In this episode, Dillon and Rom dive deep into the world of house snakes, highlighting them as an exceptional "gold standard" species that thrives in captivity. Rom shares his extensive experience keeping, breeding, and working with these versatile reptiles, breaking down their adaptability, ease of care, and the impressive variety found across different genera and morphs.We cover everything from natural history, behavior, and optimal husbandry requirements to breeding practices, clutch sizes, incubation methods, and common health considerations. Plus, we discuss the rising popularity of house snakes in the hobby, their market value, and the exciting potential for future morph development. Whether you are a beginner looking for a robust, low-maintenance pet or an advanced keeper expanding your collection, house snakes offer incredible potential.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/263-house-snakes/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/the_croc_river_collection/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Rom

In this episode, Dillon is joined by John Courteney-Smith MRSB to discuss his latest book, Biosynergy, which explores the interconnected nature of biology and environmental factors in reptile care. John explains how the concept of biosynergy emerged from past discussions about animal locomotion and stressors, highlighting his core belief that nature provides perfect solutions that we must replicate in captivity.The conversation traces the evolution of John's thinking across his five-book series—moving from metabolic bone disease (MBD) and nutrition to a comprehensive approach encompassing three parameters of nutrition and five layers of enrichment. We also dive into practical vivarium setup, soil composition (including the importance of natural mineral ratios versus organics), the role of infrared light beyond heating, and the necessity of diverse prey items. Additionally, John shares his personal health challenges, recovery, and how they reshaped his approach to work and writing, alongside the book's recent success as an Amazon bestseller and its acceptance into the Linnaean Great Library in London.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/262-jcs/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://www.arcadiareptile.com/https://www.instagram.com/arcadiareptile/https://www.youtube.com/user/arcadialighting/videoshttps://www.facebook.com/arcadiareptile/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Arcadia Reptile

In this episode, Dillon is joined by Jon Ford to dive deep into the fascinating world of Eurydactylodes (chameleon geckos). Often called the most underrated genus in the entire reptile hobby, these small, slow-moving yet surprisingly active geckos offer incredible potential for both beginners and experienced keepers.Jon shares his journey from working in pet retail to exclusively keeping and breeding Eurydactylodes agricolae. We break down the major enclosure sizing myth (why a standard 12x12x18 is wildly inadequate for adults), how to set up natural branch networks with dense plant coverage, and the realities of cohabiting pairs during breeding season. Plus, we cover diet, lighting, UVB, and their unique defense mechanism involving metallic-smelling secretions.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/261-jon-ford/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/terraventusignus/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Jon

In this episode, Dillon is joined by Emma Cotrell from Ezzies Aquatics to dive deep into the fascinating, amphibious world of mudskippers. We explore her background in fish keeping, how she discovered these unique fish, and the realities of sourcing accurate care information in a niche hobby.Emma breaks down natural history, habitat adaptations, species variations, and the specialized requirements needed to keep mudskippers thriving. From formulating real mud substrates and maintaining tidal systems to brackish water parameters and cohabitation dynamics, we cover everything you need to know about setting up a successful mudskipper paludarium.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/260-ezzies-aquatics/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/ezzies_aquatics/https://www.tiktok.com/@ezzies_aquaticshttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573073555003​ ⁨@EzziesAquatics⁩  Photos and Video in Episode:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573073555003

The conversation centered on Jennie Erin Smith's book Stolen World and its exploration of the high-stakes reptile trade, illegal smuggling, and the complex personalities of key figures like Hank Molt and Tommy Crutchfield. Jennie shared insights into her extensive investigative research and discussed the psychological motivations driving exotic wildlife trafficking, from genuine passion to the quest for status. The discussion also covered her controversy with Eric Goode's HBO series Monsters of God, addressing allegations that her book was used as an uncredited template.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/259-jennie-erin-smith/SPONSORS: Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE: Jennie's Contact: [email protected] World: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307381471/Valley of Forgetting: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0525536078/

