How many geese?

Our Mexican adventure continues as today's episode sees us getting to grips with one of the most important aspects of the Calakmul jungle - the Mayans. Come with us as we explore the ancient city of Calakmul and the ruins of Hormiguero with Holly Cunningham as our guide. From blood sacrifices to Belugas of the underworld, this is the closest you'll get to a How Many Geese? history channel. We then list which animals make our Mexican Most Wanted before making time to answer one of your listener questions because, even if we're severely dehydrated and getting bitten to death by mosquitos - we'll still make time for you, dear listener. For more information on Operation Wallacea then check out www.opwall.com To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese Follow our Instagram page for updates here www.instagram.com/howmanygeese/

Come with us deep into the heart of the Mayan jungle as we embark on a once in a lifetime expedition into Mexico’s Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Joining the Operation Wallacea team, we head out with scientists and locals to get under the skin of Calakmul, learning about the scientific work being undertaken, the history of the forest and the threats it faces. In this first episode, we’re getting to know where exactly we are and why it’s so special. Head scientist Dr Kathy Slater explains why Calakmul is so important and captivating before Jamie Hartup opens our eyes to some hardcore jungle trees. We also have a live animal gatecrash a recording session and come face to face with the most bizarre animal either of us have ever seen… in a just as unlikely place. So make sure you’ve packed plenty of water and follow us into the forest as we encounter some of the most extraordinary animals (and people) and planet Earth… For more information on Operation Wallacea then check out www.opwall.com To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese Follow our Instagram page for updates here www.instagram.com/howmanygeese/

Ahoy sailors! All aboard the good ship HMS Goose as your favourite nature podcast sails into uncharted waters for a meeting with the creatures of the deep. We've travelled down to the Royal Navy's central command base at Whale Island to meet marine biologist Harriet, whose job it is to tell us all about the ocean's weird world beneath the waves.... To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese Follow our Instagram page for updates here https://www.instagram.com/howmanygeese/

Greetings ant fans! Today's episode is acting as a super colony of ant facts with Roddy as its queen as we dive into a group of animals we've been in awe of on the show for quite some time. Strap in as we learn about the most sophisticated and fearsome civilizations on planet earth and why ants are the ones running the world. Our pals Birda also introduce us to the Ruddy Woodcreeper of Central America and Roddy needs your help in doing battle with one of the cutest animals alive - the Red Panda. To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese Follow our Instagram page for updates here https://www.instagram.com/howmanygeese/

We've done Australia at war with the emu, we've done artists in love with wombats, but strap in for one of the maddest mash ups of humans and animals from history as we look at how THE ACTUAL US GOVERNMENT had a plan to weaponise bats in WW2... move over Oppenheimer, we're talking bat bombs! Then join us as we say hello again to Hollywood in our Birda segment - looking at the Red Tailed Hawk which you may not have seen, but we almost guarantee you'll have heard. Meanwhile, we have a matrimonial special for the fight segment as we bend the rules to accommodate a suggestion delivered to us IN PERSON at a wedding (invite us to your wedding and we can talk special features...) before lastly diving into bed with literature as we give a suitable goose spin to Kafka's Metamorphosis. To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese Follow our Instagram page for updates here https://www.instagram.com/howmanygeese/

After some spectacular summer specials with guests, we're back with just Roddy and Jack on the mics for an episode that returns to the purest of goose roots and looks at a weird animal you've (probably) never heard of before - Australia's own antechinus (..... .... antechini?). Then, get comfy with going across the pond as all things goose begin to point towards Mexico - Birda takes us across the Atlantic to look at the Rufous Hummingbird, and Roddy does battle with the Horseshoe crabs of Delaware bay (though, perhaps unsurprisingly, NOT on their home turf...) Lastly, where would we be without your questions as we answer what animal would make the best doctor? (The NHS may be in crisis, but don't look to this answer for help...) To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese Follow our Instagram page for updates here https://www.instagram.com/howmanygeese/

Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats in the auditorium as tonight's performance from the Goose Philharmonic is set to begin! Join us in welcoming composer Kain Ravaei to our first transatlantic episode (via the power of internet) as he takes us through both his work and the wider world of wonderful orchestra. Looking at how classical music can help conservation awareness, Kian's new piece "California Suite" addresses the unique qualities of a particular birdsong, from the flowing tune of Least Bell’s Vireo to the rapid chirps of the California Black Rail. The pieces are modelled after the musical tradition of Baroque dance suites, such as those by J.S. Bach — but with a modern, conservation-minded twist. .....but we also use the opportunity of having a bona fide classical composer on the mics to answer some of the more musical questions we've been sent in the past, all of course with a goose spin, including recasting an entire orchestra with mother nature's maestros. Plus - we ensure our time across the pond is all encompassing by taking a look at a real bird brainbox for Birda, the California Scrub Jay. To download the free app, head to https://birda.app/how-many-geese You can check out Kian's music at his website https://kianravaei.com and listen to the California Suite in full on his Youtube page To support the show by leaving us a donation, please visit www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

It's time for our now apparently annual tradition of bringing you a How Many Geese? Slimbridge Summer Special! A whole year to the day that that made our first visit to the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust's flagship reserve in Gloucestershire - we returned with our attentions set firmly on the amphibious. Join us as Kay Baxter, Living Collections Supervisor for the ectotherms, takes us on a behind the scenes tour of Slimbridge's assortment of frogs, toads, newts, salamanders and everything else in between. Plus - we delve into the simultaneously rarest AND cutest bird we've ever tackled with our pals Birda, as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper is our Birda of the week. To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese For more on the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, check them out here: https://www.wwt.org.uk/ To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

On this, the anniversary of the first scientific paper documenting the theory of evolution being presented to the world, we talk about the man that made it all happen. And no, not that one. Today's episode is dedicated to shining a light on one of biology's most overlooked figures as we celebrate the life and times of Alfred Russell Wallace - who came up with the theory of evolution by natural selection completely independently of Charles Darwin. Then, we buckle up for our first trip to the thunderdome with our pals Birda before Roddy gets into a battle with one of the most obscure animals on the planet - the Solenodon. And finally, we answer the question on everyone's lips. Where in the world have we gone? And what, exactly, are we doing here...? To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Today's episode is going all Mythbusters as we take on some of the most outrageous animal facts to grace the internet. Our Birda buddies are talking about Jack's worst bird in the world (the Cormorant) before Roddy does battle with the King of the Avian World; the Harpy Eagle. And finally, we round up the show with your classic "What would a goose do if it had a time machine?" chat. To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Today's episode is taking on a question that some of the finest minds across human civilisation have put their minds to - what the hell is going on with eels?! Plus; it's hammer time with Birda as we go south of the equator to meet the Hamerkop, debate what animal legs would make the best replacement for our own.. whilst it all gets a little meta in Roddy's fight with the Sarcastic Fringehead. To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

What's in a name? Well, today's episode aims to find out just that as we explore the animals that are named after people and if it's really a good idea to be doing it after all. We find Birda skulking around in the reeds to tell us about Clapper Rails before Roddy defends the UK's Ribena stocks against hordes of Wrinkle-faced Bats. Then we put our dancing shoes on for our listener question as we work out which animal we'd choose as our "two" to tango. To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Today's show offers you a glimpse into podcast future as Roddy asks artificial intelligence to write an episode of How Many Geese? Our feathered friends Birda are tearing out the sky at over 200mph to talk Peregrine Falcons, we discuss which animal will be behind a coup of Planet Earth and it's the Huntsman Spider's turn to enter the HMG battle arena. To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Today's episode is evolving before your very eyes as we get our Darwin (and Wallace) on to explore animals that are changing at lightning speed. Our Birda of the week this week has made a special journey from the opposite side of the world as we welcome Arctic Tern, before Roddy does battle with the Fiddler Crabs. And we round the show off with a bumper question as we answer - what animals would make the best roadtrip buddies? To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Today's episode has overthrown the captain and changed course for life on a tropical island as we explore the Mutiny on the Bounty and its repercussions for one iconic animal. Also in this episode - Birda takes us south of the Equator on a search for one of the world's most hardcore geese, we discuss what animal would make the worst emotional support companion and Roddy does battle with the lemur from your nightmares; the Aye-Aye. To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Today's episode has been cryogenically stored to safeguard all its information on the importance of Frozen Zoos and how they're helping modern day conservation work. We look at how cloning is bringing species back from the brink, get to know which animal is one of the most inbred in the world and take heart from the fact that extinction may not have to be forever... We then take our Birda segment across the pond to meet the industrious Acorn Woodpecker before Roddy enters the ocean to do battle with a leviathan of the deep - the Leatherback Turtle. And finally, as any good podcast should, we round off by working out with animal would make the best teen babysitter for our non-existent children... To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

All aboard Roddy's weird & wonderful mystery tour as we explore some bizarre creatures living their best lives in the most extraordinary ways... and yes, most of it is in the sea. We team up with Birda again, this time to look at one of the most accurately named birds on planet Earth - the Dipper. And before we finish off deciding which animal would make the worst replacement for the Easter Bunny, Roddy has a rumble with a band of Badgers on the mean streets of London... To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Today's episode has passed through the gastro-intestinal tract of a Tuna to be delivered straight to your ears as we explore the world of unusual things found inside animals. We take a look at some high flying birds with our new pals Birda, as well as exploring what the world would look like if human jobs were replaced by geese. And we finally answer the age old question of; just how many Bruno's Casque-headed Frogs could you take in a fight? To learn more about our partners Birda and download their free birdwatching app, visit their website at https://birda.app/how-many-geese To support the show by leaving us a donation to help keep growing the podcast, please visit: www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Seasons greetings and Feliz Navidad listeners! Join us as HMG goes all in one of Christmas' favourite animals - the Reindeer. When did they become so hardcore? And what's the reason Rudolph had a red nose? Then we meet our festive foe, the Common Basilisk, before we get down to your questions about animal arboreal ornaments and which species would be most likely to return a gift...

