TLDR: Safe Live Animal Shipping Made Simple
Shipping live animals requires careful attention to temperature control, humidity, ventilation, and secure packaging. This guide breaks down best practices for shipping reptiles, amphibians, insects, and more. Whether you’re a breeder, veterinarian, or hobbyist, proper insulation is critical to maintaining humane conditions and ensuring successful delivery.
Need expert advice or insulation solutions tailored to your shipping needs? Talk to us today to find the perfect thermal packaging for your animals.
Shipping Live Animals: What You Need to Know
Shipping live animals can be overwhelming. Between ventilation, secure packaging, proper labeling, and making sure the animal is kept at the right temperature, there’s a lot to get right. That’s why we put together this guide. It covers all the basics with a focus on proper insulation for different types of animals, including domestic animals, exotic pets, cold-blooded species, and even insects. This guide is aimed at breeders, veterinarians, conservationists, and hobbyists who need to ship animals across the U.S. using USPS, UPS, or FedEx. If you’re shipping cats or dogs, this guide isn’t for you—that typically involves specialized animal transport services.
CelluLiner
Our Curbside recyclable insulated box liners can ship refrigerated shipments up to 72 hours and frozen shipments with dry ice for up to 48 hours.
Gel Packs
Our high-performance gel packs keep your product cold in transit. We offer a wide variety of sizes made with tough puncture resistant and recyclable plastics
Most carriers treat live animals as perishable goods, so shipping them requires careful attention to carrier-specific guidelines, government regulation, permitting and humane packaging strategies. You need to think about factors like how much the package might be jostled in transit, the specific temperature requirements for the species, and the potential for delays or temperature spikes along the route. For instance, reptiles require a warmer environment, while fish need cooler conditions. You’ll also need to use materials like dunnage to cushion the animal and test your shipping methods to ensure they work for your specific needs.
Live Animal Shipping Chart
| Animal | Category | Ideal Temperature (°F) | Shipping Duration | Humidity | Insulation Suggestions | Special Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butterflies (Pupae or Adults) | Domestic Animals | 75- 85 | Next day | Moderate | insulation on the thicker side- heavy bubble or stronger, gel packs for stable temps, crink paper for cushioning | Secure components to prevent shifting. Ensure proper ventilation for air quality. Use insulated liners to maintain temperature. Use wax envelopes for individual butterflies. Keep them cold to limit butterfly activity. |
| Live Bees | Domestic Animals | 39-100 | Next day | Moderate | queen bee mailing cages with candy. include 5-8 bees to cool down the bee. Ship with heat packs during cold weather. | Bees will cluster around the queen. Avoid direct sunlight and temperatures above 80°F. |
| Day-Old Chicks | Domestic Animals | 70–79 | Next day | Moderate | ventilated box, straw padding | Provide sufficient ventilation and space. Avoid temperatures below 70°F or drafts. |
| Green Tree Python | Exotic and Cold-Blooded Animals | 80-85 | Next day | Moderate | insulated box liner, breathable snake bag, dunnage, heat pack during winter without direct contact | Maintain 50%-70% humidity levels. Prevent dehydration during transport. Monitor container temperature carefully. Avoid overheating with heat packs. |
| Axolotls | Exotic and Cold-Blooded Animals | 60-64 | Next day | ph level 6.5 - 7.5 | water bags 1/3 water and 2/3s water, insulated box liner, gel packs during summer, dunnage, heat pack during winter without direct contact | Water-filled containers with insulation |
| Ornamental Fish | Exotic and Cold-Blooded Animals | Tropical Fish (78.8 - 86) Warm Water Fish (69.8 - 82.4) Cool Water Fish (44.6 - 59) | Next day | Moderate | double bag fish in plastic bags with the appropriate water to air ratio, insulated box liners and gel packs to keep cool conditions | Seal bags with rubber bands tightly. Follow packing density guidelines for species. Add pH stabilizers for water quality. Use zeolite to bind harmful ammonia. |
| Panther Chameleon | Exotic and Cold-Blooded Animals | 68-71.6 | Next day | Moderate | insulated box liners, deli container with, crinkle paper | Breathable containers; heat packs in cooler climates |
| Tree Frogs | Small Harmless Cold-Blooded Animals | 75-80 | Next day | High | insulated box liner, heat pack during cold weather without contact, | Ship early to avoid delays. Include ventilation holes for airflow. Label package as "Live Animals." Add water or moist substrate. |
