Tonight I am joined by Naturalist Robert Villa. In recent decades a phenomenon has developed around the Sonoran Desert Toad (AKA the Colorado River Toad) and the recreational use of its toxins for psychedelic purposes. There is however, a great deal of misinformation out there regarding the topic. So to set the record straight I am joined by Robert Villa. Robert dispels many of the common myths associated with the species and we discuss how exploitation for its unique toxins is affecting its sur...
Apr 08, 2022•1 hr 36 min
Tonight I am joined by Dr. Jason Hoverman and we discuss the effects of environmental stressors on amphibian populations. We cover some of the different types of environmental contaminants, what the effects are from exposure, how combinations of different stressors effect tadpole behavior, and some of the ways that amphibians can be successfully treated after exposure. For more information visit: https://ag.purdue.edu/fnr/Pages/profile.aspx?strAlias=jhoverm If you'd like to support the show cons...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Tonight I am joined by Sam Sucre of Natural Tanks. Sam joins to us straight from Panama and we discuss ending wild caught trade in favor of a more sustainable captive export trade. We also discuss Sam’s new project producing sustainably sourced red eyed tree frogs in Panama for export into the USA. For more information about Sam and his work please visit: http://www.natural-tanks.com/ If you'd like to support the show consider becoming a Patron and visit: https://www.patreon.com/Amphibicast For ...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 15 min
In this episode I answer some questions submitted by listeners. I enjoy listener feedback and I thought that this episode would be a fun way to answer some common (and a few uncommon) questions about many of the topics that I cover on the podcast For listener discounts on In Situ Vivariums visit : https://insituecosystems.com?ref=amphibicast To support the show consider becoming a patron https://www.patreon.com/Amphibicast For AmphibiCast merch check out https://the-amphibicast-store.creator-spr...
Mar 18, 2022•42 min
Tonight I am joined by Youtuber, Mike Lardis of Slithering Salamander Scapes. Mike is a long time salamander enthusiast and an accomplished paludarium builder. We discuss some of his build methods, the importance of good water quality, and how he built a salamander room for his collection. We also discuss care points for red salamanders (pseudotriton), tiger salamanders (ambystoma) and greater sirens (siren). Follow Mike's channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4oEwBR-rvWxI66vwnHQM...
Mar 11, 2022•1 hr 21 min
There is current legislation under way in the US that may significantly affect our rights to work with amphibians, reptiles, birds, invertebrates and non domesticated mammals. In this special episode I am joined by USARK President -Phil Goss, and we discuss the Lacey Act Amendments in the America Competes Act of 2022, where the bill is currently, and what the effects will be if it is passed into law. Phil and I also discuss some of the misconceptions associated with the bill and how we can work ...
Mar 05, 2022•1 hr
Tonight I kick off the first episode of the "Salamander Series." In these episodes I will be focusing on some serious salamander subjects! Tonight I am joined again by Amphibian Foundation Co-founder, Mark Mandica who has dedicated his life towards salamander conservation. We discuss the frosted flatwoods salamander conservation project and how frosted flatwoods were bred in captivity for the first time ever at the Amphibian Foundation. For more information please visit amphibianfoundation.org I...
Feb 25, 2022•53 min
Tonight I am joined once again by Mark Mandica -Co-founder of The Amphibian Foundation. We discuss continuing education in herpetology, and how Mark has created online and in-person college level classes that are accessible to everyone. Mark also talks to us about caecilians, Pipa pipa (commonly known as the Suriname Toad) and some upcoming classes that include a course on amphibian husbandry. Having taken the Master Herpetologist Course myself I can say that I was extremely satisfied with how t...
Feb 18, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Bumble bee toads (Melanophryniscus) are a highly sought after species among amphibian enthusiasts. Yet, they are notorious for being only sporadically available. Thankfully tonight's guest has figured out a way to breed them both successfully and consistently. It's my pleasure to be joined tonight by Laura Abrtaham of ARTphibians LLC, and we discuss how she breeds her toads, how to care for them in captivity, and the importance of proper diet and supplementation. Follow Laura on Instagram @laura...
