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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 outside the enclosure to establish safety before ever attempting handling—and why this mindset shift can completely change your relationship with your animals.We also get into:How to work with high-strung species like monitor lizardsThe importance of water systems and enclosure designCreative enrichment strategies (including outdoor “catio” setups)Nail care, lighting, and environmental controlWhy patience and observation are the most underrated tools in reptile keepingIf you’ve ever struggled with a defensive reptile—or want to take your husbandry and interaction to the next level—this episode will challenge the way you think about handling and care.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/250-lizard-lounge/SPONSORS: Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://www.instagram.com/lizardloungecrew/https://www.facebook.com/stevediamondelementsPhotos and Video in Episode:https://www.instagram.com/lizardloungecrew/00:00 – Intro: Why Your Reptile Doesn’t Trust You 02:46 – Meet Nick Campbell (Lizard Lounge) 03:30 – Reptile Keeping in the 90s 08:12 – Leaving the Hobby & Career Shift 12:51 – Human Behavior → Reptile Behavior 14:17 – The Framework: Trust → Confidence → Curiosity 21:54 – Returning to Reptiles (Emerald Tree Boa) 27:25 – What “Trust” Really Means 33:32 – Step-by-Step Trust Building (Tree Monitor Example) 44:38 – Why Food Reward Isn't Enough, Other Better Tools 52:21 – Applying This to Snakes (Retic Example) 56:18 – Signs of a Comfortable Reptile 1:08:52 Enrichment (In & Out of the Enclosure) 1:14:09 – Keeping Large Monitors Properly 1:16:28 – Water & Waste Management 1:23:44 – Nail Maintenance (Critical Tip) 1:29:07 – Final Advice 1:30:51 – Outro

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 thing, or is it just human nature? And more importantly… how do you know when a collection becomes something unhealthy?This episode is all about challenging assumptions, defining ethical boundaries, and giving you tools to reflect on your own role as a keeper.Let me know your thoughts in the comments 👇🎧 Listen to more episodes:Animal Control Officer Perspective w/ Brendan Hettinger: https://youtu.be/lVbbC_v4juIZookeeping: https://youtu.be/BgYyK81g7FUThe Dark Side of the Oddities Market: https://youtu.be/Oii0Mf_vjlgCrested Gecko Habitat Deep Dive: https://youtu.be/3kD0Wjzyl7wReptile Heating & Enclosure Size Explained: https://youtu.be/ZgJJ_MiFSnsSHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/249-dillon-perron/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathome00:00 – Intro & Episode Overview00:40 – Why This Is a Solo Episode01:57 – Stepping Away From Social Media04:37 – Do You Have the “Right” to Own Reptiles?11:20 – The Idea of “Collecting” Reptiles17:50 – The “Buying High”, Hedonic Cycle & Hoarding26:35 – Recent Episodes Recap34:10 – Upcoming Episode Tease (Lizard Lounge)

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 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://kdvr.com/news/local/114-cats-rescued-some-found-dead-in-arvada-home-owners-face-cruelty-charges/https://www.instagram.com/brendan_hettinger/Photos and Video in Episode:https://www.instagram.com/brendan_hettinger/00:00 – Introduction & warning01:10 – What this episode is about02:05 – Meet Brendan Hettinger04:10 – Early passion for reptiles & zoo experience08:30 – Becoming an animal protection officer12:10 – What animal control actually does (disease, euthanasia, etc.)16:20 – Fear of dogs vs reptiles19:30 – Cat hoarding case (100+ cats, biohazard conditions)25:00 – Psychology behind hoarding29:10 – How reptile keepers are perceived by law enforcement33:00 – Reptile neglect cases (bearded dragons, sliders, etc.)36:40 – Why reptile rescues often fail41:20 – Reptile hoarding case walkthrough (the “rescue”)47:00 – Why bad cases drive legislation51:00 – The problem with “rescuing” animals you can’t afford55:10 – Should reptiles be regulated more?59:30 – Breeding, oversupply, and future laws1:05:00 – Can the reptile hobby fix itself?1:09:30 – Ethical takeaways for keepers1:13:00 – Brendan’s personal collection1:16:30 – Long-term responsibility & animal lifespan1:19:00 – Final thoughts

