Shipping Guides

Spiders and Reptile Shipping

Jumping Spiders & Reptiles

Shipping live animals is very different from shipping regular products. To ensure safe, humane transport, we follow strict live-animal shipping standards and require a few selections from our customers.

This guide explains:

How shipping days are chosen
Which add-ons are required and why
When hub pickup is recommended
What you can expect from us
What is required from you
How to receive your animal safely
Live Arrival Guarantee

Shipping Days & Timing

Live animals are shipped Monday through Wednesday only.

Why we ship early in the week:

Prevents animals from being delayed over weekends

Reduces risk from carrier slowdowns

Ensures animals arrive on a business day

We do not ship:

Thursday–Sunday
The day before or during holidays
During extreme weather or carrier disruptions
You will always be contacted to confirm your shipping date before your animal ships.

Live Animal Shipping Includes:

Certified overnight live-animal shipping
Insulated, approved shipping box
Proper transport container (deli cup or breathable bag)
Secure packing to prevent shifting or injury
Drop-off at an authorized carrier facility

Required Shipping Add-Ons (What You Choose)

Live animal shipping add-ons are required for all jumping spiders and reptiles.

Temperature Protection Add-Ons

Because shipping vehicles and facilities are not climate controlled, temperature protection is often required.

Heat Packs (Cold Weather)

Recommended when:

Overnight temps drop below 70°F
Daytime temps are below 65°F
Any part of the route experiences cool weather
Jumping spiders often require heat packs sooner than reptiles due to their size.

Cool Packs / Phase Packs (Warm Weather)

Recommended when:

Daytime temps reach 80°F+
Overnight temps stay above 75°F
Heat waves, humidity, or strong sun exposure are expected
Phase packs are commonly used to stabilize temperatures and reduce spikes.

When We Will Delay Shipping

Even with add-ons, we will not ship if:

Temps drop below 35°F
Temps rise above 95°F
Severe weather or carrier delays are expected
Animal safety always comes first.

Hub Pickup vs. Home Delivery

What is hub pickup?

Your package is held at a nearby carrier facility for pickup instead of being delivered to your home.

Why we recommend hub pickup:

Shorter time in transit
Less exposure to heat or cold
No sitting on delivery trucks
Fewer handling steps

When hub pickup may be required:

Extreme temperatures
Rural or high-delay areas
Previous delivery issues
Customer not home during delivery hours

Hub pickup significantly increases live arrival success, especially for jumping spiders.

Picking up your package is easy, Tell employee you have a live animal hold and give I.D. that matches the name on label.

What You Can Expect From Us

As a live animal shipper, we will:

Ship only healthy, well-established animals
Monitor weather along the entire route
Use proper insulation and temperature control
Communicate clearly before shipment
Provide tracking once the label is created
Delay shipping if conditions are unsafe
We will never ship an animal just to “get it out the door.”

Receiving Your Animal

When your package arrives:

Open it immediately
Inspect your animal right away
We strongly recommend recording the unboxing

After arrival:

Animals may appear sleepy or slow — this is normal

Avoid immediate handling

Allow time to hydrate and settle

For jumping spiders:

Place them gently into their enclosure

Do not handle on arrival day unless necessary

Customer Responsibilities

By purchasing a live animal, you agree to:

Select required shipping and temperature add-ons

Be available on delivery day or choose hub pickup

Provide accurate shipping information

Follow pickup instructions promptly

Contact us immediately with any concerns

Failure to meet these requirements may void live arrival guarantees.

Live Arrival Guarantee

We guarantee that your jumping spider or reptile will arrive alive and in good condition when all shipping guidelines and responsibilities are followed.

Because live animals are sensitive to temperature, handling, and timing, this guarantee is dependent on proper shipping choices and prompt receipt.

What Is Covered

Your animal is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee if:

Required live animal shipping and temperature add-ons were selected

Shipping occurred on an approved shipping day (Monday–Wednesday)

Hub pickup instructions (if required) were followed

The package was received or picked up on the first delivery day

Any issue is reported within the required time window (see below)

Proof Requirements

In the rare event of a problem:

Clear photos or video must be provided

We strongly recommend recording the unboxing

Documentation must clearly show the animal and shipping container

This protects both you and us and helps us resolve issues quickly.

Reporting Timeframe

Issues must be reported within 1 hour of delivery or pickup

Delays in reporting may void the guarantee

Live animals cannot be safely evaluated hours after delivery due to environmental variables.

What Is Not Covered

The Live Arrival Guarantee does not apply if:

Required shipping add-ons were not selected

Delivery was delayed due to customer unavailability

The package was left outside, unattended, or exposed to weather

Hub pickup was recommended or required and not used

Incorrect shipping information was provided

The animal was handled improperly after arrival

Delays occurred due to carrier issues beyond our control

Extreme weather conditions required shipment to be held and the customer declined to wait

Resolution Options

If the guarantee conditions are met, we will offer one of the following:

Replacement animal (when available), or Store credit, or

Refund of the animal purchase price (shipping is non-refundable)

The resolution method is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Our Commitment

We do not ship animals carelessly or rush shipments for convenience.

If conditions are unsafe, we will delay shipping — even if it means waiting longer.

Our goal is not just live arrival, but healthy arrival.

Final Thoughts

Live animal shipping is a partnership.

When both shipper and customer follow these guidelines, safe arrivals are the norm — not the exception.

Thank you for helping us protect the lives in our care.

Weird is Beautiful — and alive.

Isopods and Microfauna

Isopods are hardy, fascinating little custodians, but they are still live animals. Proper shipping choices help prevent stress, temperature shock, and losses during transit.

This guide explains:

Which shipping methods are available
What is covered (and not covered)
When temperature add-ons are recommended
Why hold-for-pickup is strongly encouraged
What you can expect from us
What is required from you

Available Shipping Methods

Isopods may be shipped using:

Overnight

2-Day

USPS Priority

Important Coverage Note

While multiple shipping methods are available, our Live Arrival Guarantee only applies to Overnight and 2-Day shipping.

USPS Priority is offered as a budget option only and is not covered due to:

Unpredictable transit times
Increased delays
Limited carrier accountability

Live Arrival Guarantee (Isopods)

We guarantee live arrival for isopods only when shipped via Overnight or 2-Day service and when all guidelines below are followed.

USPS Priority shipments are shipped at buyer risk.

Shipping Days & Timing

Isopods ship Monday–Wednesday

We do not ship:
Before or during holidays
During extreme weather
When carrier delays are expected
We may delay shipping if conditions are unsafe — even if shipping was already selected.

Temperature Protection Add-Ons (Optional but Recommended)

Isopods tolerate a wider range of conditions than spiders or reptiles, but some species are very sensitive to temperature swings.

Heat Packs

Recommended when:

Overnight temps fall below 55–60°F
Daytime temps are below 60–65°F
Shipping through cold regions or seasons

Sensitive species (e.g., Cubaris, rubber ducky types, tropical species) benefit greatly from heat packs.

Cool Packs / Phase Packs

Recommended when:

Daytime temps exceed 80–85°F
Shipping through hot or humid regions
Temperatures fluctuate sharply between day and night
Phase packs are ideal for isopods because they help stabilize humidity and temperature rather than rapidly cooling.

Insulation Add-On

Insulation helps:

Maintain humidity
Reduce temperature swings
Protect against short-term exposure to heat or cold

Highly recommended for:

Sensitive species

Longer transit times

2-Day shipping

When We Will Not Ship

For the safety of the isopods, we will delay shipment if:

Temps drop below 40°F
Temps exceed 95°F
Severe weather or carrier disruptions are expected
Temperature add-ons cannot safely compensate for extreme conditions.

Hold for Pickup (Strongly Recommended)

We strongly recommend selecting Hold for Pickup at the carrier location.

Why this matters:

Prevents boxes sitting on hot/cold trucks
Reduces handling and vibration
Ensures immediate retrieval
Improves survival rates

Hold for pickup is especially important for:

Sensitive species

Warm or cold weather
USPS or 2-Day shipments

What You Can Expect From Us

As live invertebrate shippers, we will:

Ship only healthy, established colonies
Pack isopods with proper substrate and moisture
Use breathable containers
Add insulation and temperature protection when selected
Monitor weather across the shipping route
Communicate before shipment
Delay shipping if conditions are unsafe

Expectations:

Minor losses during transit are normal

Counts are approximate

Our goal is not just survival — it’s low stress and healthy arrival.

Receiving Your Isopods

When your package arrives:
Open it immediately
Check moisture levels
Gently inspect isopods (some may be buried — this is normal)
Allow time to acclimate before disturbing the container

Do not immediately dump or handle isopods on arrival.

