Question: When is the best time to post axie babies

[zoezakella]

Hi All,

Am not a massive fan at all of sending live things in the post BUT I also want my babies to go to good homes so am offering them on here for free at the moment but as I have never done this before I have no idea how quickly these guys grow and when would be the best time to send them as want the minimum stress possible for them.

So a couple of questions....

1) Is next day special delivery the best option?
2) How little / big is the best time to send them??

My guys are just over 1cm at the moment.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Kaysie]

Wait until they have all 4 legs. Larvae don't fair well in the mail.

Overnight them, and be sure to get some sort of tracking number! Then if something gets lost, there's a way to find them.

 

[zoezakella]

Thanks Kaysie appreciate your help!

Wish there were more people from Caudata locally to me just want these babies to go to good homes!

Special Delivery is tracked so all good on that front thanks!

 

[memojo1979]

I sent mine out (2 batches on eBay, 1 batch to Star here + 1 on another forum), all as eggs, well before hatch dates + personally wouldn't consider posting them once they've hatched, though I know people do safely. You could send them via a reptile courier (can PM you a site to search for 1), with experience in transporting reptiles, amphibs + fish. If you want to send them via Royal Mail, check their website 1st - they might be prohibited, but they have a list of prohibited items (as in the will NOT ship) + restricted items (in other words, uninsured or will additional terms). Either way, I would've thought some padding (such as sponge) would help buffer any excess sloshing about

 

[Kaysie]

When I ship juveniles, I double-bag them in fish bags (which are tied shut), filled ~2/3 of the way up with fresh water. If they're small, I'll put 2 or 3 in a bag. Larger larvae (2 inches or so) go in individual bags.

If you're shipping multiple bags, it's easier because you can use the bags to fill up space in the box. Otherwise you have to fill up the space in the box with padding. I use newspaper. Lots and lots and lots of newspaper (try using fun stuff like crossword puzzles and comics!). You want enough that the weight of the water in the bags won't compact it if the box is tipped in any direction. You can also use empty, but inflated, fish bags if you have enough.

 

[zoezakella]

Thanks so much for that Kaysie, must admit I really dont want to post BUT I also would rather people and friends on here had them so I know they are going to good homes than Jo Bloggs down the road who has no idea what they are doing

 

[Kaysie]

The first time is nerve-wracking, but it gets easier. I've never lost any larvae in the mail. It does happen, but it's pretty rare.