AmphibiCast

This week I am joined by Lynn Rech of Fern's Frogs and we discuss her approach to breeding and keeping dart frogs with a high attention to detail.  We talk about the benefits of in person sales, vending at east coast expos, raising oophaga pumilio in grow outs bins, the importance of maintaining frog pedigrees via a  Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) known as "Foot Prints", and how she turned her love for the hobby into a thriving one woman operation. 

For more information check out:
https://www.fernsfrogs.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ferns.frogs/
https://www.instagram.com/fernsfrogs/

If you'd like to support the podcast by becoming a Patron, for merch, and for a 10% discount off an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium, visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast

As the amphibian hobby continues to grow, it is crucial that we advocate for the health and wellbeing of our beloved frogs, toads and salamanders. We must also be mindful of the health and wellbeing of the industry that provides us the privilege of working with these amazing creatures. And when it comes to setting policies that affect the industry (particularly with regard to amphibian disease), input from hobbyists and breeders is a vital component. 

This week I am joined by Dr. Matt Gray and we discuss his ongoing project with the Pet Advocacy Network.  The aim of the project  is to identify how socioeconomic decisions made by stakeholders drive pathogen dynamics in a wildlife trade network and use this information to identify disease mitigation strategies that are economically viable and minimize spillover risk (i.e., pathogen transmission from captive to wild populations). This project is partnering with the U.S. wildlife trade industry and government stakeholders, and will facilitate discussions among them to identify strategies that promote clean trade, while considering socioeconomic impacts on the industry.

The project uses a combination of socioeconomic surveys, facilitated discussions, pathogen surveillance, and controlled experiments to build a series of predictive models that can be used to guide policy.

To find out more about free pathogen tests,  grad and post grad opportunities, and to take the survey visit: https://www.healthyamphibiantrade.org


Also check out this paper https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/29/10/22-1899_article

Follow @UTOneHealth on twitter

 Additional Resources:
Cavasos, K., N. C. Poudyal, J. L. Brunner, A. R. Warwick, J. Jones, N. Moherman, M. George, J. D. Willard, Z. Brinks, and M. J. Gray. 2023. Attitudes and behavioral intentions of pet amphibian owners about biosecurity practices. EcoHealth, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-023-01645-8.

Cavasos, K., R. Adhikari, N. C. Poudyal, J. L. Brunner, A. Warwick, and M. J. Gray. 2023. Understanding the demand for and value of pathogen-free amphibians to US pet owners. Conservation Science and Practice, e12995.

Gray, M. J., E. D. Carter*, J. Piovia-Scott, J. W. Cusaac*, A. C. Peterson*, R. D. Whetstone, A. Hertz, M. C. Bletz, D. C. Woodhams, W. B. Sutton, W. Sheley, and D. L. Miller.  2023.  Broad host susceptibility of North American amphibian species to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans suggests high invasion potential and biodiversity risk.  Nature Communications, DOI 10.1038/s41467-023-38979-4

Cavasos, K., N. C. Poudyal, J. L. Brunner, A. R. Warwick, J. Jones, N. Moherman, M. George, J. D. Willard, Z. T. Brinks, and M. J. Gray. 2023. Exploring business stakeholder engagement in sustainable business practices: Evidence from the US pet amphibian industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, DOI: 10.1002/bse.3455

In July of 2020 I released the first episode of AmphibiCast. Since then, I have had the honor of interviewing over 100 remarkable people from all different disciplines with one goal in mind - to broaden our understanding of the frogs, toads, and salamanders we all care so deeply about. This episode is dedicated to all the guests and listeners who have helped make the last three years happen. -Thanks to all of you!

In this special episode,  I am joined by Troy Goldberg and we discuss how the dart frog hobby has evolved over the past three years,  camera tips and techniques, for photographic frogs,  phyllomedusa bicolor, the positives and negatives that go along with creating frog content. We also talk about the power that social media and AI have with regards to art and content creation, and how Troy's collection survived a power outage lasting several days.

