CrocKast Podcast

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In this podcast series, Nate and Matt interview the leading figures in field herping, research, zoo work and captive husbandry. Join us as we explore and learn from the best in the world!

Nathanael Truax


    • May 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 12m AVG DURATION
    • 93 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from CrocKast Podcast

    Episode 80: James Watson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 74:16


    In this episode James Watson comes on to talk about his work with Tomistoma (i.e. the Sunda Gharial). We talk about his research work, some of the interesting aspects of Tomistoma natural history, what threats Tomistoma face going into the future, and palm oil plantations. Bryant also joins us as a co-host, and we do briefly touch on herping in Sarawak. Enjoy!

    Reptile Ramblings #15: Ecotourism with Ian Breland

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 115:09


    In this episode Ian Breland (IG @life.of.ian) of Serpentine Expeditions comes on to talk all about his adventures herping across the globe, how he set up a herping tour company, wildlife videography, and much more. Enjoy!Check out Serpentine Expeditions with the link below:https://www.serpentineexpeditions.com/

    Episode 79: Zach Bell

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 69:34


    In this episode Zach Bell of the Okinawa Kame Centre (IG @okinawakamecentre) comes on to talk all about his experience working with reptiles, how he came to found the Okinawa Kame Centre, and the Centre's focus species, the Ryukyu Black-breasted Leaf Turtle (Geoemyda japonica). We deep dive into the biology and natural history of this fascinating little turtle and discuss some of the threats that face this species. If you want to know more about this turtle and how you can contribute to its conservation, please follow the link below. Enjoy!https://www.okinawa-kame.org/en-home

    Episode 78: Dr. Christina Zdenek

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 55:13


    In this episode Dr. Christina Zdenek comes on to talk about her work at the Australian Reptile Academy, Death Adder venom research, and snake's ability to detect sound. Enjoy!

    Reptile Ramblings #12: Navigating the Neotropics with Emilio Pazmino

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 100:34


    In this Episode Bryant and Nate chat with Emilio Pazmino about all his adventures herping throughout Latin America and the southeastern United States. We especially focus on his experiences in Panama and Ecuador.

    Reptile Ramblings #12: Rigging Up Gear with RoadTripMonster

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 125:20


    In this episode Nate and Bryant hangout with Jack (@roadtripmonster) and talk all about herping, herping gear, and camera gear. If you want the know how to get great herp photos, then this is the episode for you!

    Reptile Ramblings #11: Diving into Drymarchon with Kay of Darker Scales

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 83:36


    In this episode Nate and Bryant sit down with Kay of Darker Scales to talk about her work with large colubrids, especially Indigos and Cribos. We talk about captive care, breeding, and the culture and laws that surround keeping these magnificent snakes. Enjoy!

    Episode 77: Steve of Steve's Snaketuary

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 37:20


    In this episode Steve of Steve's Snaketuary comes on to talk about his work caring for abandoned and surrendered animals. We also talk about herping in Louisiana and his hot sauce. Enjoy!

    Reptile Ramblings #10: Matt is Back!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 137:11


    In this episode Matt Minio returns to talk all about his adventures since he was last on the pod. We talk about his time in the everglades, his survey work in California, and his month long adventure through Indonesia. Enjoy!

    Reptile Ramblings #8: Herping with @ohio.herps

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 90:36


    In this episode Bryant and Nate sit down with Connor (@ohio.herps) to talk about herping in Ohio, Florida, and the southeast. We also talk about the reptiles and amphibians of Ohio and the greater Midwest, and what makes them so great. Enjoy!

    Episode 76: Warren Schmidt

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025 71:23


    In this episode Warren Schmidt of Biodiversity & Environment Africa comes on to talk about his adventures with herps in South Africa, his career working with herps, and African biodiversity. Be sure to check out his website at www.bioenviroafrica.com

    Reptile Ramblings #7: Where Will We Go?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 126:50


    Nate and Bryant sit down to talk about some of the places in the United States and around the globe that they would like to visit. It's a Top 10 list you won't want to miss!

    Episode 75: Dr. Steven Allain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 51:56


    In this episode Dr. Steven Allain (IG @stevoallain) joins me to talk about his work with the conservation and research of the herps of Great Britain. We talk about his research with infectious fungi (i.e. chytrid), invasive species, and other things. Hope y'all enjoyAlso, be sure to check out the Okinawa Kame Centre (IG @okinawakamecentre) to learn more about the Ryukyu Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle. Enjoy!

    Episode 74: Mike Pingleton

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 62:13


    In this episode Mike Pingleton of the So Much Pingle podcast comes on to talk about his experience producing a podcast and his adventures herping across the globe. Enjoy!

    Reptile Ramblings #6: Snake Road

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 40:20


    In this episode we dive into the world famous Snake Road and talk all about the herps we saw there as well as some of the other places around southern Illinois where reptiles and amphibians can be found. Enjoy!

