Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We're moving from Florida to Western Colorado. My eldest daughter's most prized thing in the universe is her 10-year-old Uro mali, Wizard, who's ten years old -- and she's scared about moving him that far.

You can see a list of our menagerie in the signature block below.

We'll be traveling by car, and have several other reptiles going with us. Our plan is to put each animal in a Rubbermaid bin along with paper towels. I'm not really concerned about any of the animals other than the Wizard.

We'll be in the car for five days.

Any suggestions?
-----
Scott Robert Ladd
1.0.0 Iguana (Rex)
1.0.0 African Giant Plated Lizard (Clyde)
1.0.0 Uro mali (Wizard)
0.1.0 Corn Snake (Amber)
0.1.0 Red-Eared Sliders (Emerald)
0.0.1 Musk Turtle (Sausage)
0.1.0 Parakeet (Zeus)
1.4.0 Homo sapiens (Scott, Maria, Elora, Becky, Tessa)
blog: http://chaoticcoyote.blogspot.com/

I frequently travel with my Uro (once every 2 months) I drive from Tallahassee to Orlando, about 3.5 hours. Purchase an inverter and heat the mali's cage. If I was you, I would probably buy an undertank heater for the trip.

Keep his favorite foods from him preceding the trip. Then offer them once the trip is over. Sometimes my Uro won't eat the next day, and offering a greenbean will get him to eat. I haven't had any problems like vomiting, weird fecal matter, or anything I would call "car sickness".

Good Luck. Remember, most Uros come all the way from Africa in less than ideal circumstances.

well the weather is not that bad out right now. when i traveled across the country twice last year, the one thing that was advised to me is to not let them get too hot. i would say as long as it does not get too cold in the car, i would just keep them at "car" temp and let them sleep, that is what i did and they all did fine. i did offer them water from time to time
-----
vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

I used to move archie back and forth from school with me, which admittedly was only 4-5 hours, but I did try a number of things with him. In the winter I always used the hand warmer packets under towels to keep the tank tolerable for him, and had a bunch on hand on the off chance the car broke down. What I found worked the best though, was a rubbermaid container or box, and paper towels or a blanket. That way he didn't slide around too much, and could feel as secure as possible. I do think offering him water, and food at the end of each day would be a good option. The move may not phase him at all! This goes without saying, but be particularly careful about extreme temp changes. For instance, driving through the south all day, only to bring them into a very cold, air conditioned hotel at night.

Good Luck with the move!!

Elizabeth
-----
1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine (RIP)
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin