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Long-distance move

wretchedprocess

wretchedprocess

New member
My husband and I are moving from Baltimore to Seattle next month. I am completely blissful about this-- I've been wanting to move there rather badly since I visited my friends there last October. But, of course, this comes along with a few logistical difficulties. Such as, how do I get my snakes out there?

We're not completely decided on our plans yet (he just received the offer letter from his new job on Monday), but the odds are good that we'll be flying our cats out to stay with his parents in Portland, and driving the car across the country ourselves. But what I'm trying to figure out is what would be least stressful for the snakes. I've come up with a couple of options so far.

The first is to find someone who can "board" them for a few days while we make the drive, and then ship them to us in Seattle when we're there to pick them up. If this is the best option, I'll have to locate a breeder in the area who is willing to help us out in exchange for shipping costs and a fairly small fee in addition, but I doubt that would be an insurmountable obstacle.

The other option is to drive with them in the car. The best method I've figured out for doing this would be to place them in plastic bins in a styrofoam cooler with ventilation holes punched in it, and stick a probe thermometer in so I can monitor the temperatures obsessively from outside. I could adjust the temperature if I needed to with the judicious use of cold-packs, ice cubes, hot-packs, or damp paper towels heated up in a gas station microwave, depending on what seems necessary. There might be a better way to drive them out, but this is the best I've come up with so far.

So, does anyone with a greater knowledge of corn snake psychology, as it were, have an opinion on the better option? If having them shipped would be substantially less traumatic for them, I would definitely go with that-- I should have a hardy new hatchling by then, but the two I've got now are both rescue corns, and have really been through enough already. But if bringing them in the car wouldn't be more upsetting, I'd rather go with that-- it would serve the dual purpose of being less expensive than having four snakes shipped to me, and giving me pets to fuss over while I worry about the cats allllll alone in the terrifying world of Noah's parents' house ;). I don't really care about the cost if shipping is better-- I want to do what's best for them. But if it doesn't matter, saving a little money would be nice too.

I would LOVE any input that anyone might have on this matter. I already have to find an apartment in a city across the country, pack and clean this place, and otherwise orchestrate a cross-country move in about three weeks, so it would be WONDERFUL to be able to set my mind at ease as far as my snakes are concerned, and know I'll be picking the least stressful option available for them. Thank you thank you THANK YOU in advance!
 
I purchased Orichimaru as a travel buddy for my old job a few years ago. He would drive with me all over the country. He never seemed too stressed, always ate on time, even if it was in a hotel room, mid-travel. He traveled in his tank, a 10g at the time, so that was easy for me. I'd just take out the heavy stuff.

Since you have multiple snakes, likely in larger tanks, I'd prepare for the move ahead of time. 2 weeks ahead of time, I'd move them into stackable plastic tubs. This gives them time to settle in. Feed them after a week in there. Then drive to Seattle, give them a day or 2 to settle in, and feed again if its time.

Traveling with you will be much less stressful to them, and you, rather than stuffing them in a box that lots of unknown people will be tossing around all over the country.
 
One option, if you're interested, would be to ship them to me, I live a little bit north of Seattle, get moved over here & I bring them to you (or you can pick them up). I live near Everett.
I will gladly take care of them for you, until you can get moved.
I don't know how long it will take you to drive across country, but I would be willing to take care of them until you were ready to move them to your new home in Seattle.
Just a thought. The offer is there. PM me if you want to talk about it.

*You will love the PNW! :)
 
You probably have two choices, air freight or in the car with you. There should be no problem in the car for a few days as long as you don't leave them in the car unattended and they overheat. If your comfortable in the car then they will be. An extra suitcase would work fine and easy to bring into a motel along the way.
 
I completely forgot to come back to this thread and thank all of you for your advice. It currently looks like we'll be driving, and bringing the snakes along with us. I am MUCH less worried about this after reading your responses. They won't love it, sure, but who loves moving anyway? I think they'll be far less disturbed than the cats.

BTW, Scrufdog, it is rather charming and somehow awesome that you got a corn snake as a travel-buddy. I think if I were on the road a lot I'd be very tempted to do the same now.
 
I moved with my snakes in the car twice this year, and all was well. Good luck with your move! :)
 
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