Animals at Home Network

In this episode, Dillon is joined by Jon Ford to dive deep into the fascinating world of Eurydactylodes (chameleon geckos). Often called the most underrated genus in the entire reptile hobby, these small, slow-moving yet surprisingly active geckos offer incredible potential for both beginners and experienced keepers.Jon shares his journey from working in pet retail to exclusively keeping and breeding Eurydactylodes agricolae. We break down the major enclosure sizing myth (why a standard 12x12x18 is wildly inadequate for adults), how to set up natural branch networks with dense plant coverage, and the realities of cohabiting pairs during...

In this episode, Dillon is joined by Emma Cotrell from Ezzies Aquatics to dive deep into the fascinating, amphibious world of mudskippers. We explore her background in fish keeping, how she discovered these unique fish, and the realities of sourcing accurate care information in a niche hobby.Emma breaks down natural history, habitat adaptations, species variations, and the specialized requirements needed to keep mudskippers thriving. From formulating real mud substrates and maintaining tidal systems to brackish water parameters and cohabitation dynamics, we cover everything you need to know about setting up a successful mudskipper paludarium.SHOW NOTES: https://www...

The conversation centered on Jennie Erin Smith's book Stolen World and its exploration of the high-stakes reptile trade, illegal smuggling, and the complex personalities of key figures like Hank Molt and Tommy Crutchfield. Jennie shared insights into her extensive investigative research and discussed the psychological motivations driving exotic wildlife trafficking, from genuine passion to the quest for status. The discussion also covered her controversy with Eric Goode's HBO series Monsters of God, addressing allegations that her book was used as an uncredited template.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/259-jennie-erin-smith/SPONSORS: Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com...

In this episode, Bruce from BMC Bioscience LLC breaks down the intersection of high-level Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) breeding, laboratory-backed biosecurity, and reptile genetics.Bruce shares his journey from getting his first GTPs in 1997 to formally establishing BMC Bioscience in 2020 with a massive focus on disease screening, biosecurity protocols, and advancing keeper standards across the community. We dive deep into serpentovirus and cryptosporidium testing, the realities of polygenic versus simple recessive/dominant traits, the 2019 taxonomic shifts in GTPs, and Bruce’s ongoing research into how UV lighting impacts neonatal development.In This Episode, We Discuss:- The BMC Bi...

In this episode, Nathan from Blue River Diets breaks down the science, formulation, and field research behind modern crested gecko nutrition. We explore why the brand was created to combat common captive issues like obesity through low-fat, high-fruit formulas, and how functional ingredients like bee pollen, coconut, and postbiotics support gut health and immunity.Nathan also shares how expeditions to New Caledonia revealed critical insights on seasonal feeding—from insect dominance in the wet season to fruit abundance in the dry season—and how keepers can use natural branches, habitat micro-structures, and rotational feeding to drastically improve crested gecko welf...

Greg Watkins-Colwell is Senior Collection Manager of Herpetology and Ichthyology at the Yale Peabody Museum, where his work spans natural history collections, systematics, biogeography, research, and public education. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and the Science Advisory Board of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.

Phil and Andis chop it up.

Zion joins me on the podcast to discuss one of the most iconic—and notoriously challenging—snakes in herpetoculture: the Emerald Tree Boa. We break down the biggest mistakes new keepers make, how Zion refined his husbandry through trial and error, and what it really takes to keep these incredible snakes thriving in captivity.We also discuss the differences between Northern and Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boas, the pros and cons of captive-bred versus imported animals, enclosure design, humidity management, heating, UVB, quarantine, and why patience may be the single most important quality for anyone considering this species. Whether you...

In Part 2 of our Green Tree Python series, Rain and I take a deep dive into the history, genetics, and breeding of one of the reptile hobby's most iconic species. We explore the origins of green tree pythons, the history of captive breeding, and why locality information and bloodlines are often far more complicated than many keepers realize.We also discuss the differences between true breeding lines and designer animals, how localities can become mislabeled throughout the trade, and the breeding practices required to produce consistent, healthy animals. If you're interested in Green Tree Pythons, reptile genetics, or responsible...

What if you could build your reptile enclosure before spending a single dollar? In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Wilson, creator of CritterCAD, a 3D vivarium design platform that helps keepers design naturalistic enclosures, experiment with layouts, and evaluate their husbandry using a species-specific CARE score. We discuss how the software was built, the challenges of turning husbandry into a digital tool, the role of community-driven care information, and where CritterCAD is headed next. Whether you're planning your next enclosure or just love innovative reptile-keeping tools, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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Green tree pythons may be one of the most misunderstood snakes in the reptile hobby.In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of locality lines, designer chondros, imports, pedigree claims, and the economics driving the modern green tree python market. How much do breeders actually know about the origins of the animals they’re producing? And how much of the market is built on speculation?From wild-type animals and locality confusion to morphs, hybrids, and captive breeding ethics, this is a conversation about what happens when hype outpaces structure.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.an...

