Shipping advice

armyrec1 · Feb 26, 2013

Hey guys, we are shipping out some juvies for the first time and as you can imagine.....we are terrified something may go wrong.

ok so ive attached a few pics to show you what im planing. We are shipping two out, recycling the fly pots that we have...will add a few air holes to the sides of them, we will add damp paper towel to the bottom of each pots for the humidity. and there will be shredded newspaper around each pot too.We added a extra strip of Styrofoam between the two pots to help steady them further during their travels.

These little guys are only traveling short distant, neighboring states. From PA to NJ. They are going over night, we will be using ship your reptile

The temp during the night they will be traveling is est at apx 38-40F.

So in the second pic where you see a knife on top, we are thinking that we will add a heat pack here (one from Dicks Sporting goods) and then capsule that inside paper towel maybe and then the second top going on. What does everyone think to that idea?
The heat pad will be above the little guys as heat rises and we don't want to cook them but we are worried about them getting too hot now.

Thank you so much for any help or support, Im sure you guys that ship regularly or have ever shipped, understand the anxiety of this whole situation lol. They've been our babies and we just want them to be comfortable and safe when they arrive at their new homes.

camimom · Feb 26, 2013

I think using the ff jars is genius!

I have several of those for my own hatchlings, and never though to use them as shipping containers.

I think what you have planned is perfect.

Texas Panther Man · Feb 26, 2013

Buy the heat packs from Tsk supply. They are 40hr packs and are made for shiping. The ones you buy at the sporting goods places are made for hands or feet warmers. Those arent made for shipping and dont last very long. I would ditch the fly container deal. I use either brown paper bags or very small snake bags for my babies. I have used plastic pre hole cut containers but Ive found that my babies get bruised more often in plastic containers. Paper bags or snake bags work best. They are soft sided and the cham wont get bumped around if you really pack the newspaper in the insulated box. Jmpp good luck with the shipping...

armyrec1 · Feb 26, 2013

camimom said:
I think using the ff jars is genius!

I have several of those for my own hatchlings, and never though to use them as shipping containers.

I think what you have planned is perfect.

Thank you so much, we actually weighed up the bags idea and came to the conclusion that the hard plastic was safer in the case of being crushed. Thank you and I hope you shipping goes well too....its very scary

Texas Panther Man said:
Buy the heat packs from Tsk supply. They are 40hr packs and are made for shiping. The ones you buy at the sporting goods places are made for hands or feet warmers. Those arent made for shipping and dont last very long. I would ditch the fly container deal. I use either brown paper bags or very small snake bags for my babies. I have used plastic pre hole cut containers but Ive found that my babies get bruised more often in plastic containers. Paper bags or snake bags work best. They are soft sided and the cham wont get bumped around if you really pack the newspaper in the insulated box. Jmpp good luck with the shipping...

We thought that by adding a tight fitting branch inside the pot (if you make the branches just a little longer than the pot, when you screw the lid on the pot it tightens and the branch doesn't move one bit) they would have a good grip while asleep and be anchored down I guess.

We have had two out of three of our chams delivered in pots and one in a bag. They all arrived safe

Thank you both for a quick reply. Now pondering about the heat pads as these guys need shipping tomorrow.... anyone know where we could get longer lasting heat pads from (in a store please as we need to ship)
Where is Tsk supply?

pssh · Feb 26, 2013

I am always concerned about using branches inside of a container/transport enclosure where they may be tossed around. They can very easily hit the branch and bruise or break something. Also be careful with the paper towels. I've seen a thread where a baby chameleon broke 3 of its 4 legs when it was trapped under a paper towel during shipping. I don't remember the specifics, but be thoughtful when you set everything up.

I am also a fan of using bags for chameleons. If it's a cloth bag, they have something to hold onto and they are much less likely to get hurt when/if the box is tossed around. Just label the package really well with fragile stickers and make sure it says "live harmless reptile" on it so that people will know that it needs to be handled carefully.

I wouldn't use the hand warmers because 1) they don't last very long and 2) they can get to really, really high temps. TSK is an online store. Perhaps you can call some exotic pet stores/fish stores and see if they have any that they could sell you?

ShipYourReptiles · Feb 27, 2013

I can appreciate your efforts, but you have a couple of issues that are courting disaster.

Heat packs- hand warmers are not appropriate for shipping. They get extra hot, which is not good, and they don't last longer than a few hours, and that isn't even going to accomplish what you are looking for.

A 40 hour heat pack is the minimum that is required by TOS. If you don't have one, especially during winter shipping, I would highly suggest you wait until you do.

