Shipping Turtles: Safe And Sound

Shipping live turtles and tortoises is a delicate process that requires careful preparation to ensure the animals' safety and well-being. The key considerations are choosing the right container, providing adequate ventilation and moisture, minimising stress and movement, and maintaining a suitable temperature during transport. This guide will outline the essential steps to safely ship two live turtles, covering topics such as container selection, packing techniques, timing, and choosing a suitable shipping company.

Container and packing

When packing two live turtles for shipping, it is important to follow specific guidelines to ensure their safety and well-being. Here are the detailed instructions for container selection and packing:

• Inner Container: Start by placing each turtle in a separate sock or pillowcase, depending on its size. This helps to reduce stress and restrict their movement. Next, get a small, sturdy plastic container for each turtle, such as one made by Rubbermaid®. Ensure that the container is only slightly larger than the turtle and shallow enough to prevent the turtle from flipping over. Drill or burn multiple ventilation holes in the upper walls and lid of the container. The holes should be smooth on the inside to avoid injuring the turtles.
• Bedding: Line the bottom of the containers with moist paper towels, shredded newspaper, or sphagnum moss. The bedding should be enough to prevent the turtles from moving around excessively. For adult turtles, use shredded newspaper, and for juveniles, opt for damp sphagnum moss or damp paper towels.
• Securing the Inner Container: After placing the turtles in their respective containers, securely tie or tape the containers shut. Ensure that the ventilation holes remain uncovered.
• Outer Container: Get a sturdy cardboard box or a Styrofoam cooler that is slightly larger than the inner containers. Punch some ventilation holes in the outer container, except during very cold weather. Line the bottom, sides, and top of the outer container with crumbled or shredded newspaper to provide insulation.
• Placement of Inner Container: Place the inner containers with the turtles inside the outer container. If using a cardboard box, you can add some packing peanuts to the bottom of the box before placing the inner containers. Surround the inner containers with more packing peanuts to minimise movement. Ensure that the packing material is loose enough to allow airflow but not too loose that the inner containers can shift around.
• Labelling and Sealing: Label the outer box with "LIVE HARMLESS REPTILE" and "THIS END UP" with arrows pointing up. Seal the outer box securely with tape. If desired, you can include the receiver's shipping information inside the inner box as a precaution in case the outer box gets damaged.
• Temperature Considerations: If shipping during colder months, include a heat pack inside the package. Place it at the bottom of the outer box, to one side, and secure it with tape. However, keep in mind that heat packs are not reliable below freezing temperatures. Always monitor the temperature of both the shipping location and the destination. Avoid shipping if it's too hot or too cold, as the turtles can overheat or freeze.

Temperature considerations

Temperature is a critical factor to consider when shipping turtles, as they can easily overheat or freeze to death if not kept within an appropriate temperature range. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the temperature of both the location you are shipping from and the destination. Shipping should only be done when temperatures are above 40°F and below 90°F.

If shipping during the colder months, it is recommended to use a heat pack to keep the turtles warm. However, heat packs are not reliable below freezing temperatures, so it is best not to ship if it is too cold. The best time to ship turtles is generally from April 1st to November 1st, when temperatures are more favourable.

When transporting turtles by car, keep the box out of direct sunlight and drape a newspaper or towel over it to provide shade and prevent overheating. Even with ventilation holes, containers can quickly overheat, including Styrofoam coolers, and this can be fatal for the turtles.

Additionally, consider the shipper's stopover depots and the time of week. Shipping earlier in the week ensures that the turtles do not get stuck in a sorting facility over the weekend if any delays occur.

Shipping companies

There are several shipping companies that can help you ship your two live turtles. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all companies ship turtles, and there are specific guidelines that must be followed to ensure the safe transport of these animals.

UPS is a popular choice for shipping turtles, and they provide service on a limited basis for packages containing live animals. It is important to note that UPS has a list of accepted and prohibited live animals, and turtles fall under the category of accepted live animals. To ship with UPS, you must use a new box made of corrugated cardboard with a minimum of 275# bursting strength corrugated or 44 edge crush test. The box should be slightly larger than your turtles and shallow enough to prevent them from flipping over. You should also provide minimal ventilation holes and use internal packaging materials that take into account the necessary humane care for the turtles during transport. UPS requires that packages containing live animals are clearly marked with "LIVE ANIMALS" in bold block lettering on opposing sides of the carton. Additionally, UPS only accepts live animal shipments on a next-day delivery basis and does not accept shipments on Fridays or before a holiday.

