Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm shipping from Ohio to Maryland. What would you guys recomend? I don't want to send usps because I've heard that they hold live animals for 2 days before shipping! I was thinking ups, but they say that they don't accept live animals. I've heard about Delta Dash before, does anyone know about this? Their website said that they accept live reptiles. Is this the best way to go? What would that cost? I really need advice badly, this is my first time shipping and I'm a little nervous! Thanks!

fedex us what alot of people use i think
-----
0.0.1 pacific gopher snake ; Mich
0.0.1 albino corn snake ; Shmee

>>I'm shipping from Ohio to Maryland. What would you guys recomend? I don't want to send usps because I've heard that they hold live animals for 2 days before shipping! I was thinking ups, but they say that they don't accept live animals. I've heard about Delta Dash before, does anyone know about this? Their website said that they accept live reptiles. Is this the best way to go? What would that cost? I really need advice badly, this is my first time shipping and I'm a little nervous! Thanks!

It's illegal to ship snakes USPS. (not just against company policy)
Delta costs around $70 and I believe you have to be a 'verified' shipper to use them. Other airlines cost a lot, too.
Most people just use airborne express, fedex, or UPS overnight. There are not very many options for shipping snakes in accordance with company policy (sad but true), so many people don't actually state they are shipping snakes.
-----
-audri
Webpage/Pics

If its illegal to ship herps through most carriers AND since most breeders do not disclose what they are shipping.....Then why do some breeders/dealers NOT ship certain animals based on local herp laws. Example...a town in Ohio does not allow the keeping of ANY snakes whatsoever...so when trying to get them anyway (despite the poorly written laws) some sellers won't ship them. Is it b/c they can get in trouble? OR is it a personal moral/ethical issue for them. I am just trying to understand since I am not (nor ever will be) in the business end of herps. So if the breeder/shipper doesn't disclose what they are shipping, can they still face trouble? Some people recommend getting what I like to call "legally challenged herps" at reptile shows when this occurs.

>>If its illegal to ship herps through most carriers AND since most breeders do not disclose what they are shipping.....Then why do some breeders/dealers NOT ship certain animals based on local herp laws. Example...a town in Ohio does not allow the keeping of ANY snakes whatsoever...so when trying to get them anyway (despite the poorly written laws) some sellers won't ship them. Is it b/c they can get in trouble? OR is it a personal moral/ethical issue for them. I am just trying to understand since I am not (nor ever will be) in the business end of herps. So if the breeder/shipper doesn't disclose what they are shipping, can they still face trouble? Some people recommend getting what I like to call "legally challenged herps" at reptile shows when this occurs.

Shipping snakes via FedEx, UPS, etc., isn't illegal. It is against company policy, but nobody's going to get arrested over it.
-----
-audri
Webpage/Pics

I'm not sure, but as I understand it, technically you are breaking the Lacey Act unless you label the container with both the scientific and common name of the animal within the box. As I understand it, this is unlikely to be an issue, unless you are shipping a protected species, HOWEVER; if authorities were looking for a way to "Get" someone this could be an issue. Afterall, technically Al Capone was nailed for "Tax evasion"

Of course, I'm not sure on any of this, just what I have heard as I have been looking into shipping options myself.

package it well, package it yourself, don't ask, don't tell, ship overnight 10am next day air. No one cares, fedex gets their money and someone get's their animal, no one is hurt or any worse off....

Ship it ups.Just tell them it's a bag of fish and has to be there overnite.You can even print live this side up on the box.I have had problems with fed ex,They go tru nashville no matter what and you have a 50/50 chance of a two day package.The next day air by our beloved United States Postal Service is the god awful worst.I had a pair of bearded dragons float around for 3 days with those losers and they were DOA.I would go with Ups next day air.They have proven reliable 99% of the time.Remember there fish...Paul..