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Mander Musings

Exploring the overlooked-together.

What is Mander Musings?

Mander Musings is a bold, field-driven herpetology blog at the intersection of science and storytelling. It delivers powerful publications, deep dives into critical herpetological topics, raw and honest field reports, and unfiltered reviews of zoos and conservation programs. Built to inform, challenge, and connect, it’s a resource for those who don’t just study reptiles and amphibians—they live for them.

Latest Posts

Upcoming Herptilogical Events

Wed, Jul 09
Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH)
Saint Paul
RSVP
Jul 09, 2025, 9:00 PM – Jul 14, 2025, 5:30 PM
Saint Paul, 175 Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102, USA
Sun, Jul 20
Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
Chattanooga
RSVP
Jul 20, 2025, 9:00 AM – Jul 25, 2025, 5:30 PM
Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA
Each year, the Turtle Survival Alliance joins with the IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group to host the Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles.

June. 71 native species of plants in the wildflower meadow and garden, a life long dream of myn coming true. 186+ albums listened to so far this year. A stellar birthday celebration!

June. 71 native species of plants in the wildflower meadow and garden, a life long dream of myn coming true. 186+ albums listened to so far this year. A stellar birthday celebration!

A stellar birthday weekend! A huge thanks to my beautiful wife Maddie and best friend Shelby for all their hard work in planning the surprise party. We also had an awesome long weekend I won’t soon forget. Eating mountains of cinnamon bread at Dollywood, fishing every morning, the best cake ever made, one of my best rounds of mini golf to date, and finally finding my first wild hellbender!

A stellar birthday weekend! A huge thanks to my beautiful wife Maddie and best friend Shelby for all their hard work in planning the surprise party. We also had an awesome long weekend I won’t soon forget. Eating mountains of cinnamon bread at Dollywood, fishing every morning, the best cake ever made, one of my best rounds of mini golf to date, and finally finding my first wild hellbender!

May 2025. Top album- sleep token, even in Arcadia. Personal achievements! the native wildflower meadow is blooming, @fergie_4537 and I have officially walked the entire riverwalk, and Maddie went herping with me willingly!

May 2025. Top album- sleep token, even in Arcadia. Personal achievements! the native wildflower meadow is blooming, @fergie_4537 and I have officially walked the entire riverwalk, and Maddie went herping with me willingly!

It became increasingly more obvious, I can deny it no longer! I am small.

It became increasingly more obvious, I can deny it no longer! I am small.

March and April post! Lots of good walks, beautiful sunsets, and time with friends.

March and April post! Lots of good walks, beautiful sunsets, and time with friends.

January and February post! Went on plenty of hikes, a stellar salamander hunt, and Listened to 65 new albums with @donthurtkimberly

January and February post! Went on plenty of hikes, a stellar salamander hunt, and Listened to 65 new albums with @donthurtkimberly

A stellar night of salamander hunting a few nights ago.

A stellar night of salamander hunting a few nights ago.

Grazie mille to @iamjohnleavens and Harriet for welcoming us to beautiful Lecco, especially on such short notice! We had the true Italian experience – hiking through charming villages, joining in the la passeggiata, savoring delicious food, exploring local landmarks, and enjoying incredible coffee and wine. Most importantly, we cherished the much-needed quality time with family. ❤️

Grazie mille to @iamjohnleavens and Harriet for welcoming us to beautiful Lecco, especially on such short notice! We had the true Italian experience – hiking through charming villages, joining in the la passeggiata, savoring delicious food, exploring local landmarks, and enjoying incredible coffee and wine. Most importantly, we cherished the much-needed quality time with family. ❤️

Bro found the most beautiful spot to call home.

Bro found the most beautiful spot to call home.

Some snorkeling pictures!

Some snorkeling pictures!

Some of my favorite salamander finds so far this year.

Some of my favorite salamander finds so far this year.

Birthday weekend extravaganza for Maddie Daily! Happy birthday bb, I love you 😘

Birthday weekend extravaganza for Maddie Daily! Happy birthday bb, I love you 😘

Northern lights from our backyard, definitely visible with the naked eye!

Northern lights from our backyard, definitely visible with the naked eye!

AZA herpetology taxon advisory group meeting. I had a fantastic time hanging out with some of the top herpetologist from around the country. Knocked my presentation out of the park and learned so much from my colleagues!

