Temperature Guidelines for Safe Shipping- Reptiles and Amphibians

These guidelines are according to daytime HIGH temperatures. If either the ORIGIN or DESTINATION temperature is 70 degrees farenheit or higher, DO NOT use a heat pack.

Shipping outside of these temperature guidelines nullifies any SYR Insurance. If your daytime high temperatures straddle two categories, please contact us for instructions that remain within insurance parameters, qualifications, and guidelines.

REPTILES

Below 38°F: DO NOT SHIP. Wait for warmer weather.

38-69°F: Use a heat pack per our directions.

70-91°F: DO NOT use heat pack.

92-100°F: Ship to a "FedEx Ship Center" facility (NOT a FedEx Office, Pak Mail, Mail Boxes Etc. or other satellite/franchise location). Your shipment will arrive early in the morning and be kept inside until the recipient picks it up. Search for a FedEx staffed facility near you. Read the IMPORTANT NOTE below.*

Over 100°F: DO NOT SHIP. Wait for cooler weather.

 

AMPHIBIANS and other species from cooler moist climates.

Below 38°F: DO NOT SHIP. Wait for warmer weather.

38-60°F: Use a heat pack per our directions.

60-80°F: DO NOT use a heat pack. No cold pack required.

80-92°F: Use a cold pack per our directions.

Over 92°F: DO NOT SHIP. Wait for cooler weather.

NOTE: When the daytime high temperature at your destination is between 92 and 100 degrees farenheit, you should not ship to typical residential or business locations and you should not ship amphibians at all. Any time spent on a delivery truck during the heat of the day can be detrimental to the health of your animal. However, you can ship to a "FedEx Ship Center" facility (NOT a FedEx Office, Pak Mail, Mail Boxes Etc. or other satellite/franchise location). Your shipment will arrive early in the morning and be kept inside until the recepient picks it up. 

*** Ongoing FedEx Interface Issues***

We are still experiencing technical issues interfacing with FedEx.

Please know that our team is actively working with FedEx to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We understand how important timely and reliable shipping is and we’re doing everything we can to restore full functionality.

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We’ll provide updates as soon as we have more information.

We encourage you to ship with UPS.

• UPS is the original live shipper. We started with them back in 2009.
• You can send live animals to any of thousands of UPS stores, where they are kept safe for pickup by your customer. 
• UPS trucks are climate controlled and driven by UPS employees, who are held to a higher standard than FedEx drivers. 

***FACILITY to FACILITY ON-TIME AND LIVE ARRIVAL INSURANCE AVAILABLE with EXCEPTIONS***Tuesday 6/24/2025 until 6PM tonight (MST)

EXCEPTION: Extreme heat is impacting the Midwest into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast this week. As per our temperature guidelines, please avoid shipping from or to any areas that have day time highs above 100 degrees. 

 

Regarding Insurance for Live animal shipping: We look at the weather and the UPS & FedEx system. After analyzing the information, we decide if insurance is available for HUB only or HUB & HOME deliveries. 

Please be cautious as to where you’re sending your live animals. As temperatures fluctuate please watch for straddling temperatures and feel free to call fror packaging advice..

HELP US HELP YOU: We will open cases with FedEx on all our stuck shipments. Please DO NOT CALL UPS or FEDEX, as there is a risk that could cause even more delays with the shipment. Call us if you have any questions or concerns.

If you ship without purchasing insurance, you do so entirely at your own risk and financial liability! Note: Insurance is not available on Thursdays and Fridays, and there is to be no live shipping on Fridays.

Insurance Eligibility Requirements

Ship according to SYR, SYI and SYA Shipping Standards, Packaging Guidelines, and Temperature Guidelines. See our Shipping Standards section:

FAQ- Shipping Standards

FedEx Service Alerts

ATTN: All Reptiles and Amphibians, and most Aquatics MUST BE SHIPPED PRIORITY OVERNIGHT!