Animals at Home Network

Latest Episodes:

209: Are Snake Breeding Racks a Necessary Evil? | Summer Melville - AAH Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

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 how to make that an easier process for your snake. Ball pythons are obviously not meant to live in tubs their whole lives, and Summer discusses how YouTube content with Kinova and the new changes to their systems may help make the transition to larger enclosures and pet homes easier. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/209-kinova/

SPONSORS:

Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/
CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats HERE

Guest’s Social Media

Kinova Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkobylka
Kinova YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KINOVAReptiles
New Ball Python Video: https://youtu.be/Mk3JTsQZDFs?si=XrjbxvgaexjkDqYe
Summer’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlwithscales
Lori Torrini’s Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCp9jjIgZ_PX3n4UgznGnlwg

We Discuss: 0:00 Coming Up - ZooMed Lighting 0:21 Introducing Summer Melville 2:39 Welcome Summer + Background in Reptiles 8:12 Beginnings in Enrichment + Freedom to Keeping Reptiles! 12:14 Learning From Lori Torrini 14:11 Summer’s Career Path - Music + Kinova 20:44 Background on Kinova + Staying Out of Ball Python Drama 23:20 Size Of Facility at Kinova 26:43 Summer’s View on Ball Python Tubs 29:30 The Realities of Changing Ball Python Set-Ups 34:36 Transitioning Enclosures 38:46 Tub or a Large Enclosure? 44:24 ZooMed Reptisun T5 Lamps 45:30 Will The Breeding System Change? 51:26 Response on Kinova’s Video + Pet Keepers with Transitioning 55:57 Summer’s Inspiration for the Ball Python Video 1:03:18 The Push for Content + Coping with Transition 1:07:16 Starting the Transition in Facility + Temperament Test 1:12:59 The Possible Progression in Breeding Facilities 1:17:10 Explanation of Cltch - Ball Python Records and Management 1:25:19 Closing Thoughts

Support, Subscribe & Follow:

CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats CLICK HERE
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST NETWORK: SPOTIFY► https://spoti.fi/2UG5NOI
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/animalsathome
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnimalsatHomeChannel
Follow on Instagram: @animalsathomeca

208: Reptile Trade LIES - Keeping Huge Lizards, Imports, Invasive Species | MadBio Reptiles- AAH Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

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 are treated. Invasive species are also a topic that he dives in with great knowledge, having been living in Florida which has the largest population of invasive species due to the reptile pet trade. Chuckey pushes for the proper keeping of reptiles, respect for their wild counterparts, and the importance of learning, growing, and discussing reptiles in the proper way on social media. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/208-madbio-reptiles/

WE DISCUSS: 00:00 Coming Up - ZooMed 0:22 Introducing Chuckey - MadBio 1:47 Welcome Chuckey + Beginnings in Wildlife 6:19 Cottonmouth Experience + Fear 7:36 Ball Python Breeding and Job Experiences 12:16 Caring and Connection with Animals 14:58 Training Alligators 17:50 Gator and Monitor Intelligence Levels 24:49 Chuckey’s Favorite Species 26:08 Private Keeping of Large Reptile Species 29:12 Husbandry Needs for Crocodilians + Monitors 32:06 ZooMed Dragon Food 33:01 Chuckey’s Personal Reptile Species 35:09 Opinions on Keeping Reptiles 44:49 Invasive Burmese Pythons in Florida + The Issue 54:37 Laws Surrounding Invasive Species 55:22 Chuckey’s Views on USARK Florida 1:01:10 Operation Viper + Operation Chameleon 1:04:00 Importation + Breeding in Captivity 1:05:58 Potential for Improvement in the Reptile Community + Learning 1:12:59 Reptiles and Social Media 1:21:36 Closing Thoughts SPONSORS:

Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/
CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats HERE

https://www.instagram.com/madbioreptiles

Support and Follow the show:

CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats CLICK HERE
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST NETWORK: SPOTIFY► https://spoti.fi/2UG5NOI
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/animalsathome
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnimalsatHomeChannel
Follow on Instagram: @animalsathomeca

207: Keeping Turtles Outside in a Pond | Morgan Palmer- AAH Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

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 social media detox for many like himself, as the platforms that we find ourselves on for hours of the day can be detrimental to our mental health. He gives advice on what he has done to improve his relationship with social media, as well as using that to make more time for the more important aspects of life. Morgan also discusses the relationship that he strives to form with his daughter and the animals around her; highlighting that when kids learn early on how to treat animals, they will continue to do so throughout life. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/207-morgan-palmer/ SHOW SPONSORS: Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/ @ZooMed