AZA herpetology taxon advisory group meeting. I had a fantastic time hanging out with some of the top herpetologist from around the country. Knocked my presentation out of the park and learned so much from my colleagues!

A wonderful day out picnicking, fishing, and reading with Maddie Daily.

A wonderful day out picnicking, fishing, and reading with Maddie Daily.

Keeping it clean!

Keeping it clean!

✨clear and cold night, some more post prossessed images from my Seestar s50 telescope. This time with the extremely bright and beautiful Orion nebula and m81.

✨clear and cold night, some more post prossessed images from my Seestar s50 telescope. This time with the extremely bright and beautiful Orion nebula and m81.

Got a new telescope and I’m having a blast exploring deep-sky objects. These photos were auto stacked from the telescope and had nose reduction done in Lightroom. Can’t wait for another clear night 😭

Got a new telescope and I’m having a blast exploring deep-sky objects. These photos were auto stacked from the telescope and had nose reduction done in Lightroom. Can’t wait for another clear night 😭

🐊 gator crossing 🐊

🐊 gator crossing 🐊

One last new years surprise, we got married 😊❤️ 10.17.2023

One last new years surprise, we got married 😊❤️ 10.17.2023

Sleepy chameleon time

Sleepy chameleon time

It was an honor to attend the first ever chelonian biology, conservation, and management course held by the Turtle Survival Alliance. Thanks to all the instructors who shared their invaluable expertise and experience. It was an unforgettable week spent with some of the coolest turtle nerds out there. Special thanks to Chris Hagen for putting it all together and to whit gibbons for some awesome herping.

It was an honor to attend the first ever chelonian biology, conservation, and management course held by the Turtle Survival Alliance. Thanks to all the instructors who shared their invaluable expertise and experience. It was an unforgettable week spent with some of the coolest turtle nerds out there. Special thanks to Chris Hagen for putting it all together and to whit gibbons for some awesome herping.

Cloudland canyon vibes

Cloudland canyon vibes

A proud mother

A proud mother

First reptiles of the year at the new house! I can tell I’m going to love it already 😍😍😍

First reptiles of the year at the new house! I can tell I’m going to love it already 😍😍😍

Our first home! 🏡

Our first home! 🏡

It been a crazy adventure the last few years. I have met some amazing people, worked with some crazy animals, and grown so much as a person. I will always cherish the memories of my time in Colorado. It’s definitely not an easy decision to make but boy am I excited for what the future holds👀👀👀

It been a crazy adventure the last few years. I have met some amazing people, worked with some crazy animals, and grown so much as a person. I will always cherish the memories of my time in Colorado. It’s definitely not an easy decision to make but boy am I excited for what the future holds👀👀👀

Ring-billed gull gang 🔥🔥🔥

Ring-billed gull gang 🔥🔥🔥

@maddie221 feeling Vintage vibes @indianhotsprings

@maddie221 feeling Vintage vibes @indianhotsprings

One of the most beautiful geological features I have ever seen… also look at all that gold!

One of the most beautiful geological features I have ever seen… also look at all that gold!

Wishing I was back on vacation already! ❤️❤️❤️ #twinning

Wishing I was back on vacation already! ❤️❤️❤️ #twinning

Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite girl in the world! Can’t wait to see what amazing things you’re going to do in the next year! ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥

Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite girl in the world! Can’t wait to see what amazing things you’re going to do in the next year! ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥

Pictures from Joshua Tree! Also rock art site number two.

Pictures from Joshua Tree! Also rock art site number two.

At the end of this awesome vacation I’ll start posting some photos. One of my favorite parts was the amazing rock art I got to visit around the country. These pictures are from South East Nevada in one of the largest Native American rock art site in the world!

At the end of this awesome vacation I’ll start posting some photos. One of my favorite parts was the amazing rock art I got to visit around the country. These pictures are from South East Nevada in one of the largest Native American rock art site in the world!

An absolute dream to have been able to lead this project! Keeping Emerald tree boas have been a life long goal of myn especially in such a beautiful enclosure. Thanks to the BioDude for creating such a beautiful exhibit (the tree is growing back haha) and thanks to SeaQuest for believing in me!

An absolute dream to have been able to lead this project! Keeping Emerald tree boas have been a life long goal of myn especially in such a beautiful enclosure. Thanks to the BioDude for creating such a beautiful exhibit (the tree is growing back haha) and thanks to SeaQuest for believing in me!