    Reptile Ramblings #5: All About Sibon

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 54:07


    In this episode we go over all the different Dipsadid snakes that Nate saw in Costa Rica, from many different species of Sibon, the two species of Geophis, Cat-eyed snakes, among others. Enjoy!

    Episode 73: Tim Crowther

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 49:24


    In this episode Tim Crowther comes on to talk about his work at the Natural Toxin Research Center looking at some of the more obscure elements in snake venom (especially Red Spitting Cobra venom), and we also talk about his personal collection and experience breeding many different sorts of herps. Enjoy!

    Episode 72: Dr. Zach Whitman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 52:02


    In this episode Dr. Zach Whitman (IG @conservation_herp) comes on to talk about his experience as a veterinarian that specializes in reptiles, how he got into herp focused veterinary care, steps people can take to prevent common maladies in their collections, and his conservation work. Enjoy!

    zach whitman
    Reptile Ramblings #4: Costa Rica Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 54:51


    In this episode Bryant and Nate do a recap of Nate's recent herping trip across Costa Rica, including pictures of some of the highlight species from the trip. Enjoy!

    Episode 71: Robert Hansen

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 80:04


    In this episode Robert Hansen joins me to talk about his work at UC Berkley's Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, and his 20 years of work as the editor for Herpetological Review. We also talk about his work with Mexican King Snake species and his upcoming book. Enjoy!

    Episode 70: Joe of Colubrid Corruption

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 45:07


    In this episode Joe (@meteoricserpents) of the Colubrid Corruption Podcast comes on to talk about Texas rat snakes, morph breeding, and his podcast. Enjoy

    Reptile Ramblings #3: Colubrid Fest Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 55:05


    We talk all about Colubrid Fest, including what we picked up, what we found herping, and the content of the Saturday panels. Enjoy

    Reptile Ramblings #2: Prepping for Colubrid Fest

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 59:43


    We talk all about Colubrid Fest, including what we hope to get there, the different speakers and panels, and potentially doing some side herping in the Indianapolis area. We also talk about everything new with us, and potential future trips.

    Episode 69: Jeff Beane

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 40:03


    In this episode Jeff Beane of North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences about his role as the museum's herpetology collections manager, what roles museums play in research and conservation, and what threats face North Carolina's native reptiles and amphibians.

    Reptile Ramblings #1: The Intro

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 45:36


    In the first episode of this new podcast series, Nate and Bryant lay out the groundworks, goals, and format of the podcast. We also talk about Colubrid Fest and get prepared for that. Hope y'all enjoy!

    Episode 68: Dr. Steve Salisbury

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2024 98:58


    In this episode Dr. Steve Salisbury talks with me about extinct Australian crocodilian species, including the interesting extinct croc family of Mekosuchidae. He also talks about the role that osteoderms play in crocodilian spinal stability. Enjoy!

    Episode 67: Dr. Vladimir Dinets

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2024 27:07


    In this episode I talk with researcher and author Vladimir Dinets about his work researching crocodilian social behavior and some of his adventures across the globe. Enjoy.

    Episode 66: Chad Keates

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 57:06


    In this episode Chad Keates (IG @chadkeates) talks about his work with snakes, lizards, and amphibians across Africa, specifically his genetic work as an evolutionary biologist. Enjoy!

    Episode 65: Rachel Pikstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2024 87:10


    In this episode Rachel Pikstein of Pikstein Labs comes on to talk all about Tegus! We talk about her work looking into the genetics of invasive tegu populations in Florida and in captivity, how frequently red tegus hybridize with black and white tegus, and we also talk about tegu intelligence. Enjoy!

    Episode 64: The Road Trip Monster

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 89:21


    In this episode I talk with Jack (@roadtripmonster) about his adventures herping all across Texas and in the greater Las Vegas area. We also talk about his personal collection, and his experience with getting bitten by a rattlesnake.

    Episode 63: Professor Mark O'Shea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024 94:57


    In this episode Dr. Mark O'shea talks about his adventures across the globe, especially in New Guinea, his work with the University of Wolverhampton, conservation, nature documentary production, books, and snake bite treatment. Enjoy!

    Episode 62: Dr. Sam Hilevski

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 27:02


    In this episode I interview Dr. Hilevski about his research work with crocodilian farming (specifically with broad snouted caiman) and captive breeding for conservation with Orinoco Crocodiles. Enjoy!

    Episode 61: Robert Wedderburn

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 77:37


    In this episode wildlife film maker Robert Wedderburn comes on to talk about his work, his history with herping and captive keeping, his series Snake Heroes, and much more. Dive on in!(18) Robert Wedderburn - YouTube

    Episode 60: Jacob Bratz

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 86:01


    In this episode Jake Bratz (@longleafreptilia) of the Herpetoculture Podcast and the Flipping Tin podcast joins me to talk about his personal collection, podcasting, and herping. Enjoy!

