In this solo episode, I dive into two topics that constantly spark debate in the reptile community:👉 Do you actually have the right to own reptiles?👉 And when does collecting animals cross the line into hoarding?We explore the idea of reptile ownership through the lens of public safety, personal responsibility, and what it means to be part of a structured society. If you benefit from living in a community, do you also have to accept the rules that come with it?Then we shift into the concept of “collecting” reptiles—a term that often gets criticized. Is collecting really a bad thing, or is it just human nature? And more importantly… how do you know when a collection becomes something unhealthy?This episode is all about challenging assumptions, defining ethical boundaries, and giving you tools to reflect on your own role as a keeper.Let me know your thoughts in the comments 👇🎧 Listen to more episodes:Animal Control Officer Perspective w/ Brendan Hettinger: https://youtu.be/lVbbC_v4juIZookeeping: https://youtu.be/BgYyK81g7FUThe Dark Side of the Oddities Market: https://youtu.be/Oii0Mf_vjlgCrested Gecko Habitat Deep Dive: https://youtu.be/3kD0Wjzyl7wReptile Heating & Enclosure Size Explained: https://youtu.be/ZgJJ_MiFSnsSHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/249-dillon-perron/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathome00:00 – Intro & Episode Overview00:40 – Why This Is a Solo Episode01:57 – Stepping Away From Social Media04:37 – Do You Have the “Right” to Own Reptiles?11:20 – The Idea of “Collecting” Reptiles17:50 – The “Buying High”, Hedonic Cycle & Hoarding26:35 – Recent Episodes Recap34:10 – Upcoming Episode Tease (Lizard Lounge)

In this episode, I’m joined by Brendan Hettinger, an animal protection officer who has seen the worst cases of reptile keeping firsthand. We break down the dark reality behind reptile rescues, hoarding situations, and how well-intentioned keepers can unintentionally cause serious harm.We also discuss what animal control actually sees, why bad cases shape legislation, and what responsible keepers can do to protect the future of the hobby.⚠️ This episode contains some disturbing content.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/248-brendan-hettinger/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://kdvr.com/news/local/114-cats-rescued-some-found-dead-in-arvada-home-owners-face-cruelty-charges/https://www.instagram.com/brendan_hettinger/Photos and Video in Episode:https://www.instagram.com/brendan_hettinger/00:00 – Introduction & warning01:10 – What this episode is about02:05 – Meet Brendan Hettinger04:10 – Early passion for reptiles & zoo experience08:30 – Becoming an animal protection officer12:10 – What animal control actually does (disease, euthanasia, etc.)16:20 – Fear of dogs vs reptiles19:30 – Cat hoarding case (100+ cats, biohazard conditions)25:00 – Psychology behind hoarding29:10 – How reptile keepers are perceived by law enforcement33:00 – Reptile neglect cases (bearded dragons, sliders, etc.)36:40 – Why reptile rescues often fail41:20 – Reptile hoarding case walkthrough (the “rescue”)47:00 – Why bad cases drive legislation51:00 – The problem with “rescuing” animals you can’t afford55:10 – Should reptiles be regulated more?59:30 – Breeding, oversupply, and future laws1:05:00 – Can the reptile hobby fix itself?1:09:30 – Ethical takeaways for keepers1:13:00 – Brendan’s personal collection1:16:30 – Long-term responsibility & animal lifespan1:19:00 – Final thoughts

In this episode, Dillon interviewed Malthe, a 24-year-old Danish zookeeper who shared his journey into zookeeping and his current role at a zoo in Hanning. Malthe discussed his education and training as a zookeeper in Denmark, which involves a combination of school and practical work experience. He described his daily responsibilities, which include cleaning enclosures, preparing animal diets, and conducting enrichment activities. Malthe also shared insights into the challenges of zookeeping, such as dealing with animal deaths and stimulating natural behaviors in captivity. He compared zookeeping practices in Denmark and North America, noting differences in how animals are displayed for visitors. The conversation covered topics such as communal enclosures, the strength and intelligence of various animals, and the importance of proper animal care. Malthe emphasized the physical demands of the job and the need for zookeepers to be prepared for the realities of working with animals in a zoo setting.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/247-zookeeping/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://www.instagram.com/malthe.12/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Malthe

0:00 Coming Up

00:44 Introduction

3:17 Welcome Malthe

8:52 How to become a zookeeper in Denmark?

