BP husbandry on the road

[sinclair]

I have to travel for Christmas and will be away for seven or eight days. It's a 4-5 hour drive taking into account stops. If I put my BP's 10 gallon tank in the car, would she be okay for that long without her UTH and heat lamp? I would consider leaving her at home, but am hesitant to for a couple of reasons. First, she is due for a bowel movement, and I wouldn't want her to sit with poop in her hide for a week. Second, I worry about what would happen if her heat lamp would happen to burn out. What would you all recommend I do? Thanks.

[satomi325]

You can take her with you.
For that, I would put some hot water into a water bottle or two. Then put your snake in a snake bag or small container. Then put that bottle(s) and snake into an insulated cooler.
I've had hot water bottles keep a steady 80-85 degrees for 4-5 hours just fine in an insulated box.

But even if your car was around 70 degrees, she will be fine without heat.

[sinclair]

You can take her with you.
For that, I would put some hot water into a water bottle or two. Then put your snake in a snake bag or small container. Then put that bottle(s) and snake into an insulated cooler.
I've had hot water bottles keep a steady 80-85 degrees for 4-5 hours just fine in an insulated box.

But even if your car was around 70 degrees, she will be fine without heat.

By insulated box do you mean like a styrofoam cooler? Would there be enough air in there with the lid on? How do you keep the water bottles from rolling around and possibly injuring the snake?

[shadowsnakes]

Ball up some newspaper or socks around the water bottles. They won't crush your snake. Also, consider snakes ship just fine in rather small insulated packaging without concern for suffocation. I'd say check on her every 5-6 hours and when you do the air will be exchanged. As long as you maintain a fairly constant temperature without wild swings she should be fine without her heavy 10 gallon tank.

[200xth]

I would imagine that for a 4 to 5 hour drive in a car that's heated to a comfortable temp for humans, the snake(s) will be fine without any special measures.

[Libby]

As far as the pooping goes, give her a nice warm bath (I usually make it about 90 degrees so it's got some room to cool down without getting too cold) and let her swim around a bit. The water only needs to be high enough to barely reach the top of her body. That always moves things right along for our snake! I've started insisting on one before letting her out when her butt gets that suspicious sausage shape ever since the "incident" with my new sofa.

After she poops, I turn into one of those "bleachable moments" commercials!

[jxl]

I would imagine that for a 4 to 5 hour drive in a car that's heated to a comfortable temp for humans, the snake(s) will be fine without any special measures.

I'm thinking the same. Just (pre) heat the car to +80F put paper towels in it's enclosure and keep him in the car booth to have an eye on the snake. Do not forget on safety and strap the enclosure down !

[Inarikins]

Don't transport your snake in its tank. A pillowcase tied in a knot at the top would do just fine for transport.

[patientz3ro]

Just use a small tub. I have a shoebox sized sterilite tub with ventilation holes. The bottom is lined with paper towels and I use those instant heat pads to keep one side warm if needed. They don't get very hot, and they don't last long, but I get them cheap, so it's no problem.

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