Animals at Home Network

Michael Starkey is the Executive Director and Founder of Save The Snakes, an organization dedicated to snake conservation and mitigating Human-Snake conflict. In the episode, Michael explains why it was The W.H.O's decision to classify snakebite as a "neglected tropical disease" that motivated him to found the organization. We discuss the work Save The Snakes does, and how it impacts snake conserv...

Eddy Garabito is a blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei) keeper and soon-to-be breeder out of Brooklyn, New York. He is also a strong DIY hobbyist and an inventor who is using 3D printers to create some incredible, new reptile products designed to promote better husbandry. In this episode, we discuss Eddy's passion for blue tree monitors, general care for the species as well as why he wants to breed...

Emma Sampson is a popular Canadian Reptile YouTuber with over 100k subscribers and an animal educator. In this episode, Emma tells us about her cross-country move from Ottawa to Nova Scotia with over 50 reptiles in tow. We discuss what life is like as a reptile-related content creator and Emma also tells us about her new animal education and virtual zoo business venture. Emma fills us in on her ca...

Matthew Shackleton is a Veterinary Physiotherapist and ex-zookeeper out of the UK who specializes in the rehabilitation of exotic animals. Matthew is highly interested in how the captive environment and management predispose animals to pathology. In the episode, Matthew explains what Vet PT is, and he breaks down his Masters Thesis which studied the gait of Komodo Dragons and how lameness presents...

Quinn Chavez is a reptile keeper, YouTube creator, and artist out of Southern California. In this episode, we discuss "Herp Corner", a YouTube web series dedicated to highlighting unusual and unknown reptile and amphibian species. Quinn shares information about species of worm lizards, blind snakes, Mexican mole lizards, and more! We discuss some bizarre facts about Charles Darwin, how to particip...

Luke Cordall is the owner of LHC Pythons, a UK based snake breeding operation. In the episode, Luke gives us his interesting background in reptile keeping, as well as what species he currently keeps. We also discuss breeding ball pythons including how to improve racks, being mindful of how addicting morph breeding can be, and whether or not greed is taking over the hobby. We also cover the importa...

Adeline Robinson is a full-time wildlife conservation artist that specializes in rare and exotic reptiles and aquatics. In this episode, Adeline tells us about her experience vending at nearly 20 reptile expos in 12 months, how she developed a passion for nature and art as well as what initially drew her to reptiles. Adeline explains in detail the process she goes through to produce near photo-rea...

Olly Wilson is a reptile keeper and zookeeper out of the UK. In this episode, we discuss a couple of the interesting species Olly keeps including a species of horned mountain dragon (Acanthosaura lepidogaster) and Dune gecko (Stenodactylus spp.). We also discuss an interesting way to re-engage with the animals you currently keep by running at-home studies. Olly also tells us about his fruit beetle...

Dr. Frances Baines is one of the most well-known reptile lighting experts herpetoculture has to offer. Dr. Baines is a vet out of the UK and has decades of experience studying the optimal light requirements for captive reptiles and has spent years testing and advising reptile brands as they develop new lighting technology. In this episode, Dr. Baines fills us in on how she got started studying rep...

Dr. Catherine Love DVM is a 2020 veterinary graduate out of Indiana. In this episode, Dr. Love explains how vets specialize in reptile medicine and how they stay up-to-date with new husbandry recommendations. We also discuss the myth that "vets don't know anything about caring for reptiles", Dr. Love speculates why that myth exists and why it is not true (in most cases). We also chat about common...

Dan is the founder and host of AmphibiCast, the original amphibian-focused podcast. In this episode, Dan and I discuss the positive impact keeping reptiles and amphibians has on the keeper and how focusing on animal care can improve your life. We also discuss the concept of "disposable species", i.e. how popular species tend to fall out of favor. Dan talks about the complexities of Dart Frog local...

Harvey Tweats and Tom Whitehurst return to the podcast to update us on their brand new, outdoor herp breeding facility. Tom and Harvey explain the layout of their facility including information about their outdoor enclosures, greenhouses, and pond as well as the species they work with. We discuss conservation and the importance of re-introducing animals to the UK landscape including reptiles, amph...

Dan Mulleary is the owner and founder of DM Exotics. Dan's company focuses on reptile imports from mainly Asian countries and he currently lives in Thailand with his wife, Apple. In this episode, Dan tells us some incredible stories ranging from what life is like in Thailand (including eating snakes, frogs, and tadpoles), a close call he had with a sketchy reptile exporter, issues he had during hi...