Feb 11, 2022•52 min
Tonight I am joined by fellow dart frog enthusiast, Brandon Willis. Brandon originally started out in the plant hobby after being inspired by bonsai trees. He went on to develop his own unique style of building vivariums and then found an interest in dart frogs. Brandon is also an active National Guardsman who does many of his builds during his free time while on deployment. We also discuss some cost effective vivarium hacks and how to source materials from places that many people overlook. Be s...
Feb 04, 2022•1 hr 24 min
Flightless fruit flies are one of the most popular prey items for dart frogs, glass frogs, mantids, spiders, baby chameleons and more. In this episode I run down the basics of how to culture your own flies at home, and I share some tips that I've picked up along the way. Culturing flies can be a bit intimidating at times , especially for beginners, but it doesn't have to be! So if you are interested in keeping smaller amphibians, lizards or inverts but not sure if fruit flies are for you, give t...
Jan 28, 2022•49 min
Tiny arthropods known as springtails (Collembola spp.) are popular among vivarium enthusiasts for their "cleanup crew" abilities. We often hear about their use in “bioactive” vivariums. Tonight I am joined by entomologist, Dr. Ann Fallon and we discuss the biology, reproduction and lifecycle of Folsomia candida. For more information about springtails and Dr. Fallon visit: https://entomology.umn.edu/people/ann-fallon If you'd like to support the show please consider becoming a patron and visit: h...
Jan 21, 2022•1 hr 4 min
In 2013 Dr. Matthew Dugas co-authored a paper about the important role that carotenoid supplementation plays in oophaga pumilio reproduction. The findings have greatly influenced captive dart frog husbandry methods for almost a decade now and most hobbyists today incorporate carotenoids into their supplementation regiments. It is my pleasure to have Dr. Dugas as my guest this week and we discuss the paper in detail. We also discuss sophisticated pumilio parental behaviors, how egg deposition sit...
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 21 min
Tonight I am pleased to be joined once again by Dr. Andrew Logan DVM. We talk about how to identify bacterial infections in amphibians and some of the treatment options available. We also discuss what to expect during a routine health check and we finish off with a discussion on glass frog care.
Jan 07, 2022•1 hr 23 min
Tonight I am joined once again by Mike Tytula of Alpha Reptile. We have a good old fashioned casual conversation about what ever comes up including his trip to Costa Rica, what it was like being stung by a bullet ant, his Ameerega breeding project, and some of the challenges that go along with creating content for youtube and podcasting. And to all the listeners out there, we wish you an enjoyable yuletide season~ Be sure to subscribe to Mike's channel on Youtube To check out Mike Tytula's new b...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 51 min
Poison Dart Frogs are synonymous with toxicity. In fact, species in the Phyllobates Genus are among the most toxic animals on earth. They owe that toxicity to their ability to produce batrachotoxin. In this episode I am joined by Chemist, Dr. Justin Du Bois, who is an expert on batrachotoxin. We discuss the origins behind the scientific study of batrachotoxin, its effect on other living organisms, how and why it is being synthesized, and much more! For more information check out: https://www.ama...
Dec 17, 2021•1 hr 26 min
Building a custom background for your vivarium is both challenging and rewarding. In this episode I discuss some of the pros and cons unique to some of the different materials used to build custom backgrounds in our vivariums. For listener discounts on In Situ Vivariums visit : https://insituecosystems.com?ref=amphibicast
Dec 10, 2021•27 min
In tonight's episode I am joined by world renowned dart frog expert Dr. Juan Santos of the Santos Lab at Saint Johns University. We discuss everything from taxonomy, toxins, wild diet, and the effects of climate change on dart frogs. If you have ever wanted to learn everything you can about wild dart frogs -this is the episode for you! This episode is packed with information and is definitely one of my personal favorites. For more information please visit http://www.jcsantosresearch.org/...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 42 min
This episode is Part 2 of a short series focusing on vivarium plants. In this episode I am joined once again by Zach of Equatorial Ecosystems and we talk about the Marcgravia genus. Marcgravia species have been highly sought after for their unique shingling growth as well as their ability to add depth and texture to vivarium hardscapes. We discuss how the genus entered the hobby, how to care for them, and what new species we can expect in the future. For more information check out https://equato...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr
