A science podcast about everything herpetological: reptiles and amphibians and other advanced fishopods. Hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak.
The SquaMates podcast is an exceptional herpetology podcast that delves into the world of reptiles and amphibians with expertise and entertainment. The hosts, Mark, Gabriel, and Ethan, bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to each episode, making it both informative and enjoyable for listeners. Their in-depth discussions on taxonomy are particularly appreciated by herpetology enthusiasts. Unlike some other nature podcasts, SquaMates manages to keep things interesting and engaging throughout each episode, thanks to the hosts' chemistry and their ability to go into depth on various topics. The HERper stories segment is also a highlight, showcasing remarkable women in herpetology.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its blend of intelligence, articulation, and humor. The hosts provide smart and knowledgeable discussions while maintaining a friendly banter that keeps the atmosphere light-hearted. Their terrible puns also add a layer of entertainment to the episodes. It's clear that they have a genuine enthusiasm for reptiles and amphibians, which shines through in their conversations.
However, one drawback of SquaMates is its limited release schedule, with new episodes only being uploaded once a month. While the length of each episode helps compensate for this infrequency, it can still leave listeners wanting more. Additionally, since this podcast caters specifically to those interested in herpetology or already passionate about reptiles and amphibians, it may not appeal to a wider audience who may not share that same level of interest.
In conclusion, The SquaMates podcast is an exceptional resource for anyone interested in reptiles and amphibians or herpetology in general. With its mix of intelligence, humor, and extensive discussions on phylogenetics and scientific papers, it provides an entertaining way to learn about these fascinating creatures. Although the release schedule may be limited for some listeners' tastes and the content may not be as accessible for those outside the field of herpetology, SquaMates remains a must-listen for enthusiasts and those seeking to expand their knowledge of the herpetological world.
What is this‽ Two episodes in one week‽ That's right! It's May 9th, International Chameleon Day! In this episode, we give a deep dive into chameleon diversity, ecology, and evolution, and chameleon analogues across the world! Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 33: Chameleon Day Bonanza! first appeared on SquaMates.
Hiral is a Doctor of Science now, Mark is about to become an Associate Professor, and the art world continues to be mad and heavily affected by changes to the social media landscape! In this episode, we talk about art and scientific illustration, hemipenes, ectothermy, snake and salamander courtship and reproduction, and what you can… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 32: It was only a (cloacal) kiss, how did it end up like this? first appeared on SquaMates.
Happy World Frog Day! In this episode we answer a couple questions from listeners: why are there no neotenic frogs, and what books we recommend for people interested in herpetology (fair warning: it's a lot!) Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 31: I do it for the gills first appeared on SquaMates.
In this episode we talk about how many people are getting bitten by venomous snakes in South Africa, and how reporting encounters like this can help to reduce morbidity and mortality from snakebite: all the topic of a new paper by co-host Hiral Naik! Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 30: Nolite te serpentes biteyouonyourbum first appeared on SquaMates.
In this episode we drop some HOT OFF THE PRESS news about seven new species of frogs from Madagascar that Mark has been involved in describing that are named after seven Star Trek captains. We also cover some exciting recent research on Gymmie phylogeography and diving anoles! Plus, Hiral is submitting her PhD thesis! Wow!… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 29: Frog Trek first appeared on SquaMates.
An unexpected crossover is afoot! Hiral and Mark met up with Dr Thomas Marshall and Benjamin M. Marshall of the Herpetological Hightlights Podcast while they were at the 10th World Congress of Herpetology in Kuching, Malaysia. We sat down together and talked about the amazing conference, podcasts, and the herpetological community at large. We had… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 28: All day and all of the night (feat. Herpetological Highlights!) first appeared on SquaMates.
In this episode we talk about everyone's favourite frogs, rain frogs of the family Brevicipitidae! We go over their diversity, ecology, and anatomy, as well as their fun adhesive properties! Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider;… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 27: I'm only hoppy when it rains first appeared on SquaMates.
In this episode we gently debate subspecies, and then dive into several snake papers, from their anomalously extensive and rapid diversification, to a recent taxonomic change. Regrettably the audio on this episode was affected by a technical error, so it is far less than our usual quality (Ethan and Hiral are a little quiet, sorry!).… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 26: Let's talk about snakes, baby first appeared on SquaMates.
In this episode we talk about a really cool predation observation, the importance of publishing behavioural or observational notes, and some follow-up on the anaconda mess from Episode 24. Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 25: Micrurus brings all the boys to the yard first appeared on SquaMates.
In this episode we talk about the breaking news that caecilians produce milk‽, and get into some recent taxonomic works on anacondas and eyelash palm-pitvipers. Content warning: this episode contains several Hot Takes™. Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references), go to http://www.squamatespod.com… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 24: Green Anaconda don't want none first appeared on SquaMates.
The Mates are back after two and a half years of hiatus! They talk about all that's happened in the intervening time, and where we are going from here! Episode notes can get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references and beautiful pictures), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Get… Read more The post SquaMates Ep. 22: Neil Caiman and Crew first appeared on SquaMates.