In this episode, Daniel Yates presented his research on the neuroscience of reptiles. Daniel shared his PowerPoint presentation titled "Learning Science and How to Deal with People for My Reptiles," focusing on the brain anatomy of reptiles and how it compares to human brain structure. He explained key concepts, including the three "humps" of the reptile brain (forebrain, mid brain, and cerebellum), the optic tectum's role in processing visual information, and how different reptile species have adapted their brain structures based on their environments and behaviors. Daniel discussed various studies, including a 40-species analysis and shared his hypothesis about...

In this episode of the Animals at Home Podcast, I’m joined by reptile keeper and podcast host Adam Sehy for a wide-ranging conversation about reptile keeping, outdoor husbandry, podcasting, breeding decisions, and balancing reptiles with real life.

We discuss Adam’s journey into reptiles and podcasting, how his show evolved from a curiosity-driven learning project into a successful reptile media platform, and why he recently decided to scale back recording frequency to focus more on family and avoiding burnout.

We also take a deep dive into Adam’s current collection, including Argentine boas, jungle carpet...

What if the key to working with reptiles isn’t control… but trust?In this episode, I sit down with Nick Campbell to break down a completely different approach to reptile keeping—one built on trust, confidence, and curiosity rather than force or compliance.Nick shares his journey back into the reptile world after years away, starting with an emerald tree boa and quickly expanding into more advanced species like green tree monitors. From there, the conversation dives deep into how he approaches building trust with even the most nervous animals.We explore his unique “backwards design” method—starting interactions...

In this solo episode, I dive into two topics that constantly spark debate in the reptile community:👉 Do you actually have the right to own reptiles?👉 And when does collecting animals cross the line into hoarding?We explore the idea of reptile ownership through the lens of public safety, personal responsibility, and what it means to be part of a structured society. If you benefit from living in a community, do you also have to accept the rules that come with it?Then we shift into the concept of “collecting” reptiles—a term that often gets criticized. Is collecting really a bad...

In this episode, I’m joined by Brendan Hettinger, an animal protection officer who has seen the worst cases of reptile keeping firsthand. We break down the dark reality behind reptile rescues, hoarding situations, and how well-intentioned keepers can unintentionally cause serious harm.We also discuss what animal control actually sees, why bad cases shape legislation, and what responsible keepers can do to protect the future of the hobby.⚠️ This episode contains some disturbing content.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/248-brendan-hettinger/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON...

In this episode, Dillon interviewed Malthe, a 24-year-old Danish zookeeper who shared his journey into zookeeping and his current role at a zoo in Hanning. Malthe discussed his education and training as a zookeeper in Denmark, which involves a combination of school and practical work experience. He described his daily responsibilities, which include cleaning enclosures, preparing animal diets, and conducting enrichment activities. Malthe also shared insights into the challenges of zookeeping, such as dealing with animal deaths and stimulating natural behaviors in captivity. He compared zookeeping practices in Denmark and North America, noting differences in how animals are displayed...

A short story about a special reptile.

This is a true crime story about a man who sold human remains online, operating within the dark and controversial world of the oddities market. While this overlaps with the reptile and exotic animal community, this case goes far beyond that into illegal trade and disturbing online activity.In this episode, Nathan Carlos Rupley joins the podcast to discuss the dark side of the oddities market and the uncomfortable realities behind how many animal specimens actually enter the trade. We explore where deceased animals are often sourced from, the ethical questions surrounding a market that depends on animals dying...

Phil is joined by Bill Strand, Frank Payne, Jonathan Hill, and Tyler France for a wide-ranging conversation full of fun!

Bill Strand @chameleon_academy

Tyler France @thechameleoncollective

Frank Payne @livingartbyfrankpayne

Jonathan Hill @ipardalis

Thomas Marriott, General Manager of Exotics Keeper breaks down what he observed during his second trip to New Caledonia — this time during the dry season. Many keepers picture New Caledonia as consistently humid and tropical year-round, but Thomas shares the surprising environmental shifts that occur during the dry season and how those shifts directly impact wild Crested Gecko behavior and habitat use. Thomas also shares insights from a recent stint in Australia studying wild Bearded Dragon habitats and how field data can challenge some of the assumptions we make in captivity. If you care about aligning captive care more cl...

In this episode of Projet: Herpetoculture, Phil speaks with Tyler France of the Chameleon Collective. Don't miss it!

Josue Gimbernard of miniBIOTA discusses his various tank builds that links with each other, interconnecting energy, water, and nutrients that circulate on their own. We also talk about the story of how he got started into this project and the inspiration behind the different ecosystems. Josue goes into detail on his miniBiota tanks including the Freshwater Lake, The Shoreline, The Coastal, and The Seagrass Meadow Biomes, including their atmospheres, reservoirs, balance in moisture, and temperature/humidity setups. These tanks are incredibly in-depth and detailed in their construction to be as close to outdoor nature as possible and is an...

In this episode, I’m joined by Mariah Healey from ReptiFiles to break down how to properly calculate reptile enclosure size, and we also discuss how to provide proper heating for your reptiles. We discuss how to move beyond outdated “minimums,” focusing instead on usable space, thermal gradients, and species-appropriate behavior. Topics include:

🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/243-reptifiles/SPONSORS: Visit The...

