How to safely transport a gecko

[LD404]

Hi!

So I'm picking up my gecko-to-be tomorrow, couldn't be more excited! I will be driving to a local breeder and picking my lil man out of the breeder's stock. Now, I'm in LA, and we're having a heat wave right now, and I can expect temperatures to be 90 degrees or more on the drive there and back, and the drive is about 1 1/2 hour.

I need to know how best to move the lil leo! I have a gecko-sized kritter keeper (plastic with vents) I was going to line with paper towels, and put more towels in to deflect the sun and provide a sort of hide, maybe a few mealies too. I think I'll be putting him in the passenger footwell of my car, as much out of the sun as possible, but I'm worried.

If I run the AC and it blows on the leo's box, that can't be good right?
But neither would letting the sun hit that plastic full force, superheating it....should I throw a shirt or towel over the box to keep the sun off?
Should I put a moist paper towel in the box to prevent dehydration?

Any thoughts, please?

Thanks much!

 

[Taquiq]

Just make sure it doesn't get direct sunlight and the car isn't too hot and your fine.

 

[Adinar]

+1

As long as the car doesn't get too cold you'll be fine. Better a slightly cool animal than an over heated one.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

We transport animal (in containers) inside styro coolers.

 

[LD404]

Thank you everyone!

I think I'll bring a white towel to toss over the box just in case to keep the sunlight off.

Any thoughts on providing mealies, water, or toys to keep the stress down? I know he's going to be stressed no matter what, but I'd like to minimize it.

Thanks again!

 

[Syn]

Thank you everyone!

I think I'll bring a white towel to toss over the box just in case to keep the sunlight off.

Any thoughts on providing mealies, water, or toys to keep the stress down? I know he's going to be stressed no matter what, but I'd like to minimize it.

Thanks again!

Keep it dark, let them sleep. If they are stressed, the chances of them actually eating are very slim. The water would most likely spill... and toys? Didn't know they needed toys.

 

[LD404]

Ok, so no mealies, no water, just keep it dark and away from the sun. If I can find a styro cooler to help control the temp more I'll do that - styrofoam products can be really hard to find here sometimes - not 'green'.

(Toys inasmuch as leos have toys other than live food lol...I know they don't really, but I was thinking anything that might help distract my new leo love from being in a car during a heat wave for hours in LA.)

Thanks so much!

 

[LD404]

The heat wave broke, traffic was light, and my little leo is safe in his hide already! He spent the ride standing against the wall of the kritter keeper in the shade instead of sleeping, but he's all tuckered out and starting to relax in his new home.

Thank you so much for all your advice everyone!

 

[sunshinegeckos]

glad he made it home safely to his new home. Would love to see pics when you can