Important! we can not ship butterflies to arrive on Sunday, Monday, or the day after a UPS/FEDEX holiday. Please call us at (800) 595-0660 to see what can be done in that situation.

• How will the butterflies be shipped?
• Why do you only ship for Next Day Arrival?
• Do you require someone to be present and sign for the package?
• Why do you ship butterflies in cold dark boxes? Isn't that cruel?
• What is your guarantee?
• What if my butterflies do not arrive when expected?
• What if my package is damaged in shipment and some of my butterflies are lost?

How will the butterflies be shipped?

Butterflies shipped for release from an Instant Butterfly Release Box will be shipped in the release box. All other butterflies are shipped in glassine envelopes unless specifically requested for shipment in other snug individual release boxes. In an instant release box, they are layered between layers of ribbon, much like being shipped inside glassine envelopes.

In glassine envelopes, butterflies are shipped tucked snugly in their ‘beds’ for the night. A sharp jar or jostle of the shipping box in transit cannot harm the butterfly if it is snugly tucked into 'bed'.

If butterflies were shipped loose in a large box, their dormant state could cause them to slam against the sides of the release box, possibly injuring their wings or bodies.

Although glassine envelopes resemble wax paper, the envelopes ‘breathe’ naturally, allowing airflow.

Why do you only ship for Next Day Arrival?

Ice packs melt during transit. Your butterflies need to stay cool!

It is best if your butterflies arrive in time for you to refreeze their ice packs.

If they are delayed and their ice packs melt, it is unusual for this to cause a major problem. But for the sake of your butterflies, we guarantee ‘Arrive Alive’ ONLY with next day arrival shipping.

Do you require someone to be present and sign for the package?

If someone is not present to sign for the package upon arrival, we do not guarantee any living product.

That being said, no, we do not require someone to be present to sign for the package! If you are comfortable with your package sitting on your doorstep, we will waiver the signature requirement. We are not comfortable with packages with living contents left on a porch or doorsteps and will not guarantee anything which was not received by a person who immediately opens, inspects the contents, and tends to any needs of the contents. If there is a problem with the butterflies, we MUST be notified the day of arrival for a refund or replacement to be considered.

Why do you ship butterflies in cold dark boxes? Isn't that cruel?

We simply imitate nature to provide a safe shipping and holding environment for the butterflies.

Butterflies are naturally active in warmth and light so we ship our Butterflies in foam coolers with ice packs to place them in a stress-less ‘dormant’ state, thus imitating a cool spring or fall night.

We are imitating nature’s way of protecting butterflies; creating a cool spring or winter night. Nature often consists of several days (up to several weeks) of cold temperatures; too cold for butterflies to fly. During these nights, days, and/or weeks, they simply ‘roost’, snoozing away while waiting for light and warmer temperatures.

Your butterflies should be kept cool until shortly before their release. Instructions are included with your shipment and are always located on our website. These instructions include refreezing ice packs if your release is not scheduled for the day of their arrival at your chosen destination.