Indo joins in this episode to talk all about his various species of crustaceans, including the incredibly interesting Coconut Crab species. Indo dives into al of the care requirements on Coconut Crabs and Vampire Crabs specifically, while also talking about naturalistic enclosures, cohabitation, and various diet needs of crustaceans. We also discuss Indo’s upcoming plans to begin breeding Coconut Crabs, something that nobody thus far has been able to do in captivity. He shares details of his extensive knowledge of the breeding process, the various growth stages of crustaceans, and how he plans on replicating the ocean in or...

Dr. A. Z. Andis Arietta is a scientist whose work spans the intersection of AI, conservation, and herpetoculture (azandisresearch.com). He earned his PhD from Yale School of the Environment, where his research areas included ecological genomics, amphibian ecophysiology and development, and the ethics of conservation. That scientific and philosophical grounding now informs how he thinks about evidence-based animal care, conservation policy, and the impacts of data infrastructure.

Professionally, Andis is a Senior Data Scientist working in machine learning, causal inference, and applied AI. He also teaches graduate courses on Practical AI, research methods, a...

Rain joins me to dive deep into one of the most unique reptile projects you’ll ever hear about — keeping snail-eating snakes and the unexpected adventure that came with it. We discuss everything from how to care for snail-eating snakes, their specialized diet, and how to breed and collect snails as feeders… all the way to the hilarious twist that turned Rain into one of eBay’s top snail sellers. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/241-snail-eaters/SPONSORS: Visit Fauna-Lux Here: https://fauna-lux.com/Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsa...

Phil has a conversation with Nick Sloan, owner of Sloan's Reptiles and the All American Plant and Reptile Expo. Great conversation!

Phil interivews the legendary Randy Gray. This is one you wont want to miss!

Greg Bartucca of The Reptile Studio discusses the dedicated room in his house for his Carpet Python, Daria, as well as all of the ins and outs surrounding how he made the room work. Greg dives into topics surrounding proper husbandry of snakes, offering them more space and enrichment opportunities, and his overall thoughts about advancing basic reptile care. Greg talks about how he “snake-proofed” the room, ensuring that Daria does not injure herself while free-roaming the room, as well as tidbits about surveillance, lighting setups, and tips for digestion. We also discuss in-depth about Greg’s recent mite proble...

In this episode, I break down the spiciest debates in the reptile-keeping world — the topics that always light up comment sections and split the hobby right down the middle.

We dig into:

Rack & tub keeping — outdated or perfectly functional?

“Old school” husbandry advice — why some keepers are still spreading bad info.

Morph breeding — ethical concerns, genetic bottlenecks, and what the future looks like.

Venomous and giant species — who should be keeping them (if anyone)?

…and several more hot-button issues that the reptile community can’t stop arguing abo...

A bonus PH episode. I sat down with the fellas at Reptile Rejects to have a conversation. Hope yall enjoy!

A Deep dive on Uromastyx. Phil covers as much as possible in this special episode. Natural History, Care, Breeding, Listener questions, Species specifics, Morphs and the Future, and more!

This episode of PH is a little different, Phil is the interviewee in this plot twist. Talia K. interviewed Phil for her research and agreed to share the interview here. Her questions were very good!

In this episode I have a fun and wide ranging conversation with Dan the host of Amphibicast. He's an OG in Herp Podcasting and is a great guy with interesting ideas! Enjoy!

Phil was a guest on Trap Talk, he and MJ discuss a great deal!

Phillip Lietz of Arids Only and Project Herpetoculture discusses a wide scope of topics regarding the reptile keeping hobby, from the species of reptile that he breeds, domestication of reptiles, a little about aquaculture, and some double standards you see in various pet keeping communities. Phil talks about some of the science revolving around domestication of various reptile species, the advances that we would like to see regarding lighting, and some details of how invasive/native species interact in our world. Philip offers extremely well-thought out viewpoints on herpetoculture that every reptile keeper should keep in mind as we...

Phil re-launches PH with a conversation with Ron St. Pierre!

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SHOW NOTES: ⁠https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/69-ron-st-pierre/⁠

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Liam Sinclair of Reptiles & Research joins today’s episode to discuss hybridization and domestication in captive reptiles in herpetoculture. Liam shares details of the breeding process, going in depth on genetics, lineage, breeding for certain traits, and much more. He even discusses more controversial topics such as inbreeding, overall domestication for captive reptiles, and culling species in different ways. He also touches on husbandry as it relates to hybrid species. If you’re interested in the ins and outs of breeding and the science behind it, this episode is a great watch!SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/238-liam-sinclair/SPON...

Ed Taoka of “Sonny and Cher Reticulated Pythons” joins today’s episode to discuss his experience with Reticulated Pythons, and more specifically, in handling and socializing with them and his daughter. We discuss how he began his journey in keeping retics, feeding moments vs handling, their high level of intelligence, and more! Ed shares his knowledge of snake body language, being in tune with animals, and the process of taming an animal, leading to how he keeps retics around his child.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/237-ed-taoka/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISOD...