The episode provides a comprehensive review of my personal amphibian keeping in 2025, covering the transition to a part-time job, the building and maintenance of a frog room, and the experience of selling newts and frogs as a hobby business. I share insights into the challenges and expenses involved in these activities, offering valuable information for amphibian enthusiasts. The conversation covers the construction of a basement frog room with insulated concrete walls and a PEX tubing heated floor, the use of solar hot water panels and a 1000-gallon hot water storage tank for heating purposes, the utilization of Baker's racks on wheels for enclosure management and maintenance, and the breeding and raising of various species of newts with varying degrees of success. The conversation covers a range of topics related to breeding and raising amphibians, financial constraints, challenges with specific species, water quality issues, sourcing and importing exotic species, and the importance of captive breeding and conservation. The host also discusses his goals for 2026 and plans for the Frog Rack podcast.

Takeaways

• Amphibian keeping as a part-time job
• Building and maintaining a frog room
• Selling newts and frogs as a hobby business Building a basement frog room with insulated concrete walls and a PEX tubing heated floor
• Use of solar hot water panels and a 1000-gallon hot water storage tank for heating purposes
• Utilizing Baker's racks on wheels for enclosure management and maintenance
• Breeding and raising various species of newts with varying degrees of success Breeding and raising newt species
• Challenges with breeding and raising amphibians
• Importance of captive breeding and conservation

Chapters

• 00:00 Selling Newts and Frogs as a Hobby Business
• 41:06 Basement Frog Room Construction
• 01:00:06 Baker's Racks for Enclosure Management
• 01:06:11 Breeding and Raising Newts
• 01:23:14 Breeding and Raising Newt Species
• 01:29:08 Water Quality and Well Issues
• 01:40:42 Challenges with Red-Eyed Tree Frogs and Other Species
• 01:54:09 Sourcing and Importing Japanese Tree Frogs and Miyako Toads
• 02:00:44 Goals for 2026 and Podcast Plans