Animals at Home Network

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 endangered, why they are so challenging to breed in captivity as well as the results of a long-term climate data collection study. Fraser also explains how he assists the Scottish Government in creating reptile welfare and industry regulation.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/97-fraser-gilchrist/

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 keepers like yourself to be directly involved with the preservation and conservation of any species you are passionate about! Personally, I think the structure Nick has built for Abronia Alliance is a perfect template for other keepers to follow in order to make a positive change for not only herpetoculture but the natural world as well.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/96-abronia-alliance/

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 about UV-producing LED bulbs, whether or not they are safe to use and potential problems generated through their use.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/95-jcs/

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 Dayyan's YouTube journey and his future plans for the channel.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/94-reptiliatus/

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 incredible experience attempting the impossible, producing captive-bred hermit crabs!

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/93-crab-central-station/

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 and he has been a catalyst in the movement towards natural keeping and breeding. In this episode, we discuss Bill's history keeping chameleons, his caging company, Dragon Strand, and of course the Chameleon Academy. 

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/92-bill-strand/

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 world as a guide & much more!

Show Notes: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/91-natural-herp-keeper/

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 Gaboon Viper. We also cover the importance of recording keeping, breeding venomous snakes, why keep reptiles, and much more!

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/3-rs/

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, especially within the big snake community. We discuss big snake-keeping culture and where there is space for improvement. 

Show Notes: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/90-dan-liebel/

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 herpetoculture to the next level, consider following Ralph's example and choose to work with an endangered species.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/89-ralph-till/