The Wild Type Podcast

In this episode, we're catching up on life, reptiles, and sharing some practical tips for fellow reptile keepers! Neptune gives an update on her newest nail set, and Lyssa shares how things are going with handling Tarzan, her yellow anaconda, as he continues to grow and build confidence. We also dive into one of the biggest questions reptile keepers ask: How do you balance caring for reptiles with...

Neptune shares what it was like getting recognized from TikTok, while Lyssa gives an update on changes she's making to her reptile room. We also dive into a conversation about self-care and ask the question: how much is too much to spend on yourself? On the reptile side, Lyssa shares stories from pet-sitting beetles, and Neptune gives an update on shipping out two more male baby chameleons to thei...

Lyssa gives us the details on her new nails, and then we put ourselves in the hot seat by reacting to assumptions our listeners have about us. Which ones are surprisingly accurate? Which ones couldn't be further from the truth? You'll have to listen to find out. We also take a trip to West Africa to explore some of the incredible reptile species found in the region. From colorful lizards to fascin...

In this episode, we're sharing stories from our trip to the Renaissance Faire and diving into a world where fantasy and reptiles collide. We talk about our favorite moments from the faire, from the costumes and characters to the sights, sounds, and general magic of the experience. Then we explore the fascinating connections between mythical creatures and the reptiles we know today. From dragons an...

In this episode, we’re catching up on some recent life and reptile updates! Neptune shares her new nails and the story behind them, and we spend some time brainstorming names for the baby chameleons. We also introduce a fun new segment: What Your Favorite Reptile Says About You, where we make lighthearted guesses about different personalities based on favorite reptile species. From ball pythons to...

This episode is part reptile rant, part movie review, and fully opinionated. We’re sharing our thoughts on the new Anaconda movie and breaking down all the wild stereotypes and misinformation it pushes about anacondas and large snakes in general. From exaggerated behavior to the classic “giant man-eating monster snake” trope, we talk about what the movie gets wrong, why these portrayals matter, an...

In this episode, we sit down with Jessica from Jessica’s Animal Friends to talk about what it’s really like running a rescue for disabled reptiles and exotic animals while sharing the journey online. Jessica opens up about the reality of rescue work—the incredibly rewarding moments, the emotional challenges, and the heartbreaking losses that come with caring for animals that need extra support. We...

What is that growing in your bioactive enclosure… and should you be worried about it? In this episode, we dive into all the weird and unexpected things you can find living inside a bioactive reptile setup—from mystery mushrooms and wood mites to surprise bugs and everything in between. We talk about what’s normal, what’s not, and when it’s time to intervene versus letting nature do its thing. Then...

In this episode, we’re recapping our time as vendors at the All American Reptile & Plant Expo in Castle Rock, Colorado! From meeting listeners of the podcast in real life (which never gets old) to connecting with fellow reptile enthusiasts and vendors, this show was such a highlight for us. We share what it was like being on the other side of the table, the amazing people we met, and some of our f...

We’re swapping stories from the week, from getting a random trinket gifted to us by a crow (yes, really), to an unforgettable moment at the vet involving an emu pooping in the lobby. We also talk about the time 90 Day Fiancé reached out to us—and the moment we found out someone we work with owns a pet snake. Get early access to episodes: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-wild-type-podcas...

Thinking about getting a reptile but stuck living under your parents’ rules? In this episode, we dive into practical tips for teenagers who are passionate about reptiles but can’t quite bring one home yet. From ways to stay involved in the hobby (without owning a pet) to building knowledge and preparing for the future—we’ve got you covered. Then we switch gears into another round of “Are You the T...

We’re back with another installment of our Around the World series — and this time, we’re heading to Central Africa. In this episode, we highlight some of the incredible reptile species that call this region home, from unique adaptations to what makes these animals stand out in the global reptile scene. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge or just love learning about reptiles from aroun...

