PODCAST · science
AmphibiCast
by Dan Drobates
AmphibiCast is the Original Amphibian Focused Podcast. Each weekly episode features informative and educational content for hobbyists, naturalists, ecologists, pet enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates frogs, toads and salamanders.
Episodes
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Episode 218 Defining Large Colombian Oophaga with Chris Buttermore
The genus Oophga is unique and complex. Central American species (O. pumilio for example ) are fairly well known to researchers. However, knowledge of the larger Colombian obligates such as Lehmanni, is limited. In this episode I sit down with Chris Buttermore and we discuss his recent…
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Episode 217. Colombia Round Table with Julio Rodriguez and Braxton Griffith
In this episode I am joined by Julio Rodriguez and Braxton Griffith. We discuss their observations of wild dart frogs during a recent trip to Colombia, the logistics of navigating the different wild habitats, finding frogs in fragmented forest patches, and staying hydrated in the field. We go on…
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Episode 216. Tracking the Data - 20 years of Amphibian Trade with Sam Sucre and Devin Edmonds
In order to become better stewards of the natural world, it's vital that we understand how important data from the amphibian hobby can be. As amphibian keepers, we can play an important role in conservation and resource management. By interpreting and understanding trade patterns, we can engage...
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Episode 215. Zoo Grade Hardscapes with Stuart Dunne of Universal Rocks
Have you ever been to a zoo or aquarium and marveled at the artfully crafted rocks and water features in the enclosures? Chances are, you may have seen the work of Stuart Dunne. Stuart is the founder of Universal Rocks and in this episode we discuss his beginnings as a landscaper in Australia…
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Episode 214. 5th Annual Yuletide show with Mike Tytula
It’s that time of year again. Join me and Mike Tytula for a fireside chat about responsibly managing a large herp collection, in situ observations from his trip to Costa Rica, upcoming projects for 2026, and much more. Broaden your knowledge of herpetology online or in person at the Amphibian...
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Episode 213. Frogs in the Medieval World with Greti Dinkova-Bruun
We've all heard the tales of witches using "eye of newt" in their potions, but did you know that amphibians (frogs in particular) were actually a common ingredient in medieval curatives? Medieval medicine was in fact rife with recipes that used frogs (in part or whole) as cures, charms, and...
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Episode 212. Photography and Frogs in the Wild with Jack Small
This week I’m joined by Jack Small. Jack had traveled quite extensively and he has countless hours in the field observing and photographing dart frogs and other wildlife. In this episode, we discuss Jack’s field expeditions, wildlife photography techniques and equipment, and guiding groups…
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Episode. 211. Frog Talk with Jodi Rowley
This week I'm joined by Jodi Rowley. Jodi is a leading amphibian expert with over 100 publications to her name, years of field research in South East Asia and Australia, and she has identified and described several new frog species. In this episode, we discuss Jodi's career researching frogs, we...
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Episode 210. Listener Q & A with Alex Menke and Mike Novy
This week Alex Menke, Mike Novy, and I answer listener questions about dart frogs and tree frogs. We discuss husbandry, breeding, ethical topics, and we have more than a few laughs. Thanks to all the listeners who submitted questions. Be sure to follow @amphibicast...
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Episode 209. Beginner Episode - What you need to know before starting with dart frogs
Are you interested in keeping dart frogs for the first time? In this episode I cover what you need to know before getting your first frog. I cover basic husbandry, feeding, supplementation, lighting, live plants, some natural history and much more. Broaden your knowledge of herpetology online or…
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Episode 208. Show Room Vivarium Backgrounds - With Mikegravia
Vivarium Backgrounds are an integral part of dart frog vivarium builds. They can be simple or complex, but in the right hands they can become true works of art. This week Im joined by @mikegravia and we discuss his methods for building show room quality vivarium backgrounds. We cover materials,...
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Episode 207. Talking Shop with Braxton Griffith of Frog House Tropics
This week I'm joined by Braxton of Frog House Tropics. In this episode we discuss Braxton's barn sized frog room(yes its an actual barn!), some new trends in the dart frog hobby, the importance that meetups have for the community, and much more. be sure to visit https://froghousetropics.com and...