12:06 How many zoos are in Denmark?

15:11 What reptiles do you keep at home?

17:42 Did keeping animals privately influence you?

21:02 Zookeeping courses & training

26:12 How to provide enrichment to zoo animals (Giraffes)

34:45 Zoo Med Creatures Roly Poly Kit

35:56 No days off at the zoo & latch anxiety

36:38 How much money do zookeepers make? Worst thing about zookeeping

39:22 Recording keeping

40:47 Flagship species at the zoo?

42:49 What can private keepers learn from zookeepers?

44:10 BioDude Terra Fauna & Bug Grub

45:11 Co-habbing species

47:45 What can zookeepers learn from private keepers?

49:22 What you need to know before becoming a zookeeper

51:00 Dealing with the death of an animal

52:53 How to simulate hunting for lions?

55:32 Animals at Home Merch & Patreon

56:42 Monkeys causing problems

58:49 No contact rule - dangerous giraffes

1:01:19 North America vs Europe Zookeeping

1:05:28 Winter vs Summer Zoo operation

1:07:04 Advice for future zookeepers

1:09:25 Closing Thoughts

A short story about a special reptile.

This is a true crime story about a man who sold human remains online, operating within the dark and controversial world of the oddities market. While this overlaps with the reptile and exotic animal community, this case goes far beyond that into illegal trade and disturbing online activity.In this episode, Nathan Carlos Rupley joins the podcast to discuss the dark side of the oddities market and the uncomfortable realities behind how many animal specimens actually enter the trade. We explore where deceased animals are often sourced from, the ethical questions surrounding a market that depends on animals dying to exist, and why the label “ethically sourced” is frequently used as a way to reassure buyers rather than reflect reality.The conversation also moves into the disturbing rise of human remains appearing in the oddities market. We discuss several shocking cases, including grave robbing operations, corrupt cremation practices, and even a scandal involving a Harvard Medical School employee selling human body parts.This episode takes a hard look at a topic that many people find fascinating but rarely examine closely: where these specimens actually come from, and the ethical issues surrounding the trade.If you enjoy deep conversations about the intersection of ethics, wildlife, and the darker corners of niche markets, this episode will definitely give you something to think about.JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeSHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/246-oddities/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://www.instagram.com/nathan_carlos_rupley/https://www.facebook.com/nathan.rupleyFish Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC0WjNicr4ZY4wlbsWo6XSdw https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/pa-man-accused-of-stealing-bones-from-cemetery-in-delaware-county/4329838/https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/thompson-man-sentenced-72-months-prison-trafficking-stolen-human-remains0:00 Coming Up00:34 Intro & Content Warning3:40 Welcome Nathan & Intro to Oddities9:06 Why are people drawn to oddities?14:06 The ethical issues with deceased animals 29:25 Don't trust "ethically sourced." Do this instead.36:47 Selling Human Remains - News Story41:49 Can you legally own a REAL human skull?44:32 Harvard Medical School Employee selling remains52:05 The Body's Exhibit & Human Remains Art57:59 Fastination with Death & Deformities 1:06:16 Nathan's Animal Collection - Keeping Roaches, Spiders & Beetles1:20:48 Animal keeping is a celebration of life1:25:30 Closing Thoughts

Phil is joined by Bill Strand, Frank Payne, Jonathan Hill, and Tyler France for a wide-ranging conversation full of fun!

Bill Strand @chameleon_academy

Tyler France @thechameleoncollective

Frank Payne @livingartbyfrankpayne

Jonathan Hill @ipardalis

Thomas Marriott, General Manager of Exotics Keeper breaks down what he observed during his second trip to New Caledonia — this time during the dry season. Many keepers picture New Caledonia as consistently humid and tropical year-round, but Thomas shares the surprising environmental shifts that occur during the dry season and how those shifts directly impact wild Crested Gecko behavior and habitat use. Thomas also shares insights from a recent stint in Australia studying wild Bearded Dragon habitats and how field data can challenge some of the assumptions we make in captivity. If you care about aligning captive care more closely with natural history, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/245-exotic-keeper/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://exoticskeeper.com/https://www.instagram.com/exoticskeeper/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Thomas Marriott0:00 Intro2:49 Welcome Thomas - New Caladonia Overview15:05 Crested Gecko Behavior in Dry Season19:25 How to Replicate Crested Gecko Habitat21:47 Wild Crested Gecko Diet (wet vs dry season)25:27 Zoo Med Creatures Roly-Poly Kit26:40 Why Crested Geckos do well in Captivity36:34 Environmental Readings - When are Crested Geckos Active in the Wild?38:11 Replicating Environmental Cues 42:30 Other Species found on New Caladonia 55:36 BioDude TerraFanua Substrate56:38 Bearded Dragons in the Wild - impaction & body condition1:17:40 Leopard Geckos - the plan to find wild specimens 1:21:55 Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Projet: Herpetoculture, Phil speaks with Tyler France of the Chameleon Collective. Don't miss it!

