208: MadBio Reptiles – Animals at Home Network

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!

Chuckey of Madbio discusses his experiences with zookeeping, specifically with crocodilians and monitors regarding their husbandry, training, and intelligence. He shares details about his beginnings in observing wildlife, to efforts in breeding, to now where he has a successful career in working hands-on with various species. Chuckey also discusses at length where issues lie with the private keeping of larger reptile species, as well as the common species in the reptile community and how they are treated. Invasive species are also a topic that he dives in with great knowledge, having been living in Florida which has the largest population of invasive species due to the reptile pet trade. Chuckey pushes for the proper keeping of reptiles, respect for their wild counterparts, and the importance of learning, growing, and discussing reptiles in the proper way on social media.

SHOW NOTES: https://www.animalsathomenetwork.com/208-madbio-reptiles/

WE DISCUSS:
00:00 Coming Up – ZooMed
0:22 Introducing Chuckey – MadBio
1:47 Welcome Chuckey + Beginnings in Wildlife
6:19 Cottonmouth Experience + Fear
7:36 Ball Python Breeding and Job Experiences
12:16 Caring and Connection with Animals
14:58 Training Alligators
17:50 Gator and Monitor Intelligence Levels
24:49 Chuckey’s Favorite Species
26:08 Private Keeping of Large Reptile Species
29:12 Husbandry Needs for Crocodilians + Monitors
32:06 ZooMed Dragon Food
33:01 Chuckey’s Personal Reptile Species
35:09 Opinions on Keeping Reptiles
44:49 Invasive Burmese Pythons in Florida + The Issue
54:37 Laws Surrounding Invasive Species
55:22 Chuckey’s Views on USARK Florida
1:01:10 Operation Viper + Operation Chameleon
1:04:00 Importation + Breeding in Captivity
1:05:58 Potential for Improvement in the Reptile Community + Learning
1:12:59 Reptiles and Social Media
1:21:36 Closing Thoughts