Species

Latest Episodes:

Human: Kirsten "The Hellbender" Hecht, Salamander Expert Mar 22, 2019

Show notes

Salamander expert Kirsten Hecht—also known as Kirsten "Hechtbender," for reasons that will become clear—gave Macken a call tonight to talk about salamanders and other topics. The conversation was light & fun, we heard a few stories, learned a bit of history, and found out a lot about animals.

Macken had several questions for her tonight, including: Why are they called hellbenders? Can all salamanders regenerate limbs? How do salamanders regenerate limbs? Why do amphibians go through a tadpole stage? Why don't mudpuppies and axolotls grow up? How do you balance being a mom with being a scientist?

Macken and Kirsten ended up covering some tangential topics, from the history of dragons in China to the joys of Halloween. Everyone can find something to enjoy!

Wolf / Dog Mar 17, 2019

Show notes

Learn all about an animal that is simultaneously man's best friend, and man's worst enemy. Discover how a massive, muscular carnivore was changed into a baguette-loving basset hound like mine, and find out everything you want to know about dogs and wolves. Learn the answers to all your wolf & dog questions, including: Why do wolves howl? Are wolves howling at the moon? Do wolves eat people? Why did we domesticate wolves, and how did we do it? How amazing is a dogs' sense of smell? Do wolves hunt in packs? Who runs the wolf pack, the alpha male or the alpha female? Does my dog love me the same way I love them? How many words can a dog recognize? What is the moral of the story "Little Red Riding Hood"? Can wolves and dogs interbreed? What is the difference between a breed and a species? This episode starts with a discussion about how humans struggle with gray-areas, and touches on quantum physics, before diving into a conversation about why gray wolves—domestic and otherwise—are one such gray area. We find out the answers to all the questions above (insofar as the questions are answerable) and we learn all the fun facts about wolves and dogs that could possibly fit in a single episode of Species. Some of the facts you hear today will be completely unbelievable, but we have the sources right here! Curious and skeptical minds, click the link to the bibliography for more information and factual verification. And if you want to find out why your dog has floppy ears, click here. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uhmF9fSIG__DgG0AQ72vPhym7nBJEP-WiUIHFDuIvHA/edit?usp=sharing Donate: https://www.speciespodcast.com/donate

Blue-Ringed Octopus Mar 10, 2019

Show notes

This animal may look pretty, but they can do some pretty ugly things to your nervous system. Discover the science of how octopuses change color, find out why "octopi" is grammatically incorrect, and learn about the scandalous mating techniques of this strange and dangerous animal all on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YhqDS42XkO-KniTav6H3hpbeRK-q0lcNdwwCEaRTHGc/edit?usp=sharing

Blue Jay Mar 03, 2019

Show notes

Is color itself an illusion? Can blue jays speak English and imitate dogs? How can I get on Ellen? Do blue jays kill hawks? Do they use tools? Why do they mimic hawks? Are they bullies? What is so mysterious about them?

This episode will more or less answer all those questions, and together we will learn all about blue jays on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WJBq56qTc0b1FPjJasToUn1ehuYfQrxZmU8t5pMVOuw/edit?usp=sharing

Anglerfish Feb 24, 2019

Show notes

Was the movie "Alien" plagiarized? How does an anglerfish make their lure glow? Why do fish fall for such a simple trick? What does it feel like to be a male anglerfish?

The anglerfish might be the creepiest animal in the ocean. Find out what we know about them through the lens of the humpback anglerfish, on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lLpuGJI2tzvC6qXO38Ln77TA_ALlLbPEuLpnxXiEPRM/edit?usp=sharing

Quokka Feb 17, 2019

Show notes

This animal is nicknamed the "happiest animal on earth," but what do they have to be happy about? Not much, beyond hanging out with Roger Federer. Find out the meaning of "Rottnest" and learn about the child-sacrificing, lightning-fearing, gorgonzola-choking quokka on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gI4fknlR16jnIiVTwIQB7BrUW1I_oo5lK_QtBm2WN6M/edit?usp=sharing

Bonus: The Biological Benefits of Monogamy Feb 14, 2019

Show notes

Monogamy seems completely impractical from an evolutionary perspective. If the "goal" of the survival of the fittest is to pass on your genes, how can limiting yourself to just ONE mate make any sense at all? Wouldn't playing the field be the best way to succeed? In most cases, yep. But in some select species, monogamy is the best strategy. Today we are going to talk about why monogamy evolves, and the biological benefits of monogamy under specific circumstances. Happy Valentine's Day!

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yNPIT2FVh9dklZiAzcUnRhUOtWm4P_BwSvprEz6oFIw/edit?usp=sharing

Human: Corbin Maxey, Animal Expert & TV Personality Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

Corbin Maxey is a nationally recognized animal expert and TV personality who has been featured on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Martha Stewart Show," "Late Night with Seth Myers," "The Today Show," and now… Species!

Hear Corbin talk about becoming famous, saving alligators from teenager's bedrooms, and almost getting killed by hippos while trying to use the bathroom in Africa, all on this special episode of Species.

Find Corbin Maxey all over the internet using the links below:

Website: www.corbinmaxey.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corbinmaxey/

Podcast: https://corbinmaxey.com/podcast-1/ or, search "Animals to the Max" on your favorite podcast app!

Asian Giant Hornet Feb 10, 2019

Show notes

This hornet has a stinger as long as a thumbtack, and their venom dissolves flesh and kills dozens upon dozens of humans every year. As if that wasn't enough, they fly in swarms faster than you can run, and they are the largest hornets in the world. Beware.

They organize into war bands and decimate other species, and their behavior is unbelievably complex. Buckle up!

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TTMgZezhfjDcM9I4Hl4RDL_yVs90HGe_eRd6ZoeqWGg/edit?usp=sharing

Harris's Hawk Feb 03, 2019

Show notes

This highly intelligent bird employs unbelievably complex strategies to hunt in packs, and take down evasive prey. Their social structure is extremely complex and their romantic lives will shock you. Here about the story of Rufus the security hawk's kidnapping from Wimbledon, and learn about an amazing animal on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jqsTGgzP_e-2XBy7QkzcsFJN2JSt6IgP0wZXPG591Oo/edit?usp=sharing

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