Species

Learn about the animal Arnold Schwarzenegger wants you to protect! The furriest creature on the face of the planet, one of the cutest, and possibly one of the most brutal, the sea otter. Find out all the fun facts and not-so-fun history of this furry friend on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i0kze7gmk59KfcZv-VnLBqVxKdb6bBxIb6y8V6OaUUY/edit?usp=sharing

This praying mantis hunts hummingbirds. Seriously. Find out why female mantises eat male mantises, discover the world of praying mantis kung fu, and ruin your day by learning all about the horrifying lifestyle of the Chinese mantis on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YuSSR9_AmL7wyLBvx0ZhuufN-3W5YLMcNAT4vlstDyk/edit?usp=sharing

Do mourning doves mate for life? Why are they so common? What do hunters and wildlife rehabbers have in common? Who's Dora, who's Zenaide, and what does Napoleon Bonaparte have to do with any of this? Find out all the facts you want about mourning doves on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lRY5Q2eUdrAriuKnC38f7RAwDOxTlnrWDoIgMSA_yTA/edit?usp=sharing

How many people can 1 gram of poison from a golden poison frog kill? Are they really used in darts, or is that just a myth? Is a poison dart frog a safer pet than my dog? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o8AomHtyj10DhrKnjHedFdGUz8xSzKxOPeMahbstcug/edit?usp=sharing

Why don't Nepali shepherds roast meat? How do snow leopards survive in the cold? Can a snow leopard jump the length of a bowling alley? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AmX34BXN9He1QntORh8GVMMuFWFwlp9w7aNY8b451og/edit?usp=sharing

Why don't snakes have legs? What is the difference between a snake and a legless lizard? Is Indiana Jones a fraud? Find out on this strange, slithering Species special that is not about snakes.

Did we invent music, or discover it? Or were we born with it? Why would natural selection choose music? Did the Backstreet Boys accidentally spark a monumental scientific discovery? Why does this bird drum? Find out all about a musical bird on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mYfv3YJ210S3JT0wmBkUpN1cE_ARBI_WF0XvE2f1jgw/edit?usp=sharing

What do Brutus, Judas, and the false cleanerfish have in common? Why do they have massive fangs? Are plankton plants or animals or what? What is a client fish? Listen to some hilarious George Bush quotes, and find out the answers to the above questions on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y_4RztDmUyc7Z26FacKjqp8qLYkYED57gfzA4Up7CzQ/edit?usp=sharing

Why do some people call this animal the demon primate? And why does everyone call them the aye-aye? Does this creature have magical powers? What's with their bizarre middle finger? Is this creature the real-world grim reaper? Listen and learn! Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PIw_Wd_mREDfvdWkK6piyrDc2_VLTFyBI_IwhF-oiU8/edit?usp=sharing

What's it like to get eaten alive? Hear the harrowing personal story of a real crocodile attack, and learn all about the largest reptile on earth on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14von7IbuRioG_iiq-6kdq-JhAVMZRr_KMYo1vRybCuY/edit?usp=sharing Nominate Species for the Podcast Awards under "education," this is your last chance! https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup

How do hummingbirds fly, and is bee flight physically impossible? Can they fly upside-down? Why do pollinators matter? What about communism? Find out all about the smallest bird in the world on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p8ypytZ2tIyIKYzHNK8h2UVKZZyrtZtCLTv9bVu9g20/edit?usp=sharing

This animal performs one of the most amazing displays of trickery in nature. Learn about a rock n' roll toad and get hit with an avalanche of bad comedy on this fun episode of Species. Nominate Species in the "Education" category for a podcast award! Please! https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SOhhkc8Kp9zX7Bv7kmSE79Wq0PaKtzsXgZ9hkvx95Ig/edit?usp=sharing

Did giraffes patrol Rome on leashes? Who was right, Lamarck or Darwin? Why do giraffes have long necks, if not to reach high places? Do giraffes mourn the dead? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QOzwo1SsGY4vNt2yMKQMYbdXwSxLZf2LOVOpVbwGJac/edit?usp=sharing Nominate Species for a Podcast Award: https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup Save giraffes: https://giraffeconservation.org/donate/

How does a jellyfish live forever? Why do we die? Why did death evolve? What do jellyfish, plastics, gunpowder, and penicillin all have in common? What would happen if we were able to become immortal? Is eternity on the horizon? Find out the answers and potential answers to the above questions by joining us for an episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lcEZmff2p7Nwfc2v9ggUlcBoWannC6M5DQ2Y--9W2Ic/edit?usp=sharing

Come learn about the amazing skills and scandalous romances of the osprey. Today we talk about Shakespeare, WW2, bad arcade games, and environmentalism. All through the lens of an awesome animal! None of it is off-topic. Seriously. Ospreys are relevant to all of those things. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gGHGo0WC3CHZVz1747tjx5yTXvzO2DGmAz2VXoo4GTs/edit?usp=sharing