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Episode 206. Caudates, Unique Frogs, and More -with Tim Herman of Indoor Ecosystems
This week I am joined by Tim Herman. Tim is well known for his specialized vivarium and marine aquarium brand -Indoor Ecosystems-, as well as for his accomplishments as an academic, and zoo professional. In this episode, Tim and I discuss how to bring high quality vivariums and aquariums to life....
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Episode 205. Conservation Crisis - The Future of the Amphibian Foundation with Mark Mandica
Amphibian conservation, education, and appreciation, are the three ingredients that bind the amphibian community together. And, for almost a decade now, The Amphibian Foundation has dedicated its time and resources to provide both a brick and mortar facility, as well as an online presence, that...
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Episode 204. Frog week 2025 with Aaron Capouellez
This week I chat with Aaron Capouellez and we discuss what's going on with native Pennsylvania amphibians for Frog Week 2025. We talk about amphibian road crossings and the issues they present, how a group of young students became involved in wood frog conservation, is the northern green frog a...
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Episode 203. The Mystery of the Golden Toad with Kyle and Trevor Ritland
One of the most enigmatic extinction events in history took place only a few decades ago in a tiny section of pristine habitat near Monte Verde Costa Rica. Shorty after its discovery, the Golden Toad (Incilius periglenes) suddenly disappeared without a trace. Leaving many to wonder what happened...
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Episode 202. Fire Salamanders and Herping Through Hard Times - with Matt Wayne
This week I am joined by fellow podcaster, Matt Wayne. Matt hosts the 'Not Another Reptile Podcast' and in this episode we discuss his venture into podcasting as well as his passion for fire salamanders. We discuss the care, breeding, and the hobby history of Salamandra salamandra, and we also…
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Episode 201. The Houston Toad Project with Audrey and Chris of Houston Zoo
Zoos often play an integral part in amphibian conservation. This week I am joined by Audrey and Chris courtesy of Houston Zoo, and we discuss their work with the critically endangered Houston Toad. Exo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your...
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Episode 200 - Dart Frog Round Table w/ Julio, Troy, and Mike Tytula
EPISODE 200! This week I am joined by Julio Rodriguez, Troy Goldberg and Mike Tytula. We have a full blown dart frog round table discussion covering tips, observations, breeding, supplementation, zoopoxy, mystery locales, social media posts gone rogue, and oh so much more. Broaden your knowledge…
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Episode 199. Sustainable Bio-Commerce and Andinobates with Ivan Lozano
This week I am joined by Ivan Lozano. In this episode, we discuss sustainable Colombian bio-commerce, the introduction of the first legally imported andinobates into the US amphibian community, and a new partnership between coffee farmers and conservationist aimed at saving precious frog habitat....
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Episode 198. Susan Canavan -Social Media and Extinction
Social Media has become an important facet of our ever evolving society. We find news, opinions, and information at an ever increasing pace. But how do social media posts affect our perception of extinct animals? And, are posts about extinct amphibians unique in their retention? Do posts about...
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Episode 197. A Hobby History -with Nathan Hall Austin Vivarium Studio
This week I am joined by Nathan Hall. Nathan has decades of experience keeping and breeding herps, and in this episode, we discuss his decision to focus on dart frogs. We also take a deep dive into the last 35 years of the herp hobby, the early days of the internet, Nathan's involvement with...
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Episode 196. Borneo! With Rob Mohr
This week I am joined by Rob Mohr. Rob recently traveled to Borneo, and in this episode we discuss the incredible amphibian species he encountered, and what makes Borneo unique as an island biome. Exo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your...
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Episode 195. A Comprehensive look into Amphibian Medicine with Brad Wilson DVM
This week I am joined by veterinarian, Brad Wilson DVM. In addition to working with companion animals and livestock, Brad is also an accomplished amphibian vet. In this episode, we take a comprehensive deep dive into amphibian medicine from a holistic perspective. We discuss the concepts of...
