This week I am joined by professional vivarium specialist and long time frog hobbyist, Rob Mohr. Rob has made a career out his passion for the natural world, and in this episode we discuss his role at one of the largest private vivariums in the United States - the Seattle Spheres. We discuss plants, the logistics of maintaining massive living walls, water parameters, and how a massive full grown tree was lowered into the spheres. We also talk about that value that community has within the dart f...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 36 min
This week I am joined by Armen of HerpTime. In this episode we discuss what it takes to be a breeder, Armen’s new frog breeding projects, social media and more! We also take a deep dive into anoles and compare and contrast anole vs frog husbandry. This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreations Exo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com and visit your local dealer To Support the Podcast, for merch, and viva...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 27 min
This week I am joined by Dayyan Saylany. Dayyan is known across Youtube and social media as Reptiliatus, and in this episode we discuss his passion for reptiles and amphibians; and his journey into content creation. We also talk about Dayyan's frog experiences including why he developed a care video for juvenile-subadult pacman frogs, and how he successfully raised a Cruziohyla craspedopus, (commonly known as the fringed leaf frog) from a tadpole! Follow @reptiliatus on Youtube, Instagram and al...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 57 min
This week I am joined by Drew Martinez. Drew is the owner of Carnivero. - a nursery that specializes in carnivorous plants. In this episode, we discuss Drew's tenure in the dart frog and plant hobbies, his fascination with carnivorous plants and how to successfully care for everything from Nepenthes pitcher plants, to Venus Fly traps and Platycerium! Drew also shares a few stories and observations from his trips to borneo, including one where a species of rainbow toad was rediscovered! To learn ...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Streams are unique habitats that are home to many different species of amphibian. But, do changes in stream dynamics effect amphibian lifecycles? And if so, how? This week I am joined by researcher, Madaline Cochrane and we discuss her paper, "Individual growth rates and size at metamorphosis increase with watershed area in a stream salamander." We focus our discussion on her work with Gyrinophilus porphyriticus (AKA the Spring Salamander) and how growth rate, behavior, and reproduction are all ...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min
This week I am joined again by Ben Baker of Fantastic Frogs. In Episode 160, Ben and I discussed a host of topics including his tenure as a zoo keeper and frog breeder. In this week's episode we continue our conversation with a deep dive into more of Ben's career and insights. We discuss Ben's experiences tracking and studying wild Golden Mantella, the long term sustainability of captive frog genetics, tuataras in a zoo setting, and is there a positive aspect to importing wild caught amphibians ...
Mar 22, 2024•2 hr 1 min
This week I am joined by Zach Porritt. Zach has built one of the largest and most impressive dart frog enclosures in the hobby - A full sized greenhouse! Join us for our discussion into how the greenhouse was constructed, planted and stocked, and how his Phyllobates terribilis behave, feed and breed in such a large environment. This week's episode is sponsored by the frog breeder merch store, https://the-frog-breeder-merch.myspreadshop.com/ Exo-Terra is a proud sponsor of this week's show. Visit...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 38 min
This week I am joined by Chris Buttermore. Chris is the Curator of Amphibians at Dallas World Aquarium and in this episode we discuss his work with large Oophaga. Our discussion covers a host of topics including what we know about the genus from the published literature, metabolism as a means of understanding egg production, extending female fecundity, how to accurately sex large obligates, and fostering techniques using pumilio eggs. We also talk about the important role that private individual...
Mar 08, 2024•2 hr 2 min
This week I am joined by Shareef of A Bunch of Tanks. In this episode we discuss in how to incorporate cork panels into a vivarium background, the infamous viral atelopus photo, and what it was like moving a large dart frog collection across the US. This week's episode is sponsored by the frog breeder merch store, https://the-frog-breeder-merch.myspreadshop.com/ Exo-Terra is a proud sponsor of this week's show. Visit exo-terra.com or your local dealer for all your reptile and amphibian needs. To...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 17 min
This week I am joined by Dutch Ecologist and Amphibian Hobbyist, David Brouwer. David has a life long passion passion for the Majorcan midwife toad (Alytes muletensis), and in this episode we take a deep dive into the natural history, conservation, captive breeding, and husbandry of one of the world's most unique amphibians. David and I begin our chat with a discussion about the value of natural spaces in an urban environment, and we go on to talk about the amphibian hobby in Continental Europe....