One of the coolest enclosures I have gotten to design and build! Finally have all the sugar gliders moved in and happy. The nocturnal experience and seeing them climbing around during the day is definitely unique. One of the most fun encounters at the aquarium!

One of the coolest enclosures I have gotten to design and build! Finally have all the sugar gliders moved in and happy. The nocturnal experience and seeing them climbing around during the day is definitely unique. One of the most fun encounters at the aquarium!

Been loving my new dart frog tank the last month, definitely one of my favorite enclosures I have done!

Been loving my new dart frog tank the last month, definitely one of my favorite enclosures I have done!

I know I’m a day late butttttt I still wanted to shout out some amazing women in my life! First off my kind, compassionate, and strong mother. @gwen253 you raised me right and worked extremely hard to give me the best opportunity’s in life. @emily._.olson is the best sister a guy could ask for and I’m so excited to see where life takes you! @maddie221 I wouldn’t want to spend my life with anyone else, I love you too the moon and back 😘. @_soysophie you are one of the most badass women I know, I miss you a ton and have to come back to Florida soon. Rachel you are another contender for most badass women, you and Sophie are still some of my closest friends and I wouldn’t have wanted to catch alligators, fossil hunt, or hike in the Florida heat with anyone else! Last but not least @followthemtrail my right hand woman! You’re a strong leader and you tell it as it is. No doubt you will be running this aquarium someday. There are tons of other powerful women that have made an impact on my life and this definitely isn’t a comprehensive list, but thanks to all of you for positively impacting my life! #internationalwomensday #powerfulwomen

I know I’m a day late butttttt I still wanted to shout out some amazing women in my life! First off my kind, compassionate, and strong mother. @gwen253 you raised me right and worked extremely hard to give me the best opportunity’s in life. @emily._.olson is the best sister a guy could ask for and I’m so excited to see where life takes you! @maddie221 I wouldn’t want to spend my life with anyone else, I love you too the moon and back 😘. @_soysophie you are one of the most badass women I know, I miss you a ton and have to come back to Florida soon. Rachel you are another contender for most badass women, you and Sophie are still some of my closest friends and I wouldn’t have wanted to catch alligators, fossil hunt, or hike in the Florida heat with anyone else! Last but not least @followthemtrail my right hand woman! You’re a strong leader and you tell it as it is. No doubt you will be running this aquarium someday. There are tons of other powerful women that have made an impact on my life and this definitely isn’t a comprehensive list, but thanks to all of you for positively impacting my life! #internationalwomensday #powerfulwomen

Happy Valentine�’s Day, still can’t wait for the new album to drop “covid sucks, but it sucks less with you” ❤️❤️❤️

Happy Valentine’s Day, still can’t wait for the new album to drop “covid sucks, but it sucks less with you” ❤️❤️❤️

An American Goldfinch eating some invasive common teasel, showing the interactions between native and invasive species. while this bird is enjoying the seeds most likely this common teasel has choked out native species creating a monoculture. This can cause irreparable damage to other species dependent on native plants and unable to adapt overall lowering the biodiversity of the habitat.

#bird #birding #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #invasivespecies #nativespecies

An American Goldfinch eating some invasive common teasel, showing the interactions between native and invasive species. while this bird is enjoying the seeds most likely this common teasel has choked out native species creating a monoculture. This can cause irreparable damage to other species dependent on native plants and unable to adapt overall lowering the biodiversity of the habitat.

#bird #birding #photography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #invasivespecies #nativespecies

I always feel like, somebody’s watching me 🎶🎵
These canids have adapted extremely well to human expansion. Increasing found in major city’s eating trash, pet food, and small mammals they really highlight the displacement of native species and how that will increase human-animal conflict.
#wildlivephotography #wildlife #coyote #nature #protectwildlife #humananimalconflict

I always feel like, somebody’s watching me 🎶🎵
These canids have adapted extremely well to human expansion. Increasing found in major city’s eating trash, pet food, and small mammals they really highlight the displacement of native species and how that will increase human-animal conflict.
#wildlivephotography #wildlife #coyote #nature #protectwildlife #humananimalconflict

If you look closely you can see a little golden rod crab spider. These tiny spiders are masters of camouflage and can change their colors to blend in better with its surroundings.

