Episodes
Ben from Unseen Diversity discusses his tool, “My Vision for The Hobby” that he has created within Notion. This new project’s purpose is to find the “why” in reptile keeping, forming a plan for the future in reptile keeping and in life in general, finding how and what you will do for your goals, and more. He discusses the need in finding why you want to keep reptiles in order to prioritize them, execute your visions for the species you keep, improvements on their enclosures and care, as well...
Published 11/27/24
DESCRIPTION: In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Paul Duren to the show to discuss his perspective on herpetoculture and his experience keeping and breeding scrub pythons using maternal incubation! Here's Zoom's AI description: "The team discussed their experiences and perspectives on herpetoculture, including their journeys into snake keeping, breeding and caring for various species, and the importance of trusting the animals' instincts. They also explored the impact of the morph market on...
Published 11/22/24
Published 11/22/24
Zoe and Jackson of The Anti Venom Support Group discuss their experience in dealing with snake bites and the anti-venom that comes along with it, covering both circumstances surrounding wild/native snake bites versus snakes in private collections. They both share details about the science of anti-venom, the shelf life, where it is made, and the expenses around obtaining anti-venom. Zoe and Jackson have also started their own center and support group that strives to assist venomous snake...
Published 11/13/24
DESCRIPTION: In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Allen Repashy back to the show to discuss the origins of Rhacodactylus in herpetoculture, and the process of building Repashy Superfoods! Allen is a pioneer in herpetoculture, responsible in part for establishing a number of species, and also for advancing the realm of hero nutrition. In this episode, we discuss all of that, and a whole lot more! Please like, subscribe, and share this episode, if you feel so inclined. To offer direct support...
Published 11/08/24
Chad Steffen of Golden Coast Exotics discusses his reptile keeping and breeding hobby with a variety of very interesting and rarer snake species, as well as his passion in breeding high-quality, healthy snakes. He shares details of how he first got started in the reptile keeping hobby, starting in keeping Eastern Indigo Snakes, and the enrichment that he provides those species. Chad highlights the other species that he keeps such as bearded dragons, species of tree boas, Dominican Red Boas,...
Published 11/02/24
DESCRIPTION: In this episode, Phil and Roy offer a state of the union after our recent hiatus from the show! Please like, subscribe, and share this episode, if you feel so inclined. To offer direct support to the show with a tip or donation, consider subscribing to our Patreon ( www.patreon.com/projectherpetoculture ) and have a look at our generous sponsors at the affiliate links below! MERCH: https://www.projectherp.com/shop OUR SPONSORS: Custom Reptile Habitats:...
Published 10/31/24
DESCRIPTION: In this episode, Roy welcomes Adam Trimmings, Jonas Keil, and Savannah Noland to the show to discuss Abronia! We hear about their varied and extensive experiences keeping Abronia lizards - the dos and don'ts for success with the genus, and a whole lot more! Please like, subscribe, and share this episode, if you feel so inclined. To offer direct support to the show with a tip or donation, consider subscribing to our Patreon ( www.patreon.com/projectherpetoculture ) and have a...
Published 10/30/24
Jacop Frank of @northernreptiles joins us as our first Swedish reptile keeping guest, discussing his introductions to reptile keeping, a little bit about the reptile keeping regulations in Sweden, and the species that he keeps currently. He shares details of the Blackheaded python species that he keeps and has plans to breed, going over his interest in the species, their enclosures, scaping the enclosures, and equipment for them. Jacop also goes over his passion in observing his reptile’s...
Published 10/27/24
Joe of Scaped Nature located in Norwich, United Kingdom discusses his shop where he sells reptiles, plants, planted enclosures, and more. He shares details about his passions for correct lighting systems, working with customers of all interests and knowledge levels, and shares advice for other future and current reptile shopkeepers. Joe highlights his caring nature to connect with other reptile keepers who come into the shop, as well as his love for creating beautiful, planted enclosures for...
Published 10/15/24
Jack Thomson of gekkotaculture discusses his experience with keeping reptiles in general, as well as his recent love for various gecko species such as the Uroplatus genus. He talks about his experience in keeping his reptiles during college, as well as his career aspirations in working at ZooMed and where he is in that job now. One of the most popular aspect of Jack’s care has been the addition of the “gecko room”, which is a tent set up in his garage that keeps the humidity and temperatures...
Published 10/02/24
Phil Lietz of Arids Only discusses his experiences in breeding his uromastyx and other various species, as well as the future of Arids Only. He shares details on his opinions about established reptiles, farm bred reptiles, and wild caught reptiles and the differences between them, opening up a valuable conversation among breeders and keepers alike. Phil highlights the incorrect ways that keepers can spread half-truths about keeping reptiles, the guilt that we sometimes deal with, and how to...
Published 09/14/24
In this video, we discuss building a robust breeding program and the difference between outcrossing, inbreeding, and line-breeding. Rain returns to the podcast to discuss how to build a proper breeding program. In the episode, we discuss the difference between a breeding project and a program, as well as the difference between the term "breed" and "species". Rain walks through outcrossing, inbreeding, and line-breeding, and the importance of culling. If you are interested in starting a...