Customer Responsibilities

By purchasing live isopods, you agree to:

Choose an appropriate shipping method

Understand which services are covered

Select temperature protection when recommended

Retrieve packages promptly (especially for hold pickup)

Provide accurate shipping information

Reporting Issues (Guaranteed Shipments Only)

For Overnight or 2-Day shipments:

Issues must be reported within 2 hours of delivery or pickup

Clear photos or video are required

Unopened or lightly opened packaging should be documented

USPS Priority shipments are excluded from live arrival guarantees.

Final Note

Isopods are resilient — but temperature swings and delays are their biggest threat.

Choosing the right shipping method and protections makes all the difference.

Thank you for helping us ship responsibly and humanely.

Weird is Beautiful — even the cleanup crew.

Plant Shipping
(rooted/unrooted/tissue culture)

Plants are living things, and while they are generally more tolerant than animals, shipping still exposes them to temperature changes, handling, and transit stress.

This guide explains:

Shipping methods & timing
Temperature protection add-ons
What to expect during transit
How to receive your plant
What is covered under our arrival guarantee
Customer responsibilities

Shipping Methods

Plants may be shipped using:

USPS Priority

UPS / FedEx Ground

2-Day

Overnight (recommended for sensitive or high-value plants)

Recommended Shipping Method

2-Day or Overnight is strongly recommended for:

Rare or delicate plants
Plants with fine roots
Extreme seasonal temperatures

Shipping Days & Timing

Plants ship Monday–Wednesday

We do not ship:

Before or during holidays
During extreme weather events
When carrier delays are likely

Shipping early in the week reduces the chance of weekend delays.

Temperature Protection Add-Ons

Plants are sensitive to temperature swings, especially during seasonal transitions.

Heat Packs

Recommended when:

Overnight temps drop below 45°F
Daytime temps are below 50°F
Shipping through cold regions or winter months

Cool Packs / Phase Packs

Recommended when:

Daytime temps exceed 85°F
Shipping through hot or humid regions
Heat waves are present

Insulation

Insulation helps:

Protect roots from temperature shock
Reduce dehydration
Stabilize internal temperatures

Highly recommended for:

All cold or hot weather shipping
Bare-root plants
Longer transit times

When We Will Delay Shipping

For plant safety, we may delay shipment if:
Temps drop below 35°F
Temps exceed 95°F
Severe weather or carrier disruptions are expected

Temperature add-ons cannot safely compensate for extreme conditions.

What You Can Expect From Us

We will:

Ship healthy, pest-free plants
Pack roots securely to retain moisture
Protect foliage from crushing or breakage
Use insulation and temperature protection when selected
Monitor weather along the shipping route
Communicate before shipment if delays are necessary

We prioritize plant health over shipping speed.

Receiving Your Plants

When your package arrives:

Open it as soon as possible
Remove plants from packaging promptly
Inspect for damage or stress
Allow plants to acclimate before repotting

Important Notes

Some wilting, leaf drop, or cosmetic damage is normal after shipping

Plants may take several days to recover

Plant Arrival Guarantee

We guarantee that plants will arrive alive when shipped under approved conditions and guidelines.

What Is Covered

Plants are covered if:

Shipped via approved method (Priority, Ground, 2-Day, or Overnight)
Shipped Monday–Wednesday
Appropriate temperature protection was selected when recommended
Package was opened promptly on arrival
Issues are reported within 24 hours of delivery

Proof Requirements

If there is an issue:

Clear photos are required

Photos must show:

The plant
Packaging
Roots (if applicable)

Do not discard packaging before documentation.

What Is Not Covered

The guarantee does not cover:

Minor cosmetic damage (leaf blemishes, broken tips, minor wilt)
Delays caused by carriers
Heat or cold damage when recommended protection was declined
Plants left unattended or exposed after delivery
Improper care after arrival
Failure to report issues within 24 hours

Resolution Options

If the guarantee conditions are met, we may offer:

Replacement plant (when available)

Store credit

Refund of the plant purchase price

Shipping costs are non-refundable.

Final Note

Plants are resilient, but shipping is stressful.

Choosing the right shipping method and temperature protection greatly improves outcomes.

Thank you for helping us ship living plants responsibly.

Weird is Beautiful — even when it’s growing.

Spiders and Reptile Shipping

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