SquaMates

SquaMates Ep. 36: Is this a mosasaur?

Happy World Lizard Day! Today we talk about the biggest lizards that ever roamed the Earth: mosasaurs! These giant aquatic lizards are often forgotten when we talk about

SquaMates Ep. 35: The Elephant Trunk Snake in the Room

Happy World Snake Day! Today, we talk about snake ecosystem services, human-snake conflicts, and opine on various snake-related outreach personalities you probably know f

SquaMates Ep. 34: M-m-m-my Pogona!

We dive into one of the most popular pet reptiles in the trade: Pogona vitticeps, the bearded dragon—its relatives, origins in the trade, and popularity. Remember that y

SquaMates Ep. 33: Chameleon Day Bonanza!

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, a

SquaMates Ep. 32: It was only a (cloacal) kiss, how did it end up like this?

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 medi

SquaMates Ep. 31: I do it for the gills

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 h

SquaMates Ep. 30: Nolite te serpentes biteyouonyourbum

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 a

SquaMates Ep. 29: Frog Trek

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

SquaMates Ep. 28: All day and all of the night (feat. Herpetological Highlights!)

An unexpected crossover is afoot! Hiral and Mark met up with Dr Tom Major and Benjamin M. Marshall of the Herpetological Hightlights Podcast while they were at the 10th W

SquaMates Ep. 27: I’m only hoppy when it rains

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

SquaMates Ep. 26: Let’s talk about snakes, baby

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 ch

SquaMates Ep. 25: Micrurus brings all the boys to the yard

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 mes

SquaMates Ep. 24: Green Anaconda don’t want none

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 w

SquaMates Ep. 22: Neil Caiman and Crew

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

SquaMates Ep. 21: Bachia to the Future

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

SquaMates Ep. 20: Lerista Explains It All

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! Ep

SquaMates Ep. 19: Nobody Expects the Lacey Imposition

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 no

SquaMates Ep. 18: Amici manere domi!

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

SquaMates Ep. 17: Malayopython and the Glowing Tail

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 herpetol

SquaMates Ep. 16: Sex-bias in herpetology

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 stu