AmphibiCast

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 publication: "The Former Lehmanni–Histrionica Species Complex: A Review of the Evolution, Natural History, and Conservation of the Large Colombian Oophaga (Family: Dendrobatidae)" Chris' full review of the literature provides a robust account of what its known about Colombian oophaga including behavior, toxicity, aggression, microhabitat, taxonomy, the significance of blue morphs and much more. We also go on to discuss Chris' work with the Amphibian Foundation, The King School project, Zoo Cali's work, and upcoming researchTo learn more about the research discussed in this episode visit:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/6/3/113https://citylifestyle.com/articles/king-students-with-global-impacthttps://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00435-025-00745-z.pdf

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 to discuss common sense frog room safety topics, dealing with stressed frogs, and much more. This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creationshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreationsExo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. Be sure to follow @dartfrogs and @froghousetropics

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 stakeholders and policy makers and make decisions based in science and facts.This week I am joined by Sam Sucre and Devin Edmonds and we discuss their new paper, "Tracking the hidden trade of non-native pet amphibians in the United States" In this episode we discuss 20 years of import data, trends in pricing, the nitty gritty of which species were imported and why, and how trade effects the countries of origin as well as hobbyists in the US. To read and share the paper discussed in this episode, visit:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320726000224And as a supplemental please check out Devin's other paper at:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14888386.2025.2453459Exo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. To support the podcast by becoming a Patron, please visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast

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, his move the the USA, and how he builds ornate (and often massive) rock walls and water features for zoos, aquariums and, private homes. (Notably, Stuart designed and built the Legasea Aquarium and Zoo for Brian Barczyk) To support the podcast by becoming a Patron, please visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCastTo see Stuart's work and to shop visit: https://universalrocks.com/This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creationshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreationsExo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. 

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 Foundation. Register now at www.amphibianfoundation.org and use code AMPHIBICAST at checkout for 10% off This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creationshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreationsExo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. NEHERP is our sponsor this week For your bioactive vivarium needs visit: https://www.neherpetoculture.com/

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 treatments for a long list of ailments.  And, in addition to their medical usage, frogs were also used as characters in medieval fables that depicted them as everything from heroes to villainsTo help us understand frogs in the medieval world,  week I am honored to be joined by medievalist and librarian, Greti Dinkova-Bruun. In this episode, we discuss her recent article, The Medieval Frog in Medical Recipes and Fable Narratives. We talk about historical context, and many of the specifics behind the usage of frogs in both medicine and literatureGreti Dinkova-Bruun's article The Medieval Frog in Medical Recipes and Fable Narratives, is published in the latest issue of Mediaeval Studies, To read the article, visit:https://www.academia.edu/130177325/_The_Medieval_Frog_in_Medical_Recipes_and_Fable_Narratives_Mediaeval_Studies_85_2023_139_162https://pims.ca/news-item/medieval-frog/Broaden your knowledge of herpetology online or in person at the Amphibian Foundation. Register now at www.amphibianfoundation.org and use code AMPHIBICAST at checkout for 10% off This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creationshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreationsExo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. NEHERP is our sponsor this week For your bioactive vivarium needs visit: https://www.neherpetoculture.com/

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 through the rainforest. We also talk about yellow fever and the effects of other tropical diseases Broaden your knowledge of herpetology online or in person at the Amphibian Foundation. Register now at www.amphibianfoundation.org and use code AMPHIBICAST at checkout for 10% off Exo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. NEHERP is our sponsor this week For your bioactive vivarium needs visit: https://www.neherpetoculture.com/

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 compare amphibian disease dynamics in different corners of the globe, never before seen frog species, and the importance of citizen science through Frog ID* One of the species we discuss is - rhacophorus helenae (named in honor of Jodi's Mum)To learn more visit:  https://jodirowley.com/To help frogs through citizen science visit: https://www.frogid.net.au/Broaden your knowledge of herpetology online or in person at the Amphibian Foundation. Register now at www.amphibianfoundation.org and use code AMPHIBICAST at checkout for 10% off This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creationshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreationsExo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. NEHERP is our sponsor this week For your bioactive vivarium needs visit: https://www.neherpetoculture.com/

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@amphibicasthttps://www.facebook.com/frogdaddyllc/https://www.facebook.com/p/Rainforestjunkys-100078666645717/https://frogdaddy.net/http://www.rainforestjunkys.com/Broaden your knowledge of herpetology online or in person at the Amphibian Foundation. Register now at www.amphibianfoundation.org and use code AMPHIBICAST at checkout for 10% off Exo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. NEHERP is our sponsor this week For your bioactive vivarium needs visit: https://www.neherpetoculture.com/

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 in person at the Amphibian Foundation. Register now at www.amphibianfoundation.org and use code AMPHIBICAST at checkout for 10% off This episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creationshttps://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreationsExo Terra is our sponsor this week. For all your amphibian needs visit: Exo-terra.com or visit your local dealer and follow @exoterrausa on social media. NEHERP is our sponsor this week For your bioactive vivarium needs visit: https://www.neherpetoculture.com/