| Salamanders | Small Harmless Cold-Blooded Animals | 65-75 | Next day | High | insulated box liner, heat pack during cold weather without contact, gel packs during high heat | Provide shallow dish for water. Use moisture-retaining substrates like moss. Handle minimally with gentle techniques. Avoid overly soggy habitat conditions. |
| Newts | Small Harmless Cold-Blooded Animals | 60-75 | Next day | High | insulated box liner, heat pack during cold weather without contact, gel packs during high heat | Minimize transit time under 48 hours. Ensure adequate ventilation for airflow. Use damp towels for humidity. Limit handling to reduce stress. Provide a secure shipping environment. |
| Tadpoles | Small Harmless Cold-Blooded Animals | 68-73 | Next day | High | insulated box liner, heat pack during cold weather without contact, gel packs during high heat | Pack carefully to minimize stress. Use dechlorinated or treated water. Acclimate slowly to new environment. Limit shipping time under 48 hours. |
| Small Lizards (e.g., Anoles) | Small Harmless Cold-Blooded Animals | 70–85 | Next day | Moderate | insulated box liners, gel packs, heat packs, deli container, wet paper or appropriate substrate | Avoid shipping in extreme weather. Ship Monday to Wednesday to avoid delays. Allow 3–4 days for acclimation. Communicate shipping details with recipient. Label package with species information. Comply with all shipping regulations. Ship only healthy, stress-free animals. Use ventilated, insulated packaging. Add temperature and humidity monitors. Choose the fastest shipping method. |
| Ladybugs | Insects | 50-60 | 2–3 days | High | insulated box liners, gel packs, heat packs, deli container | Offer sugar water or aphids for nourishment. Release ladybugs in cool, moist conditions. Ensure pesticide-free environments for safety. Handle ladybugs gently to avoid stress. Use soft tools like a paintbrush. |
| Mealworms | Insects | 70-80 | 2–3 days | Moderate | insulated box liners, gel packs, heat packs, deli container, dunnage | Prepare storage container with suitable substrate. Use Mealworm Keeper or meal-based bedding. Ensure container has smooth sides to prevent escape. Provide raw potatoes or carrots for moisture. Use Thirsty Cricket gel water for hydration. |
| Crickets | Insects | 75-85 | 2–3 days | Moderate | insulated box liners, gel packs, heat packs, deli container | Avoid sudden temperature changes; adjust gradually. Use mesh lids or air holes for ventilation. Prevent overcrowding to reduce stress and cannibalism. Provide hiding spots like egg cartons or rolls. Clean enclosures regularly to prevent mold buildup. Remove uneaten food, waste, and dead crickets. Control mites through cleaning and monitoring. |
| Silkworms | Insects | 72-85 | 2–3 days | High | insulated box liners, heat packs no direct contact, deli container, dunnage | Handle silkworms gently to prevent bruising. Wash hands before handling silkworms or food. Feed silkworms only mulberry leaves or diet. Ensure food is dry and mold-free. Use ventilated containers to prevent suffocation. Avoid overcrowding by providing larger containers. Wash mulberry leaves to remove pesticide residues. |
| Hornworms | Insects | 68–78 | 2–3 days | High | insulated box liners, heat packs no direct contact, deli container, dunnage | Avoid feeding hornworms tomato or nightshade leaves. Provide specialized diets or safe alternative plants. Keep hornworms cooler to slow their growth. Avoid refrigeration below 68°F to prevent harm. Handle hornworms carefully; their horn is harmless. Monitor conditions to ensure proper molting. Prevent overcrowding to avoid cannibalistic behavior. Provide enough space and food to prevent stress. |
| Isopods | Insects | 60-75 | 2–3 days | Moderate | insulated box liners, gel packs, heat packs, deli container, dunnage | Ensure ventilation to prevent CO₂ and ammonia buildup. Adjust ventilation holes for local climate conditions. Provide calcium with cuttlebone or crushed eggshells. Feed isopods leaf litter and decaying wood. Supplement diet with vegetables or fish food. Use heat sources if temperatures drop below 60°F. Manage population size in bioactive setups. Understand breeding patterns for different species. Some species handle cold better thna others |
Different Type of Animals, Different Shipping Needs
Every type of animal—domestic, exotic, cold-blooded, or insect—has its own unique requirements when it comes to shipping. Factors like temperature, ventilation, and even spatial needs or food availability vary widely. In the next sections, we’ll break these animals into four categories and provide a detailed look at the best practices for shipping them.
