BewilderBeasts!

Latest Episodes:

Ep 8: The Profane Presidential Parrot Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

Today on Bewilderbeasts, Melissa talks about some foul-mouthed parrots who got evicted from a zoo (they won’t be the last) and another parrot whose F Bombs got him kicked out of a President’s Funeral. Let’s go!

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If you have ideas for future episodes, know of historical animals who changed the world, animals who help humans, or wacky animals in the news, send them in to:

bewilderbeastspod@gmail.com
@BewilderedPod on TWITTER
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BewilderBeastsPod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderbeasts/
About your host:
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA, is a science-based dog trainer outside of Boston, MA, and author of the book, "Considerations for the City Dog". She has a dog training channel on YouTube that has free classes and lessons for anyone who is interested in positive reinforcement dog training.
More about Melissa can be found at MelissaMcCueMcGrath.com
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https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/parrots-separated-at-lincolnshire-zoo-after-learning-to-swear/#:~:text=Five%20foul%2Dmouthed%20parrots%20have,encouraging%20each%20other%20to%20swear.

https://people.com/pets/parrot-stuck-on-roof-swears-at-rescuer/

http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/pets/andrew-jacksons-pet-parrot/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/andrew-jackson-populist-even-deathbed-180962124/

The Memory Palace, episode 161 - Stories to Wash Your Hands By (Andrew Jackson’s bird) https://thememorypalace.us/music-to-wash-hands-by/

https://medium.com/omgfacts/the-true-story-of-andrew-jacksons-swearing-parrot-6189abaa3155

@animalsbehaving on Twitter for her animal behavior take on behavior modification for the separated birds - she’s a lovely follow for all things animal behavior https://twitter.com/animalsbehaving

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54340425

https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/australian-birds-of-prey-have-harnessed-the-use-of-fire-to-flush-out-their-prey/

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Intro/Outtro music: Tiptoe Out The Back - Dan Liebowicz
Interstitial Music: MK2
Additional music: Freesound.com, Pixabay.org
Instagram: @EggAndNugget (chicken stan account) or @MelissaMcCueMcGrath
Website: BewilderBeastsPod.com
Support the Show and get stuff! Patreon.com/BewilderbeastsPod
Your host, Melissa McCue-McGrath is an author, dog trainer, and behavior consultant in Southern Maine. She'll talk about dogs all day if you let her. You've been warned :)

Ep 7: The Pigeon Who Saved 194 Men Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

Today on Bewilderbeasts, host Melissa McCue-McGrath introduces a pigeon who saved 194 people in WWI and goats who are fighting wildfires in an unusual way.
If you have ideas for future episodes, know of historical animals who changed the world, animals who help humans, or wacky animals in the news, send them in to:

bewilderbeastspod@gmail.com
@BewilderedPod on TWITTER
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BewilderBeastsPod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderbeasts/
About your host:
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA, is a science-based dog trainer outside of Boston, MA, and author of the book, "Considerations for the City Dog". She has a dog training channel on YouTube that has free classes and lessons for anyone who is interested in positive reinforcement dog training. More about Melissa can be found at MelissaMcCueMcGrath.com
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Intro Music is “Tiptoe out the back” by Dan Lebowicz
Interstitial music is by MK2
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, review and share with your curious friends.
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I got today's information from:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/using-goats-to-prevent-wildfires-51327045/

https://www.npr.org/2020/01/05/792458505/california-cities-turn-to-hired-hooves-to-help-prevent-massive-wildfires

https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/firefighting-goats.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cher_Ami

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cher-ami

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/630019/stink-bug-invasion-2020-could-be-headed-your-way

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Ep 6: The Exploding Whale Fail Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

Today we'll discuss a whale fail that lives in infamy & the first cat to solve a murder (not the last).
Big thanks to author and columnist, Dave Barry, who wrote about the whale incident in 1990 where I was able to find it, read it, and never forget it. His humor is absolutely a cornerstone of this podcast and I'm ever grateful for stumbling upon that article as a young person.
Let's go!
If you have ideas for future episodes, know of historical animals who changed the world, animals who help humans, or wacky animals in the news, send them in to:

bewilderbeastspod@gmail.com
@BewilderedPod on TWITTER
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BewilderBeastsPod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderbeasts/
About your host:
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA, is a science-based dog trainer outside of Boston, MA, and author of the book, "Considerations for the City Dog". She has a dog training channel on YouTube that has free classes and lessons for anyone who is interested in positive reinforcement dog training. More about Melissa can be found at MelissaMcCueMcGrath.com
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Intro Music is “Tiptoe out the back” by Dan Lebowicz
Interstitial music is by MK2
Taps this week is played by Andrew Dale via Freesound.org
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, review and share with your curious friends.
*****
I got today's information from
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1990/05/20/thar-she-blows/8f6bc076-3843-4653-99d0-a50df88eabaf/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_whale

https://www.newsweek.com/exploding-whale-memorial-park-oregon-sperm-stranded-carcass-dynamite-1515176

