Safe temps to transport healthy snake to vet for checkup?

[SSHanna]

Hi! My family recently purchased an adult male BP from our locally owned pet store. We live in a fairly small city and there is only 1 vet nearby that will see reptiles, so we thought it a good idea to have a check up, just in case we ever had an emergency. We were scheduled last week, but the temps were supposed to be in the low teens and I didn't think it was safe to take him outside, so I rescheduled it for later in the month. I haven't been able to find anything about what low temp is ok for a short period of time. It was in the upper 40s when we brought him home, and sunny, so the car was warm and my daughter held him in her lap (in his snake sak). But I'll be taking him by myself since it's during school. Any suggestions on how to keep him warm if it's cold out? Or is it best to wait until outdoor temps are warmer? He appears healthy - he's eaten and pooped twice, doesn't show any signs of stress, and seems to really like being held.

Thanks! We've found a ton of helpful info on here already!

[Bogertophis]

Do you have a cooler (like used for picnics/tailgating)? or a styro-foam box (like frozen food is shipped in)? You can often find either one cheaply in thrift stores.
The size you need depends on the size of snake you're transporting, obviously.

You always want to protect your snake from temperature extremes...you might think summer is safer but it's not. Snakes can die from heat stroke & sun coming
thru car windows turns deadly pretty fast.

What I recommend (for short OR long trips): bag your snake in a cloth bag or old* pillowcase (*in case they 'go'-), securing it with first a strong wire twist-tie, then
fold that over itself & secure with a rubber band. I've never had a snake escape this...make sure there's no holes in the bag though.

A small towel for padding the 'cooler' is a nice touch, but optional. If the car will stay about 75*, you're fine. But I like to tuck a bottle of very warm water in the
cooler & under the towel to keep it about 80* or so. Your snake will be safe & will feel safe traveling this way...they don't want to look at the scenery, trust me.

And also,

[bcr229]

I always double-contain my snakes for transport. Snake in a bag, bag in a tub with a secure lid. I do line the bottom of the tub with a towel.

So, for the short time between the house and the car (which should already be warmed up), and between the car and the vet's office, the snake will be fine.

[SSHanna]

Thank you!! I do have an older cooler we don't use very often, so that will be perfect.