
What The Duck?!
206 episodes — Page 3 of 5

Sex is Weird: Ep 1- The world’s first d*ck pic
When you really think about it, sex to make babies is WEIRD! You take an outie that has to get stuck inside an innie that links into a production line of eggs to assemble a perfect tiny being. It’s so damn complicated!So why does it work like that?Join us at What the Duck for the first episode of a new series where we figure out how living things went from splitting ourselves in half to double the population, to periodically feeling compelled to copulate in such a vigorous, sometimes highly embarrassing, manner.Earth - this is your sexual history!Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Featuring:Emeritus Professor David Siveter, University of Leicester, UK.Assistant Professor Emily Mitchell, University of Cambridge, UK and curator of non-insect invertebrates, University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, UK.Dr Marissa Betts, geologist and palaeontologist at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia. Dr Emily Willingham, biologist, journalist and author.Associate Professor Patty Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, US. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.Thanks also to Will Ockenden, Belinda Smith, Corey Hague and Joel Werner. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

INTRODUCING: Sex is Weird (a What the Duck?! series)
How the duck did sex evolve as a major form of reproduction?Sex is Weird is a brand new series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones. From the evolution of the first-ever genitals and the strange methods that animals use to copulate, to the unbelievable ways that the female body responds to sex. So strap in and get ready for the ride of your life, you'll never think about sex the same way again!Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Russel Stapleton.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Feeling Crabby
Have the crabs been lying to us?They usually have ten legs and eyes on stalks, but there are all sorts of things hiding under the shell, including emotions. There are true crabs, false crabs, and even shame-faced crabs which implies that some of them, at least, are guilty.Featuring:Dr Rachael King, SA Museum. Professor Judith Weis, Rutgers University, Newark. Dr Annabel Dorrenstein, University of Western Sydney.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people and was first broadcast in September 2023.

Spiders - they're going to kill!
Spiders have gravity-defying ninja skills, they can hear without ears and they work together to gang up on huge prey.Spiders are murder machines!Featuring:Dr Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University.Dr Alfonso Aceves-Aparicio, University Hamburg.Dr Jay Stafstrom, Cornell University.Dr Lena Grinsted, University of Portsmouth.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editor. Additional mastering: Angela Grant. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people and was first broadcast on the 17th of December 2022.

Mosquitos- blood suckers
You can run but you can't hide!Ever wondered how a mosquito manages to hit a blood vessel without fail?And that one mozzie that you hear buzzing and buzzing at night? It’s probably a species that prefers birds and is trying to determine whether you’re a bird.Featuring:Assoc Prof. Cameron Webb, NSW Pathology & University of Sydney.Dr. Jana Batovska, Agriculture Victoria.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editing.This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in June 2022 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Snakes and Ladders
How does a snake climb a pole? It's not like they have a ladder... or arms.It turns out that snakes have some pretty crazy skills when it comes to climbing anything and everything.The Island of Guam had between two and four million brown tree snakes in the 1980s, leading to all sorts of issues for the birds and the environment.Guests:Dr Aaron Collins- Assistant State Director Guam/Western Pacific Theatre at USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesProfessor Kristin Y. Pettersen- Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and System at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)Stuart McKenzie - Director/Owner at The Snake Catcher Sunshine CoastProfessor Bruce C. Jayne- Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati.Charlie and Olivia, Board game players.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editing.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast on the 5th of March 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

The Swearing Duck
Ripper the musk duck had many bad habits – chief among them was attacking the keepers and then swearing under his breath.But was Ripper really angry, or was his potty mouth a symptom of something much more sinister?FEATURING:Peter Fullagar, wildlife sound recordist and retired CSIRO Scientist.Nick Hayward, Film maker, The Message of the Lyrebird.Daryl Snowdon, Duck Shooter.Lisa Sperber, Ballarat Bird World parrot whisperer. Victoria Austin, University of Western Sydney.. Carel Ten Cate, Institute of Biology Leiden.EXTRA SOUND RECORDINGS:Ripper the Duck and others, Peter Fullagar via the Australian National Wildlife Collection at the CSIRO, files X49184 and X49185.Brolgas grunting by Henry Cook.Echo the Lyrebird imitating a (human) baby, courtesy of Taronga Zoo.Regent Honeyeaters in the wild by Ross Crates, ANU.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Jo Khan, Field Producer.Joel Werner, Script editor.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.It was first published on the 29th of Jan 2022.