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 40 min
This week I am joined by Roberto Marquez and Rachael Arkin . In this episode, we discuss new phyllobates research that includes Roberto's work with phenotypic evolution in poison frogs, and how poison frogs evolved to avoid the harmful effects associated with consuming and accumulating toxic alkaloids. We also discuss Rachael's work with Phyllobates tadpoles and carotenoid supplementation. Part of our discussion also focuses on Phyllobates bicolor genetics and whether or not it is actually more ...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 16 min
This week I am joined by Alex Menke of Frog Daddy. We begin our discussion by talking about breeder ethics, and the frog and plant market. Then, we take a deep dive into how to properly care for five species of intermendiate level to advanced level vivarium plants. Specifically, we cover Begonia, selaginella, margravia, anthurium and sonarilla, along with all the issues that they may have and how to overcome them. We also talk about fungal infections in plants, and why we should lever use commer...
Feb 09, 2024•2 hr 2 min
This week I am joined by hobbyist and breeder Sean Twohy. Sean breeds several amphibian species but his true passion is Cynops Cyanurus (AKA the blue tailed fire belly newt) and in this episode we discuss aquatic newt care, raising daphnia, UV lighting for newts, managing aquatic substrate, and we compare and contrast aquatic vs terrestrial amphibian husbandry. We also take a dive into cynops care and we finish with a discussion about the breeder vs keeper market. This week's episode is sponsore...
Feb 02, 2024•2 hr 15 min
This week it is my pleasure to be joined by Ben Baker of Fantastic Frogs. Ben has decades of experience working in British Zoos and in this episode we discuss his work breeding frogs in the private sector, his work with Bristol and Chester Zoos, and his world travels and in situ observations. We also talk about how brexit has effected the hobby in Europe and the UK, wild mantella behavior in the presence of UV, and how Ben helped care for a massive Japanese giant salamander! To find out more vis...
Jan 25, 2024•2 hr 10 min
This week I'm joined by Roy Arthur Blodgett. Roy co-hosts the Project Herpeteculture podcast and in this episode we discuss some controversial issues in the greater herp community including peer pressure, and what constitutes a reliable information source. We also discuss Roy's museum quality vivarium builds, his P ilotes sulphureus and Xenodon pulcher projects, his podcast, and we pose the question, Is herpeteculture an art or a science? To learn more about Roy's Work Visit: https://www.wellspr...
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 47 min
As 2023 comes to a close I would like to thank all my guests and listeners for making it a great year. And to celebrate the end of 2023, I'm joined by Mike Tytula. In this episode, Mike and I discuss his Oophaga histrionica "fuego" project, the state of pumilio in the Canadian amphibian hobby, and some of his new projects with his partner Bree that include Madagascan rain frogs(scaphiophryne marmorata) and Mexican Giant Tree Frogs. (galychnis dacnicolor). We also discuss the appeal that reptile ...
Dec 16, 2023•2 hr 7 min
Oophaga sylvatica comes in a wide variety of morphs-including the vividly colored "koi" morph, which is soon to be legally exported out of Colombia for the first time. My guest this week is Julio Rodriguez, and we discuss his recent trip to Colombia and what it was like seeing them in the wild. We also discuss some of the wild variations, what goes into keeping sylvatica in a private collection, and what happens when you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time! This weeks's sponsor is The Fr...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Herpeteculture is a broad banner with many different disciplines under it. Much can be learned from the different niche communities within it, if we are willing and open minded enough to do so. This week I am joined by Phil Lietz ,of the Project Herpeteculture podcast, and we compare and contrast different issues within herpeteculture. We talk about some controversial issues within the greater reptile and amphibian communities, podcasting, and much more. We also discuss Phil's work with uromasty...
Dec 01, 2023•2 hr 9 min
This week I am joined by Natt of @NattAttackss and we discuss her Atelopus barbotini and Phylomedusa sauvagii breeding projects. We talk about the time and dedication that goes into working with these species, as well as a step by step rundown of how she got her atelopus barbotini to produce hundreds of healthy offspring. Follow Natt @nattattackss on Instagram and TikTok This week's episode is sponsored by the Frog Breeder Merch Store https://the-frog-breeder-merch.myspreadshop.com/ To Support A...
