Some people get worried when it comes to shipping reptiles. It can definitely be a stressful process. From deciding the size of the box to checking weather patterns to make sure your reptile arrives alive. Luckily, these days its become a science and we're here to explain the whole process to you!
How to Ship Reptiles
We have broken it down for you with 5 EASY steps.
- Understand your local and federal laws
- Prepare the proper supplies
- Monitor Weather
- Trusting your animals health
- Pack your reptile safely
Following these steps will help you have a safe and easy reptile shipment.
- Boxes
We have a standard style of reptile shipping box that we use in the reptile industry that has the verbiage stating the contents of the box. They come in a variety of sizes. E.g. 6"x6"x4", 8"x8"x7" and even up to 16"x16"x8". You can decide on the size of the box depending on the size of your reptile, the species, on the weather and what temperature regulating supply you may need in the shipment.
- Temperature regulating supplies
Heat packs, Cold Packs, and Cryo Packs. Heat packs are designed for reliabilities and steady heat. This way your reptile does not freeze if it's going into a cold climate. Cold packs do just about the opposite. Cold packs are kept in a freezer until they are ready to be used to make sure your pet reptile does not over heat if it's traveling through hot climates. Cryo packs, also known as Gel packs, are your happy medium. Though there are instances where they may not be used, like extreme weathers. You can even join a Heat or Cold pack with a Cryo pack in your shipment.
- Packing insulation
Usually our industry standard boxes come already with styrofoam lining. But, you also need to decide wether you will pack the box with some paper or poly-fil. You use this so that way the pet reptile(s) in your shipment do not bounce or move around during transit.
- Tape
This one is pretty obvious, but important none the less. We recommend purchasing a tape gun and using a 3-4 inch wide tape.
- Cups and Bags
Depending on the species and size of the reptile you are shipping is how you will decide on wether you need to cup or bag your reptile. Baby ball pythons, for example, can be put in an 8 oz deli cup with holes minimum or a small reptile bag. An adult bearded dragon, on the other hand, may ship in either a medium-large reptile bag, or a 16-32 oz deli cup. There are some kinds of reptiles that may not go in either a cup or a bag. Small colubrids and sand boas are best in a cup as they may be able to escape a bag, but medium size monitor lizards are best shipped in bags as they will rub up on the cup and can harm themselves.
Recommended Temps:
Ball Pythons, Leopard Geckos, Skinks, Sand Boas: ~95-35 | Highest without cold pack 88 degrees, Lowest without heat 70 degrees | Highest safe to ship to hub only 98 degrees, Lowest safe to ship to hub only 30 degrees
Most Pythons and Boas, Some Colubrids, Most Lizards, Turtles/Tortoises: ~90-35 | Highest without cold pack 85 degrees, Lowest without heat 70 degrees | Highest safe to ship to hub only 95 degrees, Lowest safe to ship to hub only 30 degrees
Arboreal Reptiles, New Caledonia Geckos, Most Colubrids: ~85-35 | Highest without cold pack 78 degrees, Lowest without heat 68 degrees | Highest safe to ship to hub only 90 degrees, Lowest safe to ship to hub only 30 degrees
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