Fisticuffs, ego, and the great tomato virus discovery of the 20th century
It's the early 20th century, a government scientist position was determined by a boxing match, and a tomato virus threatened to stop the development of Australian-style tomato sauce in its tracks. Luckily, apart from their prowess as fighters, Australian plant scientists were leaders in identifying and controlling plant illnesses. They wouldn't do it without some drama though, and in this very special podcast extra, Ann Jones traces some of the turbulent history of tomato virus research down under. Featuring:Associate Professor Andrew Geering, University of Queensland.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Can plants get cancer?
Plants are fully sick right now - and not just because indoor plants are in fashion. They have an immune system, they get infections, and can catch viruses... they just can't move away from their sick neighbours.While we depend on white blood cells to fight off and remember pathogens, plants rely on inherited knowledge of past threats in their DNA, plus the effective altruism of individual cells to sacrifice themselves rather than damage the whole. Featuring:Associate Professor Andrew Geering, University of Queensland.Professor John Rathjen, Australian National University. Dr Amy MacKenzie, University of Adelaide.Belinda Smith, ABC Science reporter.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Emrys CroninThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Electric Eel- an attitude problem and access to its own taser
It seems absolutely bonkers that an animal can muster ELECTRICITY, especially enough to send out a zap like a taser. But that's exactly what electric eels can do, and the world record holder more than doubles the voltage of the Australian electricity supply. More than that, electric eels inspired the design of Volta's first batteries, but (hold onto your socks so they don't get blown off) they're not the only ones who've got electricity pumping through their bodies. Featuring:Professor Will Crampton, University of Central Florida.Professor Ken Catania, Vanderbilt University.Professor Kate Trinajstic, Curtin University.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Emrys CroninThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Flaco the escapee owl flew free in New York City ... until he met his end on a window pane
A superhero origin story would absolutely be 12 years in a cage and then set free by secretive criminals.That’s the story of Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle Owl, released from his vandalised cage in Central Park Zoo, New York City. He turned up in the middle of an intersection nearby, looking dazed and people in the know thought, ‘This is going to end badly,’ because animals released from captivity have an extremely low survival rate. But Flaco – ‘skinny’ in Spanish – flew in the face of all that. Flaco not only learned to live, he seemed to thrive.He turned up on fire escapes and windowsills, and was photographed around Manhattan like a coked-up socialite with wide eyes and fabulous ear tufts. But, how long could Flaco possibly last in the graveyard of bird diversity that is the city? How long could he fly without confusing a window for the sky?Featuring:Ed Shanahan, Metro reporter, The New York Times. Julia Wang, Project Leader, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Brendon Samuels, Fatal Light Awareness Program and Western University in Canada.Dr Kylie Soanes, Urban ecologist at The University of Melbourne.Mat Howard, Midjuburi Ward (Marrickville), Inner West Council, NSW.Kat and Zach, Flaco Song.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

