Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just curious if anyone has reservations about cold weather shipping?

My policy is, I ship when temps are between 40-90F and I use the assembled styrofoam insulated boxes with one 40 hr heat pack taped to the inside top of the box.

Do the one piece molded styro containers work better than the assembled ones?

I have so many dragons to ship, but I am afraid of the cold temps.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

>>just curious if anyone has reservations about cold weather shipping?
>>
>>My policy is, I ship when temps are between 40-90F and I use the assembled styrofoam insulated boxes with one 40 hr heat pack taped to the inside top of the box.
>>
>>Do the one piece molded styro containers work better than the assembled ones?
>>
>>I have so many dragons to ship, but I am afraid of the cold temps.
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>>Bennett
>>
>>
>>
>>www.beardiedragon.com

Sure, I know I was pretty nervous shipping out a few animals last winter with 40 degree nights. I haven't shipped out many, but I think no matter what the weather it's a bit nerve racking, and especially in cold weather. I would definitely use two heat packs if you know your dragons are going to colder destinations just to be on the safe side. When I shipped last winter I used the boxes with the separate 6 pieces of Styrofoam. I would think the full molded ones would be more insulated, but my guys made it to there destinations nice and warm using the regular insulated box with two 40 hour packs inside. I packed them in small cheap Glade ware containers with holes punched along the sides with paper towels inside with the dragon in case they pooped and for added padding if they where dropped. I placed one heat pack red side up on the bottom cause hot air rises and balled up and shredded new papers to hold the cups steady in the middle, and placed the second heat pack on top for added heat. Just got to make sure those red stripes are not covered on the heat packs. I haven't shipped out many reptiles, but the ones I did in this fashion all arrived in great shape. Copy & paste for shipping tips http://www.reptilepackaging.com/tips.html
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Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

I typically don't ship if it's going to be under 35 degrees for a low, though sometimes temps don't do what's predicted of course and you ship unknowingly ..... cause if the box drops to much in temp, the heat packs stop working as one of their ingredients is water and if it freezes they are done. That's why I use 2-3 heat packs this time of year....first one raises the temp about 15 degrees in the box, each after that 8-10 and with many highs in the 40's you certainly don't have to worry about it getting to warm, just too cold.
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Tracey
Tracey's Beardies
www.beardiecrazy.com

I personally use the 60hr heat packs. You never know what may happen & how long they may get stuck somewhere. "Better safe than sorry".
I brought home a 40hr heat pack from a Tampa Show & the thing was done working the next day??? Typical? I don't know.

Also, I have been warned by a very experienced snake shipper, a caution using too many heat packs. It can back fire on you,,, they work by a chemical reaction with oxygen. They do "USE" oxygen and can deplete it in the box!!! Do put a couple holes in the box & do not use more than two heat packs!
That was something I hadn't considered & have taken very seriously.

I hope that helps.

I haven't used the solid Styrofoam packaging so I can't comment there.

Later.
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Joel R

Coming Soon!
www.SpikesAndScales.com

One note on the preformed boxes, I would probably stay away from them as they tend to seal tighter and there would be less air exchange, good for insulation purposes bad for animal purposes especially with the heat pack using oxygen.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com