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

In Part 2 of our Green Tree Python series, Rain and I take a deep dive into the history, genetics, and breeding of one of the reptile hobby's most iconic species. We explore the origins of green tree pythons, the history of captive breeding, and why locality information and bloodlines are often far more complicated than many keepers realize.We also discuss the differences between true breeding lines and designer animals, how localities can become mislabeled throughout the trade, and the breeding practices required to produce consistent, healthy animals. If you're interested in Green Tree Pythons, reptile genetics, or responsible breeding, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and historical context.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/255-green-tree-pythons/SPONSORS: Visit The BioDude: https://www.thebiodude.com/ Visit Zoo Med Labs here: https://zoomed.com/JOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathome

What if you could build your reptile enclosure before spending a single dollar? In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Wilson, creator of CritterCAD, a 3D vivarium design platform that helps keepers design naturalistic enclosures, experiment with layouts, and evaluate their husbandry using a species-specific CARE score. We discuss how the software was built, the challenges of turning husbandry into a digital tool, the role of community-driven care information, and where CritterCAD is headed next. Whether you're planning your next enclosure or just love innovative reptile-keeping tools, this is an episode you won't want to miss.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/254-crittercad/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:CritterCAD: https://www.crittercad.com/ https://www.instagram.com/crittercad/Photos and Video in Episode:Provided by Daniel Wilson0:00 Intro3:40 Welcome Daniel & Background11:11 Career & Education 13:16 Intro to CritterCAD31:29 Live CritterCAD Demo and picking enclosure40:11 Substrate57:48 Backgrounds1:03:42 Lighting 1:10:45 Generating a Shopping list1:12:45 Plants & Adding the Animal1:16:28 Care Score1:26:00 Adding Custom 3D Assests1:38:00 Final Words on CritterCAD1:41:50 Outro

Green tree pythons may be one of the most misunderstood snakes in the reptile hobby.In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of locality lines, designer chondros, imports, pedigree claims, and the economics driving the modern green tree python market. How much do breeders actually know about the origins of the animals they’re producing? And how much of the market is built on speculation?From wild-type animals and locality confusion to morphs, hybrids, and captive breeding ethics, this is a conversation about what happens when hype outpaces structure.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/#253 #LIVE #animalsathomepodcastJOIN US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/animalsathome

In this episode, Daniel Yates presented his research on the neuroscience of reptiles. Daniel shared his PowerPoint presentation titled "Learning Science and How to Deal with People for My Reptiles," focusing on the brain anatomy of reptiles and how it compares to human brain structure. He explained key concepts, including the three "humps" of the reptile brain (forebrain, mid brain, and cerebellum), the optic tectum's role in processing visual information, and how different reptile species have adapted their brain structures based on their environments and behaviors. Daniel discussed various studies, including a 40-species analysis and shared his hypothesis about how reptiles perceive and interact with their environments. The conversation also touched on his personal background in science and his approach to studying reptile neuroscience, emphasizing the need for more research in this area.SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/252-daniel-yates/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.youtube.com/@UCETeOch6OVLTC9GQPR3_QhQ PDF DOWNLOAD: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Neuroscience-of-Reptiles.pdf

In this episode of the Animals at Home Podcast, I’m joined by reptile keeper and podcast host Adam Sehy for a wide-ranging conversation about reptile keeping, outdoor husbandry, podcasting, breeding decisions, and balancing reptiles with real life.We discuss Adam’s journey into reptiles and podcasting, how his show evolved from a curiosity-driven learning project into a successful reptile media platform, and why he recently decided to scale back recording frequency to focus more on family and avoiding burnout.We also take a deep dive into Adam’s current collection, including Argentine boas, jungle carpet pythons, diamond pythons, blood pythons, Timor pythons, and Texas indigos. Adam shares his philosophy on keeping a smaller, more intentional collection, his preference for natural-looking animals over morphs, and how he evaluates whether or not an animal should be bred.One of the most fascinating parts of the episode centers around Adam’s outdoor reptile enclosures in Florida.We discuss:Keeping diamond pythons outdoors through winter cold snapsNatural temperature cycling and fasting periodsEnclosure construction and insulationPredator and parasite preventionMonitoring temperatures with sensorsThe risks and rewards of outdoor reptile keepingWe also touch on:The evolution of reptile husbandry over the yearsLessons learned from old reptile forumsPodcasting in the reptile spaceSocial media and reptile content creationHealth, fitness, and balancing hobbies with life responsibilitiesSHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/251-adam-sehy/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.youtube.com/@Snake_Boihttps://www.instagram.com/official_snake_boi/https://www.facebook.com/adam.sehy/00:00 Intro02:27 Adam’s podcast journey & reducing episode frequency9:55 How reptile podcasting changed his husbandry philosophy34:52 Growing up with reptiles & early keeping experiences52:40 Adam's Collection 1:01:08 Why Adam Won't Breed His Jungle Carpet Python1:08:20 Why Argentine Boas are Amazing1:21:45 Diamond pythons outdoors in Florida & Sub Zero Cold Snap1:43:42 Texas indigo snakes & feeding challenges1:49:20 Social media, reptile content & podcasting culture1:55:25 Where to find Adam & closing thoughts

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 You02:46 – Meet Nick Campbell (Lizard Lounge)03:30 – Reptile Keeping in the 90s 08:12 – Leaving the Hobby & Career Shift12:51 – Human Behavior → Reptile Behavior14:17 – The Framework: Trust → Confidence → Curiosity21:54 – Returning to Reptiles (Emerald Tree Boa)27:25 – What “Trust” Really Means33:32 – Step-by-Step Trust Building (Tree Monitor Example)44:38 – Why Food Reward Isn't Enough, Other Better Tools52:21 – Applying This to Snakes (Retic Example)56:18 – Signs of a Comfortable Reptile1:08:52 Enrichment (In & Out of the Enclosure)1:14:09 – Keeping Large Monitors Properly1:16:28 – Water & Waste Management1:23:44 – Nail Maintenance (Critical Tip)1:29:07 – Final Advice1:30:51 – 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 Up00:44 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 Kit35:56 No days off at the zoo & latch anxiety36:38 How much money do zookeepers make? Worst thing about zookeeping39:22 Recording keeping40:47 Flagship species at the zoo?42:49 What can private keepers learn from zookeepers?44:10 BioDude Terra Fauna & Bug Grub45:11 Co-habbing species47:45 What can zookeepers learn from private keepers?49:22 What you need to know before becoming a zookeeper51:00 Dealing with the death of an animal52:53 How to simulate hunting for lions?55:32 Animals at Home Merch & Patreon 56:42 Monkeys causing problems58:49 No contact rule - dangerous giraffes1:01:19 North America vs Europe Zookeeping1:05:28 Winter vs Summer Zoo operation 1:07:04 Advice for future zookeepers1:09:25 Closing Thoughts