In this episode, Bruce from BMC Bioscience LLC breaks down the intersection of high-level Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis) breeding, laboratory-backed biosecurity, and reptile genetics.Bruce shares his journey from getting his first GTPs in 1997 to formally establishing BMC Bioscience in 2020 with a massive focus on disease screening, biosecurity protocols, and advancing keeper standards across the community. We dive deep into serpentovirus and cryptosporidium testing, the realities of polygenic versus simple recessive/dominant traits, the 2019 taxonomic shifts in GTPs, and Bruce’s ongoing research into how UV lighting impacts neonatal development.In This Episode, We Discuss:- The BMC Bioscience Story: Bruce’s keeping background (since 1991) and scaling a professional breeding program.- Biosecurity & Testing: Disease protocols, dedicated quarantine, and navigating serpentovirus/crypto screening.- GTP Taxonomy & Morphs: The split into two distinct species, working with subspecies-specific lines vs. designer chondros, and inheritance debates.- Genetics & Neonate Care: Polygenic traits, neonatal color changes, and the science behind captive bloodlines.- UV Lighting Research: Bruce’s findings on the role of artificial UV lighting in neonatal development.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/258-bmc-bioscience/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.bmcbioscience.com/https://www.facebook.com/bmcbioscience/https://www.instagram.com/bmc_bioscience_llc/Photos and Video in Episode:https://www.instagram.com/bmc_bioscience_llc/

In this episode, Nathan from Blue River Diets breaks down the science, formulation, and field research behind modern crested gecko nutrition. We explore why the brand was created to combat common captive issues like obesity through low-fat, high-fruit formulas, and how functional ingredients like bee pollen, coconut, and postbiotics support gut health and immunity.Nathan also shares how expeditions to New Caledonia revealed critical insights on seasonal feeding—from insect dominance in the wet season to fruit abundance in the dry season—and how keepers can use natural branches, habitat micro-structures, and rotational feeding to drastically improve crested gecko welfare.In This Episode, We Discuss:- The Blue River Story: Origins, name connection to New Caledonia, and filling market gaps.- Nutritional Formulation: Why low fat, medium-chain triglycerides (coconut), and high fruit (60–70%) matter.- Functional Ingredients: The role of bee pollen, postbiotics, and soy protein isolate vs. insect protein.- New Caledonia Field Research: Wet vs. dry season diet shifts and replicating seasonality at home.- Husbandry & Enclosure Design: Utilizing thin branch networks, natural foraging, and bioactive setups.- Live Insects & Enrichment: Why live feeders remain essential alongside powdered diets.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/257-blue-river-diets/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/#257 #animalsathomepodcastJOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathomeLINKS FROM THE EPISODE:https://blueriverdiets.com/https://us.blueriverdiets.com/https://www.facebook.com/blueriverdietshttps://www.instagram.com/blue_river_diets/https://www.youtube.com/@UCxRxcgCvStPaXd82hGfxo5A https://www.tiktok.com/@blueriverdietsPhotos and Video in Episode:Blue River Diets Facebook

Greg Watkins-Colwell is Senior Collection Manager of Herpetology and Ichthyology at the Yale Peabody Museum, where his work spans natural history collections, systematics, biogeography, research, and public education. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and the Science Advisory Board of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.

Phil and Andis chop it up.

Zion joins me on the podcast to discuss one of the most iconic—and notoriously challenging—snakes in herpetoculture: the Emerald Tree Boa. We break down the biggest mistakes new keepers make, how Zion refined his husbandry through trial and error, and what it really takes to keep these incredible snakes thriving in captivity.We also discuss the differences between Northern and Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boas, the pros and cons of captive-bred versus imported animals, enclosure design, humidity management, heating, UVB, quarantine, and why patience may be the single most important quality for anyone considering this species. Whether you already keep Emerald Tree Boas or have always dreamed of owning one, this episode is packed with practical husbandry advice and fascinating insights.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/256-emerald-tree-boas/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.emeraldtreeboas.org/https://www.instagram.com/emeraldtreeboashttps://www.instagram.com/zvivarium/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Zion0:00 Intro3:04 Welcome, Zion! Background6:30 Getting his first Emerald Tree Boa11:59 Initial Emerald Tree Boa Setup and Mistakes25:44 Northern vs Basin Emerald Tree Boas40:28 Who Should Keep an Emerald Tree Boa?50:20 Setting up a Proper Emerald Tree Boa Enclosure 55:40 Emerald Tree Boa Heating and Lighting1:16:38 ETB Humidity, Substrate & Ventilation 1:34:38 Basin vs Northern Husbandry1:38:08 ETB Perching Behaviour 1:42:56 Dealing with Wild-Caught Imports1:46:11 ETB Health Issues2:21:15 ETB Feeding Routine2:30:26 EmeraldTreeBoas.Org & Closing Thoughts2:42:20 Outro