Exotic Pets™

Exotic Pets™

Author: Tracie Hotchner Language: English Episodes: 100
Ever wondered what it really takes to care for a chinchilla or create the perfect habitat for a chameleon? Exotic Pets™ is a deep dive into the fascinating world of animals that share our homes but aren't your typical cats and dogs. Host Tracie Hotchner, alongside world-renowned veterinarian and author Dr. Doug Mader, explores the unique needs of creatures that slither, hop, creep, fly, and swim. Each episode moves beyond simple fascination to deliver practical, vital information. You'll hear detailed discussions on creating the right environment, from temperature and lighting to enclosure design, and deciphering the often complex dietary essentials that are critical to an animal's long-term health and happiness. This podcast recognizes that caring for a rabbit, iguana, parrot, ferret, snake, or tortoise comes with a distinct set of challenges and rewards, offering guidance that prioritizes the animal's welfare above all. It's a resource for the whole family, designed to educate current owners and intrigue the curious, ensuring these special companions thrive. Tune in for conversations that are as informative as they are engaging, grounded in decades of hands-on experience and a genuine passion for animal well-being.
Episodes
Cold Weather Warning! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:38
#293: Dr. Doug explains how birds in an outdoor aviary can handle the cold but wind and getting wet feathers are a danger more than the temperature. Ferrets love the snow! Snakes and fish have antifreeze proteins in thei…
From ‘Gator Wrestler to Gator Rescuer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:52
#287: Social media star Chris Gillette really did put himself through school wrestling alligators — and now is their rescuer at Bellowing Acres Alligator Sanctuary in Florida, where he has saved many “nuisance” alligator…
Follow the Great Hawk Migration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:12
#291: Mark Hedden — self-described bird geek in the Florida Keys — describes the yearly migration of raptors that has “hawk counters” at the 200 hawk counting sites around the U.S. (follow the hawks at HMANA.org)
Did Your Snake have a “Virgin Birth”? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:00
#286: Warren Booth — snake reproduction geneticist and professor at Virginia Tech — discusses discoveries about some snakes' ability to reproduce without a member of the opposite sex [parthenogenesis]. However, this phen…
Is Your Venomous Snake Legal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:29
#285: Dr. Doug Mader explains that many snakes sold in pet stores have a venomous bite without people knowing it — from garter snakes to hognose snakes — which you should research before buying. The legalities differ by…
Betta Fish — The Meanest Fish on the Block [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:48
#284: Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice gives context to why betta fish attack others in her book “Your Pets’ Secret Lives: the Truth Behind Your Pets’ Wildest Behaviors,” explaining that humans breeding for ever more exotic color…
The Purple Claw and Other Charming Hermit Crabs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:18
#283: Dr. Doug convinces Tracie that hermit crabs make delightful pets — as those who belong to online hermit crab clubs can attest — some of which can grow as big as a grapefruit and live 25 years! He explains how they…
Goldfish Can Be Taught to Drive a Car [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:32
#282: Eleanor Spicer Rice, author of “Your Pets’ Secret Lives: the Truth Behind Your Pets’ Wildest Behaviors,” discusses how truly intelligent goldfish are, with good memories — recognizing you and music they have heard…
Canaries Learn Their Songs as Baby Birds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:01
#281: Eleanor Spicer Rice, author of “Your Pets’ Secret Lives: the Truth Behind Your Pets’ Wildest Behaviors,” talks about how lovely little yellow canaries were once used to detect deadly gasses in mines (“the canary in…
Guppies and Their "Power of the Evil Eye" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:50
#280: Eleanor Spicer Rice — author of “Your Pets’ Secret Lives: the Truth Behind Your Pets’ Wildest Behaviors” — talks about guppies being the most popular pet fish which are easy prey in the wild for all the other fish,…