All Creatures Podcast

We are rereleasing an older episode to highlight the true danger we see of our coral reefs around the world. With the continued news that coral reef bleaching is still being seen around the world, we wanted to highlight them again. Many people do not know that corals are actually living organisms. In this episode, we dug deep and did our research to bring you what we know about corals. Also, we hi...

As promised, we tracked them down! We are super excited to welcome Bush Dog Researchers Dr. Karen DeMatteo & Alice Clark. Dr. DeMatteo is a faculty member at Washington University in Saint Louis and is heavily involved in Bush Dog research as noted in our Episode 292: Bush Dogs Delight! Alice Clark is a PhD student at the University of Liverpool and is working with the Chester Zoo on Bush Dog rese...

After all the species we have covered, the Anglerfish has to be one of the most surprising and radical. Picking this species to represent our "Spooky October" for Halloween, the Anglerfish has it all. It is a creature made of nightmares that absolutely defies logic in some senses. The deep sea Anglerfish, survives in one of the most inhospitable regions of any biome, and yet survives and even thri...

This week we welcome back Jon Miot, Director of the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. Who also happens to be married to Angie. Jon sits with us to discuss how zoos and conservation organizations are saving endangered species. Specifically, Jon talks about what Species Survival Plans are, what are stud books and how are these organizations breeding these animals. All critical to their survival as emer...

For our official 300th Episode we went BIG, and a tad long, to celebrate one of many peoples favorite, the Asian Elephant. We bring it for this episode celebrating everything we have learned with you over these past nearly 4 years. The Asian Elephant is endangered and still on a downward trajectory towards extinction. We talk about this and more. We also jump into the debate about current attempts...

This week we welcome the founder of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, to discuss her 30th Anniversary edition of her book, Free the Animals: The Amazing True Story of the Animal Liberation Front in North America. We were excited to not only talk to Ingrid about her book, we also chatted about all her work through the years and just how she has helped change global consciousness about the welfare of animals. W...

As we near our 300th official episode, we brought this episode out from our vault! We had so much fun chatting about this tropical bird that nests on the Galapagos Islands. We learn so much each week and we know you will enjoy this episode. The Blue-Footed Booby is one of 6 "Booby" species and inhabit the Pacific Ocean. Their iconic feet are so distinctive and they been a favorite of many bird ent...

An amazing water felid is the Fishing Cat. These endangered cats live throughout Asia in fragmented populations from India to Java. As one of the largest "small cats," Fishing Cats have carved out a specific niche in many habitats. Their behaviors are incredible, and yes, they actually do fish. They swim and love water. A fun species to learn about and is facing extinction. Thank you to all our Pa...

One of the apex predators located in South America lies the Green Anaconda. One of four species of anaconda, the Green Anaconda is one of the world's longest snakes and is without doubt the heaviest. There is so many fun facts about anacondas, it will blow you away. They are semi-aquatic snakes that thrive in many biomes in South America. Some of the most interesting facts are not only their "supe...

One of the more iconic monkeys has to be the White-Faced Capuchin. There are actually two species of White-Faced Capuchins, and in fact there are 22 total species of capuchin monkeys. Sadly, 17 out of 22 capuchin monkey species are faced with extinction. This week we talk everything capuchin monkey. Most of all, we talk about their incredible behaviors and document just how intelligent they are. S...

Whenever you look at a hedgehog, you have to smile. This charismatic little creatures is an absolute delight and are found in many parts of the world. In fact, there are 17 species of hedgehogs that live in Europe, Asia, Africa and....Aotearoa New Zealand. Unfortunately, hedgehogs are devastating to many native species in Aotearoa New Zealand and we touch upon this in this week's podcast. HOWEVER,...

Mark Weston is author of the new book The Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa's Greatest Lake. He joins us this week to talk about his experiences living on Lake Victoria in Africa. Additionally, we talk about the collapse of the native fish species there due to exploitation and their impacts on the native peoples. In addition to his latest book, Mark has written about and broadcasts on Africa...

One of the world's most elusive canids is the Bush Dog. Native to South America, these ancestors to our favorite dogs have carved out a special niche to survive. Not much is known about Bush Dogs because they are so secretive. In fact, scientists first discovered fossils and thought they were an extinct species because no live specimens had been discovered yet. However, today we know Bush Dogs do...

One of the most charismatic seabirds has to be the Pelican. Around the world, Pelicans fly and soar near almost every shore. There are so many surprising facts about Pelicans and how they do what they do. One of the most interesting has to be that Pelicans have not changed much over the past 30 million years! Then, their large beaks with their pouches (called a gular) has to be their most defining...

Melodie Edwards hosts the incredible storytelling podcast The Modern West. There is much lore and fascination with the American West, made popular over the decades in popular culture. Melodies works to tell the true stories of the culture and history of the Western United States. Sometimes she confirms some stereotypes of the old west, while others shedding light on the truth. Melodie also highlig...

Each species we have covered for Plastic Free July has blown us away. Here we are again, with a fish that just defies logic. Most salmon species start off in freshwater, then eventually migrate to the ocean and live out most their lives, then migrate back up the rivers and streams from which they were born! How do they do it? Well, this week we answer that and more. You may be asking if salmon are...

This week we are thrilled to welcome Carlee Jackson from Minorities in Shark Science (MISS). