Underground Reptiles is an online reptile retailer that ships live animals and supplies across the United States
Underground Reptiles operates as a mail-order business specializing in captive-bred reptiles, live food, and habitat equipment. The company ships to most states but maintains restrictions based on state and local regulations — some states ban certain species or require permits before delivery. You place orders through their website, and live animals arrive via overnight or two-day shipping in insulated containers with heat or cold packs depending on the season.
The retailer stocks common pet reptiles like ball pythons, corn snakes, bearded dragons, and leopard geckos, along with less common species. They also sell frozen and live feeders (mice, rats, crickets, dubia roaches), heating equipment, enclosures, substrate, and décor. Prices vary widely depending on the animal's age, morph (color pattern), and rarity — a standard corn snake might cost $30 to $80, while a rare morph can exceed $500.
Key Takeaways
- Underground Reptiles ships live animals overnight or two-day delivery in climate-controlled containers, and you must be home to receive the shipment.
- State and local laws determine which reptiles can be shipped to your address, and some states require permits or ban certain species entirely.
- The company offers a health may provide on live animals, typically covering 14 to 30 days from arrival, though terms vary by species and the retailer's current policy.
- Shipping costs for live animals are separate from the animal price and depend on the species, container size, and season.
- You should verify your state's reptile regulations before ordering, because the retailer cannot ship to addresses where the animal is illegal.
How to order live reptiles and have them shipped to your home
You browse the website, select an animal, and add it to your cart. During checkout, you enter your shipping address, and the system checks whether that state and locality allow the species. If the check passes, you proceed to payment. If it fails, the order will not go through, and you will see a message stating the animal cannot ship to your location.
Once your order is confirmed, Underground Reptiles packs the animal in an insulated box with bedding, heat or cold packs (depending on outside temperature), and sometimes a hide or water dish. Overnight or two-day shipping is mandatory for live animals. You receive a tracking number and must be present to sign for the package or arrange a signature waiver with the carrier. If the animal arrives and you are not home, the carrier may return it to the shipper, and the animal's survival is at risk.
Delivery typically occurs within 24 to 48 hours of shipment. Open the box when ready, check the animal for visible injury or stress, and place it in a prepared enclosure with water and appropriate temperature. The company's health may provide begins on the arrival date.
What the health may provide covers and how to file a claim
Underground Reptiles offers a health may provide on live animals, though the exact terms depend on the species and the retailer's current policy — you should read the may provide details on the product page or in your order confirmation before purchase. Most guarantees cover 14 to 30 days from arrival and explore to animals that arrive dead or die from shipping stress within a short window (often 48 hours).
The may provide typically does not cover animals that die from improper care, incorrect temperature, inadequate feeding, or disease that develops after arrival. To file a claim, you usually photograph the dead animal or describe the condition and contact the retailer's customer service with your order number and photos. The retailer may ask you to keep the animal's body or provide additional documentation. If approved, they will either send a replacement animal or issue a refund for the animal's price — shipping costs are rarely refunded.
Claims must usually be filed within the may provide window, and the retailer has final say on whether the death qualifies. Read the full may provide terms before ordering so you understand what is and is not covered.
Shipping costs, timing, and seasonal restrictions
Shipping for live animals is not included in the animal's listed price. Overnight shipping typically costs $40 to $80 depending on the species and container size; two-day shipping may cost slightly less. Feeders and supplies ship separately and may use standard ground shipping at lower cost.
Live animal shipments are restricted during extreme weather. Underground Reptiles usually does not ship during very hot months (June through August in many regions) or very cold months (December through February) because the stress and temperature swings during transit can harm or kill the animal. The website will show whether an animal is available for shipment during your current season. Some species have narrower shipping windows than others — tropical species may not ship in winter, while cold-hardy species may not ship in summer.
Timing from order to delivery is usually 1 to 3 business days, though delays can occur if the animal is not in stock or if weather or carrier issues arise. The retailer will notify you if there is a significant delay.
