Aye-aye Pod

Latest Episodes:

S2E2 – Poop Science Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Matt and Megan chat with professional researcher, and long-time friend and collaborator of the DLC, Sally Bornbusch, Ph.D. Sally takes us into the fascinating world of microbiomes, and how studying the microorganisms living inside of our beloved ring-tailed lemurs can help us better care for and protect endangered species like them.

Links to learn more about topics from this episode:

The post S2E2 – Poop Science first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.

S2E1 – The Poster Child Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

From the strangest lemur to the most recognizable – season 2 of Aye-aye Pod is all about ring-tailed lemurs! We see them in zoos around the world, on our screens in films and tv shows, but how much do we really know about these popular primates? In this episode, Matt and Megan set us up for the rest of the season with the basics of ring-tailed lemur ecology, behavior, evolution, and more.

Links to learn more about topics from this episode:

The post S2E1 – The Poster Child first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.

S1E5 – A Series of Random Accidents Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

And… we’re back! Matt and Megan just couldn’t resist diving back in for one more discussion about our favorite primates, so we thought we’d give you a surprise final episode of our first season – just in time for the holidays! We cover everything from the aye-aye’s recent press for a gross hidden talent, to the surprising creature that shares some of the aye-ayes unique traits, to what the fossil record can (and can’t) tell us about aye-aye evolution.

Links to learn more:

Aye-aye nose-picking in the news
The Epic Journey of Ancient Lemurs (recorded virtual presentation)
Propotto and Dr. Gregg Gunnell in the news
Virtual Tour videos – Episode 2: “What Is a Lemur?” and “Episode 13: Aye-ayes”

The post S1E5 – A Series of Random Accidents first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.

S1Bonus – Nightmare Cupcake Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

As Matt and Megan recorded the first episode of this season (What Is a Lemur?), they fell down a rabbit hole and into the weird and wonderful realm of tarsiers. The several species of tarsiers living today are so fascinating and mysterious that we decided they needed their own moment in the spotlight. In this bonus episode, we’ll tackle all of the important questions. What are tarsiers? Why are they the odd-primates-out when it comes to classification? And most importantly, are they nightmare fuel or cupcake monkeys?

Links to learn more about topics from this episode:

The post S1Bonus – Nightmare Cupcake first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.

S1E4 – Beautifully Strange Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

Matt and Megan join two veterinary researchers in Madagascar for a long-distance discussion of aye-ayes at home. Dr. Hoby A. Rasoanaivo, research coordinator for Lemur Love, and Dr. Elodi Rambeloson, research project manager at the Anjajavy reserve, discuss their project to move wild aye-ayes from one forest to another, keeping them safe from the effects of deforestation and climate change. Hoby and Elodi also talk about how the mysterious nocturnal primate earned a dark reputation and how they educate communities in Madagascar about aye-ayes to help this endangered primate survive.

Links to learn more about topics from this episode:

The post S1E4 – Beautifully Strange first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.

S1E3 A Happy Aye-aye Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

At the DLC, there’s so much more to animal care than feeding lemurs and cleaning habitats. In this episode, Curator of Behavioral Management and Welfare Meg Dye and Primate Technician Jenna Browning join Matt and Megan to chat about one of our favorite 2022 babies, Binx! Through the story of Binx and his family, we’ll discuss the incredible work that goes into keeping the DLC’s aye-ayes happy and healthy through every stage of life.

Links to learn more about topics from this episode:

The post S1E3 A Happy Aye-aye first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.

S1E2 Always the Exception Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

Guest Dr. Adam Hartstone-Rose from North Carolina State University joins Matt and Megan to discuss the amazing anatomy of our favorite lemur (and podcast mascot): the aye-aye! A big fan of bizarre primates, Dr. Hartstone-Rose discusses his research journey to the DLC, how he uses living, dead, and really dead (AKA fossil) specimens to answer big questions in primate anatomy, and how he discovered the aye-aye’s extra thumb!

Note: this episode was recorded in May 2022.

Links to learn more about topics from this episode:

The post S1E2 Always the Exception first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.

S1E1 What Is a Lemur? Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

On our way to the land of what makes aye-ayes incredible and unique, we must first journey through the territory what makes all lemurs incredible and unique in their own right. Join Education Programs Manager Megan McGrath and DLC Museum of Natural History Curator Matt Borths, Ph.D., as we take a crash course through all of the layers of what it means to be a lemur.

Links to learn more about topics from this episode:

The post S1E1 What Is a Lemur? first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.

S0E0 Welcome to Aye-aye Pod Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

For our introductory episode, we thought we’d start with the basics – What is the Duke Lemur Center? Who are your hosts? And why are they starting a podcast? Join Education Programs Manager Megan McGrath and DLC Museum of Natural History Curator Matt Borths, Ph.D. for this introduction to our new podcast covering all things lemur: science, research, conservation, husbandry, Madagascar, and more!

Each mini-season will be focused on a particular subject, and weekly episodes will include discussions and interviews with experts to learn as much as we can about these amazing primates together. Our first season, coming in late 2022, will focus on the podcast’s namesake, and your hosts’ favorite primate species, the aye-aye!

To learn more about the Duke Lemur Center, check out the links below:

The post S0E0 Welcome to Aye-aye Pod first appeared on Duke Lemur Center.