Lucas Lee is the owner and operator of Centralian Exotics and one of the hosts on the Carpets and Coffee Podcast on the MPR Network. In this episode, we discuss Lucas' background with reptiles, his current role as a field biologist, and his healthy obsession with Australian python species including Woma, Blackhead, and Centralian Carpet pythons. Lucas also tells us about the Master's Degree study...

We discuss uromastyx lizard care and answer the following: Are uromastyx are easy to take care of? What uromastyx lizards eat and how often they need to be fed, the best uromastyx species to keep as a pet and much more! Phillip Lietz owns Arids Only, a Uromastyx breeding facility in the US. Uromastyx are simultaneously one of the most beautiful and underrated genera in herpetoculture and in this e...

Fraser Gilchrist is a long-time reptile keeper out of Scotland. Currently, he is focused on 3 species of python (Royal, Angolan, and Sumatran), Egyptian Tortoises, and Widemouthed Agamas. Fraser is the administrator of the studbooks for the Armadillo and Sungazer lizards and also the founder of the Save Our Sungazer (S.O.S) initiative. Fraser walks us through the aims of S.O.S, why Sungazers are e...

If this episode doesn't inspire you to do something great in herpetoculture, nothing will! Nick Gordon is the Founder of the Abronia Alliance. In this episode, Nick explains how the Abronia Alliance works, he gives us an overview of the genus Abronia and we also discuss the Reptile Preservation Party. We also briefly touch on Nick's next project, the Cloud Forest Alliance. This project will allow...

John Courteney-Smith MRSB, Head of Science and Innovation at Arcadia Reptile returns to the podcast! In this episode, John discusses the true definition of "bioactivity", common myths and mistakes that are made with bioactive setups, and whether or not bioactivity is necessary or important. The second half of the discussion revolves around UV LED lighting. John shares what the latest science says...

Dayyan Saylany is the creator of the popular YouTube channel, Reptiliatus! In this episode, we discuss using the term "specialty" instead of "exotic", Dayyan walks us through his Red-Eyed Crocodile Skink and Shinisaurus breeding projects and we also talk about why he chose to move away from bioactive setups for his Satanic Leaf-Tailed geckos. We wrap up the conversation with Da...

Darcy Madsen operates the YouTube Channel, Crab Central Station along with her daughters. Crab Central Station is focused on promoting ethical keeping and captive breeding of land hermit crabs. Hermit crabs are easily one of the most abused animals in the specialty pet industry.  In the episode, Darcy explains how they are mistreated, how to care for them properly and she also details their incred...

Bill Strand of the Chameleon Academy is no stranger to herpetoculture. Bill has been keeping chameleons for decades and of course founded the Chameleon Academy, a multi-media chameleon education resource. It's hard to think of a person who has done more for a group of captive species than Bill Strand. Bill's podcast, YouTube channel, website, and care guides are a staple among chameleon keepers an...

Matt Summerville and Kristy Jensen are the creators of the YouTube Channel, The Natural Herp Keeper. Both Matt and Kristy are experienced Zoo Keepers and bring their knowledge of creating natural habitats in a public zoo to their private collection. In the episode, we discuss how to create realistic mock rock walls, tips for achieving realistic arid substrate, the importance of using the natural w...

In this episode, Bryce and Dillon discuss why we should offer a more natural and varied diet to the snakes in our care. This of course includes using geckos, lizards, frogs, and snakes as regular prey items. We also discuss Bryce's herping trip to St. Lucia, South Africa, and his hunt for the East African Gaboon Viper. Bryce also explains the visual difference between the East and West African Gab...

In the episode, Dan Liebel tells us the story of his 22-year-old, 16' 3" long albino Burmese python, Samantha, who suddenly died in 2019. Dan had suspicions that Samantha was likely slightly overweight so he decided to perform a necropsy. He detailed his findings in a Facebook post that immediately went viral. This episode focuses on the obesity epidemic currently seen in herpetoculture, especiall...

Ralph Till is one of the premier breeders of the critically endangered Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) in the USA. In this episode, we discuss why Ralph chose to work with this species, their husbandry and breeding protocols, why they are critically endangered in their native range, and how private breeders are saving the species from extinction. If you are wanting to take your herpetocultu...