If you love your dad, share this show with him! Enter the wonderful world of males getting pregnant, and enjoy the strange science of an animal who shares traits with horses, chameleons, kangaroos, and us. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AIOq1NX97l63rW1EVL77pLPXKhnq8iwddxcADWGO23s/edit?usp=sharing

Today's episode is all about the incredible unicorn of the sea, and the mystery surrounding their famous tusk. This show covers a wide range of related topics, including Leonardo da Vinci's interest in trapping unicorns and the etymology of the word "narwhal." This episode covers all the bizarre explanations for how the narwhal's terrible tooth evolved, listen and tell us what you think! Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j5EV672tgsvGDxU21c43zTMtY-rQ8hfAastD5O2aF1w/edit?usp=sharing

How do chameleons change color? How do chameleons grab prey with their tongue? Why do black shirts get hot in the sun? Was the movie "Mad Max" a heavy metal music video, or an act of war against Mother Earth? Find out on this short but spectacular episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11PPRq1kXFEFeyAKBLKyfabpGEpLbObFeQSXLtqEcZMo/edit?usp=sharing

"The Monkey-Eating Eagle." Back in the day, massive eagles would hunt our ancestors. Today, this eagle eats monkeys. Learn a bit about the our history of getting preyed upon by birds, and learn a whole lot about a modern day marvel: Arguably the largest eagle on earth, certainly one of the rarest and most beautiful, the Philippine eagle. Enjoy. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15BjJcrwIVFTZ4rR-iFFgXimADrLCGao_Ak2YsCsTUJ4/edit?usp=sharing Philippine Eagle Foundation: http://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/donate

Today we are going to talk about an animal who defies the stereotypes: A smart fish! Are jocks smarter than nerds? Does my goldfish recognize me? Why do archerfish spit at scientists? Today we are going to talk about the amazing sevenspot archerfish. Come listen! Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f8CIqlqUhR0ZE7ZKjhEWw75_B_o4iozCNax-H2ljL3g/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode Macken tells a true story about beavers parachuting into Idaho, then he tells another about house sparrows opening doors. To wrap things up, he reveals the origin of Pikachu's name. It's a short, busy, entertaining show that packs in a whole bunch of fun. Come join us for a surprising treat on this bonus episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZqR-2jGqjGBhBAxUIEcYJadIXesurePLKfY6I0otvqM/edit?usp=sharing

This episode opens with a crime in Australia, and then takes us to South America to learn about the amazing pygmy marmoset. We answer some cool questions today: What is the difference between a monkey and a primate? What defines a species? Do pygmy marmosets always have twins? What is a fingerling? Do pygmy marmosets fart when you touch their heads, and do they lick pee? This episode also ends in Australia: Macken finally gets around to reading the Australian 5-star reviews. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10LdciSatuHi8izLGJIYEJLlArB3qmQ15fmwXrXSMQgQ/edit?usp=sharing

Can these turtles breathe through their butts? Do they shop at Hot Topic? How did people sell these turtles as pets before they were even discovered as a species? Why do these turtles wear mohawks? Is the New York Times fake news? Come find out about some punk-rock turtles on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qi1Nehny-XSRpj_y0hhLVaLs6gXVh8mAtyB10Lc7Kg4/edit?usp=sharing Help save this wonderful animal: http://maryriverturtle.tiarolandcare.org.au

You see this animal every day, but do you know anything about them? Today we will learn the different house sparrow calls and their meanings, reveal some wild places people have found this bird, and explain the history of their expansion from Israel to world domination. Impress your friends by translating house sparrow chirps and chatters into English! Join us, come listen! Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lWH_oF8e_smvG8JCko1oWMgBBhGpgLU_jXgvRcF6VYw/edit?usp=sharing

Did President Woodrow Wilson declare war on sharks? How did an Australian golf course accidentally end up with a lake full of bull sharks? How do these animals survive in both freshwater and saltwater? What are my odds of getting attacked by a bull shark? Come enjoy a couple of crazy stories, and learn all about this incredible animal on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jI4syGbFaYQ4CIX7IROaAAaP4gvwq6iMd0WBr45Hz-E/edit?usp=sharing

Why do we find some animals so adorable? What is the science behind cuteness? Do pikas have accents? If the American pika dies at room temperature, how the heck are they adapting to global warming? Come learn all about the animal who is somehow simultaneously asocial and cooperative, the adorable American pika. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lXOq75u7BzmTd_NeQq2jK12QT0muYkCN_nkgX7PP9mY/edit?usp=sharing

The largest snake in Africa, a terrifying predator, an animal who swallows humans whole... The African rock python. Does this animal have heat vision? Who would win in a fight, an African rock python or a hyena? What about a crocodile? How about a lion? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VaYjbaX-qe7rADpu-cB2VkYwvoZkbufnWZ2fZFl8smI/edit?usp=sharing

