Zuzana and Matej Dolinay are zoologists, filmmakers, and photographers and are also the creators behind the incredibly popular and impressive YouTube Channel, Living Zoology. In this episode, Matej and Zuzana explain how they got started creating wildlife documentaries, and what the process entails from start to finish, including choosing the locations to film in and the species to target. We discuss how they capture such beautiful shots of wild snakes, fascinating wild snake behavior they have witnessed, and how we can use their films to aid in captive care. We close out the conversation with an important and disturbing discussion on African exports/imports.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/137-living-zoology/

Lori Torrini is an animal behaviorist who specializes in snake cognition and training. In this episode, we focus on ball pythons and dispel some of the myths around the species whilst picking the brain of someone who has unlocked her pythons potential.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/5-lori-torrini/

Rom Gonsalves is a South African reptile keeper and breeder, who is currently shifting his focus toward two concepts: 1) Keeping indigenous species and 2) Keeping outdoors. In this episode, Rom describes what it is like to grow up in one of the wildest places in the world and how that influenced his passion for nature and wildlife. Rom tells us about doing house calls for venomous snake removal including what it is like to work with wild black mambas. We close out the discussion by covering Rom's plans to build large outdoor enclosures for his snakes (including venomous) and what he has learned from his trials with outdoor keeping thus far. 

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/136-rom-gonsalves/

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Francis Cosquieri is a UK keeper and breeder of niche and nerdy species. In particular the african sand snakes of the genus Psammophis. These are small, active and diurnal. Not to mention social and cohabitable!

Francis Cosquieri is a UK keeper and breeder of niche and nerdy species. In particular the African sand snakes of the genus Psammophis. These are small, active, and diurnal. Not to mention social and co-habitable!

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/4-francis-cosquieri/

A few years ago, Amy Benzi had a powerful vision that drew her to two things, Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boas (Corallus batesii) and the rainforest. Fast forward to the present, she has an incredible snake room including a large free range area, a rain chamber, live plants and ample enrichment all for her group of Corallus batesii and she has also been to the South American rainforest on several occasions with the specific goal of finding Corallus batesii in the wild and learning about their natural habitat in person. In the episode, Amy tells us the story of what drew her to the jungle, she walks us through her snake room and we discuss Emerald Tree Boa husbandry and the common mistakes many keepers make.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/135-amy-benzi/

Is it ethical to keep large species of reptiles? Is it possible for a private keeper to properly keep reticulated pythons, Burmese pythons, and Asian water monitors? Dougie Smith is a keeper of large species of reptiles and in this episode, he discusses how he tends to these giants. Dougie explains the importance of offering ample space and how he builds large walk-in enclosures, tips for successfully keeping large species, and common mistakes that are made. We also cover how to follow a proper feeding regime, if large species should even be kept in private collections, and more!

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/134-dougie-smith/

What would happen if you converted an underground cistern into a giant aquarium for a group of American Eels (Anguilla rostrata)? Nick Tobler is a long-time fish and reptile keeper out of Kentucky, USA, and has recently gone viral on TikTok with videos showing him converting an old water cistern into a functioning "eel pit". In this episode, Nick discusses how he built the eel pit, his fascination with exploring underground caves, eel biology, and evolution, his future plans as well as the reptiles he currently keeps and breeds.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/133-eel-pit/

Adam Trimmings is a UK zookeeper and breeder of rare and expensive forest dragons such as Boyd's forest dragon (Lophosaurus boydii) and the Indonesian forest dragon (Lophosaurus dilophus). He also breeds Abronia, green tree pythons and blue tree monitors! In this episode we dive into their peculiar care requirements and discuss thermoregulation vs thermoconforming. We also cover the troubles with breeding some niche and nerdy species within the UK reptile hobby and the challenges that brings.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/3-adam-trimmings/

Oleksii Marushchak is the Head of Research & Development at BION Terrarium Center in Kyiv, Ukraine. BION Center started in 1993 as a commercial import-export operation but has since pivoted its focus to captive breeding and prorogation with emphasis on rare and endangered species. In this episode, Oleksii discusses BION's philosophy, how they keep and breed their reptiles, and also their Responsible Herpetoculture initiative that aims to steer reptile-keeping in the right direction. We of course also discuss the heartbreaking events that have taken place in Kyiv this year and the damage and loss BION has suffered as a result. Oleksii leaves everyone with a simple call-to-action for how we can help!

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/132-bion/