Every animal we ship is captive-bred, inspected before packing, and covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. This page explains exactly how shipping works and what the guarantee covers.
How we ship
Live animals ship FedEx Priority Overnight in an insulated box with appropriate heat or cool packs for the season. We ship Monday through Wednesday only, so no animal sits in a facility over a weekend.
You will receive tracking as soon as the label is created. Someone must be available to receive the package, or it must be routed to a FedEx hold-for-pickup location.
Weather holds
We will delay shipment when temperatures at either end — or at the transit hub — fall below 40°F or above 90°F. Weather holds are for the animal’s safety and are not a cancellation; we ship as soon as conditions allow and will keep you informed.
What the guarantee covers
If an animal arrives deceased, we will replace it (or, if the animal is no longer in stock, refund the price of the animal). To claim, you must:
- Photograph the animal inside the unopened packaging immediately upon pickup or delivery — within 2 hours of the delivery time shown on FedEx tracking
- Send us those photos along with photos of the box, heat/cool pack, and packing materials
- Retain all packaging until the claim is resolved
The guarantee covers the price of the animal. Shipping charges are non-refundable.
What the guarantee does not cover
- Packages where delivery was attempted and refused, or not collected from a hold location
- Deliveries to an incorrect address supplied at checkout
- Claims made after the 2-hour window, or without photos of the animal in the unopened packaging
- Losses after the animal has been unpacked and introduced to your enclosure
- Shipments you asked us to send against our weather-hold advice
Local pickup
Local pickup is available in Arvada, Colorado. Contact us to arrange a pickup time before or after ordering.
Shipping area
We ship within the United States only.
Acclimation
Have the enclosure fully set up and stable before your animal arrives — our care guides walk through this. Most species need several days of quiet with no handling to settle in. Do not be alarmed if a new arrival refuses food for a few days; that is normal.
Questions
Email contact@terrariumstation.com before ordering if you have any doubt about timing, weather, or receiving the package.