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/625499/florence-oregon-exploding-whale-1970

https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2020/06/now-you-can-visit-exploding-whale-memorial-park-on-the-oregon-coast.html

http://www.offbeatoregon.com/H001_ExplodWhale.html

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/runaway-tortoise-tennessee_n_5f469a0bc5b697186e30080e

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Shirley_Duguay

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/10-cats-who-made-history5.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/24/world/cat-hair-finds-way-into-courtroom-in-canadian-murder-trial.html

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/runaway-tortoise-tennessee_n_5f469a0bc5b697186e30080e

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Ep 5: A Mathematically Inclined Equine Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

Today on Bewilderbeasts we’re going to talk about an animal who has cubed poop (OW! And, EW!) and we talk about a mathematically inclined equine, and his owner - a former slave turned veterinarian in the 1800s who vowed never to teach animals with a whip.

If you have ideas for future episodes, know of historical animals who changed the world, animals who help humans, or wacky animals in the news, send them in to:

bewilderbeastspod@gmail.com
@BewilderedPod on TWITTER
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BewilderBeastsPod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderbeasts/
About your host:
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA, is a science-based dog trainer outside of Boston, MA, and author of the book, "Considerations for the City Dog". She has a dog training channel on YouTube that has free classes and lessons for anyone who is interested in positive reinforcement dog training. More about Melissa can be found at MelissaMcCueMcGrath.com
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Intro Music is “Tiptoe out the back” by Dan Lebowicz
Interstitial music is by MK2
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, review and share with your curious friends.
*****
I got today's information from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2018/11/wombat-poop-cube-why-is-it-square-shaped/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beautiful_Jim_Key

https://www.horseforum.com/famous-horses/doc-key-beautiful-jim-key-23031/

http://atthefair.homestead.com/pkeatt/jimkey.html

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/78188/7-things-introduced-worlds-fairs

https://www.loc.gov/collections/african-american-perspectives-rare-books/articles-and-essays/timeline-of-african-american-history/1881-to-1900/

findagrave.com/memorial/41646960/william-key

https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/william-key/

https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/08/why-are-cats-attracted-to-people-who-dont-like-them.html

https://catbehaviorassociates.com/why-do-some-cats-like-people-who-dont-like-them/

https://www.history.com/news/7-of-the-most-outrageous-medical-treatments-in-history

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Ep 4: Getting Loopy On Penguin Poop Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

Today on Bewilderbeasts we’re going to talk about some amazing dogs who are detecting COVID19 & there’s something silly in penguin poop. Let’s go!

If you have ideas for future episodes, know of historical animals who changed the world, animals who help humans, or wacky animals in the news, send them in to:

bewilderbeastspod@gmail.com
@BewilderedPod on TWITTER
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BewilderBeastsPod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderbeasts/
About your host:
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA, is a science-based dog trainer outside of Boston, MA, and author of the book, "Considerations for the City Dog". She has a dog training channel on YouTube that has free classes and lessons for anyone who is interested in positive reinforcement dog training. More about Melissa can be found at MelissaMcCueMcGrath.com
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Intro Music is “Tiptoe out the back” by Dan Lebowicz
Interstitial music is by MK2
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, review and share with your curious friends.
*****
https://www.ecowatch.com/antarctic-penguin-poop-laughing-gas-2646052474.html?rebelltitem=4#rebelltitem4

https://www.sciencealert.com/researchers-love-antarctic-penguin-poop-here-s-why

https://www.newsweek.com/penguin-feces-laughing-gas-scientists-1505392

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/08/18/dogs-sniff-coronavirus-detection/?arc404=true

https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/cng-ag-coronavirus-dogs-20200901-wbmpltjfojem3m2auwgpde5mca-story.html

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/07/first-dog-to-test-positive-for-covid-in-us-dies/ (Buddy the dog)

https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=At%20this%20time%2C%20there,you%20interact%20with%20pets. (can dogs get covid)