The only flightless parrot, one of the only nocturnal parrots, the heaviest parrot we know and perhaps the longest-living bird on earth... the kakapo! Come learn all about this wonderful animal, and get all your questions answered: What is a lek? Why does each kakapo have a "boom-sac"? Who is Sirocco? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F4Gf3cvnOvFkzFaz3WhwdCNOYOVFMscUO99SHR6WVNE/edit?usp=sharing Save the kakapo: http://kakaporecovery.org.nz

Who would win, a samurai, or a giant salamander? Is it true that they breathe through their skin? Can the Japanese giant salamander survive getting cut in half? Do they make good dads? Come learn everything about this massive creature on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Az3Ys_jZfCdobqKGuU5pU_4chiiw0Ufg_j4B5Oc_2a4/edit?usp=sharing

Why are they called devils? Do they have the strongest bite on earth? Can they eat people? Will the Tasmanian devil save humanity? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/111ZryMeUPFqKUF9rSnq_fvUCE35e_bb7wPzdLkPRPsQ/edit?usp=sharing

Snakes live almost everywhere, so why aren't there any snakes in Ireland? Legend has it that St. Patrick got rid of them! Celebrate this St. Patrick's day with knowledge. Did this primate banish the snakes from Ireland? Find out on this bonus episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O8j3AgdyNs15uxqyfXRiYjV0tsF5TsSDqNq7HSewUHQ/edit?usp=sharing

Why do dung beetles build dung balls? Do dung beetles dance? How do polarized sunglasses work? Why did entomologists dress up dung beetles in cardboard hats and tiny mittens? Learn all about the sacred scarab on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HpYHB54kDJ5yMm-ckecuX8Ei9BMQUSxnSPKfBYjvFc8/edit?usp=sharing

Who would win, a great blue heron or a golden eagle? Have chimpanzees invented spears? Are great blue herons mute? Learn the answers to all these questions and more! Learn everything about this fantastic bird on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17pbZ7hDSDIYLvgGNZFwK_b7avXCgaK0JxfvHmKdzd80/edit?usp=sharing

Why do sunfish sunbathe? Will a sunfish squash my child? Can I use a dead sunfish to pay my taxes? Is that a baby whale? Come learn about the egg-laying champion on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z5YnjyOkKs_kpttWcgSJkHKWKvNW56E9GSZFIxdzoRo/edit?usp=sharing Addendum: Some Japanese biologists believe that a new species of Mola should be acknowledged, named Mola alexandrini (bump-head sunfish). They have noticeable genetic and phenotypic differences from other Mola mola, with whom they are usually grouped. If Mola alexandrini is indeed a different species to Mola mola, then the bump-head sunfish (not the ocean sunfish) holds the title of largest sunfish specimen ever found.

Did silk hats save beavers from extinction? Which is longer, the Hoover Dam, or the biggest beaver dam ever? Are humans naturally monogamous? Learn all about the North American beaver on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uufPXkcVlmViyoOMwEQYXw5swayShvOeRh-b_TLL01E/edit?usp=sharing

How do snakes slither? How do they climb trees? Heck, how do they "fly"?! Become an expert on the paradise flying snake, and learn all about the physics of snake movement (on the ground, up trees, and through the air!) on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1knCP0V9El3I3CZuY1XmTuJgGAbbYtE9BOBtvpScvats/edit?usp=sharing

Why do we call them "cowbirds," and why are they nicknamed "mafia birds"? Does the mafia still exist? Are cowbirds running an extortion racket in my backyard? Macken answers all on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YkTHau7VoFc5JrdXYl-kYuIwA1XlRATPBxL1djKyEKE/edit?usp=sharing

The Amazon molly is an entirely female species of fish. So how do they reproduce? Why haven't they gone extinct, like biologists once predicted? Is the Greek legend of the Amazons real? Macken answers all on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10sffWxg1rSj8i2XygMUYUrwxEhtfFffJl6_pjEbYCDU/edit?usp=sharing

How come giant pandas don't eat meat like other bears? Why are they black and white? Do pandas have 6 fingers? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s23JwBXg2Zti-YoRTuCwhgjAAGjwSH6YgfHTCN8Ka74/edit?usp=sharing

Can coconut crabs swim? Is my cat safe from coconut crabs? What happened to Amelia Earhart? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. He also spoils the ending of "King Kong," so watch out for that. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BrFIVGxUPKJ-TZmqVGohDgg1YRLkYRxrQhasCUaHnQw/edit?usp=sharing

Which animal is the pound for pound language champion? What is so special about bird brains? Can a budgie lead me to food? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o85CPVShpLtfCFho6IT-JLwtBsODrK4sI1pCTfMjQgI/edit?usp=sharing

Can a Greenland shark live for 500 years? Do Greenland sharks hunt for moose? Why did a Danish physicist need shark eyes? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zdBDlpxQuGJCG5q7Fbzq-gVIo64WkV304rHUGr6pkeM/edit?usp=sharing

Why do opossums get hit by cars? How did the opossum, a marsupial, end up in America? Did an opossum really meet the King and Queen of Spain? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A1a3jRFD0b4AAsWpE1W2Bb-uwRq2f5IezAYm2Asjm0k/edit?usp=sharing