Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG)
& Shipping Promise
We ship every order as if it were going to our own collection.
At Rubber Ducky Isopods, we believe every live animal deserves thoughtful care and every order deserves the same attention to detail we would expect ourselves. From isopods and springtails to the bioactive supplies that support them, we carefully prepare every shipment with one goal in mind: helping your order arrive safely and ready to thrive.
Every live shipment is carefully reviewed before it leaves our facility. We manually check your destination's forecast, monitor seasonal weather patterns, consider transit times and evaluate the safest shipping method available for your order.
If conditions are not safe, we will gladly delay your shipment. We would much rather inconvenience ourselves than risk your animals! That philosophy guides every shipping decision we make.
Our Three Promises
Our Live Arrival Guarantee
We proudly guarantee that your isopods and springtails will arrive alive and thriving when all Live Arrival Guarantee requirements are met.
If something doesn't go as planned, we'll make it right.
Our Shipping Promise
Every shipment is packed by hand using the same care and attention we'd expect if we were receiving the package ourselves.
Before your order ships, we individually review:
• Your destination ZIP code
• Forecasted high and low temperatures
• Major carrier hubs along the shipping route when severe weather is expected
• The safest shipping method for your specific order
No two destinations are the same, so no two shipments should be packed exactly the same.
Our Success Promise
Our support doesn't end when your package arrives.
Whether you're setting up your very first bioactive enclosure or you've been keeping isopods for years, we're always happy to help.
Questions about humidity?
Acclimation?
Food?
Breeding?
Springtails?
Bioactive soil?
Reach out anytime.
We genuinely want every customer... and every colony... to succeed.
How We Protect Every Shipment
Shipping live animals isn't as simple as placing a cup in a box.
Every order is individually reviewed and packed with one goal in mind: helping your isopods and springtails arrive alive, healthy and ready to thrive.
Every ZIP Code is Checked
Every live shipment is manually reviewed by us before it leaves our facility a minimum of two times: a few days prior to shipment and the morning of, just to ensure routes are clear and temperatures are still safe - we all know how quickly things can change.
We check the forecast for your specific ZIP code, not just your state, to help determine the safest shipping method and shipping date.
Weather Comes First
We monitor:
- Daily highs
- Overnight lows
- Seasonal weather patterns
- Extreme heat
- Extreme cold
- Major storms
If conditions aren't safe, we will simply wait (and will email you to communicate every step of the way).
Your order is worth it!
We Think Beyond Your Front Door
Your package doesn't magically travel from Colorado to your home (although we absolutely wish it did).
It passes through multiple FedEx facilities along the way.
When severe weather is expected, we also consider conditions throughout the shipping route, not just at the destination.
Every Package is Packed by Hand
We never pack tomorrow's shipments today. Every live shipment is carefully packed by us the morning of shipment... never before!
That means:
- Fresh substrate/moss
- Healthy animals
- Premium insulation with high R-values
- Seasonal temperature protection
- Final quality check before sealing the box
Live Animals Always Come First
Sometimes delaying a shipment is actually the fastest way to get healthy animals to your door.
If we are not comfortable shipping your order safely, we will reach out and work with you to find a better shipping date.
We much rather delay your package than gamble with live animals.
Behind Every Shipping Recommendation
Sometimes customers ask why we recommend upgrading shipping, delaying a shipment or selecting Hold for Pickup.
We have spent years learning what gives live animals the greatest chance of arriving safely.
Every recommendation we make is based on experience, not guesswork. We are never trying to sell you a more expensive shipping option, we are trying to reduce the amount of time your animals spend traveling through the carrier network and increase the protect their health and wellbeing along the way.
If we recommend a different shipping method or a brief weather delay, it's because we genuinely believe it's the safest choice for your animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be home when my package arrives?
Not necessarily. We understand that not everyone's schedule allows them to be home during the day.
However, your package must be brought indoors within 90 minutes of the recorded delivery time to qualify for our Live Arrival Guarantee.
If you don't think you will be available, please contact us before or immediately after placing your order. We're happy to discuss alternative delivery options, including FedEx Hold for Pickup, whenever available.
Why do you sometimes delay my shipment?
Because your animals' safety always comes first.
Weather, holidays, carrier delays and severe storms can all increase shipping risk. If we believe conditions aren't safe, we will gladly hold your shipment until they improve.
We would much rather delay your order than take unnecessary risks with live animals.
Why do you recommend Express Shipping?
Express shipping typically reduces your package's transit time from 3–4 business days to less than 24 hours.
Less time in transit means less exposure to temperature fluctuations, carrier handling and unexpected delays.
For higher-value live animal orders, Express shipping provides the safest and most reliable option. We want to protect your investment.
My isopods aren't moving. Are they dead?
More than likely not! Many isopod species are incredibly good at "playing dead" after shipping or when they feel threatened.
If your isopods appear unresponsive, please ensure you are taking a picture or two along with a short video to be covered under our LAG policy. Then allow them to rest at room temperature for several hours, away from direct sunlight, heating vents or air conditioning.
Most isopods and springtails make a full recovery after simply having time to rest. They've traveled a long way from Colorado, and sometimes they simply need a little time to settle in.
What happens if FedEx delays my package?
Please contact us as soon as possible.
We will work directly with FedEx on your behalf and help determine the quickest path toward a resolution.
Our goal is to get healthy animals to you, not send you through a frustrating claims process.
What if my package is marked as delivered but I can't find it?
Please contact us immediately to let us know.
We will do everything we reasonably can to help locate your shipment.
Unfortunately, packages that have been successfully delivered but are later lost or stolen are not covered under our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Can I choose Store Credit instead of a replacement?
Absolutely!
If your claim is approved, you may choose either:
- A replacement shipment (shipping policies apply), or
- 110% Store Credit to use toward a future order (it never expires).
Many customers enjoy the flexibility of Store Credit and we like being able to give you a little something extra for your patience.
What if I'm missing an isopod?
First, please don't panic!
We intentionally pack slight overages whenever possible because we'd much rather you receive one extra isopod than one too few.
Before contacting us, please carefully inspect all packing material. We strongly recommend adding all moss and substrate directly into your enclosure before assuming any animals are missing.
If animals are genuinely missing after a thorough inspection, please reach out so we can make it right!
What if I have questions after my order arrives?
We are always happy to help.
Whether you need advice on humidity, feeding, breeding, springtails, bioactive soil or enclosure setup, our support does not end when your package arrives.
When you purchase from Rubber Ducky Isopods, you are joining a community of keepers who genuinely want to see you succeed.
Do you guarantee live arrival during hot or cold weather?
Yes! As long as our shipping recommendations are followed.
We carefully review weather conditions for every shipment and may recommend Express Shipping, Hold for Pickup or a delayed ship date when temperatures are within safe ranges. These recommendations are made to give your order the best possible chance of arriving alive and thriving.
Before You Place Your Order
We know purchasing live animals online can feel a little intimidating.
We have built our shipping process around the idea that if we wouldn't feel comfortable receiving the package ourselves, we won't ship it to you.
From manually reviewing weather conditions to carefully packing every shipment by hand, every decision we make is designed to give your order to you alive and thriving.
If you ever have a question before placing an order, please just reach out! We are always happy to help.