CUSTOM REPTILE HABITATS: https://www.animalsathome.ca/crh JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathome Video Clips and Photos Used in Episode: https://www.instagram.com/tierraturtles

Huge Snapping Turtle Photo Taken By Stu Hughes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/145005446090921/permalink/1474917883099664/?mibextid=K35XfP WE DISCUSS:

00:00 Coming Up - ZooMed 00:25 Introducing Morgan Palmer - Tierra Turtles 2:20 Welcome Morgan - The Beginning + Day Job 6:00 Morgan’s Pets + Turtle Fascination 10:00 The Balance, Use + Negativity of Social Media 15:55 Social Media “Brumation” 18:06 Social Media Changes Through the Years 20:12 The Addiction Behind Social Media 21:04 The Positives of Social Media 24:29 Managing Time on Social Media 27:28 Reptile Hobby + The Digital World 29:14 Morgan’s Rules For Social Media 32:32 ZooMed Grassland Tortoise Food 33:37 Dangers in Posting Reptiles on Social Media 36:00 Morgan’s Rules Continued 39:20 Kids + Herpetoculture 50:44 Morgan’s Turtle Species + Brumation 57:49 Indoor Enclosure - Lighting, Substrates, etc 1:04:15 Outdoor Setups for the Turtles + Building the Pond 1:15:23 Tips For Turtle Keeping 1:17:37 Substrate in The Pond 1:18:50 Thinking About Turtle Lifespan 1:22:27 Closing Thoughts

206: How to Tame Your Pet Reptile | Ellie Hills - AAH Jul 13, 2024

Show notes

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 ways to enrich an animal in captivity. Ellie highlights her work in a ball python study that she and her colleagues are working on, which will discover the captive behaviors of ball pythons and how they interact with their respective environments. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/206-hills-herptiles/

SPONSORS:

Visit The BioDude here: www.thebiodude.com
Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/
CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats HERE

Links from the Episode:

Ellie Hills YT: https://youtube.com/@hillsherptiles
Wild Welfare Video: https://youtu.be/7EAfP1nlsRU?si=aYdt4Hd2llEhHDSe
Wild Welfare: https://wildwelfare.org
Capacity building for better animal welfare: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.2011.00136.x

We Discuss: 00:00 Coming Up - ZooMed + The BioDude 0:57 Introducing Ellie Hills - Hill’s Herptiles 2:28 Welcome Ellie - Her Animal and Reptile Experiences 7:00 Beginnings in Animal Welfare 10:30 Care and Welfare 16:16 Thoughts on Euthanasia and Suffering 21:42 How To Begin Positive Welfare 25:07 Ellie’s Experience In Training 26:10 The Right & Wrong Way To Enrich an Animal 28:29 Stress in Reptiles 30:14 The Four Quadrants of Training + Stimulating Food Responses 39:10 ZooMed Dragon Food 40:06 How To Build a Relationship with Your Reptiles & Learned Experiences 44:44 Target Training in Reptiles 46:54 The BioDude Substrates + Bug Grub 47:55 Reading Your Reptile’s Behavior 48:47 Ellie’s Feeding Routines, Frustration Tolerance & Force 54:09 Ellie’s Ball Python Behavior Study 1:05:29 Closing Thoughts Support, Subscribe & Follow:

CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats CLICK HERE
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST NETWORK: SPOTIFY► https://spoti.fi/2UG5NOI
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/animalsathome
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnimalsatHomeChannel
Follow on Instagram: @animalsathomeca

9: How to Build a Paludarium: Step by Step - RT Jul 07, 2024

Show notes

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 from animals is discussed at length. Tanner and Dayyan also individually offer many different species of plants that can be used in semi-aquatic enclosures like these, from more common houseplants to even plants you can find outside.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/rt-9-paludarium/
SPONSORS:

Visit The BioDude here: www.thebiodude.com
Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/
CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats HERE

GUEST’S SOCIAL MEDIA:

SerpaDesign Socials:

Reptiliatus Socials:

Plant Guide for Houseplants in Aquariums by SerpaDesign:

https://youtu.be/S4dFawS68BQ

WE DISCUSS:

00:00 Coming Up - ZooMed + The Bio Dude

1:00 Round Table - Building a Paludarium

2:12 Welcome Tanner + Dayyan

3:38 Work-Life Balance in Producing Content

8:36 Experiences in Creating Paludarium

11:25 What is a Paludarium?

