About us

We are composed of a group of biologists and enthusiastic terrarium keepers with many years of editorial expertise in our disciplines. Most of us are active as biology teachers or scientists, with both lab and field experience in various countries. Professionals in layout and Internet techniques also lend their support. Native speakers ensure that all of our translations are in proper English and in proper Dutch. Our main goal is to produce thorough herpetological and vivarium-related publications. All papers included on our website are peer reviewed.

Advertisers are welcome to inform our visitors about technical equipment, ranging from lamps to completely furnished terraria, adventure and nature travel, books, vitamins, and food, but we will not allow dealing in wild-caught animals or protected species. In our view terrarium keeping should be based on animals bred and raised in captivity, and not on irresponsible traffic in wild-caught specimens. However, we do recognise that acquisition by experienced breeders of a few couples of wild-caught herps, to learn more about the habits of certain species and without pursuit of profit, can be a worthwhile endeavour. We also feel that if you are going to keep animals in vivaria, it is essential to both learn something from that and to share this knowledge with others. And that is, of course, where we fit in.

The choice of the name of the site and webzine is grounded in both history and herpetology. Podarcis denotes the genus of European wall lizards, a younger offshoot of the well-known lizard group Lacerta that has a Western Palearctic distribution. With our background, Podarcis and POD@RCIS seemed worthy choices. Moreover, those with knowledge in classics will know that podarkès means fleet-footed or rapid in (ancient) Greek, and a periodical on the Internet is obviously swift!

Podarcis, Institute of Evolutionary and Ecological Sciences,

Leiden University, P.O. Box 9516, NL-2300 RA Leiden

The Netherlands

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