Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello -
I purchased a 4" mata mata and I need to provide the seller with shipping instructions and a box (as he doesn't usually ship). I would like some suggestions. Here is what I have so far.

To ship a 4lb box with USPS (any size from to large styro) would be $24
To use FedEx would be $40 for a small box 8x8x10

FedEx will have it to me by 10:30, and can be dropped of by 4:00 while USPS will have it to me by 3:00 if they have it by 2:30. Either way we are looking at just short of 24hrs in shipping.

It's cold here now, 20s and 30s. I was thinking of putting the mata mata in a small container with damp paper towels. Then put this into a styro filled with peanuts and toss in heat pad. The heat pad says it will stay at 104F for 18hours. I'm testing it right now in a box outside. I'll post the results in case it will help anyone else.

Any other suggestions?
What temp should I try to keep the box at?

John

I just read that you shouldn't ship them in damp conditions? I was thinking of putting damp paper towels in the inner container. Would this be a problem? Is it ok to have him dry for a day or two?

Also After about an hour outside my stryo box is 70F. it was 87F when I put it outside in 30-35F weather with one heat pad.

I know there are longer lasting heat pads, but I'm not sure where to get one - any suggestions?

John

Do NOT ship the turtle USPS. Not only is it illegal, but their 'overnight' service usually takes a few days. I currently own 6 snakes that I don't have in my possession yet because I think it's just too freakin' cold. The temperature isn't the only thing to consider. Snow and ice can cause flight delays. Also, heat pads have trouble heating more than themselves in very cold weather. If it were my turtle, I wouldn't risk it. Especially since they're from the tropics and have no way to deal with temp drops.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

I thought it was ok to use USPS. I have gotten snakes from them before.

I tried a smaller box with two heat pads. I left it inside of an hour (as it is going to ship from Calif) at it got upto 97F. It has been outside in 30F weather for about 4 hours and the temp is 57F. That's colder than I thought it would get.

What other suggestions do you have? I could put off shipping him for a while, but I don't know how much of a difference that would make as it gets quite cold on the plane doesn't it?

John

John,
If you mentioned where you are, I missed it. Waiting until the temperatures are more Spring-like is certainly a safer plan; too many unexpected things can happen---box left on a dock, even briefly.
The safest, fastest, and, of course, most expensive and least convenient method for shipping is DeltaDash. Delta provides an "airport-to-airport" service for ~$80 (don't hold me to that cost!). The well-packed animal is taken to the airport before a departing flight; the animal is then picked up from the receiving airport within an hour after arrival---no overnight worries. Time involved is the airflight time plus a couple hours.
Check out Kingsnake's "Shipping Forum" for horror stories. Look specifically at posts on January 11 for info on DeltaDash.
I had Madagascar tortoises shipping to Missouri in the middle of January via DeltaDash very successfully; however, they were packed by an experienced shipper.
TurtleHomes has a page on shipping although it is specifically for warm-weather shipping. (http://www.turtlehomes.org)
Bottom line: Wait for warmth if shipping with overnight service!
Best of Luck!

If you can, wait until the weather warms up.

Personally, I use Airborne Express, becuase they knowingly ship turtles, and I live close enough that I can ship from the airport office. I can drop off the box around 8PM, and the turtle arrives by noon the next day. It is more expensive, but only 16 hours in transit (max) is worth it to me.

Otherwise your packing sounds OK, just pack in lots of shredded newspaper. If it has to be damp, try sphagnum moss.

Katrina

Well I don't think this is going to work out- I'm also worried about the temp the turtle will get on the plane.

I made a small box out of 1/2 foam insulation and packed it like I would pack the turtle.

I put two heating pads in the box and let it run inside for about an hour. The temp got upto 97F. Then I put it outside. It dropped over the next few hours. After about 6 hours it was 57F. This morning at 17 hours it was 27F.

I see people shipping year round, but I don't see how this can work.

I'm going to ask the guy to hold him for me or see what we can work out on a refund.

John

PS Thanks for the help everyone.

You can buy 40 hour heat packs online. Most online herp stores will have them. I've used 18 hour ones in moderately cool weather, but I wouldn't use them if it were say, under 40.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

Turtles can stand prolonged dessication ( at least a week, as long as 10 weeks) but packing it wet carries hazards. If temporarily chilled, the moist substrate stays cold for much longer than a dry substrate. Case in point: I had an early spring shipment via USPS Express Mail of frogs. The dart frogs, on their wet and cold sphagnum, were dead or moribund. The only long term survivor was a tropical tree frog that clung to the side of its container, rather than lying on a moist substrate.

I think that dry or damp would depend on the size of the turtle. Anything less than 4" I would prefer to be a little damp, but I probably wouldn't ship something that small around cold weather.

Katrina

Have had very good luck with UPS on many shipments in the past (none in last year or so). Only problem is some UPS facilities will not accept animals. It varies from location to location with local option. Glades Herp uses them regularly as the primary method for a large dealer. HOWEVER: you did not mention your locations or that of the shipper. My rule of thumb is to never ship unless temperature is expected to be above freezing at both shipment and delivery points . Even a heat pack won't offset extreme cold and the inadequate packing that you often get from non-professionals. Also, they often use the heat pack improperly so it expires quickly or is not close enough to the animal. A styro box with very limited ventilation holes is an absolute MUST for winter shipping. Matas are not very cold tolerant. The crucial period is from the time the shipment is offloaded until it gets to the airport cargo facility for the service. This is a minimum of 20-30 minutes outdoors. Also, there may be an unheated truck ride to your house for any service. In the pre-9/11 days, I used to ship USPS Express Mail (illegal for turtles and snakes, formerly leagal for other herps) Then I would have them held right at the airport airmail facility and pick them up myself. This was only possible at a large hub, however. Try to persuade your supplier to wait a month or so unless you are in the south.