I saw your post on the BOI and am compelled to respond. I experienced a real tragedy a few years ago when a supposed reputable breeder shipped me a juvie Leopard Gecko in the middle of January with no heat-pack whatsoever, and the poor little thing was unconscious for days and unable to walk for months due to such severe hypothermia. I dropper fed that baby for almost 4 months before she was able to eat on her own, and she suffered some brain damage. She eventually made a full recovery.
First of all, Airborne Express has very strict shipping terms and policies regarding the shipment of live animals. Lizards are prohibited from being shipped, and most breeders who do it anyway do not label the boxes with it's contents because the shipment would be refused. This puts the responsibility of non-compliance on the shipper, because Airborne can take no responsibility. Air cargo areas are subject to sub-freezing temperatures and very low air pressure. (Think about the conditions of atmosphere at the altitudes that jets fly...)
As a breeder who ships live Leopard Geckos across the country, it is my belief that even if a standard 40-hour heat pack was used in your shipment it would not have been able to hold up under those conditions, and the fact that the little gecko arrived alive at all indicates that it WAS used and most likely saved it's life.
Second, when a reptile arrives in an obvious hypothermic state... (listless, stiff, and unresponsive), the absolute worst thing you can do is expose them to sudden warm temperatures. It is human nature to want to instantly "thaw them out," but in most cases that can do serious neurological and/or tissue damage. It is best to allow them to gradually acclimate to normal ambient room temperture (around 72-74 degrees) for several hours or until they become responsive before exposing them to heat. Be aware that after they are exposed to hypothermic conditions, they are vulnerable to secondary respiratory infections.
For more detailed information on Airborne's Policies and Regulations, go to their URL at:
Airborne Express - Shipping Policies
Best of luck,
Marcia McGuiness - The Lizard Lady
www.thelizardlady.net