For AmphibiCast Merch, a 10% discount off of an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium, and to become a Patron, visit:
https://linktr.ee/amphibicast

This week's episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations. For unique amphibian, reptile, and arachnid art, visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreations


Follow Troy on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjA3EmiF1HWHJeFQCBGsa9A

And on Instagram @oofroga_histroyonica

In this episode I discuss some common problems associated with culturing flightless fruit flies and some tips on how to avoid them. 

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is not only a world renowned destination for plant lovers, it is also home to an incredible collection of some of the world's most beautiful amphibians.  In this episode I am joined by the ABG's Amphibian Program Coordinator, Chelsea Thomas. We discuss the history of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the care and husbandry of the frogs within the collection, the newt conservation project, and much more!  Chelsea also shares the history behind the famous "ABG Mix" that has become popular among so many hobbyists and we discuss what went to the biotope-specific display vivariums builds from hardscape, to plant selection, to frogs.

To Learn more, visit :https://atlantabg.org/plan-your-visit/indoor-collections/amphibians/ 

Follow Chelsea on instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/elytra.blaberus/

For AmphibiCast Merch, a 10% discount off of an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium, and to become a Patron, visit:
https://linktr.ee/amphibicast

This week's episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations. For unique amphibian, reptile, and arachnid art, visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreations

For all your vivarium and bioactive supplies check out https://www.vivariumsinthemist.com/

This week I am joined by Michael Heinrichs and we discuss his beginnings in the hobby, oophaga vincentei, and expanding conservation goals through the Active Conservation Alliance.  Michael started out keeping herps (specifically geckos in the Phelsuma genus) in the 1970's and he has experience in both the US and German hobbies.  In this episode we talk about the early days, and how Michaels interests in conservation evolved into his current project - The Active Conservation Alliance. We also cover Michael's experiences with Oophaga vincentei, their status in the hobby, and why they make good candidates for smaller vivariums.


To support the podcast by becoming a Patron, for Merch, and a 10% listener discount off an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast

To support the ACA and to learn more about dart frog conservation visit:  https://activeconservationalliance.org/

Also feel free to follow Michael on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thefrogdispensary/

This week I am joined once again by Aaron Capouellez. Aaron is an amphibian  conservationist and naturalist with a special interest in native Pennsylvania species. His work over the past few months culminates in a media blitz beginning this week that is aimed at  visually documenting and telling the stories of  some of PA's more vulnerable amphibian species. In this episode we discuss Frog Week 2023, and all the work that Aaron has put into  tracking, studying, and filming native PA frogs.  We discuss his use of drones, trail cams, and how a single captive gray tree frog led Aaron to discover a previously unknown population of its wild counterparts many miles away!

And as an added bonus, Aaron walks us the through a 280 gallon vivarium build he as been constructing to house a PA biome. 


To learn more about Frog Week 2023 and Aaron's work check out the following links: 

Frogs and Toads Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/frogsandtoads/?ref=share_group_link 

Woods and Forests Media YouTube 

https://youtube.com/@WoodsandForestsMedia 

PA Woods and Forests inc. Website

https://www.pawoodsandforests.com/ 

Woods and Forests Media Instagram

https://www.pawoodsandforests.com/ 

PA Woods and Forests Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/PAwoodsandforest?mibextid=LQQJ4d 


To support the Podcast by becoming a Patron, for Merch, and for a 10 % listener discount off an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium visit: 
https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast


About this week's guest:

Aaron Capouellez is an IUP Grad Student and naturalist who studies and works to conserve native Pennsylvania frogs, invertebrates, and plants. Aaron uses a variety of outreach and media platforms such as Youtube, websites, and podcasting to educate the pubic and to  spread awareness. Aaron has been featured on radio and television programs and keeps several ambassador animals including an American Toad and White's treefrog.

Manchester Museum is home to one of the most stunning vivarium exhibits in the world. Known as The Vivarium, this section of the museum houses its amphibian collection, which includes critically endangered Atelopus varius, several Cruziohyla species, Agalychnis lemur, and many more. With a focus on research, education, and conservation, The Vivarium engages the needs of endangered amphibians at a global level.