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Episode 194. The Genesis of Chytrid and the Path to Resistance -with Roland Knapp
This week I am joined by Roland Knapp. Roland has studied Mountain yellow legged frogs in the Sierra Nevada for three decades. During the earliest days of his research, he witnessed the first massive amphibian die-offs in the US as a result of a new and lethal pathogen. That pathogen would come…
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Episode 193. Amphibians VS Reptiles! with Phil Lietz
For decades, the reptile and amphibian hobbies have formed a sort of synergy. Collectively they constitute what many call the "Herp" hobby. However, as time passes, the communities have become more divergent- almost to the point of being mutually exclusive. But how much do we really have in…
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Episode 192. Convergence and Discovery with Hugh Gabriel
This week I am joined by researcher and museum educator, Hugh Gabriel. On a recent research trip to Madagascar, Hugh made a ground breaking discovery - identifying and describing three new species of Guibemantis frog in a very specialized biome. These species of Guibemantis have a unique natural...
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Black Friday Episode! Mike Tytula and I Celebrate the Holidays!
Thanks everyone for an an amazing year! This week I'm joined by Mike Tytula for our annual AmphibiCast Holiday Fiasco. In this episode Mike and I have an open conversation about traveling to Colombia, choosing which expos to vend, reptile and amphibian industry and content trends, and long term...
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Live From American Frog Day 2024
An AmphibiCast first! Live episode at American Frog Day 2024. Join me as I check out the event and interview some new people as well as some podcast favorites! We discuss everything from wild Colombian frogs, hobby trends, the value of community, chaos in Sleepy Hollow, what’s new at the Atlanta...
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AmphibiCast 4 Year Anniversary Show with Troy Goldberg
This week I’m joined by Troy Goldberg and we discuss what we’ve learned about the hobby, content creation, vivarium builds, and frog care over the past four years. Is the hobby stagnant? Is there too much content out there? Be sure to listen to this one! And thanks to everyone who supported the...
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Episode 188. Atelopus Reintroduction and Natural History with Blake Klocke
This week I am joined by Conservation Biologist, Blake Klocke and we discuss his work with Atelopus reintroduction, (including radio tracking!), understanding the value of amphibian natural history, amphibian plasticity, sampling salamanders in the hobby for Bsal, and much more! Be sure to follow...
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Episode 187. Frogs and Fisheries - Management Goals with Jack McDermott
This week I am joined by Jack McDermott @jibbys.jungle . In this episode, we compare and contrast frog and fisheries management strategies. We approach both amphibians and fish from a natural resources perspective, and we consider the human element, economic impact, sustainability goals, and...
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Episode 186. Bioactive Builds, Bugs, and Beards with Logan Hope -That Bearded Bug Guy
This week it is my pleasure to be joined by Logan Hope AKA That Bearded Bug Guy. Logan has a talent for elaborate custom vivarium builds and content creation, and he is involved in some very interesting amphibian, reptile, and invert projects. In this episode we discuss his journey through the...
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Episode 185. Cruziohyla sylviae Husbandry and a Conservation Conversation -with Sam Sucre
Newly described as it's own species, Cruziohyla sylviae is a prime candidate for research. Captive populations are an important factor in ensuring the species' survival for a number of reasons. And as such, a proper science based understanding of their care and breeding is vital. This week I am...
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Episode 184. Vivarium Design and Stop Motion - A Conversation with Benjamin Fieschi-Rose
This week I am joined by Vivarium enthusiast, and professional puppeteer and filmmaker, Benjamin Fieschi-Rose. In this episode, Ben and I discuss the many crossovers between Vivarium building and Film set design as art forms. We also talk about his frog and plant collections, some of the raw...
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Episode 183. Frog Week '24 with Aaron of Woods and Forests Media
Native North American amphibian species don't often get their proper share of media attention. Thankfully though, Aaron Capouellez has created a media brand dedicated to the preservation of native Pennsylvania species. In this episode, Aaron and I catch up and discuss how the brand has grown, the...
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Episode 182. Golden Mantella and Orchid Deep Dive with Chis Miller.
This week I am joined by longtime dart frog hobbyist Chris Miller of edgewooddarts.com and www.ranitomeya.com In this episode Chris and I discuss the advent of the US dart frog hobby in the early 1990s, Keeping Golden Mantella vs Breeding Golden Mantella, and much more. Chris is also an...
