SquaMates

Happy World Lizard Day! Today we talk about the biggest lizards that ever roamed the Earth: mosasaurs! These giant aquatic lizards are often forgotten when we talk about shape diversity in squamates, but they were some of the most specialised and remarkable lizards ever. We dive into their diversity, history, origins, and extinction in this special episode. We also talk about the incredible Mirasaurus, the weird new reptile with bizarre integument structures that recently made the cover of Nature with an illustration by co-host Gabriel!

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Links, Citations, and Other Resources

Spiekman, S.N.F., Foth, C., Rossi, V., Gascó Martín, C., Slater, T.S., Bath Enright, O.G., Dollman, K.N., Serafini, G., Seegis, D., Grauvogel-Stamm, L., McNamara, M.E., Sues, H.-D. & Schoch, R.R. (2025) Triassic diapsid shows early diversification of skin appendages in reptiles. Nature, 643(8074):1297–1303. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09167-9

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • instagram • facebook • youtube • bluesky

Mark D. Scherz: website • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: mossy underlog blog • personal website • comic • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 36: Is this a mosasaur? first appeared on SquaMates.

Happy World Snake Day! Today, we talk about snake ecosystem services, human-snake conflicts, and opine on various snake-related outreach personalities you probably know from television or youtube. Be prepared for some hot takes as we finally address the elephant trunk snake in the room!

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Links, Citations, and Other Resources

Check out other things going on this week for Snake Week: http://snakeweek.org/

Quah, E. S. H., Grismer, L. L., & Anuar, M. S. S. (2023). Observations and description of a rare escape mechanism in a snake: Cartwheeling in Pseudorabdion longiceps (Cantor, 1847) (Squamata, Colubridea). Biotropica, 55, 568–572. https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.13213

Footage of a cartwheeling snake is available here: https://youtu.be/sMoHNVCXHG8?si=8Awzzgb9-RTAHnse&t=1256

A call to action: Drop us a comment and let us know How do you reach people in your community, to educate them about snakes?

Episode shout-outs:

Mark O’Shea

Jeff Corwin

Madagascar Life on the Edge, a documentary feat. Mark

Earyn McGee

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • instagram • facebook • youtube • bluesky

Mark D. Scherz: website • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: mossy underlog blog • personal website • comic • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 35: The Elephant Trunk Snake in the Room first appeared on SquaMates.

We dive into one of the most popular pet reptiles in the trade: Pogona vitticeps, the bearded dragon—its relatives, origins in the trade, and popularity.

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Episode Citations

ExoTerra website on Pogona vitticeps, including discussion of their origins in the trade

Episode shout-outs:

Bill Strand – Chameleon Academy Podcast

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • instagram • facebook • youtube • bluesky

Mark D. Scherz: website • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: mossy underlog blog • personal website • comic • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 34: M-m-m-my Pogona! first appeared on SquaMates.

What is this‽ Two episodes in one week‽ That’s right! It’s May 9th, International Chameleon Day! In this episode, we give a deep dive into chameleon diversity, ecology, and evolution, and chameleon analogues across the world!

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Works in Frogress:

Get Ethan’s Skink Zine! Also in physical format! See more awesome illustrations like this one:

Vences, M., Miralles, A., Ineich, I., Rakotoarison, A., Glasenapp, C., Scherz, M.D., Köhler, J., Glaw, F. & Raselimanana, A.P. (2025) An updated survey of molecular diversity in Madagascar’s velvet geckos, genus Blaesodactylus, with description of a new species from the island’s arid West. Zootaxa, 5620(2):230–254. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5620.2.2

Correction

Mark forgot to mention the chameleon genus Nadzikambia! This is a genus that formerly belonged to Chamaeleo and then Bradypodion. There are only two species. They look much like other arboreal chamaeleonine chameleons.

Episode Citaitons

Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (2007) A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Vences & Glaw Verlags GbR, Cologne, Germany, 496 pp. Third Edition.

Nečas, P. & Schmidt, W. (2004) Stummelschwanzchamäleons: Miniaturdrachen [!] des Regenwaldes: die Gattungen Brookesia und Rhampholeon. Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 255 pp.

Tilbury, C.R. (2018) Chameleons of Africa: An Atlas, Including the Chameleons of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Chimaira Buchhandelsgesellschaft mbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 643 pp.

Tolley, K.A. & Herrel, A. (2013) The Biology of Chameleons. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California USA, University of California Press, 288 pp.

