heat pack to the lid. This way the animals get some radiant heat but don't get cooked (yes a heat pack will get hot enough to cook a leopard gecko).

Hope this helps,
Uriah and Tina Walker
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I really appreciate the information and help! I want to be sure my geckos are safe during shipping.