Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi gang!

We will be moving to TN in about a month and I have a one year old Hermann Tort. We will be driving to our new home and I think it will probably take up to six days or so to get there. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to move with a tort? Would he be okay for that long with no heat lamp and UV lite? Every night when we stop we can make sure he is soaked and fed but I am worring about heating and how long he can go without it. We are going to have a very full van so I won't have much room....four kids, a big dog, our cat and Sam our tort! Oh is it going to be a fun ride! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!!
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat

Your hermanni should be fine with a bit of planning. You do not want him to roll around, gettting slammed by thoughtless movers, so...keep him in a temperature controlled environment, something insulated like a styro box. Consider putting a lot of litter/substrate in it so he can burrow down and be secure. It might be good to restrict diet a few days prior to move, missing a few meals won't hurt him at all assuming he is in good health. The most likely source of problems are overheating, so do not leave him in a locked up car that could overheat! Hydrating is a good idea. He should be fine as long as everyone involved does not forget a living animal is in the box. Compared to what some imports go through, the stress should not be bad. Good luck in your new location. Vic

This little guy out to come through the move better than you do! Good luck with your upcoming adventure.
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Thanks! I'm sure he will be alot less stressed than me. It is miserable just moving across town I don't know what I'm going to do having to move across the country!
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat

Thanks Vic!

Do you know where I could get a container like that? Should I punch some holes into it so he can get air? Thank you so much for your help!
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat

I would go to a tropical fish story and you can usually pick up a fairly stout shipment box for a couple bucks. Tortoises are very different from mammals, far less energy/oxygen demand so as long as you open the box daily I wouldn't worry about holes, most styro boxes are not air tight. Keep him cool and calm, and have a set-up ready to go when you move into the new place. You might find a better box elsewhere, but you probably are too busy so go to the fish store unless you find better. You could also use a small ice chest (obviously without ice unless it is really hot). Sometimes I freeze a plastic bottle and wrap it in a towel if I need to keep the shipped animal cool, it sort of diffuses the cold,and doesn't roll around that way. Moving is one of the most stressful things a person can do, so keep it in perspective and be happy with your new goals.

Thanks a bunch for all of your help! I'm sure he will be just fine but I am a bit of a worrier and like to be prepared.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
2 Finches
2 Betta
1 Cat