Animals at Home Network

Luke Nettheim from the YouTube Channel  @BeachesScalyBeasts  joins me on the podcast today to discuss the process he used to optimize his reptile collection down to a more manageable size. Luke gives insight on how to determine if your collection is too large, and the steps to take to ethically reduce the quantity of animals in your care. Luke also walks us through a few new exciting projects he h...

Mike and Ryan are a duo from Canada who run the Instagram page, Strange Life Labs, which is a collaboration between fishkeeping and reptile keeping. Mike focuses on reptiles while Ryan focuses his energy on fishkeeping. In the episode, we discuss how the two hobbies interact with each other, what reptile keepers can learn from fish keepers and visa-versa as well as how to maintain a balanced and s...

In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome the legendary, Craig Trumbower to the show! We hear about his origins in herpetoculture, how his perspective on herpetoculture has evolved over the years, the influence of field herping on his keeping, the impetus to write his beloved books, the mysterious Planet Snaketune, and a whole lot more. Craig is a true pioneer of herpetoculture, and an all around clas...

Mike Tytula of Alpha Reptile is back on the podcast to discuss his recent trip to Colombia dedicated to finding dart frogs in the wild. The conversation included insights on interpreting data collected in the wild. Mike also talked about his previous trip to Madagascar with other reptile content creators where they had a fascinating but depressing experience witnessing the destruction of nature. A...

In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome the legendary, Eric Burke, of Morelia Python Radio to the show! We hear about his origins in herpetoculture, how his perspective on herpetoculture has evolved over the years, the influence of field herping on his keeping, the impetus to start MPR, and a whole lot more. Eric is a pioneer in the space of reptile podcasting, and an all around class act with a wea...

In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Dean Missimer of Feed My Chameleon LLC to the show! We hear about his origins in herpetoculture, what inspired him to begin breeding grasshoppers, reptile nutrition, and a whole lot more. Dean is a pioneer in the space of reptile feeders and nutrition and this was an excellent introduction to his work. This episode is not one to be missed! Please like, subscri...

Brandon van Asten is the owner and founder of Canadian Coldblood, a reptile breeding operation based out of Ontario, Canada. Brandon is the most prolific tree monitor breeder in the world and currently working with all six common tree monitor species. In the episode, we discuss how to successfully keep and breed tree monitors, the variation in size, behaviour, and color between the different speci...

This week's episode is a Round Table Discussion focused on the Leopard Gecko cohabiting controversy sparked by Adam Wickens of Wickens Wicked Reptiles a few weeks ago. We are joined by Adam Wickens, Liam Sinclair of Reptiles & Research and Ellie Hills of Hills Herptiles to discuss whether or not leopard geckos can safely be housed together, as well as cohabiting reptiles on a broader scope...

Nate Hawks is a scientific illustrator and zoo exhibit designer. In this episode, we discuss animal-related career options that fall outside of the typical science-related choices (biologist, zoo keeper, vet, etc.). Nate tells us how he successfully combined his love for creative art with his love for animals to pursue a career that allows him to do both. Nate not only helps design exhibits but is...

In this episode, Roy welcomes Summer Winston of The SHäP to the show! We hear about their origins in herpetoculture, what inspired them to open a reptile store and how it's different from the rest, what motivates and inspires them to improve, and a whole lot more. Summer is a truly passionate keeper with a thoughtful, soulful approach to the craft. This episode is not one to be missed! Please...

Benjamin Fabian is a German herpetoculturist and the owner of Dragantha's Dragon's, a breeding project focused on producing Phrynosoma (Horned Lizards). In the episode, Benjamin discusses what motivates him to work with such a specialized group of lizards and why he chooses to keep with "minimal interaction" between himself and his lizards. Benjamin also covers the dietary requir...

After a week away, we are back with a banger! In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Mike Lardis of The Slithering Salamander to the show! We hear about his origins in herpetoculture, what his collection currently consists of, what motivates and inspires him to improve, how he constructs such stunning vivaria, and a whole lot more. Mike is an absolute wealth of knowledge and an inspiring keeper to...