When animals put other animals in jail
Usually, it's humans putting animals in cages, but sometimes the animals do it to themselves.Female platypus lock themselves in burrows to breed, great hornbill males lock females up in the hollow of a tree (they seal it up with fruit and poop) and potter wasps paralyse caterpillars for their babies to eat.Today on What The Duck?!, Dr Ann Jones investigates the wild and hostile world of animal jails.Are the animals just psycho killers or do they have their reasons?Featuring:Geoff Williams, Biologist, Australian Platypus Conservancy. Pooja Pawar, Nature Conservation Foundation of India.Dr. George Binns , Entomologist, Macquarie University.Dr. Graham Brown, Entomologist, Darwin.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Why snakes remain deadly even after they're dead
At first, you might think it is a plot from a zombie movie: that undead animals are coming for you.But it turns out that Australia's animals aren't just dangerous when they're alive — they can be deadly even when they're dead.Ann Jones is joined by science reporter Belinda Smith to examine why snakes can still bite up to 45 minutes after death and are potentially dangerous for years.Think we're lying? Belinda found a guy whose great aunt (and her dog) were killed by a decapitated snake!So if a snake could commit multiple murders from beyond the grave, what other animals are going to get you?Featuring - Ray Miller, relative died after being bitten by a dead snake. Dr Christina Zdenek, Australian Reptile Academy. Professor Kylie Pitt, Griffith University. Dr Olaf Meynecke, Griffith University. Len Zell, retired marine scientist and author of Australian Wildlife – Roadkill.Production:Belinda Smith, ABC Science Reporter/Producer. Ann Jones, Presenter/Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri and Kaurna people.

Do animals dream?
Cassie and Claire have watched their parrot talk in its sleep... so is it dreaming?And, if animals DO dream... will we ever know what they’re dreaming about? Ann Jones tries to find out.Featuring:Cassie, Claire and Pidgey the Parrot. Associate Professor Nicole Lovato, Flinders University. Associate Professor John Lesku, La Trobe University. Professor David Pena Guzman, author of ‘Animal Dreaming’ and San Francisco State University. Professor Sidarta Ribeiro, neuroscientist at Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Dr Shauni Omond, @shauniomond.sleepsci on Instagram, La Trobe University.Professor Niels Rattenborg, Research leader on Avian Sleep, Max Planck Institute. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people and was originally broadcast in July 2023.

Do worms sleep?
Birds can fly while half their brain is sleeping and some spiders sleep dangling on a silk thread, but what about worms.Do worms sleep?Featuring:Associate Professor John Lesku, La Trobe University. Dr Shauni Omond, @shauniomond.sleepsci on Instagram, La Trobe University. Professor Niels Rattenborg, Research leader on Avian Sleep, Max Planck Institute. Dr Daniela Roessler, University of Konstanz. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Roi Huberman.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people and was originally broadcast in July 2023.

The Sage-grouse dance
Female sage-grouse birds have decided that they want to see a weird sexy dance when deciding on a mate.Ann Jones explores the creativity of female choice in the animal world in this episode of What the Duck?!Featuring:Lucy Cooke, Zoologist and author of Bitch A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal.Professor Gail L Patricelli, University of California, Davis. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: John Jacobs.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people andwas originally broadcast in July 2023.

Hyenas and lab mice - does sex matter?
Female lab mice have been bred to be passive and breed with ease.But, in the wild they're feisty and even pugnacious.How much of our biological understanding of the world is based on misogyny?Featuring:Lucy Cooke, Zoologist and author of Bitch A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal.Professor Arthur Georges, University of Canberra.Professor Catherine Dulac, Harvard University.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Carey DellThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people. It was originally broadcast in July 2023.

Shells with stories to tell
There's a whole world of mystery, and quite a bit of maths, inside the humble sea shell.Forget ancestry searches online, shells can tell you the history of the world!Featuring:Amy Prendergast, University of Melbourne.Jann Vendetti, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Dr Paul Butler, Researcher at the University of Exeter. This episode was originally broadcast in March 2023. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Carey DellThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

The merits of menopause. End of. Period.
There's only a handful of animals on earth that go through menopause, where females get to hang up the ovaries and enjoy a change of life.So, why have we (humans, chimps and some toothed whales) established a sexual retirement of sorts? What is everyone else missing out on?Featuring:Associate Professor Kevin Langergraber, Primatologist, Arizona State University.Charli Grimes, PhD student, University of Exeter.Production:Belinda Smith, Reporter/Producer. Ann Jones, Presenter/Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri and Kaurna people.

