Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi i have a question,next week i will relocating to Aurora Colorado,i live in Waukegan Illinois and im wondering how to pack my snakes,lizards, and tarantulas the right way,i've all ready got the 60hr heat packs and bags. The trip is about 1000 miles one way, and i want to make sure every thing is right so nothing happens. If any body has any ideas please let me know.

Pillowcases make great traveling 'containers' for snakes, just make sure the tops are tightly tied and secured! You can put several pillow-cased snakes in a cooler with your heat packs(depending on the size of your snakes of course)--this was what we used to do with our educational collection whenever the power went out in the building--they'd go home with my boss like this and be fine for a few days before it was ok to bring them back. For short stays we also did this with a couple of lizards but I don't think that is ideal for them.
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Sue Barnett
1.0 Florida King (Vega)
0.1 Western hognose (Sola)
0.1 Egyptian spiny mouse (Mia)
4.2 mini rex rabbits (Basil, Pippin, Reggie, Hayden, Jackie and Peek-a-boo)
0.1 Plott hound (Molly)
1.0 half Arab (Zarr)
1.0 Betta (Flash)

I moved from CA to LA in the heat of the summer which was just the opposite weather that you are exepcting. Here's what I did:

bag snakes and box them in rubbermades. duct tape them shut.
I only like to bag monitors. Other lizards need a suitably sized rubbermade or deli cup with appropriate substrate. The substrate can be shavings, newspaper, moss etc.. but give them plenty of it. I mean lots of it. This will help them feel safe and reduce stress while baffling them against sudden jolts. It also helps insulate against cold and provide humidity when appropriate.

Use deli cups or small sealable containers for spiders.

Don't drive straight thru. Stop and spend the night in a hotel. Bring your animals in the room with you and check on them. If you have any soiled substrate, you can deal with it easier than on the side of the road. BRING EXTRA SUBSTRATE AND DUCT TAPE. You may also want to mist them or give them a drink from a bowl.

Also, if you have the room (if you don't, then try to make room) put them in the seating area of the car with you where you have the temp controlled. Avoid car trunks and truck beds. It's cold out there not to mention the dangers of carbon monoxide. Watch out for excessive temps on the floor boards, but also keep in mind that it's warmth can be a benfit.

Safe travels,

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Zoodude

"Just because I'm paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't after me."

>>bag snakes and box them in rubbermades. duct tape them shut.

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Emily
"His will was set, and only death would break it."

n.p.
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Zoodude

"Just because I'm paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't after me."

Hi there:

Zoodude gave you some excellent advice. I own a reptile zoo complete with tons of herps. The problem is, I need a number of heaters and foggers, because I live in an unusually cold area of the country "Where rat snakes are considered exotic." If you go to the drug store, see if you can find some microwavable "hot packs." These should stay hot for a very long time. Lay them out below the cages. First make sure the hotel allows pets. (One time I had to sneek a salamander into a Comfort Inn.) Good luck, and don't feel bad if you lose a spider or two along the way (It happens to everyone at some time or another. Well, I doubt that everyone keeps these kinds of things (chuckle!)
DAVE

to the hotel of your choosing. People just don't understand sometimes, and it's best not to have to show off to all the looky-lous you generate when you announce that you have snakes or other creepy crawlies. Besides, it's not like they leave hair all over or bark all night (that's really what they care about as far as pets go).

Aren't herp lovers rebels at heart anyway?
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Zoodude

"Just because I'm paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't after me."