The Mates get into the evolution of Ambystoma, whether or not to use subspecies, and the fantastically diverse and oft maligned gymnophthalmids (gymmies!). Episode notes can get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references and beautiful pictures), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Episode Citations Boccia, C.K., Swierk, L., Ayala-Varela, F.P.,… Read more
The Mates are joined this month by Hiral Naik, a snake ecologist from South Africa! We talk turtles, skinks, crocodiles, neocolonialism in science, and Lamprophiidae! Episode notes can get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references and beautiful pictures), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Episode Citations Thomson, R.C., Spinks,… Read more
After a corona-induced hiatus, the Mates are back with a looser format and some deep dives on tiny chameleons, glowing geckos, and the much debated Lacey act! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references and beautiful pictures), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Works in Froggress… Read more
Here’s episode 18, a Works in Froggress episode, featuring the Mates, Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talking about what’s going on in their new lives stuck inside—Ethan’s setting off on a freelancing lifestyle, Gabriel has been tweaking the same illustration forever, and Mark is working on FIIIIIIIIIISH! The Mates then dive into… Read more
We’re back with Episode 17! In this Breaking Newts episode, the Mates, Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talk about the coolest new research in herpetology and Gabriel’s extremely squeaky chair! Featuring a few controversial new bits of science, some amazing turtles, diverse salamanders, and glowing, bony amphibians! Episode notes sometimes get… Read more
Episode 16 is here, in this episode we—Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak—feature an interview with Professor Emily Taylor of Cal Poly, and two of her students, Isabelle Barnes and Katie Rock, talking about their amazing dataset about sex biases in publishing in herpetology, recorded at the 9th World Congress of Herpetology… Read more
We’re back with Episode 15! In this Works in Froggress and Discussion episode, the Mates, Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talk about what they’ve been up to since October 2019, and discuss the event of the year, the 9th World Congress of Herpetology in Dunedin, New Zealand. Episode notes sometimes get… Read more
Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak are back for a new start in 2020 and a small change to our episode format! In this Breaking Newts episode, we highlight important herpetological papers published since October 2019! Episode Citations Post, Y., Puschhof, J., Beumer, J., Kerkkamp, H.M., de Bakker, M.A.G., Slagboom, J., de… Read more
We are the worst, but at least we have an Episode 13, unlike a certain podcast we know. In this long-delayed episode, it’s just two of your normal co-hosts, Dr Mark D. Scherz and Gabriel Ugueto, in a more laid-back, chatty format than the usual! In this thirteenth episode, the structure of the show is a… Read more
Here it is, Episode 12! In this episode, the Mates, Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, have some hot takes on wasp taxonomy (wtf?) and lizard functional groups! In this twelfth episode, we talk sailing frogs, how fast you have to walk to find the most snakes, lizard skulls, and flying geckos, and… Read more
We’re back for our belated anniversary episode, episode 11! In this episode, the Mates, Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talk about the hottest new research in herpetology since April 2019! In this eleventh episode, we talk about salamander feet, burrowing lizard eyes, and the incredible gecko family Sphaerodactylidae. Episode notes sometimes get… Read more
Belated and disorganised, but it is finally here! Episode ten, with the Mates, Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talking about the hottest new research in herpetology since March 2019! In this tenth episode, we talk about glowing frogs, diving snakes, twitter’s greatest HERpetologists, and New Caledonian geckos! Episode notes sometimes get clipped… Read more
What? Another episode? So soon after the last? yes indeed! Episode nine is here, with the Mates, Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talking about the hottest new research in herpetology since December 2018! In this ninth episode, we talk about Eleutherodactylus, yellow anacondas, painting with snake pee, and blind snakes in a… Read more
After a work-frenzied hiatus, the SquaMates are back with an eighth episode! And it’s a special episode devoted to discussing the recent Anolis Newsletter! The show is hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, and we are joined by a special guest host, Dr. James T. Stroud! In this eighth episode, we… Read more
The seventh episode of the SquaMates podcast—more amazing news, including five new herp genomes and a new siren, and a discussion that focusses on taxonomy! The show is hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak. In this seventh episode, we talk about a selection of new and newsworthy papers, including a new… Read more
The sixth episode of the SquaMates podcast—featuring some amazing new stories, including new iguanas and crocodiles, high-elevation herps, and some spectacular sea serpents! The show is hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak. In this sixth episode, we talk about the many newsworthy papers published in the last month, from complex genomic… Read more
The fifth episode of the SquaMates podcast—with cool new papers, and a special surprise. The show is hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, and this week we’re joined by guest host, #HERper Helen Plylar! In this fifth episode, we talk about amphibian genome size evolution, the speciation of dusky salamanders (Desmognathus),… Read more
The fourth episode of the SquaMates podcast! You wanted more snake genomes? You got them! You wanted more controversy? Double dose! This show is rife with bad puns and brilliant science, hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak! In this fourth episode, we revisit the Toxicofera, whinge about how busy we all… Read more
The third episode of the SquaMates podcast—bigger, better, and much, much longer than ever before! The show is rife with bad puns and brilliant science, and hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak! In this third episode, an unplanned drinking game is introduced, as well as a new section title! We talk… Read more
The much-anticipated second episode of the SquaMates podcast, hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, here for your ears at last! The this second episode, we give an overview of some of the biggest new research in herpetology since the start of 2018, and the topic of the week is axolotls and… Read more
It’s finally here! The first episode of SquaMates, the totally serious herpetology podcast, hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak! In this first episode, we introduce you to the show and its format, then cover all of herpetological history, and then discuss all reptiles and amphibians ever. Show References: Caruso, N. &… Read more
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