We've delved into the HMG vaults for today's series finale as we've put together an episode featuring a couple of our favourite segments that we've been sitting on for a while now that just didn't have a home. Join us as we cast animals as the seven deadly sins and virtues before exploring the surprisingly baffling world of animals whose name begins with the letter U...

Today we're looking into one of the greatest competitions in the sporting calendar - the annual Man vs Horse marathon in Wales. We explore the story, the history and just how it's possible for humans to compete with horses over long distance. Then we get back to our own human vs animal trial by combat segment as Roddy does battle with the Southern Elephant Seal before answering the question of - which animal would make the best lawyer?

Today we're putting 3 of your favourite animals on trial as we uncover their darker sides. For too long has the world been fooled by the cute and cuddly personas of Sea Otters, Ducks and Dolphins and we're about to open your ears to some of their brutal behaviours that Disney conveniently leaves out... Nature brings all its animals rolled into one for our fight segment as Roddy does battle with the Platypus before we stay on the fighting theme by answering which animals would make the best Pokémon...

We're stepping into our hazmat suits and picking up our Geiger counter as we take a step into the world of nuclear seagulls and toxic ducks. If that isn't enough avian danger for you, Roddy comes face to beak with the mighty Goliath Heron in today's animal rumble before we lay down our swords with the animal kingdom to work out which species would make the best wingman...

Today's episode is walking with giants as we enter the realm of the biggest organisms on earth. From colossal snakes to humungous fungus, join us as we dive into a world that'll leave you feeling pretty small by the end of it. Roddy takes on the Leopard Gecko in today's animal fight before we answer once and for all - which is better, penguins or monkeys? Find us on Instagram at @howmanygeese and support the show with a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

Ever wondered what the Victorian Pre-Raphaelite art movement had in common with a marsupial from the other side of the world? Well thank God we're here to answer all your burning questions as we look into one of the most peculiar animal obsessions on record. Once we've recovered from that bout of marsupial madness, Roddy does battle with the formidable Portuguese Man o' War before pondering which animal seems like it's been home schooled... Find us on Instagram at @howmanygeese and support the show with a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese

It's part two of our special collaboration with the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour and we're exploring those organisms that give each other a helping hand to get through the trials of life. Whether it's help finding food or looking for a place to live, these symbiotic species are going to make you re-evaluate your own friendships. We continue the affectionate vibes by answering which animal would make the best spooning partner but only after we've worked out how many Capybara really are too many Capybara. For more about the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour who we partnered with to make this episode, visit their website at: https://www.asab.org/

How does a Cuckoo know it's a Cuckoo? What's the easiest way to get a Nobel Prize? And just how inanimate is a tortoise? It's Biology Week everyone and school is in session as we team up with the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour to talk all about the science of animals doing what animals do. Come for the ethology chat, stay for the parts where we work out which animal would make the best chef & how many Arctic Terns we'd take in a fight... For more about the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour who we partnered with to make this episode, visit their website at: https://www.asab.org/ Note on Konrad Lorenz: Konrad Lorenz was one of the major founders of ethology and is famous for his work on imprinting geese, as mentioned in this podcast. However, there are also elements of Lorenz’s work that have been called into question in recent years, mainly in relation to his use of Nazi-type terminology and potential ideologies in relation to some of his work and extrapolation to human behaviour. We wanted to bring this to the attention of our listeners, as it raises important questions around the influence of society and individual bias on the development of scientific understanding. If you would like to read more about this you can read an article in Animal Behaviour about Lorenz here.

We're venturing into the great outdoors for this episode as we take the podcast into the field for the first time EVER. And what better place to do it then the home of the goose - the headquarters of the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust at Slimbridge. Reserve warden Scott Petrek is on the show to tell us all about Slimbridge's gambling swans, Hawaiian geese and spill the deets on the biggest soap opera in bird land...

All aboard the Beetle Bus everybody, as we're packing our bags and migrating north for our first ever episode recorded on location. For this special Insect Week episode, we've been summoned to the National Museum of Scotland collection centre by curator of entomology Ash Whiffin to atone for our crimes against the insects. To repent our sins for overlooking them in previous episodes, we asked Ash if she'd help us explore their world. From working out which insect would be the best lover to visualising Roddy in skin tight lycra, you won't wanna miss this..

