Re: we did a similar test...

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Posted by Walt Deptula on August 03, 2001 at 15:05:22:

In Reply to: we did a similar test... posted by robyn@ProExotics on August 03, 2001 at 14:09:13:

: i think everyone that ships regularly should try this test at various times of the year.

: we did a similar test in the middle of summer last year. we used our shipping box, which is insulated, but we also "bagged" a digital thermo with a probe, with the probe being outside the bag, but still in the box.

: we sent the box with our UPS driver, and he put it in the truck and brought it back the next day, there weren't any shipping charges : )

: although the temps were well in the 90's, and the trucks are quite warm, we had a temp range of low 70's to low 90's, which is well in the range of the animals traveling safely.

: i think your test was a little tough Adam, being exposed to the direct sun inside a car and all, although being left on the runway would be a tough test, but under more typical conditions, i think the boxes, if well insulated, do pretty well.

: as a general rule, once it gets into the 90's, or below 40, i seriously rethink shipping for that particular day (we have never lost a shipment due to cold weather, and we have went through the same test). just this past Monday i rescheduled with my customers for a Tuesday shipment because it was 99 degrees, but one of them couldn't reschedule, and we had to ship anyway, and his Water Monitor arrived in Georgia in perfect shape, so it still went well.

: in 8 years of shipping UPS, i can count my temp losses on just a couple of fingers, don't even need the full hand.

: like i said in the beginning, any serious breeder/dealer/seller should try this test with their local driver to get a good feel for what works, and what won't : )

: thanks for bringing up the topic Adam, i forgot all about it : )

: robyn

Hi Robyn,

I know little or nothing regarding monitor lizards but I think we should be careful to differentiate between types of animals with regard to temperature tolerance. Monitors might be able to withstand high temps but many colubrids cannot.
I too have had my UPS driver check temps in the back of his truck, which regularly reach 160F, a temp which will quickly fry any colubrid. Obviously the inner box temp would be lower but for how long? I have heard many stories from people I respect with regard to UPS related shipping death from heat implications.
Heat scares me to death and as such, I won't even consider shipping at this time of year. Even if we know the expected temp on the planned day of a shipment, we can't account for delays.
I can only speak for myself, but if the expected temps are over 80 degrees, I won't ship or receive.

I would also advise people that if they are transporting colubrids by car, that they might consider an old Dave Breidenbach trick. Place ice in the bottom of a large cooler, cover with newspaper layers, and place the snakes in appropriate containers on top. Air conditioning guarantees nothing when it comes to heat. Just my .02.

Walt Deptula

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: : : i think everyone that ships regularly should try this test at various times of the year. : : we did a similar test in the middle of summer last year. we used our shipping box, which is insulated, but we also "bagged" a digital thermo with a probe, with the probe being outside the bag, but still in the box. : : we sent the box with our UPS driver, and he put it in the truck and brought it back the next day, there weren't any shipping charges : ) : : although the temps were well in the 90's, and the trucks are quite warm, we had a temp range of low 70's to low 90's, which is well in the range of the animals traveling safely. : : i think your test was a little tough Adam, being exposed to the direct sun inside a car and all, although being left on the runway would be a tough test, but under more typical conditions, i think the boxes, if well insulated, do pretty well. : : as a general rule, once it gets into the 90's, or below 40, i seriously rethink shipping for that particular day (we have never lost a shipment due to cold weather, and we have went through the same test). just this past Monday i rescheduled with my customers for a Tuesday shipment because it was 99 degrees, but one of them couldn't reschedule, and we had to ship anyway, and his Water Monitor arrived in Georgia in perfect shape, so it still went well. : : in 8 years of shipping UPS, i can count my temp losses on just a couple of fingers, don't even need the full hand. : : like i said in the beginning, any serious breeder/dealer/seller should try this test with their local driver to get a good feel for what works, and what won't : ) : : thanks for bringing up the topic Adam, i forgot all about it : ) : : robyn : Hi Robyn, : I know little or nothing regarding monitor lizards but I think we should be careful to differentiate between types of animals with regard to temperature tolerance. Monitors might be able to withstand high temps but many colubrids cannot. : I too have had my UPS driver check temps in the back of his truck, which regularly reach 160F, a temp which will quickly fry any colubrid. Obviously the inner box temp would be lower but for how long? I have heard many stories from people I respect with regard to UPS related shipping death from heat implications. : Heat scares me to death and as such, I won't even consider shipping at this time of year. Even if we know the expected temp on the planned day of a shipment, we can't account for delays. : I can only speak for myself, but if the expected temps are over 80 degrees, I won't ship or receive. : I would also advise people that if they are transporting colubrids by car, that they might consider an old Dave Breidenbach trick. Place ice in the bottom of a large cooler, cover with newspaper layers, and place the snakes in appropriate containers on top. Air conditioning guarantees nothing when it comes to heat. Just my .02. : Walt Deptula

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