Transporting my BP in -15C?

[Tirevy]

What's the best way to transport my ball python? It's snowing here, and temps are reaching below -15C. What's the best way to keep her nice and warm? She wouldn't be outside for long: 5 second walk to the car, 20 minute drive, then 5 seconds outside again.

Help please?

[JLC]

I'd preheat the car first...make sure the heater is going....and pack the snake in a well-insulated box...cardboard lined with styrofoam or a small cooler. A handwarmer inside would probably be ok, too...just make sure it's not touching the snake directly. Put the snake in a securely tied pillowcase turned inside out. Extra towels or other padding inside the box/cooler as well. He should be fine.

[Tirevy]

Thanks so much. Also, how long do you recommend keeping a BP outside of its enclosure?

[kitedemon]

We just had a similar issue here, We used tubs to move them to the warm car the car temps are actually fine mine is fairly new but the temp on the floor in the back seat was 83ºF completely fine the move to the car was a quick walk in a hole less tub with a pillow case and a sweater as padding. The shock of cold air is a big issue so no holes they are ok like that for an hour or so then burp the tub. In may case as the car was so warm I took the lid off in the car and put it back on before I opened the door to leave it.

[mainbutter]

I've done 8 hour car rides transporting snakes.

JLC covered it pretty well. Try to make sure you take as safe a route as possible, you don't want to end up in a snowbank with the car off for 5 hours and nothing to do with your snake.

The biggest concerns are 1) the trips outside of the car/house. Even just placing a towel over a box will keep quite a bit of heat in for a very short trip.

2) the actual car ride itself. Try to maintain comfortable temperatures. Don't blow hot air directly on your snake. Even if the car temp is 75-80, you can have 100-120 degree air directly coming out of your heater. You don't have to have your snake at exactly 88-90 degrees, and since it will be hard to control exact temperature, I like to shoot for 'feeling warm but not uncomfortable' for myself, and the snake should be just fine.

As JLC said, and I can't emphasize enough, pre-heat the car.

[JLC]

Thanks so much. Also, how long do you recommend keeping a BP outside of its enclosure?

Not sure what you're asking here. For a drive like you are anticipating, I would say keep them outside their enclosure for as long as you must to transport, but no longer than absolutely necessary.

If you just want to take the snake out for a handling session...then I'd say the amount of time depends on a couple of different issues: 1.) How laid back your snake is and how tolerant of handling...and 2.) The ambient temps in your room. If you keep your house fairly chilly, then you should keep a handling session to a bare minimum. I currently handle mine for just a couple of minutes while doing the normal cleaning routine and that's all...because the room they are in is too cold for their comfort.

[mpkeelee]

you can also get the inverter that plugs into ur cigarette lighter and u can plug a thermostat into it and i use my reptitemp 500 with a UTH for transporting my snake to the vet or wherever. and i also make sure the car is nice and warm

this is the one i use
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...d+decker&ajr=3

[starfire]

All of the previous suggestions are great.

I made this snake carrier out of a $3 plastic file box and packing styrofoam. It has a handle, secured latch, and can be seatbelted in the car for stability. Made holes with a soldiering iron. I use a handwarmer in the bottom, a protective layer of folded towel on top of the handwarmer, and secure my snake in a pillowcase. Lock the latch and we're ready for a road trip to the vet's, etc.





The lid has little compartments for office supplies that I use to keep my temp gun, extra heatpads, etc.

Read this idea here on BP.net several years ago... just one of the many great suggestions for better herpkeeping I've found here.

Happy Trails!

[kitedemon]

I'd recommend taping the vent holes cold air can shock the lungs and cause RI. Do NOT allow freezing air to get into where the snake is being transported. No heater can instantly warm the air the draft a problem. A slow cooling is much less damaging than drafts.