13:07 Enclosure Types for Paludariums

18:00 Sections in the Enclosure - Land and Water

21:38 Filtration - Equipment, Drilling Glass, and Waste

33:15 The BioDude Substrates + Bug Grub

34:16 Filtration Continued

35:18 Creating Water Features

43:50 Hardscape Material Recommendations

50:44 Leaf Litters and Botanicals in Water

54:24 Plants for Paludariums

1:02:00 Zoo Med Dragon Food

1:02:55 Paludarium Plants Continued

1:08:14 Aquatic Animal Possibilities for Paludariums

1:15:39 Species with Heated Tanks?

1:16:48 Vampire Crabs

1:18:24 Reptiles + Amphibian Species in Paludariums

1:23:27 Cohabitation in Paludariums

1:28:59 Maintenance Tips and Water Changes for Paludariums

1:36:20 Closing Thoughts

SUPPORT, SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW:

CHECK OUT Custom Reptile Habitats CLICK HERE
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST NETWORK: SPOTIFY► https://spoti.fi/2UG5NOI
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/animalsathome
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnimalsatHomeChannel
Follow on Instagram: @animalsathomeca

86: Womas to Wonder w/ Lucas Lee - Project : Herpetoculture Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

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 ( www.patreon.com/projectherpetoculture ) and have a look at our generous sponsors at the affiliate links below!

SHOW NOTES:

Follow Lucas on IG: @centralian_exotics

Check out Lucas' podcast, Carpets & Coffee: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gIiyMJQ1cXrVBSvymOTdc?si=2deba55893ce4142MERCH:https://www.projectherp.com/shop

OUR SPONSORS:

Custom Reptile Habitats: https://customreptilehabitats.com/PH

Cold Blooded Caffeine (apply the code 'projectherp' for 10% off): https://coldbloodedcaffeine.com/?ref=PH

FairyTail Dragons: https://fairytaildragons.comExo Terra: https://exo-terra.com

Tamura Designs (apply the code 'Herpetoculture' for 15% off): https://tamura-designs.com

Happy Dragons: https://plus.happydragons.com/home

SOCIAL LINKS:

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/projectherpetoculture

Subscribe on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@projectherpetoculture

Follow P : H on Instagram: @projectherpetoculture

Follow Phil on Instagram: @aridsonly

Follow Roy on Instagram: @wellspringherp

205: The Reptile Heat Bulb Ban | Thomas Griffiths- AAH Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

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 NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/205-heat-bulb-ban/ SHOW SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude here: www.thebiodude.com @TheBioDudeJoshHalter Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/ @ZooMed CUSTOM REPTILE HABITATS: https://www.animalsathome.ca/crh JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathome LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: https://tomaskas.co.uk/ https://tomaskas.co.uk/dont-let-them-take-your-heat-bulbs/ https://www.instagram.com/thetomaskas/ Reptile Lighting FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReptileLighting/permalink/3222394354561805 We Discuss: 0:00 Coming Up The Bio Dude + Zoo Med

3:06 Welcome Thomas - What Is Going On?

12:51 The Halogen Ban

15:51 What is a Black Body Radiator? How Heat Lamps Work

26:18 Accidental Mismarketking - Heat Projectors

34:50 NERD Video - What they got wrong

43:18 NERD Video - What they got right

44:50 125W+ Is the Current Exception

46:02 The Zoo Med Labs Letter Leak

51:05 How To Fight The Halogen Ban

1:03:20 The Fluorescent Lamp Ban

1:05:44 New Exo Terra Bulbs

1:11:50 How Do UVB Fluorescent Tubes Function?

1:18:11 Understanding the Fluorescent Ban

1:30:18 What To Do Next?

1:35:52 Closing Thoughts

8: Keeping Reptiles in Europe VS America - RT Jun 16, 2024

Show notes

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 plants and how they can best suit a reptile from that native habitat, emphasizing the need for a naturalistic enclosure that embodies the natural environment of that animal. As they begin their journey with their new podcast, they also gain helpful advice from Dillon about how their podcast can be most successful - from questions to ask, equipment to use, and more. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/rt-8-euro-herp-podcast/ SHOW SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude here: www.thebiodude.com @TheBioDudeJoshHalter Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/ @ZooMed CUSTOM REPTILE HABITATS: https://www.animalsathome.ca/crh JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathome LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Til Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/til.landsioideae Flo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/de.reptiles Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unseen.diversity Stefan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrariumchannel European Herpetoculture Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/europeanherpetoculture.podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dJrh9vJrIEUo9sAKxROqW?si=7tHbvpd1R2yBCOdhoz2XMg Video Clips and Photos Used in Episode: The Guest's Instagram Accounts

