Loyal, amiable, and intelligent, dogs are said to be humans’ best friends.
Graceful, lovely, and delicate, cats are considered the most adorable animals on earth.
It’s only natural, then, that most people choose a cat or a dog for a pet – their cuddly nature, playful attitude, and soothing demeanor not only bring joy and fun into the monotonous everyday life but can even provide comfort and cheer in the most difficult of times.
There are people, however, who opt for some more “unusual” animal companions – ones that are viewed as exotic, or peculiar, or even dangerous. No matter the definition, these unusual pets present much greater challenges to their owners as information about their needs and behavioral patterns is not so easily available and specialized pet items are more difficult to find.
Nevertheless, if you are one of those people raising an exotic pet (such as a snake, a turtle, or a chinchilla, for example), you probably love your special little friend very much and want to keep them for as long as possible. So, if moving to a new home, you will most certainly want to take your pet with you and make the relocation process safe and easy on them. Moving with unusual pets, however, may be trickier than you assume.
RELATED USEFUL READS: The ultimate guide to moving with dogs; How moving affects cats
Depending on the specific kind of animal you own, you’ll have to make certain special preparations and take adequate precautionary measures to ensure their safe transportation and quick adjustment to the new environment.
How To Move Reptiles And Amphibians Across Country
Reptiles and amphibians are creatures of habit, so any changes in their daily routine or in their immediate environment are likely to result in great agitation and severe health issues. To ensure your pet’s well-being during the hectic moving process, you need to reduce the stress as much as possible – keep their routine the same as usual and keep them away from the moving chaos. Meanwhile, you’ll have to make some important preparations as well.
Moving Preparations
Moving interstate with reptiles requires a number of careful preparations:
STEP 1. Check for special state laws or requirements that pertain to your cold-blooded friend. Your new state may restrict the importation of certain kinds of reptiles and amphibians or require registration and/or special licenses, so make sure you are well acquainted with the rules and have enough time to prepare all the necessary documentation.
STEP 2. Have your reptile checked by a veterinarian about a week before the move, retrieve the necessary medical records, and get a signed health certificate. Ask your vet for any useful advice that will help you keep your pet safe and healthy during the relocation, as well as for recommendations for a good pet doctor in your new city.
STEP 3. Purchase an adequate carrier for transporting your reptile or amphibian across the country. Have in mind that the container should be spacious enough for your pet to move inside, but not too large in order to prevent the animal from being tossed around during the transportation. Remember that venomous reptiles have to be placed inside two containment units, while non-venomous ones can be held in a single container. The carriers should be non-breakable, well-ventilated (there should be small holes in the container to allow adequate air circulation), and, preferably, lined with foam panels cut to fit the bottom, top, and sides of the container for added safety (make sure there are air holes in the foam liner as well).
If moving an amphibian or a reptile that requires a moist environment, you will need a water-proof container, so that you can line the bottom with wet towels in order to prevent dehydration and help your unusual friend survive the move in good health.
Good to remember: Reptiles and amphibians are very vulnerable to temperature changes. So, when shipping your scaly or slimy friend across the country, you need to take adequate precautions and include cooling or heating elements in the carrier, depending on the current weather conditions and the ambient temperatures (especially if transporting your pet by plane).
STEP 4. Allow your reptile or amphibian enough time to get used to the carrier – let them spend a couple of hours a day in it for several days before the move. This way, your pet will get accustomed to the container and will not be frightened when you place them inside it on moving day.
“Packing” Your Reptile For Moving
Come moving day, you are advised to place your reptile in a breathable cloth bag, tie the top of the bag closed with strong twine or rubber bands, fold over the tied-off section and overwrap it with masking or duct tape (to make it impossible for your pet to escape in its panic), and put the bagged animal in a foam-lined container (as described above). Consider placing some crumpled paper in the remaining empty spaces in order to provide some extra cushioning, but make sure there is sufficient air circulation inside the container. If you will be shipping your pet by air or with a moving company, mark the box on all sides with your contact information (your name and phone number) and adequate handling instructions (LIVE ANIMAL; THIS SIDE UP; etc.)
Larger lizards are best transported in appropriate-sized cages. It is recommendable to line the bottom and the sides of the carrier with several towels in order to block the holes and the inside of the door and provide your pet with comfortable “bedding”. Refrain from placing any extra objects inside the carrier as they could fall and injure your reptile. Place the animal inside and run several circles of duct tape around the carrier. Label it in the same way, as described above.