Tolley, K.A., Townsend, T.M. & Vences, M. (2013) Large-scale phylogeny of chameleons suggests African origins and Eocene diversification. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 280(1759):20130184 (8 pp.). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.0184

Episode shout-outs:

Chris Anderson

Bill Strand – Chameleon Academy Podcast

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • instagram • facebook • youtube • bluesky

Mark D. Scherz: website • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: mossy underlog blog • personal website • comic • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 33: Chameleon Day Bonanza! first appeared on SquaMates.

Hiral is a Doctor of Science now, Mark is about to become an Associate Professor, and the art world continues to be mad and heavily affected by changes to the social media landscape! In this episode, we talk about art and scientific illustration, hemipenes, ectothermy, snake and salamander courtship and reproduction, and what you can do to help your local amphibians.

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Questions in this episode came from:

@SaurianCYH.bsky.social

@Biscotto_al_latte on Instagram

@eyesonthedirt on Instagram

@loquaciousky.bsky.social‬

loch-ness-connoisseur.tumblr.com

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • instagram • facebook • youtube • bluesky

Mark D. Scherz: website • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: mossy underlog blog • personal website • comic • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 32: It was only a (cloacal) kiss, how did it end up like this? first appeared on SquaMates.

Happy World Frog Day! In this episode we answer a couple questions from listeners: why are there no neotenic frogs, and what books we recommend for people interested in herpetology (fair warning: it’s a lot!)

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Episode Shout-outs

Earyn McGee — Bluesky (and also Goliath)

Books we mention in the episode:

Pough, F.H. et al. Herpetology. 4th Edition. ISBN: 9781605352336 [Amazon.com]

Vitt, L.J. & Caldwell, J.P. Herpetology. 4th Edition. ISBN 9780123869197

McDiarmid, R.W. et al. Reptile Biodiversity: Standard methods for inventory and monitoring. ISBN 9780520266711 [publisher website]

Duellman, W.E. & Trueb, L. 1994. Biology of Amphibians. 2nd edition. ISBN: 9780801847806 [Amazon.com]

Frost, D.R. et al. 1985. Amphibian Species of the World. [Amazon.com] (superseded by https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/)

Powell, R. et al. 2016. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians Eastern & Central North America. [Amazon.com]

Glaw, F. & Vences, M. 2007.Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar.  3rd Edition. [Amazon.com]

Glaw, F. & Vences, M. 1994. Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar.  2nd Edition. [Amazon.com]

Leenders, T. 2016. Amphibians of Costa Rica. ISBN: 978-1501700620 [Amazon.com]

Leenders, T. 2019. Reptiles of Costa Rica. ISBN: 978-1501739538

Arteaga, A. et al. 2024. Reptiles of Ecuador. ISBN: 9783899731408 [NHBS.com]

Tilbury, C. 2018. Chameleons of Africa. 2nd Edition. [NHBS.com]

Savage, J.M. 2005. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica. ISBN: 978-0226735382 [Amazon.com]

Fahrbach, M. & Gerlach, U. 2018. The Genus Triturus. ISBN: 978389973527 [publisher website]

O’Shea, M. 2011. Venomous Snakes of the World. ISBN: 978-0691150239 [Amazon.com]

Gans. 1969–2010. Biology of the Reptilia. Full Books available online at: https://carlgans.org/biology-reptilia-online/

Darwin, C. 1859. On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. [Amazon.com]

Mayr, E. 1942. Systematics and the Origin of Species from the Viewpoint of a Zoologist. [Amazon.com]

Losos, J. 2011. Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree: Ecology and Adaptive Radiation of Anoles. ISBN: 978-0520269842. [Amazon.com]

Kocak, E. 2023. Moistly Harmless: How to Appreciate Newts and Salamanders. [publisher website]

de Vosjoli, P. et al. 2003. Rhacodactylus: The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care. [Amazon.com, but good luck]

Greene, H. Tracks and Shadows: Field Biology as Art. [Amazon.com]

Losos, J.B. Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution. [Amazon.com]

Obst, F.J. et al. The Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium. [Amazon.com]

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • instagram • facebook • youtube • bluesky

Mark D. Scherz: website • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: mossy underlog blog • personal website • comic • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 31: I do it for the gills first appeared on SquaMates.

In this episode we talk about how many people are getting bitten by venomous snakes in South Africa, and how reporting encounters like this can help to reduce morbidity and mortality from snakebite: all the topic of a new paper by co-host Hiral Naik!

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Episode Citations

Seneci, L., Hall, A.S., Glaw, F. & Scherz, M.D. (2025) Potential evolutionary convergence in trophic adaptations of two booidean snake lineages as evidenced by skull morphology. Journal of Morphology, 286(1):e70011. DOI: 10.1002/jmor.70011

Naik, H. & Alexander, G.J. (2025) The incidence of snakebite in South Africa and the challenges associated with lack of reporting. Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene:trae109. DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trae109

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • instagram • facebook • youtube • bluesky

Mark D. Scherz: website • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: personal website • comic • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 30: Nolite te serpentes biteyouonyourbum first appeared on SquaMates.