We Discuss: 0:00 Coming Up - ZooMed + The Bio Dude 1:02 Round Table - European Reptile Podcast Intro 2:22 Welcome Bene, Florian, Stefan, and Til 6:28 The Start of the European Reptile Podcast 11:36 Stefan’s Thoughts on Inspiring Others 13:52 Division of Podcast Members 15:44 Goals Of The Podcast 21:30 Future Guests Of The Podcast 24:41 Filming a Podcast Q’s 27:46 Til’s Plant Advice 31:09 Podcast Microphone + Sponsorship Q’s 34:29 ZooMed Dragon Food 35:24 Sponsorship Q’s Continued 36:04 European vs American Herpetoculture 46:04 Turning Reptile Keeping Into a Business 48:48 Perception of Negative Aspects of The Hobby 51:27 Pet-Tube & Europe Language Barriers 55:26 Reptile Equipment Differences in Europe 1:02:16 Euro-Style Terrariums? 1:05:34 DIY Enclosures + Greenhouse Aesthetics 1:11:31 The Bio Dude Substrates + Bug Grub 1:12:31 Moving With Large DIY Enclosures 1:14:32 Focusing on Smaller Groups of Reptiles 1:20:00 Opinions of Others Online On Experimenting with Setups + Reptiles 1:27:14 Keeping Native Plants in Native Species’ Enclosures 1:28:41 Experimenting with Recreating the Reptile’s Habitat 1:32:26 Podcast Questions + Advice 1:38:30 Closing Thoughts

85: This Very Special Thing w/ Bill Strand - Project : Herpetoculture Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

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, consider subscribing to our Patreon (www.patreon.com/projectherpetoculture ) and have a look at our generous sponsors at the affiliate links below! SHOW NOTES: Follow Bill on IG: @chameleon_academy Follow The Reptile Entrepeneur: @reptileentrepeneur Check out The Chameleon Academy website: https://chameleonacademy.com MERCH: https://www.projectherp.com/shop OUR SPONSORS: Custom Reptile Habitats: https://customreptilehabitats.com/PH Cold Blooded Caffeine (apply the code 'projectherp' for 10% off): https://coldbloodedcaffeine.com/?ref=PH FairyTail Dragons: https://fairytaildragons.com Exo Terra: https://exo-terra.com Tamura Designs (apply the code 'Herpetoculture' for 15% off): https://tamura-designs.com Happy Dragons: https://plus.happydragons.com/home SOCIAL LINKS: Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/projectherpetoculture Subscribe on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@projectherpetoculture Follow P : H on Instagram: @projectherpetoculture Follow Phil on Instagram: @aridsonly Follow Roy on Instagram: @wellspringherp

204: Animal Therapy for Autism, ADHD and Anxiety | Shira Loa - AAH Jun 09, 2024

Show notes

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 various mental health benefits that have been seen in both neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent individuals. Shira also discusses the Neurodiversity and Reptile Keeping Survey that she created in hopes of understanding more about what reptile keeping can offer neurodivergent people, leading to talk about the potential for overconsumption of reptiles and traits that neurodivergent people have for keeping reptiles more efficiently. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/204-shira-loa/ SHOW SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude here: www.thebiodude.com @TheBioDudeJoshHalter CUSTOM REPTILE HABITATS: https://www.animalsathome.ca/crh JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathome CHECK OUT CUSTOM REPTILE HABITATS: https://www.animalsathome.ca/crh LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Survey: https://bit.ly/SnakeTherapySurvey https://www.youtube.com/@snake_therapy https://www.patreon.com/SnakeTherapywithShiraLoa https://shiraloametalwork.com/pages/snake-shed-metal-art-jewelry http://www.instagram.com/snaketherapy_shiraloa https://www.thelittlezoo.org/ We Discuss: 0:00 Coming Up 1:44 Welcome Shira - Her History With Snakes 5:05 Purchasing Her First Snake 8:59 From Fear to Fascination - How did it happen? 11:35 Shira’s Home for Snakes - 9 Total! 13:50 The Start of Snake Therapy 18:45 Interactions With Animals Is Therapeutic 21:25 Shira’s Work With The Little Zoo Non-Profit 23:20 Helping People Connect With Snakes 25:55 The Therapeutic Benefits That Snakes Can Give 28:32 Caring For Animals Helps With Mental Health 30:24 The Response From Social Media 32:35 The Bio Dude - Substrates and Diets 33:37 Neurodivergence & Reptiles 45:42 Neurodiversity and Reptile Keeping Survey 57:24 Reptiles Don’t Have To Just Be For “Reptile People” 59:43 Overconsumption of Reptiles 1:04:47 Neurodivergent Keepers Can Make Better Keepers? 1:07:18 The Content’s Purpose and Reach 1:11:13 Animal Welfare and Our Connections 1:14:05 Shira’s Next Projects 1:17:25 Shira Loa Metal Work 1:19:03 Closing Thoughts

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