This week I am joined by Acting Curator, Matthew O'Donnell and we discuss some of the more sensitive species that he works with at The Vivarium.  We talk about the Museum's  Ateltopus varius conservation project, the history of the Museum's amphibian collection, and the day to day activities that go on behind the scenes.  Matthew also shares some insights into what it takes to care for some of the more fragile species of tree frogs that call The Vivarium their home. 

To learn more, visit : 

https://frogblogmanchester.wordpress.com/ 
https://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/collections/vivarium/

To support the podcast by becoming a Patron, for Merch, and for a 10% discount off of an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium, visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast

More about this week's guest

Matthew O'Donnell is currently Acting Curator of The Vivarium at Manchester Museum and a former keeper at Chester Zoo. He is working towards his PhD.

This week I am joined by Mark Pepper of Understory Enterprises. Mark has years of experience working with dendrobatids in the field, as an importer, and as a breeder. Mark also bears the distinction of having a recently described species of frog named after him- Ameerega pepperi.

In this episode Mark walks us through how he started off, exploring Peru with a team of researchers, the challenges of importing, how understory began, how he maintains hundreds of frogs, what it was like seeing excidobates mysteriosus in the wild, and much more. Mark and I finish the episode with a discussion about new challenges that the hobby faces, and where it’s going.

For more info on Mark and Understory visit:
https://www.understoryenterprises.com/

For AmphibiCast Merch, a 10% discount off of an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium, and to become a Patron, visit:
https://linktr.ee/amphibicast

This week's episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations. For unique amphibian, reptile, and arachnid art, visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreations

It’s always important to properly research the husbandry needs of a species before we take on its care as a keeper. An understanding of  the animal’s natural history, it’s captive care needs, behavior, and longevity, is vital if we are to succeed.

Equally important though, (yet not always accepted)  is the value of continuing our education and accepting that we are always developing as keepers.

This week I am joined by Billy Sveen of Creepers Herpeteculture and we discuss his approach to proper husbandry research and continuing education in the hobby. We talk about starting out with dart frogs, how to pace ourselves as our collections grow, the value that scientific papers have in our husbandry decisions, and how to look at herpeteculture  as a long term process.

We also discuss Billy’s artwork, pen and ink, and the old  Dover Book scientific illustrations that inspired us both.

To learn more follow Billy @creepersherpeteculture on Instagram
https://taplink.cc/creepersherp?fbclid=PAAaYJsIGTKCKoC-_q1-4P2XEJ2LDTfd_ow_-mqG7grQHthdWw_35Bdb03oyA_aem_Ac4TOqeXrDabTa4b4mPsZdL8UauyC17J5dr0y3ynWfXTiNqUAR_Es4GzApvQBdGjbo8

For Billy’s Art follow @improbabledesign
https://www.etsy.com/shop/improbabledesign?fbclid=PAAaZ4k2g6PHPITQ1uO0g3DlLT3NeF9hteyOLs5wIeqWA1dganpgzhSEAPanY_aem_Ac4EFzaGaLBpOUWo2530oNLDHGsQrhdAmSiWEQOjDZQfh4XcnxF28tywkFI4YMyjpe8&load_webview=1&bid=g9MII3KSyOsQJlSc29avyI2A0Dm8

To Support the Podcast by becoming a Patron, for merch, and for a 10% discount off of an In Situ Ecosystems Vivarium visit https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast?fbclid=PAAaYiKqSaOr-c6rjghs35tISImr1sJX6LA7rPQrg2D6EuT6a49Ob29o72TMQ_aem_Ac7TnZSuX9vUsPVmywG0vS_G6OepLf2hb9IgJ6yML33DWjpHdpSGFCtD7AILg2msMZ4

This Week’s Guest, 


Billy Sveen is a hobbyist, academic physician, and artist from Minnesota with a collection that includes dendrobates leucomelas and a royal python.