Nov 17, 2023•1 hr 29 min
The Toronto Reptile Expo is one of the biggest reptile expos in North America. But what makes an expo happen? Well to answer this question I am joined by Fadi of Daffy's reptiles and we discuss his new role as videographer and social media director for the expo. We talk about what goes into planning and promoting the brand, how the plant community became involved, and the ins and outs of showcasing vendors through social media. We also discuss the care and breeding of alpine newts, podcasting, a...
Nov 10, 2023•1 hr 47 min
As reptile expos become more popular around the world, there is a greater demand for healthy captive bred reptiles and amphibians. In Canada, one of the biggest expos in the country now employs a full time vet to ensure the health and wellbeing of animals on display and being sold. It's my pleasure to sit down with Dr. Alec Brown this week and discuss his role at the expo, the value of veterinary care, and ensuring proper husbandry standards are met. We also talk about his career as an emergency...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 32 min
It's that time of year again. And, just in time for Halloween, I get to sit down this week with Richard Stewart of The Tarantula Collective. In this episode, Richard and I discuss some commonalities between the amphibian and invertebrate hobby, how public perception of tarantulas is evolving, what goes into hosting his podcast -The Exotic Pet Collective, and what goes into creating some of the most visually stunning arachnid videos on youtube. We also talk about our favorite Halloween movies and...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 58 min
Many species of dart frogs exhibit some degree of parental care. But new research has shown a new level of parental care in Ranitomeya imitator, that far exceed anything we have ever imagined. Through her research, Dr. Jen Moss has been able to understand a new complexity within the calls of Ranitomeya imitator that redefine our understanding amphibian parental behavior. It's my pleasure to have Jen as my guest this week and we discuss her new paper, "Evolution of Acoustic Signals Associated wit...
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 6 min
This week I am joined by Jay Sommers and we discuss the legacy of Bob Mailoux. Bob was a giant in the amphibian world and many of the species we work with today (including white's treefrogs) would never have risen to their current status in the hobby with out Bob's decades of hard work and passion. Jay and go on to discuss the history of the amphibian hobby back into the 70s and 80s and how some of the species kept back then have all but disappeared from the hobby. We also talk about the challen...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 49 min
This week I am joined by Lynn Rech of Fern's Frogs and we discuss her approach to breeding and keeping dart frogs with a high attention to detail. We talk about the benefits of in person sales, vending at east coast expos, raising oophaga pumilio in grow outs bins, the importance of maintaining frog pedigrees via a Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) known as "Foot Prints", and how she turned her love for the hobby into a thriving one woman operation. For more information check out: https://www.f...
Oct 06, 2023•1 hr 35 min
As the amphibian hobby continues to grow, it is crucial that we advocate for the health and wellbeing of our beloved frogs, toads and salamanders. We must also be mindful of the health and wellbeing of the industry that provides us the privilege of working with these amazing creatures. And when it comes to setting policies that affect the industry (particularly with regard to amphibian disease), input from hobbyists and breeders is a vital component. This week I am joined by Dr. Matt Gray and we...
Sep 29, 2023•1 hr 36 min
In July of 2020 I released the first episode of AmphibiCast. Since then, I have had the honor of interviewing over 100 remarkable people from all different disciplines with one goal in mind - to broaden our understanding of the frogs, toads, and salamanders we all care so deeply about. This episode is dedicated to all the guests and listeners who have helped make the last three years happen. -Thanks to all of you! In this special episode, I am joined by Troy Goldberg and we discuss how the dart ...
Sep 15, 2023•2 hr 19 min
In this episode I discuss some common problems associated with culturing flightless fruit flies and some tips on how to avoid them.
Sep 01, 2023•30 min
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is not only a world renowned destination for plant lovers, it is also home to an incredible collection of some of the world's most beautiful amphibians. In this episode I am joined by the ABG's Amphibian Program Coordinator, Chelsea Thomas. We discuss the history of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the care and husbandry of the frogs within the collection, the newt conservation project, and much more! Chelsea also shares the history behind the famous "ABG Mix" that ha...
Aug 25, 2023•1 hr 49 min
This week I am joined by Michael Heinrichs and we discuss his beginnings in the hobby, oophaga vincentei, and expanding conservation goals through the Active Conservation Alliance. Michael started out keeping herps (specifically geckos in the Phelsuma genus) in the 1970's and he has experience in both the US and German hobbies. In this episode we talk about the early days, and how Michaels interests in conservation evolved into his current project - The Active Conservation Alliance. We also cove...
Aug 18, 2023•1 hr 42 min
