Animals at Home Network

AAHN

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. 248: What Animal Control Really Thinks of Reptile Keepers | Brendan Hettinger - AAH

    -1 J

    248: What Animal Control Really Thinks of Reptile Keepers | Brendan Hettinger - AAH

    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

    1 h 12 min
  2. 247: Why You Don’t Want to Be a Zookeeper | Malthe - AAH

    27 MARS

    247: Why You Don’t Want to Be a Zookeeper | Malthe - AAH

    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

    1 h 10 min
  3. 246: He Stole Human Remains and Sold them on Instagram | Nathan Carlos Rupley - AAH

    18 MARS

    246: He Stole Human Remains and Sold them on Instagram | Nathan Carlos Rupley - AAH

    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

    1 h 30 min
  4. 245: What Wild Crested Geckos Actually Experience in the Dry Season | Exotics Keeper - AAH

    26 FÉVR.

    245: What Wild Crested Geckos Actually Experience in the Dry Season | Exotics Keeper - AAH

    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

    1 h 25 min
  5. 244: This Garage-Built Biosphere Creates Its Own Weather | miniBIOTA - AAH

    12 FÉVR.

    244: This Garage-Built Biosphere Creates Its Own Weather | miniBIOTA - AAH

    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

    1 h 54 min

À propos

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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