Published 09/04/24
Summer Melville of Kinova Reptiles discusses her background in reptile keeping, enrichment knowledge, and her career path that led to working with Kinova, the world’s leading Ball Python breeder. She shares details on how Kinova works as a breeding facility, the size of the facility, and the various goals and transitions of Kinova as a whole. She also talks in-depth about how the transition from a snake living in a tub to being moved into a large PVC display enclosure can be difficult, and...
Published 08/16/24
Chuckey of Madbio discusses his experiences with zookeeping, specifically with crocodilians and monitors regarding their husbandry, training, and intelligence. He shares details about his beginnings in observing wildlife, to efforts in breeding, to now where he has a successful career in working hands-on with various species. Chuckey also discusses at length where issues lie with the private keeping of larger reptile species, as well as the common species in the reptile community and how they...
Published 08/06/24
Morgan Palmer of Tierra Turtles discusses multiple topics that are of importance to him and his family, as well as relatable to myself. He talks about his fascination with turtles from the beginning to now, where he has built extravagant outdoor enclosures for his over twenty species of turtle. He emphasizes the need for turtles to have access to fresh air and sunshine, highlighting that it had completely changed his turtle’s behavior for the better. Morgan also discusses the need for a...
Published 07/25/24
In this episode, we discuss how to train and tame your pet lizard or snake to improve their well-being. We discuss establishing trust with lizards and snakes, positive/negative reinforcement, and how to target-train your pet reptile. Ellie Hills, an animal welfare specialist joins the podcast to discuss her experience in animal welfare and what welfare means for reptile keepers. She discusses her viewpoints on controversial topics such as euthanasia, reinforcement training, and incorrect...
Published 07/13/24
Tanner Serpa of SerpaDesigns and Dayyan Saylany of Reptiliatus discuss the ins and outs of building a paludarium for amphibians, reptiles, and other critters. They each share details of their experiences over the years in building paludariums, their successes and mistakes, as well as the details in building these types of enclosures – step by step. From types of enclosures you can build a paludarium in, filtration systems and equipment, hardscape materials and leaf litter, to managing waste...
Published 07/07/24
DESCRIPTION: In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Lucas Lee of Centralian Exotics to the show! We hear about his background in herpetoculture, his primary interests in terms of keeping and breeding, his work as a field biologist and how it informs his keeping, his visions for the future, and a whole lot more. Please like, subscribe, and share this episode, if you feel so inclined. To offer direct support to the show with a tip or donation, consider subscribing to our Patreon (...
Published 06/28/24
Thomas Griffiths owns Tomaskas Ltd, an animal lighting and husbandry consultancy out of the UK. In this episode, we discuss the ban on halogen & other incandescent heat lamps in the USA. Thomas explains what the ban means for the reptile industry moving forward, how to fight the ban, and also the science behind why we need to use incandescent bulbs for our animals. Thomas also discusses the European ban on T5 fluorescent tubes and some new exciting technology in the UVB lamp space. SHOW...
Published 06/27/24
Til, Flo, Ben, & Stefan of The European Herpetoculture Podcast discuss the differences between European reptile keeping and American reptile keeping - in the differences in equipment, DIY enclosure builds, viewpoints, and willingness to experiment with enclosures. They each highlight the benefit of experimenting with reptile enclosures outside of social media, in order to develop a thought process on what works best for your individual reptile. Til and Ben dive into topics about native...
Published 06/16/24
DESCRIPTION: In this episode, Phil and Roy welcome Bill Strand of The Chameleon Academy to the show! We hear about his background in herpetoculture, how he has built a strong community within herpetoculture, the value of education, his visions for the future of our shared discipline, and a whole lot more. This is one of our most moving episodes to date! Please like, subscribe, and share this episode, if you feel so inclined. To offer direct support to the show with a tip or donation,...
Published 06/14/24
Shira Loa of Snake Therapy discusses her journey with snakes - from her initial fear of snakes, her first snake purchase, to her work in snake education and husbandry advancement. She shares details of how her first interaction with a snake led her to a journey with her own snakes, as well as beginning interactions with other people in order form a connection with them and snakes. Her passion for the therapeutic benefits that reptiles can bring to their keepers shows as she discusses the...
Published 06/09/24
Thomas Marriott of Exotics Keeper Magazine discusses his recent expedition to New Caledonia to find Crested Geckos in the wild and to study the crested gecko's native habitat. He shared details about the environment, temperature, humidity, UV levels, and diet of wild Crested Geckos. Thomas highlighted the importance of replicating the natural habitat of crested geckos and debunked myths around their care, emphasizing the need for a varied and natural diet that includes insects, berries, and...
Published 06/02/24
DESCRIPTION: In this episode, Phil welcomes Brandon Shiflett of Rare Earth Inc. to the show! We hear about his background in herpetoculture, how he built a successful business focused on dwarf monitors, how he has managed to maintain his passion and enthusiasm for herpetoculture, and a whole lot more. This is one of our favorite episodes to date! Please like, subscribe, and share this episode, if you feel so inclined. To offer direct support to the show with a tip or donation, consider...
Published 05/31/24