About Us

Our Mission

The team behind The Other Pets is a duo with extensive experience and uniquely honed expertise. With nearly a half century of combined experience in field research, specialty veterinary medicine, and AZA zoological institutions, they have amassed a wealth of knowledge about the nuanced care of the exotic species that have found their way into our hearts and our homes. Through The Other Pets and Danielle Inman Consulting, our mission is to make that expertise directly accessible to pet owners and veterinary professionals alike.

The Team

Danielle Inman – Founder

Danielle Inman is a recognized authority in exotic animal care whose career began in zoos and eventually migrated into specialty veterinary medicine, where she led the exotics team at one of the world’s foremost specialty practices for nearly a decade and a half. She has also spent a good deal of time in front of the camera for National Geographic, is a seasoned lecturer, and has a number of scientific and lay-person publications to her credit. 

The-Team-image

Christopher Bednarski – Director of Operations

Christopher Bednarski is a herpetologist whose international exploits are written about in New York Times’ Bestseller The Sixth Extinction. Chris has worked in academia and AZA institutions around the country, and is an award-winning wildlife photographer and lecturer with an ever-expanding catalog of peer-reviewed publications.

In the Media

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Our Work in the World

Danielle and Chris have travelled to the most remote corners of the globe, exploring over 40 countries to observe and study the world’s fauna. Together they are a driving force for wildlife conservation and captive animal welfare.

Field Research & Conservation

  • Assisted the Crocodile Research Coalition in the survey and capture of Morelet’s and American crocodiles in Belize, attaching a satellite-enabled device to an adult American crocodile.
  • Worked in a field research assistant capacity for a Texas Parks and Wildlife / Houston Zoo / University of Houston project assessing populations of diamondback terrapins in the Gulf of Mexico and the endangered Houston toad in East Texas.
  • Assisted in radio-telemetry tracking of wild Bornean water monitors at Danau Girang Field Center.
  • Led efforts for the Turtle Survival Alliance and the North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group to teach proper venipuncture technique and gather biological samples from the common snapping turtle and alligator snapping turtle.
  • Helped establish the EVACC (El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center) in Panama to help ensure the future of Panamanian golden frogs, among other species.
  • Helped further genetic/field research at the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center.
  • Assisted in collecting biological samples from wild hellbenders for the Nashville Zoo.
  • Participated in a mark/release/recapture study for the critically endangered Philippine forest turtle in Palawan, Philippines with the Katala Foundation.
  • Took part in the rescue, examination/triage, and release of the first wild pangolin fitted with a GPS tracking device.
  • Participated in telemetry tracking of Horsfield’s tarsier in Malaysian Borneo.
  • Led field researchers/biologists for the Gia Mitra Foundation (AKA Tillari Biodiversity Research Trust), directing research and biodiversity assessment of Northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra, India (2015-2019).

Publications & Media

  • Writing and photos published in various lay-person forums, most recently in Reptiles Magazine’s “India has Ghat it All!”

  • Published peer-reviewed scientific publications, most recently “Hematology, Biochemistry, and Protein Electrophoresis Reference Intervals for Captive Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata)” in The Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

Veterinary & Clinical Care

  • Performed medical exams and advised on treatment plans/protocols for chelonians and crocodilians at the Lab for Aquatic Biology and the Kukrail Gharial and Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Lucknow, India.
  • Aided in examination and medical care advisement of chelonians at The Turtle Conservation Center in Cuc Phuong, Vietnam.

Education, Speaking & Professional Involvement

  • Repeat speaker at the Conservation, Ecology, and Environmental Career Fair for multiple academic institutions.
  • Longtime members of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, the Turtle Survival Alliance, and various other professional medicine and conservation organizations.
  • Repeat presenter for the East Texas Herpetological Society, The Houston Arboretum, The Houston Zoo, and several other academic and professional groups and institutions.
  • Community outreach partner with the Philadelphia Zoo to help curb turtle poaching in Vietnam.