#wildlife #wildlifephotography #spider #crabspider #nature #camoflauge

If you look closely you can see a little golden rod crab spider. These tiny spiders are masters of camouflage and can change their colors to blend in better with its surroundings.

#wildlife #wildlifephotography #spider #crabspider #nature #camoflauge

Greater short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi). These little guys are one of the coolest lizards around! Eating mostly ants they are often found waiting near the exits of ant hills for a snack to just walk out. They are also well know for their defense of shooting blood out of their eyes! •
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#lizard #hornedlizard #colorado #wildlife #wildlifephotography #reptile

Greater short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi). These little guys are one of the coolest lizards around! Eating mostly ants they are often found waiting near the exits of ant hills for a snack to just walk out. They are also well know for their defense of shooting blood out of their eyes! •
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#lizard #hornedlizard #colorado #wildlife #wildlifephotography #reptile

Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). One of my favorite snakes, and the first one I have found in Colorado! Most people don’t know this, but it’s theorized that rattlesnakes evolved their rattles along side the rise of mega fauna. They would rattle to warn these large animals of their presence to avoid being stepped on.
#snake #rattlesnake #crotalus #venom #nature #wildlifephotography

Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). One of my favorite snakes, and the first one I have found in Colorado! Most people don’t know this, but it’s theorized that rattlesnakes evolved their rattles along side the rise of mega fauna. They would rattle to warn these large animals of their presence to avoid being stepped on.
#snake #rattlesnake #crotalus #venom #nature #wildlifephotography

FINALLY GOT SOME PHOTOS TO SHARE! Went on a fantastic trip to the Pawnee buttes, and checked off some things I have been wanting to do in Colorado for a while. Hope you enjoy!

FINALLY GOT SOME PHOTOS TO SHARE! Went on a fantastic trip to the Pawnee buttes, and checked off some things I have been wanting to do in Colorado for a while. Hope you enjoy!

Thank you to @usairforce for your awesome tribute to healthcare workers and other fighting covid-19.

Thank you to @usairforce for your awesome tribute to healthcare workers and other fighting covid-19.

Another national siblings day!

Another national siblings day!

One of my Favorite snakes ever! This is a gaboon viper (bitis gabonica) is not only a stunning animal but it holds the record for the longest fangs of any snake, reaching up to 2 inches! •
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#snake #snakes #snakesofinstagram #venom #venomous #gaboonviper #venomoussnakes #photography #dangernoodle

One of my Favorite snakes ever! This is a gaboon viper (bitis gabonica) is not only a stunning animal but it holds the record for the longest fangs of any snake, reaching up to 2 inches! •
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#snake #snakes #snakesofinstagram #venom #venomous #gaboonviper #venomoussnakes #photography #dangernoodle

A fantastic example of an alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) using its lure for hunting! These prehistoric looking turtles have been know to weigh over 200 pounds and can sit on the bottom of lakes in rivers for almost an hour before they have to take a breath. Alligator snapping turtles are listed as vulnerable due to unregulated harvesting and habitat loss. •
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#alligatorsnappingturtle #turtle #wildlife #conservation #wildlifeconservation #animals #snappingturtle #photography #animallovers #wildlifevideos

A fantastic example of an alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) using its lure for hunting! These prehistoric looking turtles have been know to weigh over 200 pounds and can sit on the bottom of lakes in rivers for almost an hour before they have to take a breath. Alligator snapping turtles are listed as vulnerable due to unregulated harvesting and habitat loss. •
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#alligatorsnappingturtle #turtle #wildlife #conservation #wildlifeconservation #animals #snappingturtle #photography #animallovers #wildlifevideos

Loved my last trip down too Georgia! Got to visit my old zoo and see how much they have grown, got to see family and friends, and got to relax for a few days before getting back to work! •
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#northgeorgia #zoo #animals #cuteanimals #adorableanimals #pig #cutepigs #babypigs #kunekune #kangaroo #owl #zoossavingspecies #education

Loved my last trip down too Georgia! Got to visit my old zoo and see how much they have grown, got to see family and friends, and got to relax for a few days before getting back to work! •
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#northgeorgia #zoo #animals #cuteanimals #adorableanimals #pig #cutepigs #babypigs #kunekune #kangaroo #owl #zoossavingspecies #education

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