Domestic Animals
Domestic animals, in shipping terms, refer to species like day-old poultry, adult birds, and live bees, rather than household pets like cats or dogs. These animals require specialized handling to ensure safe transit, particularly proper ventilation and cushioning to prevent stress or injury.
Ventilation
Breathable insulation materials, such as specific foam products, are essential to provide adequate air exchange for live animals. This ensures animals can remain calm and avoid respiratory distress during shipping.
Temperature Control
Maintaining appropriate temperature ranges is critical for each species:
•Live Bees: Store at 50–60°F to keep them calm and clustered around their queen. Avoid temperatures above 80°F or direct sunlight, which can be fatal.
•Day-Old Poultry: Keep ambient temperatures between 70–79°F, ensuring they have sufficient ventilation and are packed securely.
Cushioning and Stability
Use soft materials like straw or foam padding to minimize jostling during transit, especially for fragile or young animals like day-old chicks. Stabilize the container within the shipping box to prevent excessive movement during handling.
Example Species and Guidelines
•Live Bees: Pack in ventilated containers with secure queen cages. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
•Day-Old Chicks: Ship in ventilated boxes with straw padding for cushioning. Keep temperatures steady to avoid chilling or overheating. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
•Adult Birds: Use breathable carriers with moderate cushioning. Ensure steady ventilation and temperature consistency. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
Exotic and Cold-Blooded Animals
Exotic animals like reptiles, amphibians, and tropical fish need shipping conditions that mimic their natural habitats. These species are highly sensitive to temperature changes, so insulation and careful placement of heat or gel packs are critical.
Insulation
Insulated packaging like our CooLiner or PopupLiner for longer deliveries keep animals from feeling extreme temperature fluctuations.
Temperature Control
Smaller gel packs in the summer and heat packs in the winter allow for modular shipping practice, giving shippers more flexibility to respond to real world weather conditions.
Species-Specific Substrates
Use species-appropriate substrates (e.g., damp moss or paper towels for amphibians) to maintain humidity and reduce stress. For aquatic species, use water-filled, oxygenated bags that are securely sealed to prevent leaks.
Cushioning and Stability
Use crinkle paper, foam peanuts, or other cushioning materials to stabilize the animal’s container within the shipping box. Prevent the container from shifting by filling empty spaces with dunnage or standardizing the box size to be a compact fit..
Compliance with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is often required for rare or endangered species.
Examples include:
- Green Tree Python: Use insulated packaging with heat packs for ambient temperatures below 75°F. Maintain high humidity with damp moss or paper towels. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
- Poison Dart Frogs: Include moist substrate like sphagnum moss and high-humidity insulation liners. Avoid temperature fluctuations by using double bubble foil. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
- Axolotls: Transport in sealed, oxygenated water bags inside insulated containers with cool packs to maintain 50–65°F. Avoid excessive movement with secure padding. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
- Ornamental Fish: Double-bag with water and oxygen, placed in insulated containers with gel packs to maintain 72–78°F. Use crinkle paper to minimize movement. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
Panther Chameleons: Ship in breathable containers with heat packs for ambient temperatures below 75°F. Maintain moderate humidity using damp paper towels. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
Insects
Shipping insects such as ladybugs, mealworms, and crickets requires specialized conditions to ensure their health and viability. These insects are frequently used as feeders or for pest control, making proper packaging and environmental controls essential for safe transit.
Ventilation
Breathable containers are critical for most insects to prevent suffocation. Ensure adequate airflow to maintain their well-being throughout the shipping process.
Temperature Control
Temperature regulation is important to keep insects calm and minimize metabolic activity:
•Ladybugs: Shipped with cool packs to maintain dormancy and reduce activity during transit.
•Crickets: Require moderate temperatures and ventilated containers to avoid overheating or suffocation.
