Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello! I just got a few leopards shipped up north to me from down south, and wouldn't you know it, it was the coldest day here all fall. These guys were on the UPS truck for 4 1/2 hours with no heat. They're cold, but active enough and seem fine. I put them immediately into pre-heated tanks. They have hides, water, and I'm going to put a mealworm dish in right away. Anything else I can do to help them settle in? Should they be alright, even though they got cold?
Thanks!

since you are getting them settled into the pre-heated tanks, everything should be fine. also, you use an undertank heater, right? because they'll need that belly heat for digestion, especially since they were a little cold in the truck. other than that i think those leos found themselves a really good home

aimee
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1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Melvin)
1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

. . . don't change it now.

I think it is unwise to immediately warm up herps right away, if they are cold. Let them acclimate slowly. They can get respiratory problems if warmed too quickly - but you should be OK.

BTW - it's better for your leos to be too cold than too hot. More herps are killed or damaged because of too much heat, than too little heat.

I shipped a leo out to NJ from MN on Monday - highs near 70 and lows in the upper 40's - and I didn't use a heat pack - because it was perfect weather to ship, as long as you warm them slowly. I also received a leo recently in which the heat pack went out - but it was still fine. Cooler is better than too hot.

I usually just set them on my desk at room temp, and just walk away from them. I don't mess with them at all - just let them acclimate. After that - I will move them to their cage. I've done this numerous times - and have been given this advice by some of the most experienced herpers out there - and it works.

That's being said, you'll probably be ok - but this can serve as a reference to next time.
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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
Email

No Fru-Fru morphs in the herp room

I have actually received animals in cold weather that were DOA (cooked) because the shipper packed them too close to the heat pack.

I have also received geckos that were so cold they were not moving, or breathing at all. I let them warm up at room temps and they all eventually came out of it.

Too cool is always better than too warm.
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, W.Hognose and Screaming AFT's

really? how often have you received leos in the mail like that? aww poor cooked leos
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1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Melvin)
1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

even if it's pre-heated?

ahhh i learn something new everyday
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1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Melvin)
1.0 Black Lab / Pitbull mix (Mikey)
1.0 Blue Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)

Plus, I've been told that the Pakistan region where leos are from actually goes through cold winters.
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chickabowwow

3.2 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)
and 3 eggs a' cookin'

n/p