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 for visitors. The conversation covered topics such as communal enclosures, the strength and intelligence of various animals, and the importance of proper animal care. Malthe emphasized the physical demands of the job and the need for zookeepers to be prepared for the realities of working with animals in a zoo setting. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/247-zookeeping/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://www.instagram.com/malthe.12/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Malthe 0:00 Coming Up 00:44 Introduction 3:17 Welcome Malthe 8:52 How to become a zookeeper in Denmark? 12:06 How many zoos are in Denmark? 15:11 What reptiles do you keep at home? 17:42 Did keeping animals privately influence you? 21:02 Zookeeping courses & training 26:12 How to provide enrichment to zoo animals (Giraffes) 34:45 Zoo Med Creatures Roly Poly Kit 35:56 No days off at the zoo & latch anxiety 36:38 How much money do zookeepers make? Worst thing about zookeeping 39:22 Recording keeping 40:47 Flagship species at the zoo? 42:49 What can private keepers learn from zookeepers? 44:10 BioDude Terra Fauna & Bug Grub 45:11 Co-habbing species 47:45 What can zookeepers learn from private keepers? 49:22 What you need to know before becoming a zookeeper 51:00 Dealing with the death of an animal 52:53 How to simulate hunting for lions? 55:32 Animals at Home Merch & Patreon 56:42 Monkeys causing problems 58:49 No contact rule - dangerous giraffes 1:01:19 North America vs Europe Zookeeping 1:05:28 Winter vs Summer Zoo operation 1:07:04 Advice for future zookeepers 1:09:25 Closing Thoughts

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 to exist, and why the label “ethically sourced” is frequently used as a way to reassure buyers rather than reflect reality.The conversation also moves into the disturbing rise of human remains appearing in the oddities market. We discuss several shocking cases, including grave robbing operations, corrupt cremation practices, and even a scandal involving a Harvard Medical School employee selling human body parts.This episode takes a hard look at a topic that many people find fascinating but rarely examine closely: where these specimens actually come from, and the ethical issues surrounding the trade.If you enjoy deep conversations about the intersection of ethics, wildlife, and the darker corners of niche markets, this episode will definitely give you something to think about.JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeSHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/246-oddities/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://www.instagram.com/nathan_carlos_rupley/https://www.facebook.com/nathan.rupleyFish Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UC0WjNicr4ZY4wlbsWo6XSdw https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/pa-man-accused-of-stealing-bones-from-cemetery-in-delaware-county/4329838/https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/thompson-man-sentenced-72-months-prison-trafficking-stolen-human-remains0:00 Coming Up00:34 Intro & Content Warning3:40 Welcome Nathan & Intro to Oddities9:06 Why are people drawn to oddities?14:06 The ethical issues with deceased animals 29:25 Don't trust "ethically sourced." Do this instead.36:47 Selling Human Remains - News Story41:49 Can you legally own a REAL human skull?44:32 Harvard Medical School Employee selling remains52:05 The Body's Exhibit & Human Remains Art57:59 Fastination with Death & Deformities 1:06:16 Nathan's Animal Collection - Keeping Roaches, Spiders & Beetles1:20:48 Animal keeping is a celebration of life1:25:30 Closing Thoughts

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 closely with natural history, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/245-exotic-keeper/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://exoticskeeper.com/https://www.instagram.com/exoticskeeper/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Thomas Marriott0:00 Intro2:49 Welcome Thomas - New Caladonia Overview15:05 Crested Gecko Behavior in Dry Season19:25 How to Replicate Crested Gecko Habitat21:47 Wild Crested Gecko Diet (wet vs dry season)25:27 Zoo Med Creatures Roly-Poly Kit26:40 Why Crested Geckos do well in Captivity36:34 Environmental Readings - When are Crested Geckos Active in the Wild?38:11 Replicating Environmental Cues 42:30 Other Species found on New Caladonia 55:36 BioDude TerraFanua Substrate56:38 Bearded Dragons in the Wild - impaction & body condition1:17:40 Leopard Geckos - the plan to find wild specimens 1:21:55 Closing Thoughts

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 episode to tune into if you’re curious about the science behind an ecosystem like these!SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/244-minibiota/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:MiniBiota Website: https://www.minibiota.com/MiniBiota YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@minibiota MiniBiota Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minibiotaMiniBiota Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miniBIOTAPhotos and Video in Episode:MiniBiota YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@miniBIOTA⁩  We Discuss: 0:00 Introducing Josue Gimberard of MiniBiota 1:05 Coming Up: The Bio Dude 1:41 Coming Up: Zoo Med 2:01 Welcome Josue + His Career Path 7:11 Josue’s Motivations for His Enclosures 10:52 Layout and Components of Josue’s Tanks 14:59 Replicating Ecosystems 16:28 Atmosphere + Reservoir Constructions in the Tanks 21:30 Size of Atmosphere Thoughts 23:18 Cooling or Heating the Atmosphere 29:33 Creating The Rain Effect 32:23 Avoiding Slime Bacteria 33:29 The Bio Dude Substrates + Bug Grub 34:30 The Lake Biome 43:18 The Shoreline Biome 49:30 Balance in Moisture for Terrestrial Biomes 51:31 Soil Depth in Grassland + The Mangrove Forest Biome 59:52 Managing Temperature/Humidity Probes 1:09:48 Potential Salt Problems + Salt Obstacle Course Plans 1:15:22 The Coastal Biome 1:19:13 The Seagrass Meadow Biome 1:23:59 Risk of Salinity Problems + Maintaining Balance 1:25:55 Lighting Systems + Future Lighting Plans 1:30:56 Will The Tanks Ever Be “Finished”? 1:35:15 Zoo Med Jumping Spider Kit 1:36:21 Inspirations + Mental Load of Josue’s Projects 1:45:39 3D Printing Uses 1:50:13 Closing Thoughts

