Reptile Living Room

Herp Politics is a fact that everyone; keepers, breeders, and dealers must all accept as a reality in this industry. Legislation is going to happen and has already had significant impacts within our industry. However, the thing that seems to be constantly overlooked as we scan the social networks and news feeds as new organizations are created and members leave other organizations is what this means to the keepers. Rumor and speculation are rampant right now and everyone is interviewing the boards of these organizations to

‘get the facts’

Which is great, we need that, we need to comprehend what has occurred and what the future holds. What we here at the Reptile Apartment Group believe is missing though is this. All of these organizations claim to represent the ‘industry’ and I haven’t really heard much in the way of how we the industry are going to be impacted by this. I mean let’s be honest

‘don’t we have enough soap operas about who screwed who?’

To that end, we decided to ask one of the most prolific speakers about animal (specifically reptiles) welfare that truly represents our industry and is not afraid to call the shots as they are. We spoke with Chris Law of Central Florida Zoological Services about what this could all mean for the industry. In this interview we don’t speculate and throw conjecture we examine the facts and what we would like to see happen regardless of who’s at the helm. Will the people be heard? Only time will tell, we invite your commentary below.

Brandon Fowler of Roaming Reptiles contacted me recently regarding the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school about the reptile industry reaching out the families and showing some community love to the families impacted by the event. He and his partner Eric Johnson are hosting the Two Dads Reptile Benefit for Sandy Hook Elementary The Reptile Apartment Group (Herpetoculture House Magazine) specifically donated a one year subscription to the raffle and now we are calling on the entire reptile industry to dig into their facilities pockets and donate. So if you want to take a stand with us please contact Brandon Fowler directly at [email protected]

One day while reading various science articles I happened to stumble upon an article that got my attention regarding reptile parthenogenesis. Owning parthenogenetic reptiles myself I was intrigued and read the article. I was floored to learn not only are there more parthenogenetic reptiles than I had thought but they were in captive environments and the implications of this are simply amazing. So I immediately spoke with Jo our Content Director and she set-up the interview with Dr. Warren Booth of University of Tulsa. Now you have the opportunity to not only learn about his incredible paper but you as a herpetoculturist can participate in his research! That’s right folks, he is calling on herpetoculturists to help in his research so what are you waiting for? Listen to the interview and get involved.

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I think most of us are familiar with the term “The Lizard Brain” or “The Reptile Brain” tossed about in marketing circles and some psychology circles as well. This is from the triune brain theory proposed by physician and neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean in the 1960’s. MacLean claimed the Reptilian Complex was responsible for instinctual behaviors. This theory was later found to be a wanting. Reptile cognition is somewhat a new page in the science books for many people. As reptiles have long been believed to be just an instinctual creature with no other thoughts beyond food, sex, and avoid danger. Today we are speaking with Daniel Noble who tells us that this is not actually the case and that at least one specific species of Skink has the ability to learn! That’s right, learning lizards!

Zack Stout has to be one of the youngest advocates speaking his mind about reptile rights today specifically rattlesnake roundups. He came to our attention through his outspoken behaviors as it were because the school principal was called to inform him that he shouldn’t speak of such things in class! Needless to say, we support Zack and his efforts to stop the horror of rattlesnake roundups. We thought it would be great to have Zack on the show to tell us not only his side of the story but also tell us ‘adults’ how we might have greater impact on the upcoming generation of herpetoculturists and herpetologists in our school systems today. So grab a glass of your favorite beverage, sit back, get comfortable and listen to the next generation really tell you how it is. If this strikes a chord with you don’t forget to show your support by dropping Rise Against Rattlesnake Roundups. For more on roundups you can listen these other interviews as well.

* Ned Bruha The Skunk Whisperer

* Rattlesnake Roundup, Sweetwater, TX 

To learn more about rattlesnake behavior we have the following interviews.

* Melissa Amarello Rattlesnake Social Behavior

* Rattlesnake Behavior with Dr. Rulon Clark

* Dr. William K. Hayes Rattlesnakes

We caught up with Dav Kauffman at the Canadian Reptile Breeders Expo while in Canada and spoke to him about his beginnings in herpetoculture and what he thinks of Rattlesnake Roundups as well as what to expect in the future from Ophis Entertainment.

Should ever want to draw a crowd to a reptile show invite the Python Hunters from NatGeo Wild. That’s exactly what Grant Crossman did and it was a huge success. Grant also invited Dav Kauffman, Ron Tremper, and myself to all be guest speakers. We of course have spoken with Shawn a few times before. We’ve attempted to get Greg Graziani in The Reptile Living Room before but as business and schedules weren’t matching we took this new opportunity to grab an interview with what we and many others consider the ONLY true reptile program available on television today. Let us make it clear that yes, the show is edited but anyone who remembers the old animal shows like Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom etc. will know right away what we mean. Take the hype and all the hooting and hollering and overacting out and let three friends who are into reptiles like you and ourselves are and well there you go you get the Python Hunters. Did we mention they just went international and take you with them albeit through the magic of television? With the Canadian Reptile Breeders Expo we snatched them away from the crowd just long enough to speak to them about their upcoming season, what it’s like to work with large pythons, and educating the public about reptiles in general and much more. If you want to show some support and keep the show going here’s what we need to do. Send emails to the following networks. The links below will take you directly to their contact pages.

National Geographic [email protected]

Outdoor Life Network

Grant Crossman of the Canadian Reptile Breeders Expo not only hosts the largest reptile breeders expo in Canada but is also the owner of Port Credit Pets as well as National Reptile Supply and Reptiles Canada forums. In this exclusive interview he tells us how he got started and why he does so much to promote herpetoculture.

Reptilia Zoo in Canada is like no other facility I’ve ever had the opportunity to visit. Many would think ‘Reptile Zoo’ and think of ramshackle thrown together enclosures with a staff with less knowledge than a first time keeper. Let me assure you with the likes of Dr. Ngo, Cheryl Sheridan, and Lee Parker at the helm of this incredible facility there is no way this should be thought of as a typical private zoo often portrayed in mass media. For starters listen to this interview then go and see our video we shot Reptilia Zoo.

We caught up with Clint Hill of Gecko Hill at the Canada Reptile Breeders Expo for a quick chat about what he has in the works as far as geckos and more.We spoke with Clint Hill about how he came into geckos and discovered not only the usual suspects such as Leopard Geckos but much more.Grab a drink and have a listen.