Food and Substrate
Including an appropriate food source or substrate is essential to sustain insects during shipping:
•Silkworms: Shipped with mulberry leaves or an artificial diet to maintain their health.
•Mealworms: Packed with a dry substrate like oats or bran, which doubles as a food source and stabilizer.
Example Species and Guidelines
•Ladybugs: Pack in breathable containers with cool packs to keep them dormant. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
•Crickets: Use ventilated containers to ensure airflow. Keep temperatures moderate to prevent stress or suffocation. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
•Silkworms: Ship with fresh mulberry leaves or a suitable artificial diet. Maintain steady temperature and humidity levels. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
Small Harmless Cold-Blooded Animals
Small cold-blooded animals, such as frogs, salamanders, newts, tadpoles, and small lizards like anoles, are relatively straightforward to ship compared to larger exotic species. However, proper insulation, ventilation, and secure packaging are essential to ensure their safety and well-being during transit.
Temperature and Humidity
Maintaining stable temperature and humidity levels is critical for the health of these animals. Best practice is a foam insulated box liner like our PopupLiner, gel packs or heat packs.
•Tree Frogs: Require a temperature range of 70–80°F with moderate humidity to prevent dehydration.
•Salamanders: Thrive at 55–65°F with moist substrates to retain hydration.
•Newts: Best shipped at 50–65°F in water-filled containers to provide stability and hydration.
•Tadpoles: Shipped at 65–75°F in breathable, water-filled bags to maintain oxygenation and minimize stress.
•Small Lizards (Anoles): Need 75–85°F with heat packs in colder climates to ensure warmth during transit.
Ventilation and Secure Packaging
Breathable containers prevent suffocation, while secure packaging ensures the animals cannot escape. Properly labeled boxes help handlers maintain care standards and minimize the risk of mishandling.
Insulation and Cushioning
Use insulated packaging materials to protect against temperature fluctuations. Include cushioning like crinkle paper or foam to stabilize the animals’ containers and prevent movement during transit.
Example Guidelines
•Tree Frogs: Ship in ventilated containers with moderate humidity. Maintain 70–80°F using appropriate insulation. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
•Salamanders: Pack with moist substrate, such as damp moss or paper towels, and maintain 55–65°F. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
•Newts: Use water-filled, sealed containers to prevent dehydration. Keep temperatures between 50–65°F. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
•Tadpoles: Ship in breathable bags filled with water and oxygen. Maintain 65–75°F with insulated packaging. Recommended transit time: Next-day delivery.
By tailoring shipping methods to the specific needs of these animals, you can ensure humane and successful delivery. Attention to detail and proper preparation are key to their safe transit.
CelluLiner
Our Curbside recyclable insulated box liners can ship refrigerated shipments up to 73 hours and frozen shipments with dry ice for up to 48 hours.
PopupLiner
Our high-performance insulated box liner with mylar shell and compressable foam is lightweight and highly effective. It can keep your shipments rock solid frozen for up to 72 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the safest way to ship live reptiles?
•Reptiles should be shipped with proper insulation, stable temperatures, and secure packaging. Heat packs may be necessary for temperatures below 70°F.
2.Can amphibians be shipped with a heat pack?
•Amphibians can be shipped with a heat pack only when temperatures are between 38°F and 60°F. For higher temperatures, heat packs should not be used.
3.How long can live animals safely stay in transit?
•Most live animals, like reptiles and amphibians, should be shipped using next-day air to minimize stress and ensure safety.
4.What kind of insulation is recommended for live animal shipping?
•Double bubble foil, gel packs, and appropriate dunnage are commonly used to maintain temperature stability and prevent air pockets.
5.Can you ship live insects like butterflies or bees?
•Yes, live insects can be shipped, often requiring breathable containers and cold packs to regulate temperature. Compliance with USDA guidelines is essential.
6.What are the temperature guidelines for shipping live animals?
•Temperature requirements vary: reptiles thrive between 70–85°F, amphibians prefer 50–80°F, and insects typically need 50–70°F depending on the species.
7.Is next-day air required for all live animal shipments?
•Next-day air is strongly recommended for most live animal shipments to protect their health and reduce the risk of delays compromising their safety.
