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COLD arrival

marchettid

marchettid

New member
I recently purchased a ghost corn from a seller in Kansas. It arrived today (my BIRTHDAY), with no heat packs (currently 25 degrees here). I emptied it out of the pillowcase, and it rolled out, extremely stiff. I thought it was already dead, as there was also a pile of frozen poo in the case. Either way, i held it in my hands for a couple seconds, attempting to warm it up. She stuck her tounge out so I guess I considered her still alive. Its been about an hour and a half since her arrival, and she is still very stiff and motionless. For the past hour, Ive had her in her quarentine cage (rubbermaid) with mild warmth, trying to gradually warm her up. I touched her a couple times within this past hour, and she is only able to move in very weird, rigorous motions. I'm asking for any suggestions to further warm her up, and hopefully save this beauty. Thanks in advance, wish her luck.. it looks as though shes really gonna need it!
 
Doh. If it were my snake, I wouldn't touch her at all so as to minimize stress, and I would keep the warming process very gradual. That's all I have to offer, Sorry. I would also contact the seller and discuss the matter with him or her.
 
:-offtopic Happy Birthday, Doug!
On topic, personally I'd go with a very gradual warmup, probably leaving the snake at room temperature in a tub with a water dish and not even check it 'til tomorrow, to minimise stress. Good luck
 
That sucks. Did you take the temp inside the shipping container? Were you right there to get her off the truck? I _think_ she will be all right, as long as she wasn't frozen. The stiff jerky movements sound like "normal" cold reptile to me...I hope she's ok.

Nanci
 
she was literally frozen when taken out of the box (her feces even completely frozen). Yes, I was here as soon as the package got off the truck. The temperature in the box was very cold, although I didnt check the exact temperature, it was noticably cooler than my 62 house temp.
 
Man that sucks. Have you contacted the breeder? I hope you post on the Board of Inquiry and save others from the same hell. Well, I'm going to worry about her for the rest of the day, so please post updates. I think any movement is still a good sign.

Nanci
 
Wow. I can't believe that.

There was that thread lately asking if shipping was safe- this makes me a little nervous. I guess you have to really do you research to make sure the breeder is reputable.

I'm worried too- I really hope she pulls through! I'll be sending her good health vibes all day....
 
This makes me sick!!!!!!!!!!! How could ANY REPUTABLE BREEDER ship a reptile under such inhumane conditions? Disgusting!
I had some liquid hair products shipped from NY and they were completely solid through and through so I cannot imagine what that poor snake went through.
I'll also be worried about this little one.....please keep us posted. You should most definitely contact that breeder. I'm beyond p***** over this one.
 
thank you everyone for the concern and advice. I did contact the seller, who said he would refund the cost of the snake, but not the shipping costs. I think shipping in cold weather is fine, as long as a HEAT PACK IS INCLUDED! I dont feel the need to say harsh words about the seller on the Board of Inquiry, but will remind buyers to remind the seller to ship snakes with heat packs. Any suggestions of when temps should be increased to normal. I assume by now her body temp. is up to room temp. I have the rubbermaid sitting in direct sunlight as well. No UTH yet.
 
marchettid said:
I did contact the seller, who said he would refund the cost of the snake, but not the shipping costs... I dont feel the need to say harsh words about the seller on the Board of Inquiry...
Click to expand...
Why should you have to eat the shipping costs if the seller's improper shipping methods cause the death of the snake? If the snake dies, and the seller doesn't refund ALL of your money, you SHOULD take the issue to the BOI. :mad:
 
marchettid said:
but will remind buyers to remind the seller to ship snakes with heat packs.
Click to expand...
Hang on, I'm not a breeder, or ever likely to ship snakes anywhere, but it's evident that temperature regulation during shipping should be a given, IMO
Anyone reputable should make sure your animal arrives in the best condition, as a business angle if not out of compassion for the animal. They shouldn't NEED reminding, but maybe this particular person should be exposed for such shoddy practise, endangering the snake's health.
 
