Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there any way to safely ship reptiles? I have not had much luck lately. FedEx lost a Tegu that was on the way to me Wednesday. Fortunately they found it later that morning in Memphis where temps were quite cold. I was told by a FedEx rep that they don’t ship animals so they could not expedite the shipment. It would have to spend the night in Memphis. I worked my way up the corporate ladder and was finally threatened with, “the shipper is not a certified animal shipper and if we do find this package it will get turned around and shipped back. So either wait until tomorrow for it to arrive or we will send it back.”. Thank G-d he arrived the next day cold but healthy.

With the bad taste of FedEx, I opted to ship out two Beardies with the USPS. Packed them up and off we went. They were scheduled for delivery this morning by 10 am. They are now “LOST IN TRANSIT”. Nobody knows where they are. Two separate shipments to two different places and they are LOST! I am glad I used extra 60 hr heat packs. I just hope and pray they are found in time.

SHIPPERS BEWARE!
-----
Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

Well first off the USPS uses Fed-Ex as their carrier now for all packages and can not guarantee next day arrival on Live shipments. Fed-Ex does not ship reptiles unless you are an approved shipped with them. Also remember this, all packages must be marked as Live Harmless Reptiles or the shipper violated the Lacy act and could be subject to sever penalties. Packages must be marked as "Live Harmless Reptiles" Species name, common name, and quantity.
-----
Rob Trenor
RK Reptiles
www.rkreptiles.net
www.oldworldchameleons.com
www.ballpythonmorphs.net
www.beardedragons.com

_____

Do you think the horror stories that we hear about folks throwing boxes around and stuff when they see "Reptiles" on the box are true and of concern? We like to think that everyone cares as much as we do but I think there is enough misconception out there about herps - and we know that there are also a lot of well..crazies ;-/ Just looking for input...

lele

>>Well first off the USPS uses Fed-Ex as their carrier now for all packages and can not guarantee next day arrival on Live shipments. Fed-Ex does not ship reptiles unless you are an approved shipped with them. Also remember this, all packages must be marked as Live Harmless Reptiles or the shipper violated the Lacy act and could be subject to sever penalties. Packages must be marked as "Live Harmless Reptiles" Species name, common name, and quantity.
>>-----
>>Rob Trenor
>>RK Reptiles
>>www.rkreptiles.net
>>www.oldworldchameleons.com
>>www.ballpythonmorphs.net
>>www.beardedragons.com
>>
>>_____
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Not Rob but....

You need to package your animal like he's going to get shaken up. Plenty of padding around the snake bag or deli cup. Padding inside the deli cup or snake bag. Always use insulated boxes even if temps aren't really an issue as the foam adds strenght to the box.

We had a dragon delivered last year that the box was thrashed. I believe due to the padding and proper packaging, he was able to come through A-OK and is alive and healthy today.
Scales - Premium Exotic Reptiles

Hi,

thanks. There is just so much you can do in the way of padding in a deli cup ;-/ I am actually sending three anoles to their freedom in FL. I'm shipping from the Northeast so I have styro lined box and ordered some 40 hour heat packs. A friend suggested just putting perishable on the box and that will suffice.

lele
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

I agree, the package MUST be packed so that even if the employees of the carrier play hacky sack with the packages that the animals will be safe and sound. Cushioning and packing make a big difference in the animals safe arrival.
-----
Rob Trenor
RK Reptiles
www.rkreptiles.net
www.oldworldchameleons.com
www.ballpythonmorphs.net
www.beardedragons.com

_____