Need shipping advice

[elena]

I am selling some adult box turtles. While I had originally only planned to sell them locally, I'm getting more interest from out of state buyers. I am inexperienced with shipping in general, and I'm primarily a snake person so I don't know what I'm doing with turtles. Should they be confined in a bag, or in some sort of very large deli cup? How big of a box should I plan on getting? Is it ok to pack one on top of the other, or do they need a more horizontal box so they can be side by side? A walkthrough of the shipping process would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dyscophus antongilii]

I am selling some adult box turtles.

I saw them in the classified section and loved them. What other turtle species do you have? Can you recommend a Clemmys guttata breeder(s)?

While I had originally only planned to sell them locally, I'm getting more interest from out of state buyers.

I would have asked about them, but, you said local sale preferred. Now I know to ask LOL.

I am inexperienced with shipping in general,

It is much easier to ship reptiles, as opposed to the exotic mammals and exotic birds I bred and shipped over the years. Much easier in fact.

and I'm primarily a snake person so I don't know what I'm doing with turtles.

For the most part, in my experience, shipping reptiles is fairly similar.

Should they be confined in a bag, or in some sort of very large deli cup?

Personally, I would not use a bag. I suppose you could use a deli cup. However, I have had great luck (shipping and having shipped to me) using a rubbermaid type container of appropriate size. Next, make sure, holes are drilled threw-out the container. I can post pictures tomorrow if you like.

Since, we both know, I am not very good at communication via the written word. We both know my spelling and grammar is abysmal, as well.

How big of a box should I plan on getting?

If you give me the Terrapene carolina triunguis "measurements", I could try and figure out an appropriately sized box. A good site for general guidelines is Ship Your Reptile.

Is it ok to pack one on top of the other, or do they need a more horizontal box so they can be side by side?

I think it actually depends on the size of the box. Plus, how much Styrofoam you use in the box. Also, the heat-pack (if needed) and or cold/cool-pack (if needed) and or other packing materials used in the box.

However, I have always shipped and had my two TINY Malaclemys terrapin terrapin shipped to me side by side.

A walkthrough of the shipping process would be greatly appreciated.

I would have no problem doing that for you. But, how detailed do you want? I can be longwinded, boring, and confusing. You might have noticed that LOL!

 

[elena]

As for what other turtles I keep, I'll say that I'm a snake person, and my box turtles are the only turtles I have. I used to have two large snapping turtles, but found new homes for them when I moved to a smaller place (each had a 100 gallon tank). I also briefly had a razorback. I don't personally know anyone who breeds spotted turtles.

Thanks for all the info! I've also talked to SYR customer service and a friend who has shipped turtles, so I think that between these different sources I have the information I need.