Snake Roadtrip

As the title suggests, I'm making the two hour drive home to Tampa, where I'll be until late August, so the snakes are obviously coming with ('09 BP:snake2: and '10 RTB:snake:). I have them in the AP Sterilite 1960 41 Qt. Rack:

http://www.animalplastics.com/Sterilite/3%20High.jpg

What is the best way to get them home? Do I simply remove the water bowls and put the entire rack in the back of the Bronco? I will obviously have the A/C on, but will sunlight on the rack cause them to overheat? Anyone have any general travel tips?

Leaving in the morning, but you guys are always so helpful I wanted to ask for rather than simply assuming. Look forward to hearing your experiences and advice :salute:

I just emptied the water bowls and put the tubs in the backseat. Had girlfriend watch the thermometers. They stayed in the 80's. Was just a month or two ago, so it was hot out, too.

I was going to just do the tubs on the backseat, but I don't want to drill holes in the tubs for ventilation just for the ride home. I don't have holes in them in the rack, with the small gap being plenty, so I hate cut them into the tubs...

Just make sure the sun doesnt cook them, direct sunlight on the enclosures can heat them surprisingly quick.

Place the snakes in snake bags, or pillow cases turned inside out, then set them in a tub no lid needed, throw a couple or so, towels in to prevent them from shifting around, make sure no direct sunlight is coming thru window on them. You could hang a towel over the window.

I may be able to put the back seat up and slide the rack in deep enough to avoid direct sunlight...

Anyone else have any experience or opinions?

I've only traveled with my snakes once, it was during summer time. I put them all large deli cups, along with digital thermometers. I kept them out of direct sunlight and kept a close eye on them. The only thing I would suggest is to not stop for any long periods of time and when you do stop take turns with who you are traveling with to watch the snakes, a car would become an oven in a matter of minutes.

I will be traveling alone, but the car will be running and cool before I put the snakes in, and I won't be stopping at all, leaving the car running if for some reason I do have to. Is keeping them in the rack definitely not a possibility?

I dont see why the rack is a problem as long as they are secure and are not gonna be thrown around inside of it, and that they stay cool. I would want to make sure you can check on them easily as well... they would probably be more comfortable if they had something you could cover em with so it was dark, less stressful that way probably, just dont let that make it too hot for them either...

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Originally Posted by ALTownsend1

I will be traveling alone, but the car will be running and cool before I put the snakes in, and I won't be stopping at all, leaving the car running if for some reason I do have to. Is keeping them in the rack definitely not a possibility?

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I couldn't say yes or no as I don't use racks, but I would think that the tubs may slide open unless you secure them some how. I would also assume that the snakes would be sliding around inside of the tubs, I just think the deli cups are the easiest way to travel if you are going to do so with snakes. It's just a thought, like I said, I've only traveled once with my snakes, so I am not all that experienced.

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Originally Posted by bsash

I couldn't say yes or no as I don't use racks, but I would think that the tubs may slide open unless you secure them some how. I would also assume that the snakes would be sliding around inside of the tubs, I just think the deli cups are the easiest way to travel if you are going to do so with snakes. It's just a thought, like I said, I've only traveled once with my snakes, so I am not all that experienced.

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I definitely don't have a deli-cup large enough for my BP...

You could find them just about anywhere, I got mine from my grocery store at the bakery section. I am sure you could also get cooking tupperware and put holes in them like the racks, it will just prevent them from sliding around and getting hurt.

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Originally Posted by bsash

You could find them just about anywhere, I got mine from my grocery store at the bakery section. I am sure you could also get cooking tupperware and put holes in them like the racks, it will just prevent them from sliding around and getting hurt.

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Would this be better than doing the pillowcase/bag thing? That idea just makes me super nervous...

Well, if you do the pillow case or bag in the rack tubs, they could still slide around. That would mean that you would need to crumble up newspaper and stick it around them to prevent them from sliding all around. Now, that would restrict air flow a little bit, so it would take a little bit longer to heat up, but also, would take a little longer to cool down if they were to get hot. I am not saying one way is better than the other, because again, I have only traveled with my snakes once. Most people ship their snakes in snake bags surrounded by newspaper in a box, so it can not be too unsafe. It is just when I had to take my snakes traveling with me, I did not have any snake bags, so I went the deli cup way and it worked very well. If you go the deli cup way or tupperware way, the easiest way to put holes in the containers is with a soldering iron, if you try to drill or use a hole puncher, you could end up breaking more containers then what it's worth.

And deli cups are available at the grocery? Are they big enough for a 550 gram BP?

herro:confused:

I would just put them all in snake bags, in the rack, then tip the rack slowly onto its back and transport it that way. Minimal sliding around, and they should be fine.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

I would just put them all in snake bags, in the rack, then tip the rack slowly onto its back and transport it that way. Minimal sliding around, and they should be fine.

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On it's back? The rack is 35 or 36 inches long... wouldn't fit sadly...

What's the best technique for using the pillow cases? Is there a specific type of pillow case, or should any work?

I think you're thinking about this too much. Just put them in any cloth bag, put them in something where they won't shift too much and go. Try to watch temps.

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Originally Posted by stevepoppers

I think you're thinking about this too much. Just put them in any cloth bag, put them in something where they won't shift too much and go. Try to watch temps.

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You're probably right, but I will gladly be someone who over thinks the care of my animals rather than be one of the numerous owners who could care less, harming or even killing their animals because they either a) thought they knew everything, or b) didn't care.

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Originally Posted by ALTownsend1

And deli cups are available at the grocery? Are they big enough for a 550 gram BP?

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Yes, I got my deli cups at the grocery, and yes, they have larger ones for cakes and what not at the bakery section that will hold your snake. They will have just about any size you will need, it is just a matter of if they will give them to you or not, I had to go to a few different bakeries and grocery stores to get the deli cups.

As for what type of bag to use, you can use just a pillow case, or any kind of snake bag of your choice. No bag is better than the other in my opinion. If you have any other questions, just ask.