Extreme traps in nature
We will all go to trouble to get a good meal, but some animals take it to the extreme.Some build architectural masterpieces to entrap their prey, or use body parts as lures.But what is your cat doing when it makes the 'ek ek ek ek?' Is it trying to bewitch the birds? Featuring:Professor Kris Helgen, Australian Museum.Julia Henning, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide.Associate Professor Inon Scharf, Tel Aviv University.Dr David Merritt, Entomologist.Associate Professor Ajay Narendra, Macquarie University.Extra audio: Cat Ek ek ek by @thiscatisdumpling.Ann Jones, Presenter/Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Belinda Smith, Producer. Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Phantasmic Mr Fox
Despite spending years and millions of dollars, the Tasmanian Fox Eradication team never, not once, not ever, spotted a live fox on the Apple Isle.While their efforts yielded zero foxes, it spawned a tale of lies, alleged corruption, and more scats than you could poke a stick at. Featuring:Ian Townsend, former ABC Radio National Journalist.David Kelly, Manager of the Threatened Species Unit, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.Jonah Yick, Program leader (Carp Management) Inland Fisheries Service Tasmania.Brent Beaven, Predator Free programme lead (Senior Manager Predator Free 2050), Department of Conservation, NZ.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter/Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Nathan Turnbull.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

What the [sheeping] flock?
You have a lot to thank sheep for. Yes, sheep.More than just wool and meat — sheep have played a part in the development of contraception and reproduction in humans.It's not as dodgy as it sounds, but it is absolutely surprising. Listening to this show will have you thanking every sheep you see from here on out.Featuring:Tara Farms, YouTuber, and sheep farmer.Sally Coulthard, historian, smallholder, and author of A Short History of the World according to Sheep.Dr Charles Roselli, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland.Professor Emeritus Gareth Evans, University of Sydney.Dr Stephan Leu, The University of Adelaide.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter/Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Nathan Turnbull.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Purely for pleasure
For years we've barely even talked about the human clitoris let alone the fact that snakes have TWO. This program has adult themes.Featuring:Belinda Smith, ABC Science Online Reporter. Lucy Cooke, Author and Film maker.Megan Folwell, University of Adelaide.Dr Jenna Crowe-Riddell, La Trobe University.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Angie GrantThis program was first broadcast in 2023.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Face your fear of snakes
Would you meet a stranger in a park with a pile of snakes? Comedian Craig Quartermaine took the risk in an attempt to overcome his fears.Featuring:Craig Quartermaine, comedian. Sandy Dickinson, Urban Reptiles.Jonathan Wright, announcer's voice. Production:Ann Jones, presenter/producer.Petria Ladgrove, producer.Joel Werner, script editor.Field recording: Dylan Prins.Additional mastering: Angie Grant.This episode was originally broadcast in 2023.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Yuggera, Turrbal and Kaurna people.

