Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We are moving from Connecticut to California (LA) this summer. We are driving a pickup truck with a small trailer, and are taking a dog, 2 quails, my cornsnake and tegu and of course BT Monitor in the truck.

Any tips on how to do this?

I am planning on getting health certificates for everybody..my vet said she'd put all the small animals on one for free! While I may not NEED this,I think its a good idea just in case someone gives us a hard time.

As of now, We are planning to black out a small tank or rubbermaid container for the lizards during the daytime driving (for their "night" and give them UV, heat, and food at night (for their daytime cycle). Is this schedule change too drastic even if we switch them over, over the course of 3-4 weeks? Will they be able to get sleep in the car?

Will Ice bought at gas stations/mcdonalds be enough to keep a 7-10 days supply of frozen food be suffiecient.

I know there was talk of BT monitors being made illegal in NYC. Does anyone know if BTs, Argentine B&W tegus or corn snakes are illegal in any states? I tried to search online, but theres not a lot of comprehensive lists of illegal animals for states.

Any info or suggestions on the logistics for taking a Corn Snake on a 7-10 day roadtrip are much appreciated!
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Zsa-Zsu and Corny the Corn Snake
and Monaco the Argentine B&W Tegu
and Meanie the Black Throat Monitor

you might want to consider getting rid of some of those animals before driving with them.it would be easier and cheaper to just get new critters......

snake.....placed into a cloth bag and inside a cooler....use bottle of water to keep warm or colder.just refill bottle as needed with hot or cold water..they work as heat pak or cold paks well enough ......and can be refilled from a tap water source.....

lizards can be bagged too and in styrofoam boxes but they may rip the bag and get out........?cooler might work better than styrofoam if they rip out.....duct tape cooler shut..open once a day or so to let air in......

the lizards will be the worst to deal with.......

quail too........

I'd sell or even give them aay nd start over......

the snakes can be dealt with fairly easily......

.......good luck.........

OR....let someone ship them to you after you get to Cali?.....

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Thanks for the info

Getting "rid" of them isn't an option! I am not a breeder or collecter, just a girl with an animal family! I love my cuties too much to just buy new, plus, its hard to find truly responsible and knowlegeable homes for some of my guys. We are all coming cross country, even my horse! (oh what a mean expense that will be)

But I don't want someone else to ship them, as it isn't always reliable, and i feel better driving them myself.

A lot of though will have to go into getting my little guys cross country!
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Zsa-Zsu and Corny the Corn Snake
and Monaco the Argentine B&W Tegu
and Meanie the Black Throat Monitor

There are people that see animals al living beeings. You know, care about them and strange stuff like that.

They don't give or sell them away and order a new batch of 'things' when they moved into their new home just to save a bit of hassle.

Seriously if you see them as objects, you should not go anywere near a live creature. Not ever.

I drove nearly half way across north america (though several forest fires too!) with about 20 snakes, over a dozen water turtles, my boxie and a tortoise. I even had my aquarium fish in a bucket with an aerator. Nothing died en route or subsequently

What I did:
Small shoebox rubbermaids, paper towels (Easy to clean up) and then a plastic drinking cup cut down, with another one inside. You glue the outside one into the cage, and then the inside cup is removable to give water in the evenings when you're parked.

Just make sure you don't let them overheat (watch putting then near windows and car heating vents, and they're fine.

I'd get rid of your food supply, honestly, it'll be a pain to keep frozen, and they shouldn't be fed for a week or two before leaving, during the trip, and then give them about a week to settle in before feeding. As long as they're in good shape before the trip, the long fast is fine.

Alex

wow, that sounds like an accomplishment - especially with the fish! good 4 u!

Thank you so much for the tips - i definately like the water dish idea- i am paranoid about my animals going w out water, so i was concerned with how i would supply water over 8-12 hour drives!

1 more Q:
Why can't i feed my snake a few days before i leave or a few days after i arrive? what is the risk/problem?
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Zsa-Zsu and Corny the Corn Snake
and Monaco the Argentine B&W Tegu
and Meanie the Black Throat Monitor