Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, OK, this is dorky, but perhaps someone can benefit from my experience. I've often wondered about all the dynamics of shipping reptiles--and particularly snakes-- in cold weather, and the effect of heat packs and insulation.

With this in mind, I placed a thermometer in a bag, and then in a small box, and then placed this in a larger shipping box with a styrofoam liner. The temp on the thermometer registered 72 degrees when initially placed in the box. Three 40 hour heat packs were used...two taped to the sides of the box, and one on the inside of the lid.

A cushion of wadded newspaper separated the heat from the thermometer by several inches. (I recognize that most of the time snakes are packed tighter in smaller boxes, so take this with a grain of salt.)

I wrapped the whole thing up and placed the box in my garage at 8:00 p.m., with an outside temp of about 40.

Overnight the temps got down to 30, and at 6:30 a.m. I opened the box and checked the temp on the thermometer... 52 degrees.
I'm sure that for short periods of time this would be no problem for most Boids...I think a couple more heat packs would have added just the right amount of heat.
I received a large Boa from a well-established reptile dealer two years ago that had three or four heat packs inserted---right up against the snake. The box was packed tightly, and she had nowhere to go, so she ended up with some bad burns. She still has scarring, but seems none the worse for wear. All this to say that it's important NOT to have the heat packs too close to the snake. Perhaps wrapping them in a sheet of newspaper will provide enough protection?
Hope this is helpful to anyone shipping at this time of year-
Jim
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There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1

is that heat rises so when you place the heat pack beside or above the animal it will not work as it designed to unless like you said it is in direct contact with the animal. I think your experiment would yield better results if you pack the heat packs below a wadded up layer of newspaper and place your thermostat on top of that. Then the animal is more likely to benefit from the heat packs. Also, how many air holes were in your box? The amount and size of them will also cause your heat packs to no work as well, the more free flowing air that travels through the box the less effective the heat packs will be. Two small holes half way down the side of the box are sufficient in most cases and it prevents the hot air from leaving the box as easily.

One other question I have for you is, did the thermostat that you used have a high - low memory on it? It would be interesting to see that information as well.

Please keep us posted if you decide to try again, its always good information to have.

Take Care,
Brandon Weik
Summit Reptiles
SummitReptiles.com

I have the habit of always putting a heat pack on the top of the lid, and it's likely wasted heat, particularly in a box of this size...most of the time I use smaller boxes and the top heat, placed closer to the animal, likely has some effect simply because it directly warms the packing material around the snake. A pad underneath definitely makes more sense!

I never put air holes in my shipping boxes. After hatching colubrids in mostly air-tight cookie tins on several occasions, I've come to the conclusion that air holes are unnecessary for shipping, and I've never been proven wrong. Of course, I have no plans to place my snakes in zip lock baggies...

No memory on the thermometer...that would've been helpful.
Thanks for your response-
Jim
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There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1

Have you any info on the oxygen consumption of these heat packs? I've always wondered if using enough packs to keep things warm was risky if the box got delayed and the packs used up significant oxygen in the box. More air holes mean more heat loss so that's not the solution.

but never looked into it. I've never used more than four heat packs in a single shipment, but I suppose that multiple packs (more than what is appropriate) in a small, well-wrapped box could have some effect.
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There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1