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Episode 181. The Frog Hobby in Australia with Michaela of Mac's Frog Army
The Amphibian Hobby is a worldwide community, and each corner of the world has its own special niche. This week I am joined by Michaela (AKA Macs frog army on social media) and we discuss her journey into the Australian amphibian hobby, the challenges (and joys) of keeping only native species,...
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Episode 180. Quick Start Guide to Misting Systems
Automated misting systems are useful way to mist vivariums on a schedule. In this episode I discuss the components, installation tips, maintenance, and benefits of using a misting system in your amphibian's vivarium This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations...
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Episode 179. Mental Wellbeing and the Hobby - With Dave Mickulas of VivaVivariums
The world is a stressful place. For many of us, the amphibian hobby is a means of escape and a place where we can find peace of mind. But, the hobby does also require a great deal of commitment ,and it can also become a stressor in and of itself when we are struggling with personal issues.…
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Episode 178. Building a Clean Amphibian Trade through Community Engagement with Alexa Warwick
There are many stakeholders in the amphibian universe. From breeders and hobbyists, to researchers, land managers, and policymakers. -all of these groups need to be engaged as a community if trade is to be continued in a clean and responsible way. But how is this accomplished and what challenges...
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Episode 177. Tesoros de Colombia Update! with Ivan Lozano
This week I am joined by Ivan of Tesoros de Colombia and we discuss some new projects that are underway at Tesoros and the ACA. We talk about some of the new species soon to be available through legal import, including Amereega and Andinobates, as well as how local coffee farmers are helping...
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Episode 176. Beginner Mistake Survival Guide!
This week’s epdisode is designed with the beginner in mind. When we start out as hobbyists, it’s very common to make mistakes. Husbandry and care can be researched, but our knowledge base always grows through experience. In this episode, I discuss some common beginner mistakes and how to fix…
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Epsiode 175. Chytrid vs the Mycovirus -with Mark Yacoub and Jason Stajich
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Bd is one of the most infamous agents of amphibian disease world wide. But did you know that there are multiple lineages other than the Global Panzootic Lineage and that the fungus can be affected by a virus? New research involving the fungus and mycoviruses has...
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Episode 174. The Japanese Giant Salamander - With Richard Pearce
The Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus) is one of the world's most iconic amphibian species. In this episode I am joined by Director of Buishido Adventure Travel limited and CEO of Sustainable Daisen - Richard Pearce, directly from Japan. Sustainable Daisen is a not for profit...
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Episode 173. The Living Wall -With Rob Mohr
This week I am joined by professional vivarium specialist and long time frog hobbyist, Rob Mohr. Rob has made a career out his passion for the natural world, and in this episode we discuss his role at one of the largest private vivariums in the United States - the Seattle Spheres. We discuss...
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Episiode 172. Armen of Herptime
This week I am joined by Armen of HerpTime. In this episode we discuss what it takes to be a breeder, Armen’s new frog breeding projects, social media and more! We also take a deep dive into anoles and compare and contrast anole vs frog husbandry. This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations...
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Episode 171. Reptiliatus -A Conversation with Dayyan Saylany
This week I am joined by Dayyan Saylany. Dayyan is known across Youtube and social media as Reptiliatus, and in this episode we discuss his passion for reptiles and amphibians; and his journey into content creation. We also talk about Dayyan's frog experiences including why he developed a care...
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Episode 170. Carnivorous Plants with Drew Martinez
This week I am joined by Drew Martinez. Drew is the owner of Carnivero. - a nursery that specializes in carnivorous plants. In this episode, we discuss Drew's tenure in the dart frog and plant hobbies, his fascination with carnivorous plants and how to successfully care for everything from...
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Episode. 169. Stream dynamics and the Spring Salamander, with Madaline Cochrane
Streams are unique habitats that are home to many different species of amphibian. But, do changes in stream dynamics effect amphibian lifecycles? And if so, how? This week I am joined by researcher, Madaline Cochrane and we discuss her paper, "Individual growth rates and size at metamorphosis...
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