^ Fully agreed.

Sounds like a real cheapskate there. Just had to save a buck and skimp out on a heat pack. :twoguns:

The "breeder"'s incompetency for basic shipping practices should not be paid by you.
 
diamondlil said:
Hang on, I'm not a breeder, or ever likely to ship snakes anywhere, but it's evident that temperature regulation during shipping should be a given, IMO
Anyone reputable should make sure your animal arrives in the best condition, as a business angle if not out of compassion for the animal. They shouldn't NEED reminding, but maybe this particular person should be exposed for such shoddy practise, endangering the snake's health.
Click to expand...


I agree. You shouldn't have to pay for their mistake.

I also feel that a bad review would not be unwarranted- I know that often people don't want to make a mountain of a molehill, but this is already a mountain, it needs to be acknowledged.
And you can always post a well worded, diplomatic, bad review... :)

The poo was frozen. That's unacceptable, and the snake's health was seriously jeopardized....

It is the breeder's responsibility to ensure the safe transport of the snake TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY. If something happened that was out of either of your control, I feel that you should split shipping costs. If it is a consequence of the breeder's actions......

you shouldn't have to pay.
 
I'd like to echo the sentiments of others in reassuring you that your little arrival should be all right.

Remeber that Corns are native to areas where the winter temps can be quite bitter (realtively).

But yes (again, in agreement with prior posts), warm him up SLOWLY. Sudden application of heat in hopes of 'awakening' him may send him into shock. Think about what happens when you put a Goldfish into room temp. water without soaking it's bag first - exactly the same principal.

He'll be fine.

:)
 
I agree with Dean on this issue. All good breeders should cover the entire cost but they also know to ship with a heat pack this time of year. I do not think its the buyer's responsibility to remind the breeder to put one in. Take it to the BOI.

Were you charged extra for one?
 
I would also agree that a quick and pointed (details only, personal opinions aside) BOI post is warranted in this instance. Situations such as this are why it was implemented in the first place.

However, just don't get caught up in defending your case at great length (beyond providing corroborative details). Too often straightforward and legitimate posts turn (quite litereally) into a war of words. State your case, support it if necessary, and then be done.

Cases like this are indefensible (and inexcusable) regardless of what the shipper might say to the contrary.
 
I had a snake shipped from Colorado in November. Here are her breeder's requirements regarding shipping temperatures:

Conditions of the live arrival guarantee are simple:

An adult must be present to receive the shipment on the first delivery attempt (a signature will be required) and the temperature must be in the 45°F to 95°F range. You may need to assist us in scheduling your shipment during periods of extreme weather. While delays in scheduling a shipment may seem intolerable, they are nothing compared to opening a box containing a prized specimen only to find it dead. Our use of extreme caution and proper packing has resulted in very very few DOA's in the last five years - a remarkable success.

No guarantees for shipments exposed to weather extremes. Weather extremes are defined as outside the 45°F to 95°F range. Temperatures at our end must be acceptable or we will delay shipment. Our current weather conditions are displayed below, enter your zip code to check your conditions or display the 10-day forecast.

Nanci
 
Hope your little guy will be alright!! Go with the advice the others have given and warm him up slowly and he should be fine. :)
Gotta agree with the rest of the people saying take it to the BOI. It was extremely irresponsible of the breeder to send the snake without a heatmat, and you shouldn't have to cover the cost of shipping due to their incompetence. :smash:
Hopefully it will prevent others having the same problem.
 
I hope your snake is ok, it's completely unacceptable for the breeder to 1.) ship without a heat pack and 2.) then expect YOU to pay for shipping because of his negligence!

If you DON'T post something about this in the review place, you are actually potentially doing a disservice to anybody that checks that place for reviews. What if this happens to somebody else who reads the BOI and didn't see a review that you chose not to post? Your statement of facts, even if harsh, could have prevented such an occurrence from happening again! Do it for the snakes!
 
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