    Episode 59: Andrew Austin on herping in Suriname

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2024 112:20


    In this episode Andrew Austin (@thetexasnaturalist) comes back on to talk about his recent herping trip to Suriname, his experience with using social media for nature education, and some of the other stuff he's been up to lately. We also talk a lot about South American snake taxonomy. Enjoy!

    Episode 58: Bruce Eilerts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 48:39


    In this episode Bruce Eilerts talks about his work as a biologist for the DOD, whether that be sea turtles in Hawaii or rattlesnakes on Arizona golf courses. We talk about Gila Monsters, Desert Tortoises, rattlesnakes, and how people can be citizen scientists.

    Episode 57: Clint Bartley

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 68:54


    In this episode Clint Bartley of Metazotics and Colubrid and Colubroid Radio comes on to talk about Asiatic rat snakes, North American colubrids, the economy of herpetoculture, and the CCR podcast. Enjoy!

    Episode 56: Lance Paden

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2024 56:56


    In this episode I talk with Lance Paden about his work with the Turtle Survival Alliance, along with his other conservation experiences. We talk about his work Indigo snakes in the southern US and Radiated Tortoises in Madagascar, among other things. Enjoy!If you want to support the Turtle Survival Alliance follow the link belowTurtle Survival Alliance | We Protect Turtleshttps://turtlesurvival.org/

    Episode 55: Dr. Stan Trauth

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2023 73:09


    In this episode Dr. Stan Trauth of Arkansas State University talks all about reptile and amphibian histology, ranging from lizards to turtles to amphiumas. Enjoy!

    Episode 54: Dr. Kurt Schwenk

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 89:04


    In this episode Dr. Kurt Schwenk of the University of Connecticut comes on to talk about tongues! We talk about lizard tongues ranging from the projectile like chameleons, to the forked-tongued monitors, and everything in between. We also discuss snake tongues, and even a some amphibian anatomy as well. Enjoy!

    Episode 53: Bryant McDowell

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 73:56


    In this episode Bryant McDowell (@don_bon_jr) comes on to talk about his herping experiences in Illinois, across the Midwest, down in Panama, and across the USA. We also talk about some of the stuff he keeps, and herping dreams for the both of use.

    Episode 52: Dr. Christopher Brochu

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2023 138:57


    In this episode Dr. Brochu talks about the evolution and fossil record of crocodilians and their extinct relatives. We talk about the amazing diversity that crocodilians up until very recently (ranging from terrestrial predators to finned and fluked marine reptiles) and the origins of many of the species still alive today.

    Episode 51: Zane Shapiro

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 49:39


    In this episode Zane Shapiro talks about his work at the Dragonwoods Conservancy and all they do to protect endangered reptiles, including the largest collection of Cuban Crocodiles in the United States. Enjoy!

    Episode 50: JD of Slithering Oddities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 45:08


    In this JD McClain of Slithering Oddities (@slitheringoddities) talks about his experience keeping and breeding a variety of snakes, especially Australian pythons.

    Episode 49: Xander Combrink

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 50:58


    In this episode Nile Crocodile researcher Xander Combrink talks about his research with these iconic apex predators. We talk about his research with lead and heavy metal poisoning, nesting habits, and social behaviors in Nile crocs, among other things. Enjoy!

    Episode 48: James Nifong

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 55:37


    In this episode James Nifong talks about his research with alligators, their ecology, and their role in salt water environments. Enjoy!

    Episode 47: Brandon Sideleau

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 61:49


    In this episode Brandon Sideleau of the Crocodile Attack Database (@crocattackdatabase) talks about croc attacks around the world, the difference in attacks between different species, and how to be safe in and around crocodilian habitat.

    Episode 46: Roy Arthur Blodgett

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2023 69:13


    In this episode Roy Blodgett of @wellspringherp and @rattlesnakerelations talks about his career in herpetoculture, Amazon puffing snakes, and his experiece providing rattlesnake services.

    Episode 45: Adeline Robinson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2023 34:46


    In this episode Adeline Robinson talks about her reptile artwork. From personal portraits of animals to pieces made for charity auctions. Enjoy!

    Episode 44: Phil Wolf

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 60:26


    In this episode I talk with Phil Wolf (@knobtails.ig) about his collection, his experience keeping venomous snakes, knobtail geckoes, and his podcasts (Snakes & Stogies, and Venom Exchange Radio). Enjoy!

    Episode 43: Matt McDowell

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 54:11


    In this episode I talk with Matt (@arboreal.obscurities) about his experience in herpetoculture, his collection, and scrub pythons! Check it out!

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