In this episode we drop some HOT OFF THE PRESS news about seven new species of frogs from Madagascar that Mark has been involved in describing that are named after seven Star Trek captains. We also cover some exciting recent research on Gymmie phylogeography and diving anoles! Plus, Hiral is submitting her PhD thesis! Wow!

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Check out the new frogs named after Star Trek captains!

Episode Citations

Swierk, L. (2024) Novel rebreathing adaptation extends dive time in a semi-aquatic lizard. Biology Letters, 20(9):20240371. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2024.0371

Vásquez-Restrepo, J.D., Ribeiro‑Júnior, M.A. & Sánchez-Pacheco, S.J. (2024) Once upon a time: exploring the biogeographic history of the largest endemic lizard family in the Neotropics (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 143(1):blae080. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blae080

Vásquez-Restrepo, J.D. & Diago-Toro, M.F. (2024) Alice in Lizardland: exploring the spatiotemporal speciation and morphological evolutionary rates in the highly diverse microteiid lizards (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 142(2):208-219. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blad127

Vences, M., Köhler, J., Hutter, C.R., Preick, M., Petzold, A., Rakotoarison, A., Ratsoavina, F.M., Glaw, F. & Scherz, M.D. (in press) Communicator whistles: a Trek through the taxonomy of the Boophis marojezensis complex reveals seven new, morphologically cryptic treefrogs from Madagascar (Amphibia: Anura: Mantellidae). Vertebrate Zoology DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e121110

Shout-outs:

Hayley Crowell: instagram

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • twitter • instagram • facebook • youtube

Mark D. Scherz: website • twitter • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • twitter • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: personal website • comic • twitter • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • twitter • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 29: Frog Trek first appeared on SquaMates.

An unexpected crossover is afoot! Hiral and Mark met up with Dr Tom Major and Benjamin M. Marshall of the Herpetological Hightlights Podcast while they were at the 10th World Congress of Herpetology in Kuching, Malaysia. We sat down together and talked about the amazing conference, podcasts, and the herpetological community at large. We had such a great time!

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com.

You can check out our buds from Herpetological Highlights wherever you get your podcasts, and at: https://herphighlights.podbean.com/, on instagram, and on twitter.

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • twitter • instagram • facebook • youtube

Mark D. Scherz: website • twitter • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • twitter • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: personal website • comic • twitter • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • twitter • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 28: All day and all of the night (feat. Herpetological Highlights!) first appeared on SquaMates.

In this episode we talk about everyone’s favourite frogs, rain frogs of the family Brevicipitidae! We go over their diversity, ecology, and anatomy, as well as their fun adhesive properties!

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Glued amplexus as exhibited by Breviceps spp. Illustration by Ethan Kocak.

Exciting updates

Check out Ethan’s new book, The Unfamiliars!

Hiral managed to secure a Rufford Small Grant

Gabriel illustrated Dave Hone’s new book, ‘Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior: What They Did and How We Know‘

Episode Citations

Feng, Y.-J., Blackburn, D.C., Liang, D., Hillis, D.M., Wake, D.B., Cannatella, D.C. & Zhang, P. (2017) Phylogenomics reveals rapid, simultaneous diversification of three major clades of Gondwanan frogs at the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 114(29):E5864–E5870. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1704632114

Noble, G.K. & Parker, H.W. (1926) A synopsis of the brevicipitid toads of Madagascar. American Museum Novitates, 232:1–21.

Parker, H.W. (1934) Monograph of the frogs of the family Microhylidae. Trustees of the British Museum, London, UK.

Zaman, S., Lengerer, B., Van Lindt, J., Saenen, I., Russo, G., Bossaer, L., Carpentier, S., Tompa, P., Flammang, P. & Roelants, K. (2024) Recurrent evolution of adhesive defence systems in amphibians by parallel shifts in gene expression. Nature Communications, 15:5612. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49917-3

Shout-outs:

David Hone: homepage • twitter

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • twitter • instagram • facebook • youtube

Mark D. Scherz: website • twitter • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: website • twitter • instagram • facebook • redbubble • bluesky

Ethan Kocak: personal website • comic • twitter • tumblr • facebook • patreon • bluesky

Hiral Naik: website • twitter • instagram • bluesky

The post SquaMates Ep. 27: I’m only hoppy when it rains first appeared on SquaMates.