Transportation
Now that your reptile or amphibian is ready for the move, you need to actually take it to your new home.
How to transport reptiles by car
Taking your cold-blooded friend in the car with you is definitely the most comfortable and least stressful method of transporting reptiles interstate. You will be able to adjust the ambient temperature to your pet’s needs, keep the surrounding noises low in order not to scare your animal friend, and check on their well-being all the time.
Line your car seats with newspapers or old towels or blankets to prevent staining and make sure the carrier is well secured and away from direct sunlight. Arrange the other items in the car so that they don’t block your access to the container and don’t accidentally fall over it during the transportation.
Keep stops to a minimum to make the trip as short and stress-free as possible. If you need to stay in a hotel overnight, make sure you will be allowed to take your reptile in the room with you. It is also advisable to have some extra pet food and water with you in case of a delay or an emergency.
How to transport reptiles by air
Transporting reptiles by plane is the preferred option when moving long distance as your pet won’t have to spend a long time on the road. However, it will be more expensive and there will be much more paperwork to take care of.
You will have to place your reptile in a specially approved carrier (depending on their species and needs) and to attach the required medical certificates to it. Each of your reptiles or amphibians will have to travel in a separate container. Remember that toads, crabs, snakes (especially poisonous ones) and other small or dangerous animals, or ones that have specific requirements (such as turtles, for example), have to be safely “packed” – sealed in a bag and placed in a well-secured and properly labeled foam-lined container (with added heating or cooling elements, if necessary).
Good to remember:
- Don’t forget to clearly indicate the type of reptile you are shipping, their feeding schedules and optimum temperatures (as well as any special medical needs) – just in case.
- Always opt for a direct flight!
How To Transport A Terrarium
When moving your special animal friends to a new place, you need to move their own “homes” (aquariums, terrariums, and other specialized habitats) as well. In order to ensure the survival of your fish, reptiles, amphibians, etc., you need to keep their living environment unchanged, so you will want to preserve the same plants, soil composition, bacteria colonies, and other elements that have been part of your pets’ immediate surroundings before the move.
Moving a terrarium is similar to moving a fish tank – only there may not be any water inside. Your first step is to take your reptiles or amphibians out of the terrarium and place them into appropriate carriers. Then, you should carefully prepare your pets’ glass home for shipment.
If you’re moving locally, you can just place the entire terrarium as it is in a well-padded wooden crate. Seal the moving container tightly but don’t forget to make several holes in the crate to let air and light inside. Make sure the crate is kept level and stable during the transportation.
If you’re moving long distance, you need to pack your pets’ terrarium with utmost care:
1) Transfer any insects, arachnids, or other creatures living in the terrarium into suitable containers and secure them well;
2) Remove all accessories and decorative elements and pack them as appropriate;
3) Drain the water (if any) into a bucket and seal it tight;
4) Take out the plants and bag or wrap them carefully to ensure the best possible protection to their root systems, stems, and leaves. You can put the wrapped plants in sturdy cardboard boxes (just make sure there are several holes in the boxes to let air and light inside and the empty spaces in the moving container are filled with crumpled paper or packing peanuts to provide adequate support to the plants during the transportation);
5) Store any soil, sand, gravel and/or rocks in a sealable bucket;
6) Wrap the glass enclosure in packing paper, bubble wrap, and/or moving blankets (or other appropriate fabric materials) and secure the protective layers in place with packing tape. You can then put the “package” in a wooden crate or strong cardboard box. Don’t forget to label the container as “FRAGILE” and “HANDLE WITH CARE”.
After The Move
Settle your reptile or amphibian into their habitual surroundings as soon as you arrive in your new home. Take them to a quiet place, ensure correct ambient temperature, and resume your pets’ usual feeding schedule and daily routine.
Your pet may refuse to eat or may act strangely for several days after the relocation. If they have survived the move in good health, however, they should quickly overcome the stress caused by the transportation and the abrupt changes in their environment and return to their normal selves in less than a week. Otherwise, make sure you consult your vet.
Moving house with reptiles is a great challenge but you have every chance of success if you know what to expect and how to best prepare for your imminent relocation – just follow the above tips on how to move with reptiles and you will have no problems taking your cold-blooded friend to your new home.
Share your thoughts by leaving a comment