Josue Gimbernard of miniBIOTA discusses his various tank builds that links with each other, interconnecting energy, water, and nutrients that circulate on their own. We also talk about the story of how he got started into this project and the inspiration behind the different ecosystems. Josue goes into detail on his miniBiota tanks including the Freshwater Lake, The Shoreline, The Coastal, and The Seagrass Meadow Biomes, including their atmospheres, reservoirs, balance in moisture, and temperature/humidity setups. These tanks are incredibly in-depth and detailed in their construction to be as close to outdoor nature as possible and is an episode to tune into if you’re curious about the science behind an ecosystem like these!SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/244-minibiota/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:MiniBiota Website: https://www.minibiota.com/MiniBiota YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@minibiota MiniBiota Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minibiotaMiniBiota Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miniBIOTAPhotos and Video in Episode:MiniBiota YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@miniBIOTA⁩ 

We Discuss:

0:00 Introducing Josue Gimberard of MiniBiota

1:05 Coming Up: The Bio Dude

1:41 Coming Up: Zoo Med

2:01 Welcome Josue + His Career Path

7:11 Josue’s Motivations for His Enclosures

10:52 Layout and Components of Josue’s Tanks

14:59 Replicating Ecosystems

16:28 Atmosphere + Reservoir Constructions in the Tanks

21:30 Size of Atmosphere Thoughts

23:18 Cooling or Heating the Atmosphere

29:33 Creating The Rain Effect

32:23 Avoiding Slime Bacteria

33:29 The Bio Dude Substrates + Bug Grub

34:30 The Lake Biome

43:18 The Shoreline Biome

49:30 Balance in Moisture for Terrestrial Biomes

51:31 Soil Depth in Grassland + The Mangrove Forest Biome

59:52 Managing Temperature/Humidity Probes

1:09:48 Potential Salt Problems + Salt Obstacle Course Plans

1:15:22 The Coastal Biome

1:19:13 The Seagrass Meadow Biome

1:23:59 Risk of Salinity Problems + Maintaining Balance

1:25:55 Lighting Systems + Future Lighting Plans

1:30:56 Will The Tanks Ever Be “Finished”?

1:35:15 Zoo Med Jumping Spider Kit

1:36:21 Inspirations + Mental Load of Josue’s Projects

1:45:39 3D Printing Uses

1:50:13 Closing Thoughts

In this episode, I’m joined by Mariah Healey from ReptiFiles to break down how to properly calculate reptile enclosure size, and we also discuss how to provide proper heating for your reptiles. We discuss how to move beyond outdated “minimums,” focusing instead on usable space, thermal gradients, and species-appropriate behavior. Topics include:

• How to calculate the minimum enclosure size
• Why enclosure dimensions matter for heat gradients
• Common heating and enclosure mistakes
• How size impacts thermoregulation and welfare

🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/243-reptifiles/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://reptifiles.com/https://www.instagram.com/reptifiles/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/reptifiles/https://www.youtube.com/@UCwWGfVChrix8yuL0BmMjxSw Photos and Video in Episode:https://www.instagram.com/reptifiles/?hl=en0:00 Intro

2:50 Welcome Mariah

8:46 Reptile Room Update

22:58 ReptiFiles - What is it? & Update

34:53 Zoo Med - Jumping Spider Kit

36:00 Where next for ReptiFiles?

1:01:51 Calculating Reptile Minimum Enclosure Size

1:54:40 Reptile Heating - How to heat a reptile tank?

2:27:23 Best Reptile Basking Surface?

2:47:40 Creating a perfect warm hide

2:51:27 Closing Thoughts