Okay, I'm shipping dragons for the first time ever. They're two 18 month old sisters going from Michigan to Florida (the guy's building them a huge outdoor enclosure - they're gonna love it! ). I have a box with the stryfoam inserts fitted for sides, bottom, and top (actually a box I had a huge order of frozen mice come in). I thought I'd put some shredded newspaper in with them to give them a snug nest to sleep in. Also, I'm planning on taping a desposable heat pack to the inside top of the stryofoam (and I'm planning to close the box all up with an extra heat pad (but without dragons) and monitor the heat for a day via a thermomiter with probe I have.
Should I poke holes through the box sides and styrfoam? I really think so, but have been told reptiles are different than mammals in this regard (needing less oxygen), and it would allow too much heat to escape. Please let me know what's best. Also, any mistakes in my packing, let me know, or any improvements I can make. I want to make this trip as comfortable and stress-free as possible for these darling girls.
Also, I'd planned on shipping with UPS, as they can get it there in 24 hours. Should I write "Fragile Plants" "This end Up" and "Room Temperature" on the box?
Thanks so much in advance for any and all help - I'm really nervous with this first ship.