How to Transport Reptiles

Whether you're moving or simply giving your pet a new home, transporting a reptile can be a risky operation. Reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning that their body temperatures are dependent on their external surroundings, so getting too cold can prove harmful or fatal, not to mention the simple stress of moving. If you're set on transporting your reptile, there are a number of precautions and steps you should take before doing so.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic container with secure lid
  • Paper towels
  • Knife or pen
  • Plastic ziplock baggie
  • Thick rags
  • Cardboard box
  • Tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Layer the bottom of a plastic container with about half an inch of paper towels to provide a nice cushion.

    • 2

      Poke some air holes with either a knife or a pen into the container's lid. The number of air holes depends on the size of the reptile, but a minimum of three is necessary.

    • 3

      Line a cardboard box with some thick rags. This provides extra cushion for the reptile container.

    • 4

      Place the reptile into the plastic container and then place the container into the cardboard box. Add rags to make sure the container is nice and snug in the cardboard box.

    • 5

      Fill some plastic ziplock baggies with warm water and place them around the plastic container. This provides extra warmth if it is cold outside.

    • 6

      Cut or poke some airholes into the cardboard box with the knife or pen and tape the box up. The reptile is now ready for transport.