A totally serious podcast about herpetology

by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, Hiral Naik, and Ethan Kocak

Listen to the show. 
It’s only a few hours of your life.

We’re funny, we promise.
And if not, we hope you learn something.
And if not, there are no refunds.

Click here to listen!
Who the hell are these guys anyway?

Ethan is funny
Gabriel is talented
Hiral likes snakes
Mark is talkative
It’s a whole thing

Click here to read our bios!
Subscribe, and fight the empire of ignorance!

The SquaMates Alliance welcomes you

Click here to become one with the farce!
Wait, another herpetological podcast?

Yes! And it’s pretty GREAT! 

There are some pretty excellent herpetological podcasts out there, it’s true. Some similar podcasts even have a similar composition of artists to scientists. What do we bring that’s unique?

YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO LISTEN TO FIND OUT

A few things we like to talk about

There are a few topics that come up again and again. It’s unavoidable. Here are a few of these.
Consider yourself warned.

TAXONOMY

Taxonomy is a huge part of herpetological research. It is complicated and multifaceted. We will talk about it probably a little more than anyone really wants.

DISEASES

No, NOT herpes. But rather, chytridiomycosis, snake fungal disease, ranavirus, and other plagues leading to dreadful declines in herpetofauna worldwide.

THE DREADED PET TRADE

The pet trade is a major player in the business of herpetoculture. We will talk mostly about trends and bad habits, and how things would be better if we were in charge.

EVOLUTION

Evolution is a pretty big deal. From fossils to phylogenetics, we’ll talk about it all. Well, not all. But you know, enough.

Real Humans have liked the show

Here are nice things they have said about it

They know what they’re talking about, the banter adds to the already very interesting topics of discussion, and Mark’s puns are in my pun-loving opinion delectable. I recommend this podcast wholeheartedly to anyone who has any interest in amphibians and reptiles (minus birds, which as we know are really just flappy endothermic reptiles, but they have their own podcasts).

N-Sak

Canadian iTunes Store

Like all good podcasts, SquaMates has a fun mix of science, banter and discussion. It’s the perfect podcast to put on whilst completing other tasks where you will pick up a whole number of facts such as the taxonomic status of geckos or the correct pronunciation of ‘anolis’. There are many great science podcasts out there and even fewer Herpetological ones. SquaMates stands in a league of it’s own. Would certainly recommend!

Steven Allain

PhD Candidate in Herpetology @ University of Kent

I think it’s kind of ok.

Dr. Darren Naish

Paleontologist, author of the world-famous Tetrapod Zoology blog

SquaMates is incredibly in-depth for being so humorous, and incredibly humorous for being so in-depth. The differing backgrounds and palpable chemistry of the show’s hosts make it a breeze to listen to hours of phylogenetic debate and discussion. This was the first podcast I have ever listened to on my own accord, and I was disappointed to later learn not all podcasts are as good as this one!

Liamsaurus

USA iTunes Store

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Latest Episodes!

Here you will always be able to find the latest installations of the show. Hate podcast apps and want to listen to the show when you want and how you want? Keep an eye on here.

SquaMates Ep. 22: Neil Caiman and Crew

http://squamatespod.com/wp-content/uploads/SquaMates_Ep22_final.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:43:21 — 191.0MB)Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS | MoreThe Mates are back after two and a half years of hiatus! They talk about[…]

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SquaMates Ep. 21: Bachia to the Future

http://squamatespod.com/wp-content/uploads/SquaMates_Ep21_final.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:37:31 — 90.0MB)Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS | MoreThe Mates get into the evolution of Ambystoma, whether or not to use subspecies, and the[…]

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SquaMates Ep. 20: Lerista Explains It All

http://squamatespod.com/wp-content/uploads/SquaMates_Ep20_final.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:35:55 — 143.5MB)Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS | MoreThe Mates are joined this month by Hiral Naik, a snake ecologist from South Africa![…]

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Contact us

Do you have a question for us? Do you want us to talk about something on the show? Send us a message!

    Here are the nerds

    The hosts of the show!

    Mark D. Scherz

    Herpetologist

    Ethan Kocak

    New York Times Best-selling Illustrator

    Gabriel Ugueto

    Scientific Illustrator

    Hiral Naik

    Herpetologist