Dylan LeVan is the owner and founder of Exotic Enrichment, a company that designs, produces and sells enrichment for reptiles. In the episode, Dylan explains how he fell into this business, the types of products he currently sells and the feedback he has received from the community so far. We also discuss the importance of adding enrichment into our reptile enclosures and Dylan also lets us in on...

In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Joe DeStefano of Meteoric Serpents to the show! We hear about his origins in herpetoculture, what his collection currently consists of, what motivates and inspires him to improve, whether or not morphs are prone to pyramid schemes, and a whole lot more. This conversation gets into some friendly debate, and we hope you enjoy it! Please like, subscribe, and shar...

In this episode, we are joined by Ryan of Marshall Arachnids. Ryan and his partner Jess run Marshall Arachnids, and they are focused on promoting a natural history-based captive husbandry for tarantulas. Ryan and Jess are focused on adding the elements of husbandry back into tarantula care that we find in the wild, such as heating, lighting, photo periods, misting and rain cycles, and humidity/tem...

In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Steven Kush to the show! We hear about his origins in herpetoculture, how he transitioned to breeding herps full time, what motivates and inspires him to do better, why scrub pythons have captured his focus, and a whole lot more. This conversation is full of the granular ranting and rambling for which this show is known, and we hope you enjoy it! Please like,...

Deanna is a reptile keeper out of Louisiana and in this episode, we discuss the human side of reptile-keeping. We discuss the challenges of navigating new friendships and relationships as someone who keeps reptiles and how to deal with the rejection that it may generate. Deanna gives some great dating advice for reptile keepers and we also discuss the importance of establishing good relationships...

In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Eddie Soto back to the show! We catch up on what's changed since he last visited the show, why he's drawn to Lacertidae, how he was the catalyst behind starting P:H podcast, and a whole lot more. This conversation is full of the granular ranting and rambling for which this show is known, and we hope you enjoy it! Please like, subscribe, and share this...

In this episode, Roy welcomes Kori Martin to the show! We hear about her origins in herpetoculture, how she transitioned to breeding reptiles full time, why her collection has shifted away from snakes and toward lizards, and a whole lot more. Kori is full of passion and enthusiasm, and this is not an episode to be missed! Please like, subscribe, and share this episode, if you feel so inclined. To...

Jamie Woods returns to the Animals at Home Network to continue a discussion on applying tried and true aquarium concepts to herpetoculture. In the episode, Jamie discusses the current lack of biofeedback within reptile enclosures and how mixed-species enclosures may fix that. We cover the lack of hunting opportunities we give snakes in captivity and how live-feeding may be the key to triggering br...

Rebecca Hassler is the owner of Dragoon Gecko, an EU-based leopard gecko morph breeding facility. In this episode, Rebecca discusses the use of the term "pure", and if it is appropriate to use in relation to morphs. We cover some of the differences between leopard gecko and ball python breeding, specifically highlighting the difference between working with simple vs. complex genetic trai...

In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome John Scarbrough of Geckoboa to the show! We hear about his origins in herpetoculture, how he transitioned to breeding geckos full time, how he built a private facility for his projects, and a whole lot more. John is a class act and an absolute wealth of knowledge - this is NOT an episode to be missed! Please like, subscribe, and share this episode, if you feel...

Marie Lavigne is a Canadian reptile breeder and the owner of Konoha Reptiles. Konoha Reptiles is mainly focused on breeding geckos including Phelsuma, Strophurus, Nephrurus, Oedura, and more. Marie also works at Exotics Addicts, a reptile shop owned by her boyfriend Jo in Blainville, Quebec. In this episode, Marie gives some valuable insight into how she sets up her baby snake breeding racks to en...

In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome the legend himself, Ron St. Pierre, back to the show! We hear about what's changed since Ron joined us last (on Episode No. 3), talk about the current state of herpetoculture and the market, discuss the legacy of Brian Barczyk, talk about the value of consistency versus adaptability, and a whole lot more. As with every conversation with Ron, this episode h...

Ashley Norman and Jake Rutherford are the creators of the Exotics of the World TV YouTube Channel. Ashley is a long-time reptile keeper and owner of the UK-based reptile shop, Exotics of the World, and Jake is a relative newcomer to herpetoculture which the duo a great balance between novice and experienced keeping. In the episode, we discuss the importance of sacrificing animal sales to ensure an...