Moving 2600 miles..with 11 snakes

[Xotik]

It's looking like I will be moving from Vermont to...Arizona. With 11 snakes, a dragon, 4 amphibians and 3 cats. And my boyfriend.

I've moved my snakes small distances, a few miles at most. Usually already had their new home already set up, or they are out for 2 hours, max.

This time it's very different. Driving 2600 miles is an entirely different story. It's going to take anywhere from 5-9 days (Uhaul's can't go 90.) to get from here to there. They won't have new houses set up there, and there is no way that I'm shipping them - I don't have anyone that I know well enough that knows how to take care of snakes that I can ship them to.

I'm really looking for the easiest way to move them without too much stress. I'm probably not going to be able to keep their temps at normal for the whole trip - though I already do have tons of chemical heat packs, the ones used for shipping.

I've got a couple ideas, but none of them seem very comfortable.. :/

I've got months to plan for this - to figure things out and try to make it as secure as possible. If anybody has any ideas, I'd be ever so grateful.

[therunaway]

oh lord, um, i would say rubbermaid totes, the kind used in rack systems, with a heatpack, lots of ventilation, water at every stop only if they take to it, um, i would say obviously no feeding, towels over all of them for security, im no expert, so ask someone else but thts my 2 cents.

[WingedWolfPsion]

This is problematic--where will you be spending your nights? You will need to find hotels or motels that are willing to accomodate your animals, or you'll be spending the nights in your vehicle. You cannot leave them in the vehicle unattended (legally, or safely).

As for how to transport them--just pack them up as though you were going to be shipping them, and then give them some time in a tub each evening, to get a good long drink of water. They'll do well so long as they're kept warm and hydrated.

This is a reptile forum, though, and there are folks everywhere in the US here. Perhaps some folks along the route would be willing to offer crash space, if no motel will accept them.

[Xotik]

This is problematic--where will you be spending your nights? You will need to find hotels or motels that are willing to accomodate your animals, or you'll be spending the nights in your vehicle. You cannot leave them in the vehicle unattended (legally, or safely).

As for how to transport them--just pack them up as though you were going to be shipping them, and then give them some time in a tub each evening, to get a good long drink of water. They'll do well so long as they're kept warm and hydrated.

This is a reptile forum, though, and there are folks everywhere in the US here. Perhaps some folks along the route would be willing to offer crash space, if no motel will accept them.

I won't be sleeping in the car/uhaul. And I definitely won't be leaving my pets in the car without someone being with them. I'll be staying with friends in some cities and try and find a motel before hand that will allow cats/reptiles in others.

That does sound like a pretty good idea. Not sure how I'll do that with my bigger kids though.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Styrofoam coolers with a couple of air holes could do the trick for larger animals, if you don't have big shipping boxes.

[MazAnth]

I feel your pain.

I just made the move from Ohio to N.Carolina.

Along with 12 Ball Pythons, 3 Boas, 2 Dogs, 2 African Grey Parrots and some turtles, toads and rats.

One thing I can tell you to invest in is snake bags. Their life savers!

Good luck with your move

[KGAnMA]

I moved from MA to CO about two months ago with a few balls and a big Borneo stp and I just packed them in plastic containers with heat packs. The La Quinta hotel chain is pet friendly although I did cover them up when I brought them inside because as we all know some people can be scared of them. We took it slow and arrived on the 4th day without incident.

[Xotik]

Thanks for the help guys.

I didn't know La Quinta was pet friendly! Definitely good to know

MazAnth - Snake bags - just expensive pillowcases? And did you put them in something else, other than the bags themselves?

[Dave Green]

I moved from NJ to AZ with almost 100 snakes and 2 cats but I used an RV. We stayed at RV campgrounds so we never had to move the animals...worked well and no issues. I even moved two clutches of eggs. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

[Xotik]

I moved from NJ to AZ with almost 100 snakes and 2 cats but I used an RV. We stayed at RV campgrounds so we never had to move the animals...worked well and no issues. I even moved two clutches of eggs. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Thanks Dave. I find it very amusing that I'm moving the two babies I just bought from you back to where they came from.

I was considering doing what you did, with an RV. But I would have to drive the RV back to the owner, then fly back down. It's definitely looking like a very good idea.

Congrats on moving the eggs, that would be a feat in and of itself!

Did you make special racks in your RV for the snakes?