Comparing Underground Reptiles to other online reptile retailers
Other major online reptile retailers include Reptile Supply Co, Zen Habitats (primarily enclosures), and regional breeders who ship directly. Underground Reptiles tends to have a broader inventory of common species and morphs, making it easier to find a specific animal without contacting multiple sellers. However, prices vary — some breeders offer lower prices on standard animals, while Underground Reptiles may charge more for convenience and established customer service.
Local reptile expos and breeders often have lower shipping costs (or none, if you pick up in person) and let you inspect the animal before purchase. The trade-off is that expos are seasonal and location-dependent, and local breeders may have smaller inventories. Online retailers offer consistency, wider selection, and the ability to order from home, but you cannot see the animal until it arrives.
Return policies also differ. Underground Reptiles' health may provide is standard for online retailers, but some breeders offer longer guarantees or more flexible returns. Always compare the may provide terms, shipping costs, and animal prices across retailers before ordering.
What to prepare before your animal arrives
Before placing an order, you should have an enclosure set up and running at the correct temperature and humidity for the species. A ball python needs a 40-gallon breeder tank or larger, temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit on the warm side, and a humidity level around 50 to 60 percent. A bearded dragon needs a 75-gallon tank or larger, basking temperatures of 95 to 110 degrees, and lower humidity around 30 to 40 percent. Each species has different requirements, and the animal will be stressed if the enclosure is not ready.
Stock appropriate substrate (bedding), hides, water bowls, and heating equipment before the animal arrives. Have food on hand — frozen mice or rats for snakes, crickets or dubia roaches for bearded dragons. Test the temperature with a thermometer to confirm it is in the correct range. A stressed animal that arrives to an unprepared enclosure is more likely to refuse food, hide, or become ill.
Research the species' care requirements from a reptile care guide or forum so you understand feeding schedules, shedding cycles, and common health issues. The first few weeks are critical for the animal to acclimate, and being prepared reduces stress on both you and the reptile.
State regulations and why some reptiles cannot ship to your address
Each state has its own rules about which reptiles can be kept as pets. Some states ban venomous snakes entirely. Others restrict large constrictors like Burmese pythons or reticulated pythons. A few states require permits for any reptile ownership. California, for example, has a long list of banned reptiles and does not issue permits for most exotic species — Underground Reptiles cannot ship many animals to California addresses.
Local city or county ordinances can be even stricter than state law. A city might ban all snakes, or limit the number of reptiles you can own, or require a permit from the local animal control office. Underground Reptiles' shipping check catches state-level bans, but you are responsible for confirming local rules. Contact your city or county animal control office or planning department to ask whether the species you want is legal in your area and whether a permit is required.
If you order an animal and the shipping check fails, it means the retailer cannot legally ship to your address. Do not attempt to work around this by using a different address or having someone else receive the package — you would still be breaking local law by keeping the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my reptile arrives dead or injured?
Contact Underground Reptiles' customer service when ready with photos and your order number. Most health guarantees cover animals that arrive dead or die within 48 hours from shipping stress. The retailer will review your claim and either send a replacement or refund the animal's price. Shipping costs are usually not refunded. Keep the animal's body as proof if requested.
Can I return a reptile if I change my mind after it arrives?
Underground Reptiles' return policy is typically limited to the health may provide period and covers only animals with health issues or shipping damage, not buyer's remorse. Once you accept the animal and it is healthy, you generally cannot return it. Check the retailer's current return policy before ordering.
How do I know if a reptile is legal in my state?
Contact your state's fish and wildlife agency or department of natural resources — they maintain lists of banned and restricted species. You can also call your local animal control or city planning department to ask about local ordinances. Underground Reptiles' system will block shipment to illegal addresses, but confirming the law yourself prevents ordering an animal you cannot keep.
What if Underground Reptiles does not have the specific animal I want in stock?
You can contact the retailer to ask about availability or upcoming shipments. Some animals are seasonal or breed-dependent, so availability changes. You can also check other online retailers or local breeders. Many breeders take pre-orders for animals that will hatch or be bred in the future.
Do I need a permit to receive a shipped reptile?
It depends on your state and locality. Some states require a permit before you own any reptile; others require permits only for certain species. A few states do not require permits at all. Check with your state's fish and wildlife agency and your local animal control office before ordering. If a permit is required, obtain it before the animal arrives.