Animals with extreme minimalist mindsets
Could a legless lizard be 'minimalist of the year' for famous podcaster T. K. Coleman?Ann Jones leads an unlikely gang of animal experts on a tidy dance through the philosophy of minimalism. There are moths without mouths, flies without wings, and a worm-lizard that will even declutter its own tail. Move over Marie Kondo, Minimalist Mother Nature is in town. Featuring:T. K. Coleman, Co-host of the Minimalists Podcast.Dr. Bryan Lessard, aka Bry the Fly Guy, entomologist and author of 'Eyes on Flies'.Dr. George Binns, Entomologist, Macquarie University.Dr. David Wong, Ecologist.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Russell Stapleton.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Mother Nature does it better (ASMR edition)
ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a tingly sensation that can bring relaxation, and it's spawned a growing industry of videos online of whispering, tapping, mouth noises and soft speaking. But, if you wanted quiet, intimate sounds, well, Nature does it so. much. better. Ann Jones goes on an ASMR journey with vibrating caterpillars, whispering monkeys and birds who want to keep secrets. Featuring:Dr Giulia Poerio, University of Sussex.Thanh Sagris, ASMR artist, Melbourne.Associate Professor Rachel Morrison, University of North Carolina at Pembroke.Associate Professor Rindy Anderson, Florida Atlantic University.Associate Professor Mandy Ridley, University of Western Australia.Professor Jayne Yack, Carleton University.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Russell Stapleton.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Why do Quolls have spots?
Imagine you've just been cancelled for a controversial opinion about Taylor Swift's musical output, and you have to go to ground.You can act like the Olsen twins, and hide behind big glasses and a big coat.Or you could take a lesson from nature and blend in, like a proverbial spotty quoll into the bush.When it comes to camouflage and animal markings, there's a lot we can learn from the animal kingdom.Featuring:Dr Belinda Wilson, The Australian National University.Associate Professor Tanya Latty, University of Sydney.Dr Quentin Fogg, University of Melbourne.Dr Kaia Tombak, Purdue University. Professor Marc Holderied, Bristol University.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Butts. What are they good for?
Right now, you’re probably sitting on one of the most unique things about humans. One thing that separates us from the apes, from the birds, from EVERYTHING on earth. The thing that allows us to walk upright, on two legs.We have big butts and I cannot lie,This sort of exceptionalism doesn’t deny,That when a bird walks in with a little bit of hasteAnd drumsticks in your face, you have to admit that bipedalism ISN’T what’s interesting.It's actually our peachy butts.Featuring:Professor Daniel Lieberman, Harvard University, US.Professor Jo Setchell, Durham University, UK. Dr Peter Bishop, Harvard University, US.Lauren Thornton, University of Sunshine Coast.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Russell Stapleton.

How many animals REALLY live in your house?
How many species live around your house?In the COVID lockdown of 2020, three housemates decided to count.They thought there’d only be a handful, but the number kept rising and rising.Could their simple suburban Queenslander house be the next candidate for a new national park?What the Duck?! is back for Season 6.Featuring:Dr Matt Holden, Mathematician, University of Queensland.Dr Andrew Rogers, Ecologist, University of Melbourne.Dr Russell Yong, Taxonomist. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Nathan Turnbull.

Space race- the animal edition
Fruit flies, guinea pigs, frogs, monkeys, turtles, cats and dogs… all sorts of animals have been to space.Find out who made small steps for mankind before we could even spacewalk as Ann goes through the emotional turmoil of hearing animals in space. Featuring:James Foley, Author and Illustrator.Kerrie Dougherty OAM, Senior Heritage and Outreach Officer, Australian Space Agency.Emeritus Professor John P. Gluck, University of New Mexico and Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University.Michael Coggan, News Voice. What the Duck?! Season 6 will be back next week.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Matthew Crawford.

SUMMER - Silence of the vultures
An ornithologist, a veterinarian and a religious devotee must find the serial killer before every last vulture in India is dead.The episode was first published on the 2nd of September 2023. Featuring:Dr Campbell Murn, Head of Conservation at Hawk Conservancy Trust and University of Reading, UK.Dr Kishor Rithe, Interim Director, Bombay Natural History Society.Dr Andrea Santangeli, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Spain.Dr Percy Avari, Mumbai Vetinarary College.Sherally Munshi, Georgetown.Vulture sounds provided by Nikita Mathur, India.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

SUMMER - Are Naked Mole-rats the weirdest animals on earth?
They look like… 'sabre-toothed sausages', they can barely see, they live for a really long time and have a queen who oppresses them.Find out all about the Naked Mole-rat this week and let us know your weirdest animal on earth suggestions at [email protected]:Dr Alison Barker, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research.Adjunct Professor Rochelle Buffenstein, University of Illinois at Chicago.Extra information: Professor Gary R. Lewin, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Angie GrantThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

SUMMER - The ostrich-riding bushranger
He loved gold, so he robbed stagecoaches in South Australia and used an ostrich as a getaway car. OR DID HE?!This episode was first published on the 11th of February 2023.Featuring:Denice Mason, teacher and Meningie resident.Associate Professor Rohan Clarke, Monash University and co-author of the Australian Bird Guide.Jacob Fiebig, Meningie resident and composer of "The ballad of John Peggotty".Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Angie Grant.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna people.

