There is current legislation under way in the US that may significantly affect our rights to work with amphibians, reptiles, birds, invertebrates and non domesticated mammals. In this special episode I am joined by USARK President -Phil Goss, and we discuss the Lacey Act Amendments in the America Competes Act of 2022, where the bill is currently, and what the effects will be if it is passed into law. Phil and I also discuss some of the misconceptions associated with the bill and how we can work responsibly together as a community to combat legislation that would damage it. 

For more information please visit usark.org

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Tonight I kick off the first episode of the "Salamander Series." In these episodes I will be focusing on some serious salamander subjects! Tonight I am joined again by Amphibian Foundation Co-founder, Mark Mandica who has dedicated his life towards salamander conservation. We discuss the frosted flatwoods salamander conservation project and how frosted flatwoods were bred in captivity for the first time ever at the Amphibian Foundation. 

For more information please visit amphibianfoundation.org

If you'd like to support AmphibiCast please consider becoming a patron and visit: https://www.patreon.com/Amphibicast

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Tonight I am joined once again by Mark Mandica -Co-founder of The Amphibian Foundation. We discuss continuing education in herpetology, and how Mark has created online and in-person college level classes that are accessible to everyone. Mark also talks to us about caecilians, Pipa pipa (commonly known as the Suriname Toad) and some upcoming classes that include a course on amphibian husbandry. 

Having taken the Master Herpetologist Course myself I can say that I was extremely satisfied with how thorough and insightful the content was. I learned a great deal from the course and I recommend it to herp enthusiasts of all levels looking to further their knowledge base.  -Dan

To find out more or to enroll in a class please visit: amphibianfoundation.org

If you would like to support AmphibiCast consider becoming a Patron and visit:
https://www.patreon.com/Amphibicast

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Bumble bee toads (Melanophryniscus) are a highly sought after species among amphibian enthusiasts. Yet, they are notorious for being only sporadically available. Thankfully tonight's guest has figured out a way to breed them both successfully and consistently. It's my pleasure to be joined tonight by Laura Abrtaham of ARTphibians LLC, and we discuss how she breeds her toads, how to care for them in captivity, and the importance of proper diet and supplementation. 

Follow Laura on Instagram @lauraslittlezoo

For Cool AmphibiCast Merch check out https://the-amphibicast-store.creator-spring.com/

Tonight I am joined by fellow dart frog enthusiast, Brandon Willis. Brandon originally started out in the plant hobby after being inspired by bonsai trees. He went on to develop his own unique style of building vivariums and then found an interest in dart frogs. Brandon is also an active National Guardsman who does many of his builds during his free time while on deployment.  We also discuss some cost effective vivarium hacks and how to source materials from places that many people overlook. 


Be sure to follow Brandon @lost.vivariums on instagram

If you'd like to support the show by becoming a Patron, please check out https://www.patreon.com/Amphibicast

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Flightless fruit flies are one of the most popular prey items for dart frogs, glass frogs, mantids, spiders, baby chameleons and more.  In this episode I run down the basics of how to culture your own flies at home, and I share some tips that I've picked up along the way.  Culturing flies can be a bit intimidating at times , especially for beginners, but it doesn't have to be! So if you are interested in keeping smaller amphibians, lizards or inverts but not sure if fruit flies are for you, give this episode a listen.

Tiny arthropods known as springtails (Collembola spp.) are popular among vivarium enthusiasts for their "cleanup crew" abilities.  We often hear about their use in “bioactive” vivariums. Tonight I am joined by entomologist, Dr. Ann Fallon and  we discuss the biology, reproduction and lifecycle of Folsomia candida.


For more information  about springtails and Dr. Fallon visit:
https://entomology.umn.edu/people/ann-fallon

If you'd like to support the show please consider becoming a patron and visit:
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In 2013 Dr. Matthew Dugas co-authored a paper about the important role that carotenoid supplementation plays in oophaga pumilio reproduction. The findings have greatly influenced captive dart frog husbandry methods for almost a decade now and most hobbyists today incorporate carotenoids into their supplementation regiments.  It is my pleasure to have Dr. Dugas as my guest this week and we discuss the paper in detail. We also discuss sophisticated pumilio parental behaviors, how egg deposition sites are chosen, and how mother pumilio are able to locate their own tadpoles. 


https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2021/03/isu-biologist-matthew-dugas-explores-early-lives-of-poison-dart-frogs/

https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=eSvU7IMAAAAJ&alert_preview_top_rm=2&citation_for_view=eSvU7IMAAAAJ:eQOLeE2rZwMC

Tonight I am pleased to be joined once again by Dr. Andrew Logan DVM.  We talk about how to identify bacterial infections in amphibians and some of the treatment options available. We also discuss what to expect during a routine health check and we finish off with a discussion on glass frog care. 

Tonight I am joined once again by Mike Tytula of Alpha Reptile. We have a good old fashioned casual conversation about what ever comes up including his trip to Costa Rica, what it was like being stung by a bullet ant,  his Ameerega breeding project, and some of the challenges that go along with creating content for youtube and podcasting.  And to all the listeners out there, we wish you an enjoyable yuletide season~


Be sure to subscribe to Mike's channel on Youtube
To check out Mike Tytula's new business visit:
www.thejunglevault.ca/

For listener discounts on In Situ Vivariums visit : https://insituecosystems.com?ref=amphibicast

If you'd like to support the show please visit:
https://www.patreon.com/Amphibicast

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