How To Ship Reptiles

Shipping Overview:

Using the right shipping supplies will make all the difference in properly shipping out your live reptile. It is very important to use an insulated shipping box in either hot or cold weather to provide a protective and stable environment. For almost all of our shipments we use a standard 12" x 9" x 6" 3/4" or a 7" x 7" x 6" x 3/4" insulated shipping box. Depending on the weather we will add either a hot or cold pack as well. The rest of the package is then stuffed full of newspaper to help better insulate as well as minimize the amount of movement inside the box. The more secure the better. Below outlines in detail this process.

We order almost all of our shipping supplies from Superior Enterprise. They have good prices and customer service and we have been ordering from them for over five years.

What you will need in detail:

• An insulated cardboard shipping box. We use the standard 12" x 9" x 6" x 3/4" thick or 7" 7" x 6" x 3/4" thick boxes.
• 40 hour heat pack or ice pack depending on the weather.
• Deli cup or cloth bag to contain your reptiles inside the shipping box.
• Newspaper to help cushion the movement inside the shipping box as well as adding extra insulation.
• Clear packaging tape to seal your shipping box.

Step 1 - Supplies

Gather all of your supplies you will need. These will include your insulated shipping box, deli cup or cloth bag to place your reptile in, 40 hour heat pack or cold pack depending on weather, extra newspaper for insulating and securing your reptile inside the box, and lots of packaging tape.

Step 2 - Assemble the Box

Putting together the cardboard box is simple. You simply unfold the sides and fit them together.

Step 3 - Adding the Insulation

Next comes adding your insulated foam pieces inside your cardboard box. This is critical and makes all the difference in shipping live animals. Do not skip this process!

Step 4 - Adding Newspaper

After the foam inserts have been added, I like to add crumpled up newspaper to the bottom and sides of the box. This helps insulate the package as well as providing a nice protective "cave" to add your deli cups or cloth bag.

Step 5 - Preparing Your Reptile Container

In this example I am using a pre-punched deli cup to ship a baby Western Hognose snake. I layer the inside of the cup with a layer of paper towel. This will help protect it during shipping, as well as giving the reptile a place to hide and absorb any liquid that is released during shipping.

Step 6 - Adding Your Reptile to the Package

Next you will add your deli cup or cloth back inside the insulated box. Make sure to add extra newspaper around and on top of each container or bag. You want to make sure they fit securely inside and will not move around when the box is handled and thrown around.

Step 7 - Securing the Heat Pack

I like to wrap the heat pack in a thin layer of newspaper and then tape the heat back to the top of the lid. Make sure when you do this that the red stripes are facing downwards towards the inside of the box.

Step 8 - Placing the Lid On

After the heat pack has been taped and secured into place, you simply place it inside your shipping box.

Step 9 - Taping the Box

Next tape the box together nice and tight and make sure to use lots of packaging tape. Your box will be tossed around and go through a fairly rough process, and you want to make sure it stays together well.

Step 10 - Final Step Adding Your Label

The final step is adding your shipping label and clearly writing the contents of the package with both the common and scientific name and quantity.