Packing snakes for a move? Suggestions??

vanderkm · 12-21-04, 10:04 AM

In the middle of January we will be moving our collection of brumating colubrids to Saskatchwan - crazy I know!! I have a couple options for how to transport them and would like opinions on what would be best.

They will be in transit 2 days and temporary accomodations for 3 days - I have no problem maintaining proper temperature at about 55 degrees for the time period but am wondering about how to best house them.

1. Leave everyone in their brumation rubbermaid, remove water dish, fill space with crumpled paper and hope they don't slide around too much during driving. Replace water for 3 day stop-over.

2. Bag everyone, pack beside each other with multiple snakes per tub during the driving sessions (3-7 hours each). Remove from bags and return to their full size tubs with water during 3 day stop-over.

3. Bag everyone, leave in bags for the full 5 days until in permanent home - then return to rubbermaid and provide water.

I hate to leave them without access to water and space to stretch out for 3 days in temporary home, but also think that bagging them, unbagging them and bagging them again would likely be more stressful when they are brumating.

I have been leaning toward option 1, but it may require rental of a second vehicle because of the space required for all the tubs and I do worry about them sliding around in the tub.

Anyone dealt with this before - any other suggestions?? How long would you consider leaving a brumating cornsnake or milksnake bagged if the temporary accomodation time had to be extended ??

thanks for any ideas,

mary v.

Simon · 12-21-04, 10:18 AM

Mary,

Personally I would go with option 3.
Cause its saving space. Less stress (don't have to be moving them in and out of the bag as much. Plus 5 days isn't THAT long. They can go longer without water. Just make sure that once they get to their perminant home that you do give them water.

Since they're in the burnmation period they wont move that much either, so they shouldn't get dehydrated as quickly as they would during the summer times.

So basically I would do it with option 3. Second choice would be option 1. For Option 2, I think that its going to be too much of a hassle taking them out and back into the bags.

Just my personal though though. Do what you think its best for the snakes and what you FEEL is the best.

MarcB · 12-21-04, 10:56 AM

Mary, I would bag them all and include loose newspaper for the move, being in brumation mode, they will not be very active. You should not worry about water until they are in their permanent quarters.

vanderkm · 12-21-04, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the input Simon and Marc - I don't want to stress these guys any more than the move will already - but don't want to feel I am neglecting their needs either! Appreciate having your suggestions,

thanks,

mary v.

MouseKilla · 12-21-04, 05:02 PM

I haven't done a move with snakes yet but I will be in the next year or two and I'm just hoping that I can swing it so that it will happen when it's warm out. lol! Moving colubrids in the winter is one thing but boids are another...

As for your options, I think any one of those plans would be fine but I also think #3 sounds best but that's just my gut feeling. I would guess that any snake fit enough to be brumated won't have any problems being without water for a few days. My focus would be on making the whole process as stress free as possible and that would mean moving or handling them as little as possible. Good luck with the whole thing, it sounds like you have a lot of cold and ugly driving to do, nothing like winter on the prairies!

Out of curiosity, did you board your snakes with someone else to show your existing place to potential new owners/tennants? I'm just not sure what to do when I decide to sell my place, I don't want to scare people away. lol!

vanderkm · 12-21-04, 05:16 PM

Thanks killa - we have our fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate and not strand us in the middle of nowhere during the move. I am going to go with the third option - bag them and pack them with support from crumpled paper, and only unload them at the final destination.

We currently have two rooms (about 75% of our basement) devoted to snake tanks and racks so all the critters stayed in place during the house showings - we couldn't move everyone out - total number was 'a lot'!! The agency we worked with was great - required all agents to 'phone for appointments first and to get information on pets' so the agency had a chance to let people know that there were snakes on the premises, they were professionally housed and secure.

We were quite worried ahead of time that it would prevent people from viewing or buying, but only one person reported that they were bothered by the snakes being there - a single woman who would not feel secure in a house where snakes had been housed. We had over 25 viewings in 5 weeks and sold in the 5th week - no other concerns or complaints. We did take precautions to secure cages and rack so no one could open anything and had signs posted to warn people not to disturb the animals. Several agents reported that their clients were quite impressed by the animals and facilities they saw. I think a lot of the positive spin came from our agent who really appreciated the snakes and was able to share her positive attitude with others.