SUMMER- Kneel before the eel
For thousands of years eels have made people rich and powerful, literally. Now it's time to pay it back.This episode was originally published on the 18th of March 2023.Featuring:Dr. John Wyatt Greenlee, Historian Cornell University.Erin Rose, Budj Bim World Heritage Executive Officer at Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.Braydon Saunders, Tour Guide Coordinator at Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism.Tyson Lovett-Murray, Budj Bim World Heritage Ranger at Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.Wayne Koster, Research Scientist at the Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Victorian Government.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Timothy Jenkins.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Gunditjmara, Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

SUMMER- Birds, bees and a wang wang with a problem.
A tiny penis, a 12-hour annual fertilisation window, picky females and strawberry bubble bath – these are just a few of the issues that pop up when making a panda cub.This is a repeat of an episode first published on the 1st of April 2023. Featuring:Chad Crittle, Acting Assistant Curator for Carnivores and Ungulates at Zoos SA.Mr Li Zhang, Consul, Head of Bilateral Section at the Chinese Consulate-General in Adelaide.Dr Meghan Martin Wintle, Director, Conservation Ecologist at PDX Wildlife.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Carey Dell.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Who's a good girl?
Ann Jones does a DNA test to see if she is a dog!This is the final episode for Season 5 of What the Duck?! We will be back in February with new episodes.Featuring:Skyla Seltzer, What The Duck?! listener.Beanz and Henry the dog. Link Olson, Curator of Mammals, University of Alaska Museum.Dr Nicola Rivers, Monash University.Professor Paul Hebert, Scientific Director, International Barcode of Life.Dr Leo Joseph, Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO. Tim Low, Biologist and author. Thanks also Ying Luo for background information. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Is the pigeon the weirdest animal on earth?
It is related to the dodo, makes milk and even played a role in the French Revolution. Surely this bird deserves some recognition?Featuring:Rosemary Mosco, Science writer and author of 'The Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching'.Nathan Finger, Host of 'Bird of the Week' podcast Dr Robin Leppitt, Ornithologist.April Broadbent, Pigeon Rehabber.Aaron and Aria, Pigeon Fanciers.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Can you speak fish?
Someone get a translator app because the fish are ready to speak. Featuring:Lauren Hawkins, Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University. Dr Aaron Rice, Research Scientist at Cornell University. Featured sounds :Thanks to Aaron and Lauren for providing sounds as well as Professor Robert McCauley and the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Nature's vibrators
They make THEMSELVES scream. Featuring:Dr. Perry Beasley Hall, Adelaide University.Ernesto Caliari Pinheiro, Acoustic biologist, Brazil.Professor Mario Vallejo-Marin, University of Uppsala, Sweden. Lisa Schonberg, Ecological sound artist, New York.Professor Link Olson, University of Alaska Museum.Dr Andy Reid, University of Strathclyde, Scotland.Dr Ying Luo, Australian National Insect Collection. Featured sounds :Son of a Bee by Dusty Dubs, David Rentz and Vicki Powys.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Mike-owl Jackson, Gorillaz and The Pussycat Dolls- are animals musical?
Can animals create, or even enjoy music? Ann rips through the animal kingdom to check out the musical talent of some likely and unlikely animals.Featuring:Dr. Stuart Watson, University of Zurich. Dr. Chiara De Gregorio, University of Torino. Assistant Professor Adena Schachner, University of California.David Teie, Musician and composer, Music for Cats. Associate Professor Cameron Webb, University of Sydney and NSW Health Pathology. Featured sounds :Musical Stimuli for Parrots by Adena Schachner, Fostog's Touch by David Teie (music for cats) and Marlene McCohen (YouTube) and her Amazon parrot Lucy. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.