FedEx is another option for shipping turtles, but setting up an account to ship live animals may be more involved. They also offer next-day express shipping for turtles, but it should only be done when the temperature is above 40°F and below 90°F. Similar to UPS, FedEx requires clear labelling on the package, indicating the presence of live animals.

Delta Cargo is a third option for shipping turtles, and they can be contacted directly for specific shipping details. Their service, Delta Dash, is often recommended for larger turtles and tortoises.

When choosing a shipping company, it is important to consider the temperature restrictions, packaging requirements, and acceptance of live animal shipments. Additionally, it is always recommended to ship turtles express overnight, preferably on Mondays or Tuesdays, to avoid any potential delays that could impact the well-being of the animals.

Timing and scheduling

Firstly, it is recommended to ship turtles only during the shipping season, which is generally from April 1st to November 1st. This is to avoid extreme temperatures that could be harmful to the turtles. However, some shipments can be made outside of this timeframe, depending on the temperatures at the origin and destination. Always consider the shipper's stopover depots when planning a shipment during the colder months.

Secondly, it is crucial to monitor the weather conditions before scheduling a shipment. Avoid shipping if the weather is questionable or unpredictable, as it could pose a risk to the turtles' safety. Additionally, do not ship around holidays, as there may be disruptions or reduced staffing that could cause delays.

When scheduling a shipment, always opt for Express overnight shipping to minimise the time the turtles spend in transit. The best days to ship are Monday or Tuesday. This ensures that even if there are any unexpected delays, the turtles will not be stuck in a sort facility over the weekend.

It is also important to consider the time of day when scheduling a pickup or drop-off. Aim for end-of-day pickups so that the turtles can be transported as soon as possible after being packed. This reduces the risk of them being stuck in a facility overnight or over a weekend.

Furthermore, be mindful of the temperatures at the origin and destination when planning a shipment. Do not ship if it is either too hot or too cold, as this could lead to overheating or freezing. Use a heat pack if shipping during the colder months, but keep in mind that heat packs are not reliable below freezing temperatures. Always check the temperature guidelines provided by the shipping company.

Lastly, when scheduling a shipment, choose a carrier that allows the shipping of live animals and has experience in handling such shipments. UPS, FedEx, and Delta Cargo are known to ship turtles, while USPS does not. Consider the cost of shipping and choose a carrier that suits your budget and comfort level.

Labelling and marking

When it comes to labelling and marking, there are several key things to keep in mind to ensure the safe shipping of your two live turtles. Firstly, it is important to clearly mark the package with arrows pointing up and labels such as "VERY FRAGILE", "THIS END UP", and "LIVE HARMLESS REPTILE". These labels will help handlers identify the package as containing a live animal and ensure they handle it with the necessary care and attention.

In addition to the outer markings, it is also a good idea to place the receiver's shipping information inside the smaller box as a precaution. This way, even if the outer box gets damaged during transit, the receiver's details will still be visible, ensuring the turtles reach their destination safely.

When shipping aquatic turtles, it is recommended to use a plastic container with punched holes in the lid to maintain moisture. Clearly label the container with markings such as "LIVE TURTLE" and "KEEP MOIST" to ensure handlers are aware of the contents and can take the necessary steps to maintain the turtle's environment during shipping.

For larger turtle species, such as Sulcata tortoises, you may need to use a crate or a dog kennel. Clearly mark the crate with labels such as "LIVE ANIMAL" and "HANDLE WITH CARE" to ensure handlers are aware of the contents and take the necessary precautions during transport.

It is also important to consider the temperature during shipping. If it is too hot or too cold, it is best to avoid shipping the turtles altogether, as they may overheat or freeze. During the colder months, you may need to include a heat pack inside the package and mark the box with a label such as "HEAT PACK INCLUDED".

Overall, clear and concise labelling and marking are crucial when shipping live turtles. By providing detailed information and instructions, you can help ensure that your turtles remain safe and healthy throughout the shipping process.

Frequently asked questions