Overnight shipping snakes

[LiteraryLark]

I have a random question. If I were to order a snake online for Christmas, and it arrives on Christmas Eve, would it be safe to keep it in the box until Christmas morning?

[MDT]

A lot of that depends on your location. If you're in a cold climate, the breeder likely would not feel safe in shipping in December. If they did, it would be to your advantage to get your snake in an enclosure as soon as possible. It will need water, and there is a considerable amount of stress involved in shipping. Moreover, most breeders will not ship if arrival date is on a Saturday (as Christmas Eve is this year). Lots of risks involved. Out of curiosity, is it absolutely essential that it has to stay in the shipping box until Christmas? Can you receive it on that Thursday and place in temporary container until Christmas?

[LiteraryLark]

Noooo no no no my birthday and Christmas is four days apart (December 21st) and I live in Northern California. I was just looking at my options. It does seem more appropriate to have it shipped and opened on my birthday so that way I can get it straight into the cage and set it up on my birthday.

[LiteraryLark]

I was thinking Christmas because every year my parents and I do one big present for each other, and the snake would be the big present for me. But my birthday seems more logical and safer for the animal.

[LiteraryLark]

And easier to be shipped instead of having it shipped on a major holiday.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I would seriously advise against having a snake shipped anywhere near Christmas time if you don't want to chance it being DOA.

I wouldn't ship on a Friday arrival, either. A good breeder should only ship Monday-Wed for Thursday arrival at the latest.

[LiteraryLark]

My birthday is on a Wednesday, so that would fall on a good time.

This is so hard because I have always had horrible things happen on my birthday. They do guarantee it being live on arrival, but who knows what can happen.

Would it help if i found an online shipper in California?

[MDT]

Would it help if i found an online shipper in California?

Honestly, I would really advise against it. I'm guessing Northern Cali gets a little cool in December? (Oklahoma is often like the ice planet Hoth then).
Could you get what you want from a reptile expo?

Who are you thinking of buying from?

[LiteraryLark]

I forgot the names. There are two websites I found to buy snakes from.

[LiteraryLark]

Northern California is very warm even in winter.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Yeah I'd advise getting a snake from an expo than trying to navigate having a snake shipped 1-2 weeks before and after Christmas, as things tend to get lost and jumbled up at that time. Reaaally wouldn't risk it, even if you're shipping in your state as Fedex has predetermined stops. I don't know all the locations, but it's possible it would leave your state before coming back.

I'd either find one close enough to pick up, go to an expo, or wait until warm weather.

Also forgot: December! Not sure the average winter temp where you live, but you can't ship if weather is below 40F, even with a heat pack.

[LiteraryLark]

I'll start looking up local breeders

[Albert Clark]

There is a big reptile and bird expo set for the end of September in Sacramento! I don't know if that is doable for you but it's a option.

[dannybgoode]

Personally I'd take going to an expo but ending up with a snake a couple of months early over having something shipped even reasonably locally.

You get to choose the very snake you want and can check it's health etc which makes it very worthwhile.

[LiteraryLark]

Thanks for the tip albert!

Does anyone know any resources to find reptile expos in Northern California?

[MDT]

https://m.facebook.com/BayAreaReptileExpo/

Sacramento Reptile Show (http://sacreptileshow.com)

Reptile Events Calendar (http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Events-Calendar/)

kingsnake.com - Upcoming Reptile Expos, Reptile Shows, Reptile Symposiums, Herp Society Meetings, and Other Reptile & Amphibian Events (http://www.kingsnake.com/events/index.php)

Coming Up! Bay Area Reptile Expo | The Reptile Report (http://thereptilereport.com/coming-up-bay-area-reptile-expo/)


For starters...

[LiteraryLark]

Thank you!!!

[Aaron_S]

Just an FYI, a lot of breeders won't ship during the final two weeks of December. A lot of packages are being flown around and shipped around. It might be different in the States but I personally refuse shipping not only due to weather but due to the fact shipping companies will not care if the package sits for an extra night.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Just an FYI, a lot of breeders won't ship during the final two weeks of December. A lot of packages are being flown around and shipped around. It might be different in the States but I personally refuse shipping not only due to weather but due to the fact shipping companies will not care if the package sits for an extra night.

Same reason I've been advising against it. In the states, even a week or two before Christmas shipping gets hectic or completely lost, even here in the states.

They've been linked to a few shows so hopefully they'll choose that option instead.

[Magdalen]

If you're close to Sacramento there are a couple good expos coming up. And speaking as someone who used to work for one of the big shipping companies, even the month of December gets crazy. Lots of people shipping out gifts. Our winter temps aren't bad, depending on what part of Northern Cal you're from, shipping that time would be risky.