Packing for shipment ???

[Invictus]

I have never had to ship a snake before, but this is something I will be getting into as soon as Erin and I start producing some more offspring. I'm pretty sure I know all of the basics, materials, etc. that I would need, but I was wondering if anyone who has done this many times could post pictures and a description of the materials, packing techniques, etc. that go into shipping an animal. I think this could help a lot of people who are apprehensive to shipping and say "Local sales only, will not ship", which quite often disappoints me, because sometimes I'd be more than happy to buy some of the stuff in these classifieds here, but the person won't ship. :)

So, experienced breeders, show us how ya do it!

[Zoe]

there's a thread on just this somewhere... i'll try and find it.

[Ron]

Hey Ken,

I recently sent a package out to Toronto and one to Kelowna and they were my first. There's not much to it, this is how I did it after some advice from BigDan.

1. Get yourself a styrofoam shipping box and cardboard box; just like the ones you had fish arrive in at the store you once worked for. You can also line a box with styrofoam you can buy at any hardware store.
2. Punch numerous holes in 2 sides to supply the heat packs the oxygen they require.
3. Tape a heat pack to the bottom or side.
4. Cover heat pack with crumpled newspaper.
5. Place ventilated container in and secure with more crumpled newspaper. For added comfort I placed the snake I sent into a snake bag and then into a paper towel lined rubbermaid which was well ventilated. Cover with more crumpled newspaper
6. Tape another heat pack to the lid and your pretty much done.

Just make sure the container is suspended securely away from direct contact to the heat packs or the sides of the stryofoam.

The receiver of the snake I sent was very happy with this packing job and the snake arrived toasty warm.

Just another note, unless you are a "known shipper", the shipper will require a quick inspection so don't seal up the box till after it's done.

I hope this helped.

Ron

[Derrick]

Originally posted by Invictus
I will be getting into as soon as Erin and I start producing some more offspring.

hehe you'll be shipping herps right? :D

[Invictus]

LOL... thanks for pointing that out, Derrick. YES, I MEANT THE HERPS, lol... :D

[Invictus]

Ron - Could you tell me more about the "heat Packs", ie, where did you get them in Calgary, how much were they, etc.

Also, I've heard of people using popcorn packing foam to secure / suspend the herp container itself. Do you think this would work equally well?

I used to have access to millions of fish boxes, but that's a bridge I've pretty much burned. Where did you get yours? I could easily line a box myself with styrofoam from home depot, but I'd rather get a pre-assembled one if possible. Where do you get yours?

Thanks for the answers in advance. :)

[HetForHuman]

Also instead of using the heat packs you can use water or pop bottles filled with hot water, or cooler water depending on the time of year it is.

I just recieved 3 ball pythons, and the way it was packed was a cardboard box lined with styrofoam, hot water bottles on the bottom, shredded newspaper, and the snakes in a small rubbermaid container also filled with shredded newspaper.

It was only suppose to be a 5 hour trip but Air Canada screwed up and it turned into a 10-11 hour trip and the snakes where still nice and warm. and by the way it was also -20.

[Ron]

Hey Ken,

I got the boxes and the heat packs from the place you used to work at. The boxes were free and the heat packs were $2 each. They are very similar to the hand warmers you can find at camping stores and even Wal-Mart. I don't know about packing foam but newspaper is sure easy to use.

Tim,

Yes you can use water bottles but they add a lot of weight which will add to the shipping costs and the heat packs, I used , were good for 20 hours. Also who knows how rough they really are with the package; I wouldn't want 2 liters bouncing around a $4,000 snake.

Ron