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/dogs-sniff-out-coronavirus-human-sweat

https://slate.com/technology/2020/08/covid-19-sniffing-dogs.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/positive-pet.html

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Ep 3: Mrs O'Leary's Cow Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

Today on Bewilderbeasts we’re going to talk about Mrs. O'Leary's cow and the Great Chicago Fire. OMG CROCODILES ARE FASTER THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED. Let’s go.
If you have ideas for future episodes, know of historical animals who changed the world, animals who help humans, or wacky animals in the news, send them in to:

bewilderbeastspod@gmail.com
@BewilderedPod on TWITTER
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BewilderBeastsPod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderbeasts/
About your host:
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA, is a science-based dog trainer outside of Boston, MA, and author of the book, "Considerations for the City Dog" More about Melissa can be found at MelissaMcCueMcGrath.com
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Intro Music is “Tiptoe out the back” by Dan Lebowicz
Interstitial music is by MK2
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, review and share with your curious friends.
https://www.sciencealert.com/approach-with-caution-more-crocodile-species-than-we-thought-can-reach-a-gallop

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/goat-takes-police-car_n_5f5722f6c5b6578026d26ad4

https://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/goat-kidding-farm-animal-eats-police-papers-72873670

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-or-who-caused-the-great-chicago-fire-61481977/

https://www.britannica.com/event/Chicago-fire-of-1871

https://www.greatchicagofire.org/oleary-legend/

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff-you-should-know-26940277/episode/sysk-selects-did-a-cow-start-29467387/

https://www.facebook.com/MissedInHistory/posts/10153307087699815

And if you want to hear a longer talk on the Great Chicago Fire, listen to the episode of Stuff You Should Know, another podcast you might enjoy :)

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Ep 2: Get Naked for Polar Bears Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

On today's episode of Bewilderbeasts we’re going to explore dogs who find whale poop FOR SCIENCE & why you might want need to strip off your clothes for polar bears.

If there are topics you would be interested hearing about on the podcast, know of any historical animals who changed the world, animals who help humans, or wacky animals in the news, send them in to:
bewilderbeastspod@gmail.com

@BewilderedPod on TWITTER
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BewilderBeastsPod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderbeasts/
About your host:
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA, is a science-based dog trainer outside of Boston, MA, and author of the book, "Considerations for the City Dog" More about Melissa can be found at MelissaMcCueMcGrath.com
*******

Intro Music is “Tiptoe out the back” by Dan Lebowicz
Interstitial music is by MK2
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, review and share with your curious friends.
Today's Information is from:
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/americas/canada-at-home-with-polar-bears-5363086.html

http://siberiantimes.com/other/others/features/f0273-might-getting-undressed-in-front-of-a-hungry-polar-bear-save-your-life/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/meet-dogs-sniffing-out-whale-poop-science-180958050/

https://www.npr.org/2012/01/07/144752385/dog-trained-as-ultimate-whale-pooper-snooper

https://www.biology.washington.edu/news/news/1504634400/tucker-orca-poop-detection-dog-seattlemet

https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/adorable-pumpkin-toadlets-cant-actually-hear-their-own-love-songs/

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Ep 1: These Bees are the Bomb! Sep 13, 2020

Show notes

On this first episode of BewilderBeasts we explore why farmers are painting eyeballs on cow butts, and we do a deep dive on honeybees who are trained to find buried land mines in Croatia. Let’s go!

If there are things you’d like me to talk about on the podcast, historical animals who changed the world, animals who help humans, or wacky animals in the news, send them in to:

bewilderbeastspod@gmail.com
@BewilderedPod on TWITTER
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BewilderBeastsPod
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/bewilderbeasts/
About your host:
Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA, is a science-based dog trainer outside of Boston, MA, and author of the book, "Considerations for the City Dog" More about Melissa can be found at MelissaMcCueMcGrath.com
*******

Intro Music is “Tiptoe out the back” by Dan Lebowicz
Interstitial music is by MK2
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, review and share with your curious friends.
Today's Information is from:

https://gizmodo.com/croatian-bees-are-being-trained-to-hunt-down-deadly-lan-508877457

https://www.army-technology.com/features/feature-bomb-sniffing-bees-sting-out-of-landmines/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatian_War_of_Independence

https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/bees-can-be-trained.htm

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/police-abuzz-over-plan-for-sniffer-bees-5wz0pvvb2

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-020-01156-0
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/ologies/e/53768998

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