Insulation- your hand cut insulation is also troubling. I can visually see the gaps in the uneven panels. The foam you are using is not very dense, and it is compounded by the poor cuts. That insulated box does not meet our Shipping Standards.

To address that, you can go to Home Depot and get a sheet of foam, the high density insulation, and re-cut your panels. Use a razor, not a knife, and a straight edge for guidance. You want a tight, secure fit, especially at the seams.

Those new snug fit panels could then go inside that box.

I know it throws a wrench in your shipping plans, but these are two important issues, and no wrench is going to be worth the heartache of shipping out some chams and receiving them DOA.

You aren't guaranteeing a disaster with your current setup (the heat pack issue is most problematic at these current temps) but you are definitely not giving yourself the best chance of success.

Since we are having the conversation, definitely consider the winter impact of all of these blizzards and heavy snowstorms out there, from a temperature and possible delay perspective.

Feel free to contact [email protected] with any specific questions, best of luck!

WingedWolfPsion · Feb 28, 2013

I have to say, I don't think there's a lot right with this plan. Issues with insulation and heat packs have already been mentioned.

Pack your animals as though someone is going to throw that box down a flight of stairs. I'm not kidding. It might happen. You have no idea what will happen to the box during shipping, and the animals have to be able to survive it.

I would suggest removing everything from those jars except padding. Shredded paper would be a good choice. It should be in there tightly enough that the animals have trouble moving through it, but are still able to do so. If the box is dropped, they'll be cushioned. Stuff everything around the jars with wadded up newspaper, don't wedge them in that way. The more shock absorption, the better.

Remember, the idea is for them to spend less than 24 hours in a place where they will be unhappy, but completely safe.

armyrec1 · Feb 28, 2013

Thank you everyone for your help and guidance

You guys rock and are always ready to help.

Psychobunny · Feb 28, 2013

ShipYourReptiles said:
I can appreciate your efforts, but you have a couple of issues that are courting disaster.

Heat packs- hand warmers are not appropriate for shipping. They get extra hot, which is not good, and they don't last longer than a few hours, and that isn't even going to accomplish what you are looking for.

A 40 hour heat pack is the minimum that is required by TOS. If you don't have one, especially during winter shipping, I would highly suggest you wait until you do.

Insulation- your hand cut insulation is also troubling. I can visually see the gaps in the uneven panels. The foam you are using is not very dense, and it is compounded by the poor cuts. That insulated box does not meet our Shipping Standards.

To address that, you can go to Home Depot and get a sheet of foam, the high density insulation, and re-cut your panels. Use a razor, not a knife, and a straight edge for guidance. You want a tight, secure fit, especially at the seams.

Those new snug fit panels could then go inside that box.

I know it throws a wrench in your shipping plans, but these are two important issues, and no wrench is going to be worth the heartache of shipping out some chams and receiving them DOA.

You aren't guaranteeing a disaster with your current setup (the heat pack issue is most problematic at these current temps) but you are definitely not giving yourself the best chance of success.

Since we are having the conversation, definitely consider the winter impact of all of these blizzards and heavy snowstorms out there, from a temperature and possible delay perspective.

Feel free to contact [email protected] with any specific questions, best of luck!

It sounds like you are suggesting a near air tight seal with the cut foam sheets.
Will there still be enough space for the animals to breath?
I have been doing mine just like you said, but I make the foam lid a little loose so there is a tiny air gap.
I also wrap the heat pack in a paper towel and tape it to a side wall with a few inches of space (which I fill with shredded newspaper)
from the deli cup containing the animal.
I know they can breath through cardboard boxes, no matter how well taped, but that super tight Styrofoam would make me nervious

Texas Panther Man · Feb 28, 2013

Psychobunny said:
It sounds like you are suggesting a near air tight seal with the cut foam sheets.
Will there still be enough space for the animals to breath?
I have been doing mine just like you said, but I make the foam lid a little loose so there is a tiny air gap.
I also wrap the heat pack in a paper towel and tape it to a side wall with a few inches of space (which I fill with shredded newspaper)
from the deli cup containing the animal.
I know they can breath through cardboard boxes, no matter how well taped, but that super tight Styrofoam would make me nervious

You want to retain as much heat from that heat pack as possible. With a gap in the foam your losing a considerable amount of the heat you need and want from that heat pack. Thats why they dont advise poking holes in the box to vent heat or allow air exchange.

pssh · Feb 28, 2013

The animals are only going to be in the box for a night and hopefully only a few hours in the morning. Reptiles are different than mammals. With some species, especially in turtles and tortoises, it can take up to 24 hours for them to die when using CO2. That's because they don't have the same oxygen requirements as mammals and can survive hypoxia/anoxia (low/no oxygen levels) very well.

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