Tonight's episode is part one of a short series focusing on vivarium plants. I am joined by Zach Goodnow of Equatorial Ecosystems and we talk about plants in the Araceae Family, commonly known as "Aroids." Aroids have been popular vivarium plants for a long time, and as new and rarer species are becoming more readily available, many of us have decided to take a plunge deeper into the plant kingdom. Zach and I talk about everything from aroid basics and how they got into the hobby all the way int...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Tonight I am joined by Anthony Pierlioni. Anthony is the Senior Director / Vice President of Theturtleroom.org and he also hosts two podcasts which include "The Pondcast" and "Turtley Devoted." Anthony has worked with turtles for years in many different capacities, and in this episode we talk about good husbandry practices, his career with VCA Animal Hospitals, turtles management, and conservation. And, we also have a great discussion about Black Breasted Leaf Turtles for all of you Geomyda spen...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 40 min
Tonight I am joined once again by Jay Sommers of Sandfire Dragon Ranch. Jay has bred everything from rare exotic newts such as neurergus kaiseri to hobby staples like whites tree frogs He has three decades of experience in the herp industry and in this episode he shares some of his thoughts on the amphibian business, dealing with difficult customers, and how important it is for new keepers to do their research. We then wrap up with a discussion on how Jay keeps his whites tree frogs and we talk ...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 57 min
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending American Frog Day 2021. In this episode I run down some of the highlights of the day, and I share what I took from the ideas and issues presented in the evening's lectures. Please consider supporting conservation and sustainable biocommerce by visiting the links below: https://www.tesorosdecolombia.com/ https://www.evaccfoundation.org/index.php/en/home/
Oct 22, 2021•23 min
A few decades ago, the idea of using cryopreserved genetic material to bring back extinct or endangered species laid only in the realm of science fiction. Although we are not quite at that point today, science has still brought us much closer. In tonight's episode I am joined by Dr. Michael Mahony of Australia's University of Newcastle. We discuss his research into cryopreservation as a means to protect fragile amphibian populations and the possibility of resurrecting extinct species of frog. We...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 13 min
Tonight I am joined once again by Julio Rodriguez. We talk about what's new from Tesoros, the ins and outs of importing dart frogs, and of course what we can expect from American Frog Day 2021! This Year's American Frog Day takes place on October 16th 2021 at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown New York. For more information or to purchase tickets visit americanfrogday.com and follow Julio on Instagram @dartfrogs
Oct 08, 2021•54 min
Tonight my guest is Audrey -Owner and Operator of Urban Amphibia and we talk about how she started her own business, what it's like working expos, her experience in the field of wildlife and fisheries science, and of course her long tenure in the amphibian industry. Audrey also has a rising Youtube channel, Audreys Urban Exotics, featuring some of her vivarium builds. Follow Audrey on Instagram @urban_amphibia https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0TJS8_3irVGVx0v1dcXtgw To Support the Show Visit: ht...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 34 min
In this episode, I am joined once again by Travis of TCS Dart Frogs. We talk about some of his new dart projects, his experiences with both vivarium and aquarium builds, how to deal with plant pests and his new venture into captive breeding Halloween Crabs! If you'd like to support the show visit: https://www.patreon.com/Amphibicast
Sep 26, 2021•1 hr 36 min
In episode 56. I sat down with Dr. Caroline Lotter and we discussed the life history of Pixie Frogs. However, since the majority of Caroline's work focuses on bats, I thought it would be interesting to do a short bonus episode dedicated to her work with bats. We also discuss Jane Goodall, and how meeting her helped influence Dr. Lotter's career. If you'd like to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/Amphibicast
Sep 18, 2021•20 min
Have you ever been interested in how Pixie frogs (pyxicephalus adspersus) live in the wild? In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Caroline Lotter of Inkululeko Wildlife Service in South Africa and we talk about the unique lifestyle and conflicts that pixies face in the wild. There is more to pixies than just their voracious appetites! For more information visit: https:/www.iws-sa.co.za/
Sep 17, 2021•55 min
In this Episode I sit down with Nick Gamble of the Cleveland Frog Company. Nick has worked with the Ameerega and Allobates genera for years and he is one of the few people working with them in the US. We talk about Nick's work with uncommon genera, the importance of seasonal cycling, ethical breeding, and what the future holds for uncommon genera in the future.
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr 40 min