The "How many geese?" Hall of Fame is littered with legends. From Pablo Escobear, to Cash Rat via Alex the Parrot - the pantheon is steeped with greats. In today's episode, a new animal takes its seat amongst the greats as we regale you with the Ballad of Ken Allen. Plus - what's the best animal you could show up with as a date to a wedding to impress your family? And how many coconut crabs could you take in a fight...?

Today we're learning what happens when the wolves of the sea go hunting for the biggest animals to ever live as we react to some truly wild tales of Orcas taking on Blue Whales. Plus - we go all Nick Fury and assemble our animal team of Earth's Mightiest Heroes & we work out how many Shrikes we could take in a fight...

Today we're exploring the near misses that the UK has had with invasive species, fighting weasels and asking - what animal should you take into a boardroom...?

Today's episode is following in the wake of Pablo Escobear and exploring other animals that have caused chaos. Plus - which animal should be cast as the next 007 and how many Sea Lampreys could you take in a fight...?

Today's episode explores which animal is terrorising some of Europe's most famous cities. We also ask which fantasy animal would have the biggest impact on our real world ecosystems? And - how many pelicans could you take in a fight?

Today's episode takes a look at a headline tailor made for this podcast, talks about the oldest spider in the world, recasts the Spice Girls as animals and works out how many Slow Loris it could take in a fight... Support the podcast here - Help the geese

We're talking bird brains in this episode as we meet one of the smartest animals to ever live. Plus - which animal would be the best to help you dispose of a body and how many manatees could you take in a fight...? If you fancy dropping us a donation to support the podcast then please do head on over to www.buymeacoffee.com/howmanygeese - thank you!

Today's show is learning lessons from history as we explore the times that animals were released into an ecosystem to solve a problem... before going on to become massive problems themselves.

Time to lawyer up as we head to the courts & hear about when a monkey sued a British wildlife photographer over a copyright claim. Plus - death defying squirrels, mind games with the emperor and which animal would be the most help on a quest to Mordor?

Today's episode is freshly thawed from the the Siberian permafrost to bring you up to speed on de-extinction and whether we might one day see Mammoths roam the Earth again. Plus, we work out what animal would make the best dictator and Roddy draws up another convoluted battle plan as we welcome our first invertebrate to fight club: the Common Octopus

Today's episode tells the tale of two of the most incredible extinct species you've never heard of, gets into a fight with a nerdy crocodile and evaluates how successfully a snake could apply suntan lotion...

It's Lou part 2 as we explore myths, legends and why some animals have all the luck in the world with tattoo artist Lou Hopper. Plus we decide which animals would run which stalls at a Medieval fair and Lou and Roddy take on a swimming pool full of Tiger Sharks...

Today's episode welcomes tattoo artist and nature nerd Lou Hopper into the goose flock as we answer such questions as: what the worst animal would be to have to tattoo? How many Binturong would it take to crush a human? And just what are the hidden alien animals that have been living among us?

Fear the reaper as we enter the world of the necrobiome. Listen to the literally shocking story of how a lightning storm that felled an enter herd of reindeer on the Norwegian tundra gave rise to a unique ecosystem. Plus - what animal family would take home the most medals at the Olympics & how many baboons could you take in a fight...?

We're back and wasting no time in smuggling illicit animal facts across the border as we tackle such issues as: Columbia's hippo problem, what happens if you get a fruit fly drunk & meet the black bear that ate $15 million dollars worth of cocaine...

We're back for a special Festival of Nature bumper edition of 'How many geese?' - delving into Nature's own festivals to find her mad mass gatherings. Then we turn our attentions to your important questions on animal sexiness, size & bank heist capabilities. Plus, the humble pangolin takes one more step to extinction as this week's nomination to animal fight club...

Today's episode is burrowing into your ear as we enter the world of parasites. Tuck your trousers into your socks as we talk lice that eat tongues, barnacles that hack crabs and slave making ants. Plus - we reminisce about the most remote places we've ever been and ask: how many orca could you take in a fight?

Today's episode enters the mythical, blurrily photographed world of big cats on the loose in the UK. Are they out there and just who is taking up the mantle of tracking them down? Plus - the Aardvark is inducted into animal fight club and what's the biggest animal you could tape to a lamp post?

In this episode we go to war with the animals more than ever, as we tell the cautionary tales of countries that have waged war on their feathered foes. Plus - Roddy battles beavers and we discuss whether the biggest shark to ever live might still be lurking out there...

Part 2 of our deep dive into age enters the world of the ancients. What are the oldest living things in the world? Which animals have unlocked the secrets of immortality? And, most importantly, what's going on with bats?!

"How many geese?" is aging before your very eyes/ears. In this first installment of our two-parter about old animals we dive into - what's the oldest thing you've ever eaten? Did Churchill really have a parrot that swore at Nazis? And, of course, how many asps could you take in a fight? Sound credit: florianreichelt - snarling snake