Possibly moving across country. Best way to transport snakes? Any ideas?

[Icatsme]

*sigh* Life as a grownup can stink sometimes.

I've gotten a job offer and may decide to move from Florida to Kansas City, MO. My previous cross country moves, I just had my one guy that I packed up snugly and moved him in my car, my 2nd move I had the fortune of the local herp society's referral to a breeder who shipped him for me.

Now I'm considering moving AGAIN! This time around, I was expecting to stay put for a much longer term and have acquired nine more (they're like potato chips..can't have just one, and I was hoping to breed them in the long term). Which brings me to my question. Does anyone have experience as to the best route to transport these guys? Timing is important, as I may be looking at only partial relo package and would probably end up driving a Uhaul, which would take a few days to get there. I couldn't get them shipped the day I drove away since they would get there before I did... I'm at a loss as to how to pack up 10 bps and my boyfriend's hognose and move them the most safe and effective way. (lol, to hell with his cat and dog! :-P I just care about my little scalies.)

Any ideas? I'm going to be meeting further about the job this week and I'm probably going to be ending up negotiating some more about the job/relo package...and I have to take moving these guys into my expense considerations.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[WTHbbqSnake]

Hey I live in Kansas City. Well I have 40 hour heat packs that keep a constant 100 degrees. I ordered them from www.LLLreptile.com. I think you can find some 72 hour heat packs but I don't remember where you can get those. If you're driving you should be able to use those heat packs to get the right temps while you make the trip.

[Nate]

that may be your best plan...here's what I try to do:

Put each one in their own pillow case/snake bag.

get a tub or two and put them in those tubs.

Since you'll be driving, it will be fairly comfortable for you..but they'll need it to be a tad warmer...so using those heat packs, activate them and tape them to the lid of the tub.

Now, with an accurite thermometer, put the probe inside one of the tubs and then run the unit to the front of the car, where you will be able to monitor the temps at all times. If it gets too hot in there, just remove the heat packs.

I would also advise you to constantly check on them...and don't leave them in the car if you get a hotel. Just bring them with you in your room and don't tell the hotel...otherwise you're asking for problems, and you and I both know our snakes don't cause problems..but people don't see it the way we see it.

Good luck with everything!

[Icatsme]

Hehe, yeah...for my move to Texas when I drove Mr. Stippey with me I had to stop in Waco just to rest overnight. I took him in the hotel with me and I had a box that had a lock on it. In the elevator someone asked me "whatcha got in there...a snake?"

I just gave them a blink blink and then got off the elevator at the next stop.

I'm such a dork. But yeah, absolutely no leaving the kids in the car.

[Kagez28]

how do you have them set up in your home? do you have them all in a rack? cause you could just buy a power inverter, which lets you plug in the thermostat your rack is on into the cigarette lighter. then just have them in the back seat, or if in a uhal in the passengers seat (i assume your boyfriend would be driving another uhal or maybe your car?).

hopefully this helps a bit, or at least gives you another idea. or you could find a breeder and see if he can hold on to them until you arrive in KC then he/she can ship them.

[Nate]

oh yeh that's another great idea!

I had my laptop open with a GPS map, and my battery doesn't last for very long...so i bought one of these power converters and had my laptop open from Arkansas to Florida...

[Kagez28]

yea when i was younger i moved from cleveland, oh to phoenix, az in a uhal. we had a mini fridge, a hotplate, tv w/ vcr, and my nintendo, so we used the inverter ALOT. three days of driving when you're 6 years old can get a little boring

i plan on going to grad school in AZ, so i am going to have to make the move again, so this is what i was gonna do. although the heat pack and pillow cases would be good for a 1-2 day trip, but 3-4 i figured i would just keep them in their rack and mist them every once in a while. then of course it would be easy to bring the whole rack into the hotel.

[frankykeno]

When we moved from northern Michigan to Ohio we just bagged each snake individually, tagged each bag and put them in secure transport tubs in the front of the UHaul with us. Because it was a bit chilly (it was early spring in MI) we put a few instant heat packs into the bottom of each tub, laid a thick towel folded over each so the bags wouldn't lay directly on the heat packs and to cushion the snakes, then tucked a few per tub. They did fine. A much shorter drive than you face but just thought I'd share how we managed our collection.