Glow your own way
Are you high, or is that a sheep glowing?Featuring:Linda Reinhold, Zoologist at James Cook University.Professor Simon Lewis, Curtin University. Dr. Kenny Travouillon, Western Australian Museum. Caitlin Grieve, Hillend Dorsets.

Killer whales vs boats
A group of Killer whales have been hassling boats around Spain over the last few years. They've been nibbling the rudders and even sinking yachts, but why?Has anyone considered that it might be revenge? How dangerous are Orcas anyway? Featuring:Martin Evans, UK Sailor.Professor Peter Keegan, History and Archaeology at Macquarie University. Dr Rebeca Wellard, Curtin University.Dr Luke Rendell, University of St Andrews, Scotland. Anna Selbmann, University of Iceland.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Petrel heads in love
They smell like a squid in a wool jumper, they sound like a duck on helium, and devoted 'Petrel Heads' travel thousands of kilometres just to hear them moan. Featuring:Peter Vaughan, Monash University. Stephen Totterman, Northern NSW Naturalist and seabird enthusiast.Rolenas Tavue Baereleo, Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, Government of Vanuatu. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Feeling crabby
Have the crabs been lying to us? There are true crabs, false crabs, and even shame-faced crabs which implies that some of them, at least, are guilty.Featuring:Dr Rachael King, SA Museum. Professor Judith Weis, Rutgers University, Newark. Dr Annabel Dorrenstein, University of Western Sydney.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Who's your Daddy?
You probably have a daddy-long-legs in your house right now.But when is having a weird housemate in the corner ACTUALLY a good thing? Dr Ann Jones investigates. Featuring:Dr Samantha Nixon, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr Lizzy Lowe, Invertebrates Australia.Thanks also to Dr Bernhard Huber, Arachnid Curator at Museum Koenig. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

POD EXTRA: Johnny Cash and the Condor fire
An extra special, podcast only, five-minute story for you!A bird that stands over a metre tall hardly seems like it'd bow down to a rock star, but Johnny Cash played a burning role in the near-extinction of Californian Condors.Featuring:Dr. Maggie Watson, Zoologist at Charles Sturt University Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Silence of the vultures
An ornithologist, a veterinarian and a religious devotee must find the serial killer before every last vulture in India is dead.Featuring:Dr Campbell Murn, Head of Conservation at Hawk Conservancy Trust and University of Reading, UK.Dr Kishor Rithe, Interim Director, Bombay Natural History Society. Dr Andrea Santangeli, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Spain.Dr Percy Avari, Mumbai Vetinarary College. Sherally Munshi, Georgetown. Vulture sounds provided by Nikita Mathur, India. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Do worms dream?
We get a bit philosophical and try to find out that if animals do dream, will we ever be able to know what they’re dreaming about?Featuring:Cassie, Claire and Pidgey the Parrot. Associate Professor Nicole Lovato, Flinders University. Associate Professor John Lesku, La Trobe University. Professor David Pena Guzman, author of ‘Animal Dreaming’ and San Francisco State University. Professor Sidarta Ribeiro, neuroscientist at Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Dr Shauni Omond, @wormgirl on Instagram, La Trobe University. Professor Niels Rattenborg, Research leader on Avian Sleep, Max Planck Institute. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Sleep like a log
Birds can fly while half their brain is sleeping and some spiders sleep dangling on a silk thread, but what about worms. Do worms sleep?Featuring:Associate Professor John Lesku, La Trobe University. Dr Shauni Omond, @shauniomond.sleepsci on Instagram, La Trobe University. Professor Niels Rattenborg, Research leader on Avian Sleep, Max Planck Institute. Dr Daniela Roessler, University of Konstanz. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Why don't you act like a girl?
Boob-shaping hiccups are very sexy in the sage grouse world, but whose chesticles are in charge?Featuring:Lucy Cooke, Zoologist and author of Bitch A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal.Professor Gail L Patricelli, University of California, Davis. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: John Jacobs.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.