Species

Latest Episodes:

Dusky Gopher Frog Jan 27, 2019

Show notes

This tiny frog nearly cost timber farmers $30 million and then became the center of a Supreme Court case.

Is the Supreme Court too powerful? Why does this frog cover their eyes when they're scared? What is a species, and what does "critical habitat" mean?

Find out all on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10mBi8uYMlwbJ1rjD30sf5xM1pZWmaQ2xK1c6YIXMbbM/edit?usp=sharing

Bonus: Are animals... people? Jan 25, 2019

Show notes

While it may seem weird to call a nonhuman animal a "person," Argentina has done just that - in their country, chimpanzees and orangutans enjoy the benefits of legal personhood.

In America we like to think of "human" and "person" as equivalent terms, but that is demonstrably not the case; at least not legally.

So... Should other animals be considered people?

Vote: https://twitter.com/SpeciesPodcast/status/1088911107224416257

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PtGd9rO9G943JDw2e01PlEHlLek0fj6JakkTuYwo9Ao/edit?usp=sharing

Horse Jan 20, 2019

Show notes

How did we domesticate horses? Is there such thing as a wild horse? Who would win in a marathon, a horse or a human? How can I become a better inventor than Elon Musk?

Find out some insanely fun facts about horses and get the answers to all these questions on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16ksNcJ5CbL4pCuGppq7gC8HYRRVU29Q28hr03l3G-QM/edit?usp=sharing

Side-Blotched Lizard Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

"Rock-paper-scissors" is an old game, and these lizards have been playing it for way longer than us. Just a different version, with higher stakes. This is a game about life and death.

Learn about why lefties are better at fighting, frequency-dependent selection, and quality vs. quantity all on this episode of species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EkGLivXgxNnT9RTc3XICcsHHRUCxMwc-eOvDiSDJYSc/edit?usp=sharing

Raven Jan 06, 2019

Show notes

Ravens are so smart it's stupid. They use trickery, tools, communication, cooperation and betrayal to get ahead in the world. Come listen to some insane raven anecdotes, and get the answers to these questions: Why are there ravens in the Tower of London? Why do ravens fly towards gunfire? What do ravens, ants, humans and bees all have in common?

Find out about the common raven, Corvus corax, on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zoOfHpZ8skzSMZ6U9DlYPEHhKKr9mmb4iK9yTDaUs18/edit?usp=sharing

Electric Eel Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

The most powerful and dangerous electric fish in the entire world. Yes, they're real. Yes, they could kill you. Yes, they are insanely big. How do they generate electricity with their bodies? Can they use their electric fields to navigate? Have they invented an electric language? How come they don't shock themselves when they shock you? Find out all on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kaXRVKBZVK242pS6J2pSxsccVspSfk6Kyuh8xi6Zg4U/edit?usp=sharing

Vaquita Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

The vaquita is a tiny, adorable, panda-like porpoise, and they need your help. Listen to this episode fast, because sadly, it could expire any day. Species does not cover extinct animals, and this animal is on the brink. Find out all about the $20,000 bladder, the Chinese black market, and a guy who is not related to Chuck Norris on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11DkxAo-HitnUmWuoix3Dli5z3JUNkekfWWsSUmPonIw/edit?usp=sharing

Tree Lobster Dec 16, 2018

Show notes

This isn't actually a lobster, and they don't live in trees anymore. This is the rarest insect on earth. The Lord Howe Island stick insect. Dryococelus australis.

Considered extinct for decades and hidden for almost a century, this creature is unique, and they have an amazing story. Come listen and learn all about them!

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rQ-E6um6w6N9dh_OUScPt_VKhwMT_5ZEUDDff9KkCs8/edit?usp=sharing

Support Species: speciespodcast.com/donate

Bonus: Right under our noses... Dec 11, 2018

Show notes

Humans are the only animals on earth that have chins. Seriously.

Look at your dog. Do they have a chin? Nope. Cat? No. Lions, tigers bears? Oh my! No, they do not have chins!

Why did chins evolve in humans, when they literally haven't evolved anywhere else?

Today we turn to the JD Pampush and DJ Daegling to explore the possible answers.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mn1Ya8gwk52JPBTFIh8-pfpXa1BLwzp5kgnYpJkGeLs/edit?usp=sharing

Donate: www.speciespodcast.com/donate

Shoebill Dec 09, 2018

Show notes

This animal is the baddest bird on the face of the planet: They decapitate crocodiles and deliberately defecate on their own legs. Why? Listen to find out. This bird is bad to the bone from the moment their born.

Come learn all about the creature, and finally discover whether or not birds are dinosaurs on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EbSO3bks7w2jy1vIDPDapLqmZVZlmBIFT7HtZR3Ody8/edit?usp=sharing

Support the Show: https://www.speciespodcast.com/donate

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