Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can frogs be safely shipped across the country with the current weather patterns in the US?

Thanks,

Rob

Different breeders do different things. Some will ship with night time lows of 20 or so, and others will not go below 40. It all depends. Ask the breeder your are interested in ordering from and they will tell you.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Honestly if you can wait I would. I had 3 tincs shipped last week that all were DOA, I got my temp gun out, checked the temps and it was 50 degrees! Needless to say the heat pack was ice cold as well! These were shipped through UPS, and I almost didn't get my frogs until the following day! Either way they were all dead! Luckily the breeder offered a live arrival gaurantee and I was reimbursed for the frogs but not the shipping.

I took the refund and bought 3 more tincs from a well known breeder (Who has been GREAT through this whole ordeal). Anyway they were shipped on Monday, for Tues. delivery. I got up today, and my shipment was delayed for "Mechanical Reasons". Anyway I am not going to get my frogs until tomorrow morning where I am hopeful, but full of doubt at the same time. I have NEVER had a problem shipping with UPS in 4 years, now all of a sudden I have had 2 problems in a week!!

This time of year everyone is shipping presents, and so forth so I would wait until the first of the year if at all possible, and make sure the shipper puts in a 40 HOUR HEAT PACK!!
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MIKE
4.14 Leopards (SHTCT, and Jungle Albino Trempers)
2.13 Fat Tails (Amels, Hets, and Normals)
1.1 Teratolepis Fasciata
1.3 Crested geckos
0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius (Citronellas)
1.0 Diamond Back Terrapin
14 Snakes (Tri colored hogs, subocs, alterna, rosy boas, and black milks)

Thought I should update everybody on the shipment, 2 look like they are gonna be OK, the other one still hasn't moved, but I saw take a breathe when I first took it out of the box! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I have read that sometimes in shipping darts, they come in "Dead" (Not moving, legs stretched out, lifeless), but to give them some time and some will actually come back!
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MIKE
4.14 Leopards (SHTCT, and Jungle Albino Trempers)
2.13 Fat Tails (Amels, Hets, and Normals)
1.1 Teratolepis Fasciata
1.3 Crested geckos
0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius (Citronellas)
1.0 Diamond Back Terrapin
14 Snakes (Tri colored hogs, subocs, alterna, rosy boas, and black milks)

Right now the weather shouldn't be your main concern, reliability should be.

Between Thanksgiving and the New Year is the WORST time to ship anything!!! The amount of packages flowing through all the shippers is amazing. If you can wait until after the 1st of the year, do so.

I worked for UPS for 7 years. The best way to describe what happens during this time is trying to shove a size 10 foot into a shoe made for a size 6. It isn't going to happen unless the shoe comes apart...and then it isn't going to be comfortable.

Melis
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Quality Captives

Very good point. I can say I noticed this yesterday on some things I ordered. When the UPS guy comes after 4pm or so, they are behind .
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

We got a package (not a frog) after 6pm on Monday, and we live less than 2 miles from the Obetz hub.

UPS and all carriers employ temp workers at this time of year to help with the holiday rush. All the drivers are overworked and working VERY LONG hours. I am sure some of you will be having deliveries after 7pm soon.

Like Kyle mentioned, a local show at this time of year is your best bet.

Melis
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Quality Captives

You could also try going to a local show or meeeting someone if you live close enough.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
Dart Links - still a work in progress
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
1.1.0 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

This time of year is bad and you do take the risk, regardless of whether someone ships or not. The guarantees are nice, but why risk it. You get your money back, but the frogs are dead. Spring and Fall are the best times, so wait or if you get a uncommonly warm day coming up then have them shipped. I had a few things come in dead because of delays and the weather was iffy in the past and it was not worth it. My two cents.

WM