Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just received an adult pair of albino prairie kings. I live in Indiana and they came from California. They were in an 11X9X6 box, with no styro lining, and jam packed with shredded newpaper. The snakes were each in their own individual sock. Yes, I said sock. There were 3 heat packs in the box. All of which were still warm. I could smell something dead before I even opened the box. I opened the box, and found the 2 socks. One of which had blood on it. I opened it first. I found a bloated, bleeding female albino prairie king. She was turning black on her belly and her head. There was blood coming out of her mouth. It was not something I ever want to see again. Was there too many heat packs in the box? Or was the snake dead when it was packaged? UPS delivered on time, the weather was mild, there was so much shredded newspaper in the box that there was no way the snake could have been killed during shipping other than packagaing error. The person I got them from said they can't do anything because they are not responsible for the package once it leaves their care. So, no matter what caused the death, I just paid way too much $$ to get a male albino prairie king.

very unfortunate experience. sorry you had to go through that. certainly, one lesson is to buy only from people who guarantee live delivery, in the future. A little longer guarantee to make sure the snake's not only alive but "fine" is even better.

i seldom use heat packs but yeah, 3 in a small box seems like a lot.

i keep meaning to buy some max-min thermometers and include them when shipping, but most are analog and i think shock of the box being handled would knock the needle around. maybe not. i've also tried to find recording theremometers and have gotten close but haven't found the right thing. Including those would provide a complete record of temps during transit.

I don't propose that every shipper include one with every shipment--the cost would be prohibitive. As it is, for the tests i'd like to do i'd have to ask recipients to return the devices. But a lot could sure be learned.

Has anyone ever conducted such tests?

terry

1 heatpack is plenty especially if the weather is mild. In mid winter when you may be hitin the 30's 2 would be put in but I wouldn't ever put in 3.

Heat packs consume the oxygen in the box so I always poked a couple holes in the box at the bottom. i also wrap the heat packs in a piece of newspaper to slow down their heating process which has worked well. Plus the animals need to have venilation. I never put the animals in direct contact with the packs. The shipper is fully responsible for not providing the correct packing. 3 packs is way too much.