Animals at Home Network

AAHN
  • 4.8 (41)
  • Nature
  • Updated Monthly

Exploring ethical captive management of reptiles & amphibians through the lens of biological science, conservation, and human nature. The Animals at Home Network is a herpetoculture-based podcast network that hosts: Animals at Home Podcast by Dillon Perron, Project Herpetoculture by Phillip Lietz and Roy Arthur Blodgett, Reptiles & Research Podcast by Liam Sinclair and Ellie Hills, and Animals Everywhere by Bryce Broom. Each show on the network brings all members of the reptile community together to discuss reptile husbandry, scientific research, breeding, wildlife conservation, and more!

  1. 5d ago

    257: Are We Feeding Crested Geckos Wrong? | Blue River Diets

    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

    257: Are We Feeding Crested Geckos Wrong? | Blue River Diets

  2. Jul 16

    Project: Herpetoculture with Greg Watkins-Colwell

    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.

  3. Jul 12

    Project: Herpetoculture Phil and Andis

    Phil and Andis chop it up.

  4. Jul 7

    256: The Truth About Keeping Emerald Tree Boas | Zion McAndrews

    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 Intro 3:04 Welcome, Zion! Background 6:30 Getting his first Emerald Tree Boa 11:59 Initial Emerald Tree Boa Setup and Mistakes 25:44 Northern vs Basin Emerald Tree Boas 40:28 Who Should Keep an Emerald Tree Boa? 50:20 Setting up a Proper Emerald Tree Boa Enclosure 55:40 Emerald Tree Boa Heating and Lighting 1:16:38 ETB Humidity, Substrate & Ventilation 1:34:38 Basin vs Northern Husbandry 1:38:08 ETB Perching Behaviour 1:42:56 Dealing with Wild-Caught Imports 1:46:11 ETB Health Issues 2:21:15 ETB Feeding Routine 2:30:26 EmeraldTreeBoas.Org & Closing Thoughts 2:42:20 Outro

    256: The Truth About Keeping Emerald Tree Boas | Zion McAndrews

  5. Jul 1

    255: Why Designer Green Tree Pythons Are a Problem | Rain

    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

    255: Why Designer Green Tree Pythons Are a Problem | Rain

  6. Jun 24

    254: Design Better Reptile Enclosures with This Tool | CritterCAD

    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 Intro 3:40 Welcome Daniel & Background 11:11 Career & Education 13:16 Intro to CritterCAD31:29 Live CritterCAD Demo and picking enclosure 40:11 Substrate 57:48 Backgrounds 1:03:42 Lighting 1:10:45 Generating a Shopping list 1:12:45 Plants & Adding the Animal 1:16:28 Care Score 1:26:00 Adding Custom 3D Assests 1:38:00 Final Words on CritterCAD 1:41:50 Outro

    254: Design Better Reptile Enclosures with This Tool | CritterCAD

  7. Jun 1

    253: Chondropython or "Con"dropython? LIVE | Round Table - AAH

    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

    253: Chondropython or "Con"dropython? LIVE | Round Table - AAH

  8. May 25

    252: Inside the Mind of a Reptile | Daniel Yates - AAH

    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

    252: Inside the Mind of a Reptile | Daniel Yates - AAH
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4.8
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

Exploring ethical captive management of reptiles & amphibians through the lens of biological science, conservation, and human nature. The Animals at Home Network is a herpetoculture-based podcast network that hosts: Animals at Home Podcast by Dillon Perron, Project Herpetoculture by Phillip Lietz and Roy Arthur Blodgett, Reptiles & Research Podcast by Liam Sinclair and Ellie Hills, and Animals Everywhere by Bryce Broom. Each show on the network brings all members of the reptile community together to discuss reptile husbandry, scientific research, breeding, wildlife conservation, and more!

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