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: How to calculate the minimum enclosure sizeWhy enclosure dimensions matter for heat gradientsCommon heating and enclosure mistakesHow size impacts thermoregulation and welfare🎧 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 BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://reptifiles.com/https://www.instagram.com/reptifiles/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/reptifiles/https://www.youtube.com/@UCwWGfVChrix8yuL0BmMjxSw Photos and Video in Episode:https://www.instagram.com/reptifiles/?hl=en0:00 Intro 2:50 Welcome Mariah 8:46 Reptile Room Update 22:58 ReptiFiles - What is it? & Update 34:53 Zoo Med - Jumping Spider Kit 36:00 Where next for ReptiFiles? 1:01:51 Calculating Reptile Minimum Enclosure Size 1:54:40 Reptile Heating - How to heat a reptile tank? 2:27:23 Best Reptile Basking Surface? 2:47:40 Creating a perfect warm hide 2:51:27 Closing Thoughts

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 order for the breeding project to succeed. SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/242-coconut-crabs/ SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Indo’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indo_and_plants Indo’s YouTube: https://youtube.com/@indoplants7040 00:00 Introducing Indo 1:23 Coming Up: The Bio Dude 1:58 Coming Up: Zoo Med Jumping Spider Kit 2:19 Welcome Indo + Starting Out With Exotic Animals and Crabs 6:46 Animal Keeping Community in Italy 19:19 What Indo Is Keeping Currently 12:45 Indo’s Passion for Crustaceans 15:00 Recommended and Types of Crab Species 17:00 Basic Vampire Crab Care Requirements 19:10 Scavenger Crabs + Naturalistic Enclosures 22:00 Terrestrial Crabs and Water Needs 23:27 Cohabitation With Other Crabs or Species 24:30 The Bio Dude Substrates + Bug Grub 25:31 Discovering Coconut Crabs 31:07 What Is A Coconut Crab? 34:59 Keeping Coconut Crabs 41:45 Enclosure Needs For Adults + More Care Requirements 46:13 Coconut Crab Diets 47:53 Zoo Med Jumping Spider Kit 48:58 Breeding Coconut Crabs 1:02:18 Replicating Flow of The Ocean + Filters 1:05:08 Growing Phases 1:07:27 Indo’s Future Plans for Breeding Crabs 1:12:13 Future Projects + Closing Thoughts

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, and data visualization, with an emphasis on application in the environmental field. Andis is an active herpetoculturist who runs Holotypica (holotypica.com), a small husbandry-focused venture centered on ethically bred amphibians and reptiles, primarily focused on dart frogs and emerald tree skinks. His work in the hobby prioritizes animal welfare, transparent methods, and helping keepers succeed through education and evidence-based guidance. Across all of his work, Andis is interested in how AI can support conservation and environmental outcomes, including improving decision systems, extracting insight from unstructured data, and strengthening science communication, while remaining clear-eyed about the limitations and risks of these tools.

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/animalsathomePhotos and Video in Episode:Provided by Rain0:00 Intro1:48 Welcome Rain, Discovering Snail-Eaters14:35 Starting with the Snails16:45 TrueChroma by Fauna Lux18:20 Finding Wild Snails23:20 Buying & Selling Snails on eBay31:28 Parasites on Snails & Snail Worms33:25 Selling & Collecting Millipedes 36:08 How Many Snails each Snail-eater needs43:25 BioDude44:26 Raising Snails vs Raising Crickets47:34 The Benefits of Keeping & Breeding Snails55:53 The Species of Snail-Eaters Rain Keeps & Their Characteristics 1:14:54 How they eat1:28:56 A look at Rain's Snail-Eaters1:46:37 What size snail to feed?1:48:56 Feeder variety?1:51:50 Structure for Captive Keeping1:56:28 Setting up the Snail Tubs & Feeding2:02:38 Semi-Slugs2:06:28 Closing Thoughts

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