For these unexperienced with delivery reptiles, we perceive the method might be daunting and traumatic. Right here at Pangea, although, we ship reptiles on a regular basis, so we have got fairly a little bit of expertise and know-how to ensure it is executed proper, and your reptiles get shipped safely. We have created this information to assist these new to reptile delivery, or anybody who wants a refresher. We have additionally made a YouTube video on the subject, the place our Common Supervisor, Jon, takes you thru the steps!
Transport Provides
Let’s begin by going over the provides you’ll need on your reptile.
Cups
Your reptile goes to be contained in a plastic deli cup, or related container. The primary issues to think about when selecting a cup are:
- What measurement is acceptable for my reptile?
- Can the cup be secured tightly to forestall escape?
- How is my reptile going to breathe?
The cup needs to be simply giant sufficient to suit your reptile and the paper towel you add to it. If the cup is just too giant, the reptile will not really feel safe, and may get jostled round in delivery. For first time shippers, it might really feel odd placing your reptile in such a small container, however belief us; it is the correct name. For crested geckos particularly, we pack juveniles in 8 oz. cups, sub-adults or tailless adults in 12 or 16 oz. cups, and adults with tails in 32 oz. cups. All of those needs to be lined with paper towel, whatever the measurement.
Temperature Management
Relying on the ambient temperatures of your space and your recipients space, you’ll need to pack some temperature management packs as properly, to make sure your reptile stays at their superb temperatures.
Regardless of the temperature, we at all times embrace a Pangea Temp-Protected Part Pack. These packs use phase-change expertise to stabilize temperatures round 74°F. That is nice for when temps are gentle because it acts to stabilize temperatures within the case of any surprising spikes or dips. It is also nice for excessive temperatures alongside sizzling or chilly packs to raised management the temperatures your reptile is uncovered to.
When temperatures are larger (75-85°F), Including a bagged ice pack is required to forestall overheating. When temperatures are decrease (50°F or decrease), a warmth pack is required.
Packing Paper
We suggest utilizing a skinny packing paper, resembling newsprint to maintain your reptile safe and well-insulated. You may even use precise newspapers! Packing supplies to keep away from are thicker packing papers, shiny advertisements that are available newspapers, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts. Additionally, you will want paper towel for contained in the cup; don’t use paper towel for outer packing paper.
An Insulated Field
Now that you’ve got found out the whole lot that has to go within the field, you possibly can select which field is best for you. Measure your contents, together with any bonuses you need to add, resembling packets of Crested Gecko Eating regimen, or care guides, and select a field that may match all of it snugly. The packing containers we promote for delivery reptiles embrace 3/4″ foam insulation panels, so account for these as properly. You will have a field that matches:
- The reptile in its cup
- Packing paper on all sides of the reptile in addition to the included foam inserts
- Temperature management packs
- Any bonuses you need to embrace.
When to Ship
At Pangea, we solely ship reptiles Monday by means of Wednesday. Since delivery can be executed in a single day, this ensures the reptile will not get misplaced in transit over the weekend when it’s tougher to trace it down and guarantee it’s getting discovered and brought care of. Principally, it permits for a better time working with delivery representatives within the case that one thing goes mistaken.
We additionally solely ship when temperatures are between 32°F and 80°F on each our finish and the recipient’s finish. Temperatures exterior this vary might be harmful on your reptile.
An important a part of deciding when to ship although, is coordinating together with your recipient. Be sure you are each clear on the anticipated transit home windows, in order that the reptile might be introduced inside and brought care of correctly.
Packing your Reptile
So, now that you’ve got gotten all of your provides and decided when to ship, it is time to truly pack your reptile. If you’re a visible learner, watch the linked YouTube video above for an indication!
Start by placing your reptile in its cup. Make a concave form with dry paper towel, and place it within the cup. Place the reptile within the cup, then use a smaller piece of paper towel on high to maintain the reptile feeling secure and safe.
Subsequent, assemble your field, ensuring to tape all seams to make sure it might probably’t break open. Line the field with the froth inserts, adopted by a layer of packing paper on the backside. You may then add your temperature management packs. If utilizing only a part pack, the reptile might be positioned instantly on high of it. Nonetheless, in the event you use a warmth or a chilly pack, we suggest separating the pack out of your reptile with a layer of paper in addition to putting a part pack between them. This helps stop your reptile from getting dangerously sizzling or chilly.
As soon as your temperature management packs are inside and insulated, place your reptile within the field. Add paper across the sides of the reptile to maintain it cosy and safe, and insulate it additional. Add one other layer of paper on high of the reptile, place any further goodies you are together with on high of that, and add the highest layer of froth, after which you might be able to seal the field!
Shut the field and as soon as once more tape all of the seams to make sure it might probably’t break open. Then, poke a gap within the field, ensuring you poke by means of the froth insert as properly to permit your reptile to breathe. This gap is very essential when utilizing warmth packs as these may also use oxygen.
Labeling
As soon as your reptile is packed, you’ll need so as to add Lacey Act data to the aspect. The packing containers we promote embrace an area for Lacey Act labeling, however you can even obtain and print off the label under.
For the Lacey Act, you’ll need to designate “Wildlife – Innocent Reside Reptiles” are contained inside. Additionally, you will must designate the amount and species contained in your cargo. We usually embrace each the scientific identify in addition to the frequent identify. For instance a label for a single crested gecko would say “1 Correlophus ciliatus (Crested Gecko).”
As soon as that’s on there, discover a place to stick your delivery label. We additionally suggest including extra fragile, and “perishable – stay animal” labeling to different sides so {that a} supply driver is aware of to be mild.
As soon as it is labeled, comply with your courier’s pick-up procedures, and your reptile can be on it is means!
If you happen to ever have any particular questions for delivery reptiles, be happy to achieve out to us by means of messages on our Instagram or Fb, and we’ll do our greatest that can assist you out!