This week, we’re joined by Meghan from Megaconda, a true reptile girly making waves in the hobby with her incredible work breeding green anacondas. We dive into Meghan’s origin story — how she got started in reptiles, what drew her to one of the world’s most misunderstood giant snakes, and how she built her place in the reptile community. She walks us through the realities of breeding green anacon...

In this episode, we recap our experience attending and vending at NARBC Dallas and Tinley! From setting up our booth and selling new merch (including shirts and pins!) to meeting so many new and longtime listeners, we share all the highlights, funny moments, and behind-the-scenes experiences from the expos. We also talk about what it was like connecting with the Reptile Girlies in person, the swee...

In this episode, we celebrate April Fools by dressing up as each other — wigs and all — and recording the entire episode in our ridiculous lookalike outfits. We kick things off with a reptile keeper horror story about the time a snake hid a dead rat for days before it was finally discovered. Then, since it’s gardening season, we talk about plants you can grow for your reptiles or add to enclosures...

This week we’re spilling some Reptile Keeper Confessions — and trust us, some of them are very relatable. From our own reptile keeping slip-ups to anonymous listener submissions, we’re sharing the funny, chaotic, and slightly questionable moments that happen behind the scenes of the hobby. We also chat about tips for keeping reptiles as the weather warms up, including small husbandry adjustments t...

This episode has a little bit of everything. We start by figuring out which Hogwarts houses we belong in, plus a very important life update: befriending the neighborhood crows. For the main topic, we talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough in the reptile hobby — what happens after the beginner phase. The excitement of getting your first reptiles eventually settles into long-term rou...

We are introducing a brand-new segment where we explore reptiles from different regions around the world, starting with West Africa! We talk about some of the incredible species found there, including a lineup of venomous snakes that are equal parts fascinating and terrifying. Lyssa also debuts her newest tattoo and we get into the full story! To finish the episode, we dive into a very real girlho...

In this episode, we’re catching up on some truly wild nail salon stories that had us laughing, cringing, and questioning everything. Then we switch gears and share tips for spring cleaning as reptile keepers, from organizing supplies to deep-cleaning enclosures and making the process feel less overwhelming. Get early access to episodes: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-wild-type-podcast...

In this episode, we’re talking all about white reptiles, including the differences between albino and leucistic animals and why those terms aren’t interchangeable. We also shift into a more serious but important conversation about having a fire escape plan when you keep reptiles. We share how we’ve thought through emergency planning with animals in mind, what’s realistic in a high-stress situation...

We’re kicking things off by talking about which concerts we’re dying to go to this year and who’s currently at the top of our must-see list. Then we get into a story time about maintenance workers coming into your home when you have reptiles, plus we read and react to a listener-submitted message that had us laughing. We also share our reactions and predictions for Bridgerton season 4, including w...

It’s our Valentine’s Day episode! We’re talking about how we like to celebrate love, whether that’s big plans, low-key traditions, or something in between. Then we get into the weird (and sometimes aggressive) world of reptile mating behaviors — yes, including biting! We wrap things up by tackling the big question: how soon is too soon to say “I love you”? Get early access to episodes: https://pod...

In this episode, we’re handing the mic over to you and answering your listener-submitted questions! We cover everything from which reptile species we would never own, to our favorite crested gecko morphs, to which endangered species we would save if we could, and so much more. It’s a fun, laid-back Q&A where we share honest opinions, personal experiences, and some unexpected answers along the...

In this episode, we start by spotlighting black reptiles making sure to only include the striking all-black species. Then we dive into a bigger conversation about expectations vs. reality in reptile keeping, especially how social media can shape—and sometimes distort—what the hobby really looks like day to day. We break down the differences between what you see online versus what actually happens...

In this episode, we start with some recent experiences outside our comfort zones, including taking a cooking class and a glass blowing class, and talk about what surprised us, what we loved, and how expectations compared to reality. Then we dive into common myths we hear when it comes to keeping reptiles as pets. To wrap things up, we jump into a girly segment and ask: are you the type of girl to...