Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys!
I purchased up a cute lil' striped boa, born this year, from a fellow in California, zipcode 90732. I live in Oregon, zipcode 97756, and yes... it is getting to the point where shipping won't be acceptable. We are about there now, lows at night reaching around 40 and a little under a couple times... but have had unseasonably warm days for the last two weeks. He is getting an order of heat packs this week and, I assume, shipping either the same week, or the beginning of the week after... he asked how many heat packs I thought were necessary for her safety.
I have only shipped a few times myself and during spring/summer months, neither have I had packages delivered this late in the year before so I thought to ask you folks, how many heatpacks would you recommend to be safe and reasonable? It would be a normal shipment, overnight by fedex, which I will be taking a day off to be here to receive and immediately transfer to a warm enclosure.
Thanks guys...
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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine(Kahn)
0.1 Salmontine (Sonya)
1.1 DH Sunglow (Gabrielle and Bonnie)
0.0.1 Hypo het anery
1.1 07 Hypo pos. triple hets (Rico Suave & Pumpkin)
1.0.1 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.0 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal(deceased)
1.3 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang, Isis)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.2 Carpet Pythons (Jackson, Charlotte, & Cassandra)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
1.2 Children's Pythons
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

the temperatures between origin and destination are the most important factors.
Also, I don't think this needs to be said, but be certain that an insulated box is used.

If you can find out the size of the box, let us know.
jb
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Jonathan Brady
*You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.*

Here is what I would do.....
Assuming shipping from San Pedro, CA 90732 on Wed 12/03 or Mon 12/08......the high temp will be about 71 degrees both days.

Assuming you receive shipment in Redmond, OR 97756 on Thurs 12/04 or Tues 12/09 ......in the morning the temps will be about 27-35 degrees both days.

I will also assume that you will pick up the box from the local distribution center (FedEx or UPS) to allow the box to stay in a 70 degree building and not back into a truck for delivery in 30 degree temps.

THE SHIPMENT: I would use a 40-hour heat pack. The temp of the heat pack would be lower while the package is in the warmer California climate, and will reach it's peak temp as the package arrives in the colder temperature in Oregon.

The think the heat packs raise the air temp 10 degrees in one cubic foot of space.
So, being a 2008 Boa, I'm sure the box will be no larger than 12x12x12.....which is a cubic foot.

I would place the heat pack in the bottom of the box and have an inch or two of insulating material, such as crumbled newspaper, between the heat pack and the bottom of the snake container/bag.
Most of the transport time will be in warmer weather, and upon reaching Oregon and the colder temps, the box will be in cold temps for a short time before reaching the distribution facility.
The box being used should be well insulated, so the one heat pack should do the job for the short time the box will be in the cold air temp.

Hope this helps.

The only variable that I'm not aware of is if the package will sit on the tarmac at an airport. This could result in the package sitting exposed to cold temps for several hours.

That was incredibly detailed, and very accurate. I feel silly for not thinking to pick her up at the fedex facility. I've done that once before, I should have thought of it.
I suggested to him the 12x12x12 insulated box (I didn't think to ask about it being insulated, because I thought everyone used them, silly me!) He agreed and is planning to do just that.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it!
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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine(Kahn)
0.1 Salmontine (Sonya)
1.1 DH Sunglow (Gabrielle and Bonnie)
0.0.1 Hypo het anery
1.1 07 Hypo pos. triple hets (Rico Suave & Pumpkin)
1.0.1 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.0 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal(deceased)
1.3 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang, Isis)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.2 Carpet Pythons (Jackson, Charlotte, & Cassandra)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
1.2 Children's Pythons
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

one heat pack will be fine. Young Boas can take a night in the cold pretty well. just warm them up gradually, not suddenly.
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Snake room janitor

I emailed the fellow with the advice I got, and although I believe he is an experienced shipper, was sure to include some of the other things just in case... for example, using insulated boxes can't be too careful I've learned!
Also, Jonathan, if he emails me back and says he is using a box larger than what I recommended based on posts here (12x12x12) I'll repost to double check if you guys still think one is enough... thanks again!
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Steph S.
Boas...
1.1 Albino boas (Loki & Hope)
1.4 07 Het. albino boas (Petty & Lady,Sierra,Madeline,Lola)
0.1 Reverse stripe poss. het albino (Cookie)
0.1 Salmon/hypo (Scarlet)
0.1 Anery poss. het snow (Missy)
1.0 Anery (Reno)
1.0 Probable Super Salmontine(Kahn)
0.1 Salmontine (Sonya)
1.1 DH Sunglow (Gabrielle and Bonnie)
0.0.1 Hypo het anery
1.1 07 Hypo pos. triple hets (Rico Suave & Pumpkin)
1.0.1 Het. Anery (Guy & ?)
0.3 Normals (Ophelia, Sasha, & Lulu)
1.0 Surinames (Solomon & Surreal(deceased)
1.3 Hog Isles (Mr.Orange & Peaches, Tang, Isis)
0.0.1 Central American (Sassy)
1.0 ATB (Satan... seriously!)
Pythons...
2.1 GTPs (B., Monty & Jewel)
0.0.3 BPs (MJ, Precious, Houdini)
1.2 Carpet Pythons (Jackson, Charlotte, & Cassandra)
0.1 Blood python (Akaia)
1.2 Children's Pythons
Misc.
1.1 Mandarin Ratsnakes (Jack & Jill)
1.0 Boxer/Pitt Mutt (Tyson)

I personally use the smallest box an animal will fit into comfortably. For baby boas, I like the 7x7x6 boxes and you can get away with one heat pack except in very cold temps. For a 12x12x12 box, I'd recommend two heat packs, at least. I also don't recommend putting heat packs on the bottom of the box because if the animal lets loose of some liquidy fun, the heat pack gets soaked and is rendered useless.
Now, obviously those boxes get tilted every which way so putting the heat pack anywhere makes it subject to getting soaked, but it's less likely if it's affixed to the side and some paper towels are used inside the bag the snake is in, as well as for part of the packing materials.
jb
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Jonathan Brady
*You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.*

Very good point about the heat pack possibly getting wet if the snake relieves itself. I never thought about that because I pad the bottom of the snake bag (inside) with paper towels plus I lay paper towels on top of the crumbled newspaper in the box to soften it up a bit. I figured the liquid would be absorbed by the towels, but why take the chance.

As for the box size, I was using the 12x12x12 size just for the discussion of heat packs raising the air temps.
I use 7x7x6 and 12x9x6 for most of my shipping. Just as you mentioned, I also use the smallest box to fit the snake(s) comfortably along with the added padding (newspaper, paper towels, etc).

Good post!!

.....and read that you also use paper towels in the snake bag and as part of the box packing material.
I just thought it was neat that we basically ship the same way. I had wondered if my shipping method was a good way to do it......I guess it is.

Thanks.

There are some times I don't use paper towels.
If the animal has very recently relieved itself, or if it's a little baby and the bag and packing material would absorb everything.
jb
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Jonathan Brady
*You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted, then used against you.*