Moving from CA to AR. Best way to move and setup snakes??

[fabolousphil]

I'm looking for ideas on how to go about moving my snakes from California to Arkansas. I have 19 ball pythons and 4 king snakes. I would like to ship them but would need some set up for them in Arkansas as they will be arriving before I do. I can drive with the King snakes but am concerned about the level of stress that would put on the balls. I have considered purchasing a rack and having it shipped to the Arkansas address and having someone set it up for me but I already have 2 racks here in California. I'd hate to have to spend money on something that I don't really need and it would be entirely too expensive to ship one of the racks I currently have. I'm also trying to figure out the best way to go about shipping them. Would it be best to bag them individually and ship them all in one box or separate them? I'm just looking for ideas from other people that may have experience with this that could help me make the best decision for my snakes as well as be cost effective. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[frenchy]

I know I dont know you from adam but I too am in cali ad if your close I can ship them to you after you move and take care of them before you arrive I totally understand if you dont trust me as you dont kbow me but just a thought or have some on you trsut do it

[frenchy]

I know I dont know you from adam but I too am in cali ad if your close I can ship them to you after you move and take care of them before you arrive I totally understand if you dont trust me as you dont kbow me but just a thought or have some on you trsut do it

[rexrem]

I'm also moving this month from Texas to Iowa. I have 23 ball pythons and a corn snake. What I plan to do is drive all the way to Iowa in 2 days (12hr drive each day). I'll place each snake in a snake sack and group them into 2 big rubbermade bins (colored). I won't feed them 2 weeks before the move to minimize the chances of them pooping during the drive. They will also be hungry once I get to Iowa so feeding will not be a problem. I'll them food after a couple of days.
I already got 2 40hr. heat packs, 1 for each tub and digital thermometer. With the warm weather now, I might not use the heat pack. I'm planning to spend the night at a La Quinta Inn. I will also bring my dog and most of the La Quinta Inns are pet friendly. Just don't mention the snakes (that's why I'm using colored tubs). Inside the room, I'll just cover the tubs with blanket or use the heat packs. I'll just monitor the temperature inside the bins.
I think shipping will be more stressfull for them because the boxes are not handled properly during shipping. They just throw the boxes around. Good luck with the move!

[killerphade310]

I live in cali too if you need to sell a rack let me know

[frenchy]

Yup im.looking for a rack also

[zues]

I'm also moving this month from Texas to Iowa. I have 23 ball pythons and a corn snake. What I plan to do is drive all the way to Iowa in 2 days (12hr drive each day). I'll place each snake in a snake sack and group them into 2 big rubbermade bins (colored). I won't feed them 2 weeks before the move to minimize the chances of them pooping during the drive. They will also be hungry once I get to Iowa so feeding will not be a problem. I'll them food after a couple of days.
I already got 2 40hr. heat packs, 1 for each tub and digital thermometer. With the warm weather now, I might not use the heat pack. I'm planning to spend the night at a La Quinta Inn. I will also bring my dog and most of the La Quinta Inns are pet friendly. Just don't mention the snakes (that's why I'm using colored tubs). Inside the room, I'll just cover the tubs with blanket or use the heat packs. I'll just monitor the temperature inside the bins.
I think shipping will be more stressfull for them because the boxes are not handled properly during shipping. They just throw the boxes around. Good luck with the move!

This is what I did from Colorado to South Carolina except I used coolers. I bought a few beat up coolers off craigslist and drilled several holes in them for air. Then I put a few inches of shredded paper in the bottom and had each snake in a snake bag. The coolers held the temps pretty good, both hot and cold. Temps stayed pretty steady in the car even when stopping to eat and in the hotel rooms with the AC set pretty cool. I'm a little partial to coolers. I've used them several times for incubators as well. It's hard to find a better insulated box. Good luck with your move.

[fabolousphil]

Thanks for the help. I just always thought it was lees stressful on the animal if you shipped it next day air. If I could regulate the temp i would be more comfortable driving them so i will look into the bin/cooler idea.