Species

Latest Episodes:

Bee Hummingbird Jul 22, 2018

Show notes

How do hummingbirds fly, and is bee flight physically impossible? Can they fly upside-down? Why do pollinators matter? What about communism?

Find out all about the smallest bird in the world on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p8ypytZ2tIyIKYzHNK8h2UVKZZyrtZtCLTv9bVu9g20/edit?usp=sharing

Pebble Toad Jul 15, 2018

Show notes

This animal performs one of the most amazing displays of trickery in nature. Learn about a rock n' roll toad and get hit with an avalanche of bad comedy on this fun episode of Species.

Nominate Species in the "Education" category for a podcast award! Please! https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SOhhkc8Kp9zX7Bv7kmSE79Wq0PaKtzsXgZ9hkvx95Ig/edit?usp=sharing

Giraffe Jul 08, 2018

Show notes

Did giraffes patrol Rome on leashes? Who was right, Lamarck or Darwin? Why do giraffes have long necks, if not to reach high places? Do giraffes mourn the dead?

Find out on this episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QOzwo1SsGY4vNt2yMKQMYbdXwSxLZf2LOVOpVbwGJac/edit?usp=sharing

Nominate Species for a Podcast Award: https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup

Save giraffes: https://giraffeconservation.org/donate/

Immortal Jellyfish Jul 01, 2018

Show notes

How does a jellyfish live forever? Why do we die? Why did death evolve? What do jellyfish, plastics, gunpowder, and penicillin all have in common? What would happen if we were able to become immortal? Is eternity on the horizon?

Find out the answers and potential answers to the above questions by joining us for an episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lcEZmff2p7Nwfc2v9ggUlcBoWannC6M5DQ2Y--9W2Ic/edit?usp=sharing

Osprey Jun 24, 2018

Show notes

Come learn about the amazing skills and scandalous romances of the osprey.

Today we talk about Shakespeare, WW2, bad arcade games, and environmentalism. All through the lens of an awesome animal! None of it is off-topic. Seriously. Ospreys are relevant to all of those things.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gGHGo0WC3CHZVz1747tjx5yTXvzO2DGmAz2VXoo4GTs/edit?usp=sharing

Lined Seahorse Jun 17, 2018

Show notes

If you love your dad, share this show with him!

Enter the wonderful world of males getting pregnant, and enjoy the strange science of an animal who shares traits with horses, chameleons, kangaroos, and us.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AIOq1NX97l63rW1EVL77pLPXKhnq8iwddxcADWGO23s/edit?usp=sharing

Narwhal Jun 10, 2018

Show notes

Today's episode is all about the incredible unicorn of the sea, and the mystery surrounding their famous tusk.

This show covers a wide range of related topics, including Leonardo da Vinci's interest in trapping unicorns and the etymology of the word "narwhal." This episode covers all the bizarre explanations for how the narwhal's terrible tooth evolved, listen and tell us what you think!

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j5EV672tgsvGDxU21c43zTMtY-rQ8hfAastD5O2aF1w/edit?usp=sharing

Namaqua Chameleon Jun 03, 2018

Show notes

How do chameleons change color? How do chameleons grab prey with their tongue? Why do black shirts get hot in the sun? Was the movie "Mad Max" a heavy metal music video, or an act of war against Mother Earth?

Find out on this short but spectacular episode of Species.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11PPRq1kXFEFeyAKBLKyfabpGEpLbObFeQSXLtqEcZMo/edit?usp=sharing

Philippine Eagle May 27, 2018

Show notes

"The Monkey-Eating Eagle."

Back in the day, massive eagles would hunt our ancestors. Today, this eagle eats monkeys. Learn a bit about the our history of getting preyed upon by birds, and learn a whole lot about a modern day marvel: Arguably the largest eagle on earth, certainly one of the rarest and most beautiful, the Philippine eagle.

Enjoy.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15BjJcrwIVFTZ4rR-iFFgXimADrLCGao_Ak2YsCsTUJ4/edit?usp=sharing

Philippine Eagle Foundation: http://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/donate

Archerfish May 20, 2018

Show notes

Today we are going to talk about an animal who defies the stereotypes: A smart fish!

Are jocks smarter than nerds? Does my goldfish recognize me? Why do archerfish spit at scientists?

Today we are going to talk about the amazing sevenspot archerfish. Come listen!

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f8CIqlqUhR0ZE7ZKjhEWw75_B_o4iozCNax-H2ljL3g/edit?usp=sharing