Certainly is a relief to have the house sale and purchase part of this over - now we just have to get through the move! I spent this weekend sewing snake bags - finally have enough!

mary v.

ydnic · 12-21-04, 05:17 PM

HEy mary where are you moving in Saskatchewan?

vanderkm · 12-21-04, 05:37 PM

To Regina - quite a change from Edmonton!!

mary v.

Tim_Cranwill · 12-21-04, 05:51 PM

I have also been thinking of what to do with my collection when I put my house up for sale. Also, what time of year to move. I'm pretty much confined to autumn. Winter is python breeding time, spring is ovulation and the start colubrid breeding, summer is baby time and egg time.... tough call. I don't envy you right now Mary! lol

As for your question, I wouldn't worry much about water for the week. Just think of how often they must get fresh water in the winter. I really doubt they drink more than a few times over the whole winter. I would just pack them as if they are being shipped; individually bagged/contained, well cushioned and around room temp (+/- 5F). I think they will be just fine.

Scales Zoo · 12-21-04, 08:31 PM

A brumating snake would love to stay in a pilowcase I think.

I read an old snake keeping book that suggested keeping the snakes in pillowcases permanantly, and removing them once a week for water and food.

If it were me, I'd keep all brumating colubrids in pillowcases, and try to keep them cool for the move.

My number is 628-3255, you can phone me if you have any car trouble or anything, you'll be on the #1 highway in Saskatchewan all the way to Regina and I know people all along the way that can help out in any emergency.

Let us know when you are all settled in, I'd like to come for a visit - and bring you the "welcome to Saskatchewan" gift. Katt and Vanan are still to traumatized to talk about it, so it will be a suprise.

Ryan

Scales Zoo · 12-21-04, 08:36 PM

Oh, and I also happen to know the 10 best places to eat in Regina, and the top 5 or so things to order at each place. The eating may not be as ethnically diverse as Edmonton, or as populated with restaurants as Saskatchewan's Saskatoon, but there are some very good places in that town for grub.

That list is $25, or free with a membership to HISS

Ryan

Cruciform · 12-21-04, 09:48 PM

What's a good temp for the water to be when you give them the "laxitive bath" before brumating them?

Whee. Corn snake poop soup, here I come.

Tim_Cranwill · 12-21-04, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cruciform
What's a good temp for the water to be when you give them the "laxitive bath" before brumating them?

Whee. Corn snake poop soup, here I come.

I've never done it.

I usually put my guys down on Halloween. Their last meals will be about the 15th on Oct and it will be a small to medium one compared to the usual. Their last regular meal would have been 1-2 weeks before that depending on the snake. So they should be nice and cleaned out by the 31st.

If I <b>were</b> going to do what you are suggesting, I would go for around 78-80F. Just a bit warmer than room temp.

But they poop so damn much anyway, I don't see it as being much of an issue given the usual two week clean-out period.

vanderkm · 12-22-04, 10:02 AM

Thanks for all the additional input guys. Ryan - you have me really frightened now!! Knowing you - I can only imagine the possibilities.

I will definitely be taking you up on the HISS membership - should have done it long ago and now I have no excuse because I will be living there!! I will expect that list of restaraunts though - I have run out of recipies to try and have not been getting any by e-mail any more!! We tend to eat out much more often than we should - bad habits.

Though I am not looking forward to the stress of the actual move, I am looking forward to being back in Saskatchewan. Gotta love the prairies!!

mary v.

Katt · 12-22-04, 11:31 AM

Very cool Mary!! I love the prairies and definitely do not regret moving back. The only downside to having moved here is the lack of good asian restuarants and these terrible flu's we get, course in a town of 900 where 890 are senior citizens we do get some nasty bugs.

We know a couple people in Regina, so I guess we'd better go visit!