SquaMates

Mar 20 2025 30 ep. 107 mins 1.8k
SquaMates Podcast artwork

A science podcast about everything herpetological: reptiles and amphibians and other advanced fishopods. Hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Hiral Naik, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak.

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SquaMates Ep. 31: I do it for the gills

Mar 20 2025 68 mins  
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 or by your podcast provider; for

SquaMates Ep. 30: Nolite te serpentes biteyouonyourbum

Feb 10 2025 90 mins  
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 youtube.com/@squamatespod! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your dev

SquaMates Ep. 29: Frog Trek

Oct 15 2024 85 mins  
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! Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at

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

Sep 11 2024 41 mins  
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 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 such a great time! Remember that you can

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

Aug 19 2024 75 mins  
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; for full notes and re

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

Jul 29 2024 106 mins  
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!). Hopefully it doesn’t affect the listening

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

May 09 2024 75 mins  
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 full notes and references

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

Apr 18 2024 82 mins  
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 E

SquaMates Ep. 22: Neil Caiman and Crew

Feb 12 2024 103 mins  
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 yourself a copy of Ethan’s book, Moistly

SquaMates Ep. 21: Bachia to the Future

Jun 07 2021 97 mins  
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-Va