I've got a bit of a dilemma. Currently I live in Maryland, but I'm being forced to move back home (North Dakota) on pretty short notice. I could be leaving any time between next week and January. Any recommendations for how to safely ship a boa constrictor, rat snake, and a bunch of millipedes, tarantulas, and scorpions halfway across the country to North Dakota in the middle of winter? This is definitely outside my area of knowledge. I've never shipped anything before, let alone in a situation like this.

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"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Step 1: Label box "wood ornaments" I hear that works well...

But seriously get an insulated box (like one with a styrofoam cooler in it, I'll ship you one if you need it) cut some small holes in the lid, pack the snakes in pillow cases and the others in deli cups, fill the box with peanuts, paper or whatever making sure everyone has access to air from the top holes.
Tape heat packs (hand warmers) to the inside of the lid if necessary. Tape the cooler shut, write the shipping addy on the cooler inside of the box for saftey.
Seal the box, write "live harmless animal" all over the sides and head to the post office, or mail room or whatever have next day air delivery.
If you have buddies in the mail room make sure you have them stamp it all over with the fragile and perishable stamps and see if they have anything that relates to cold sensitivity.
If you take it to the post office they may have a problem with snakes, depends on the place, you might have to use FedEx.

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~*~Lacey~*~

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Looks like Lacey's covered all the bases.
Good luck with the shipping and moving, Matt.

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Andrea

I'd stick with Fed Ex. I'm not sure where you are in MD, but if you go to the hub in Rosedale off Philadelphia road in Baltimore, they are open and accept packages up to 8:00 PM. You can get it next morning shipped (It will cost you a fortune but worth it) and they will get shipped to their destination by 10:00 AM the next day.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Wow Liz, that's really great service!

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Andrea

yes it is!!! I have used it on many occasion getting printer files to their destination last minute.

Now, it also depends on where you are shipping to and if they have a hub. You may not get next morning service, but you can at least get it by 2:00.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

lol, I haven't gotten any "wood ornaments" in a long while

Thanks for the advice, all. I think I'll just buy some Styrofoam coolers. I think I can find the nice thick ones at sporting goods stores. If not, somewhere ought to have them.

Where do I find hand warmers though? Never looked and never seen them before (in a store I mean). How long do they usually last? I'm sure the sporting goods store should have those too.

I'll probably wind up shipping them Fedex rather than USPS. I'll ask the post office on base and the Fedex guy about it though, see what they say. Now the worst part for me is not knowing when I'll actually need to ship them.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

the hand warmers are usually found in the hunting section at Dicks. I have no idea how long they last, but if you want to feel secure, do a "test run" at home and see how the temps do over a 24 hour period. Be sure to wrap them up in some cloth or something, so your snakes don't get burned. I'm not exactly sure how hot they actually get, so better to air a side of caution.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Matt,

I agree with Lacey on the packing with Heat Warmers ... you can get some that will last for 18 hours. Also I agree with Liz, I would definately use Fed Ex ... I think that they are better at handling your packages.

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Steve

Hand warmers will be found at any sporting goods store.
The heater and bag, in a styrofoam box, inside a cardboard box, is the way reptiles are shipped via airplane year round in the wholesale pet industry. I would secure the warmer to the side of the styrofoam so that the animals can get away from it if they chose. Some of them get pretty warm!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!