234: Mastering Reptile and Amphibian Photography | Zac Herr - AAH

Wildlife artist Matt Patterson of Stoneridge Art Studio joins Andis Arietta to talk turtles, natural history illustration, and learning to look closely. Matt shares the rescue story of Fire Chief the snapping turtle, his path into wildlife art, and the observations that help him bring reptiles and amphibians to life on the page. We discuss why an illustration can reveal things a photograph cannot, the challenge of drawing snakes, and how meeting an individual turtle can change the way people see these animals. Guest: Matt Patterson — Artist, Stoneridge Art Studio. Instagram: @stoneridgeartstudios Project : Herpetoculture Episode 104: Turtles Hold Up the World

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