Sending Snakes Through Mail (Yea yea, snakes on a plane... ;) )

[Desert_Roach]

Hey guys!
So I noticed that a lot of you send your snakes back and forth all over the country. I was wondering since I have to send my snake very soon. He's 1-2 years old and I was wondering what is the best, and safest way to send him across the country? I don't mind spending the money to ensure his safety, but I can't drive him all the way there either.

So give me your tips and advice! What is the best way to send a snake to someone who lives more than five states away?

 

[Blue Apple Herps]

How soon do you need to send him? The only way to legally ship snakes is to be FedEx certified to ship live reptiles.

 

[Fenderplayer108]

How soon do you need to send him? The only way to legally ship snakes is to be FedEx certified to ship live reptiles.

That and they offer no guarantees.

 

[Nanci]

What about DSL, is that legal, like anyone can do it, or certified people can do it, or is it like when people use UPS and just don't tell...

(I got hornworms in the mail the other day, and there was a piece of paper taped to the box that said LIVE ANIMALS in large lettering, and had little drawings of chicks, turtles, and a SNAKE! I thought that was pretty funny.)

 

[Desert_Roach]

By April 14. How fast can you be certified and what is required? It's the only shipment of snakes I'll do, so it won't be a permanent thing. Is there a license you need to buy or training?

 

[Topazfyre]

I could be wrong, but I think the licensing thing takes a REALLY, REALLY long time and has a fee. Probably your best bet is to do one a few things.

-The best option would be to find a snake breeder near you who would be willing to ship it for you. You'd have to pay them for shipping fees, but I'm sure that there are plenty of people in your area on this site alone that would be happy to do someone a favor.
-Another option that you would most likely not enjoy half as much is to make a road trip down with your snake in the back seat.
-Finally is the option I would least recommend- to ask a random person on their way to your snakes destination to take said snake on a plane and drop it off by buyer's house. Like I said, probably not the optimum way to go.

Good luck finding a mode of transport for your guy, and I hope everything goes well.

 

[Bram]

I'm not sure about the US and inter-state rules, but any airline should be ok to ship him from airport to airport. You'd just need someone to go to the airport at the other end to pick him up.

 

[Joejr14]

I could be wrong, but I think the licensing thing takes a REALLY, REALLY long time and has a fee. Probably your best bet is to do one a few things.

You're wrong.

It doesn't take that long, but you're not going to get certified in two weeks. And you'd be much better off in having someone else send it, or just illegally send it. And btw, there is no 'fee'.

 

[Joejr14]

I'm not sure about the US and inter-state rules, but any airline should be ok to ship him from airport to airport. You'd just need someone to go to the airport at the other end to pick him up.

Nope. You have to be certified via Delta to use their 'Delta Dash' service to ship snakes. When I moved up to CT I had Rich Z help me out with that. It's a pain in the butt and it aint cheap.

 

[Bram]

So it is. Even checking some in Canada that I know were better have changed for the worse. :shrugs:

 

[tstephe3]

hmm.. well hi again desert roach.. lol, i can help pick up half of the shipping fee if you'd like.

as for driving, i think thats out of equation. california to ohio is alot of gas. haha. but if any breeders or certified personnel are reading this post and live close to desert.. please help us out!!!

thanks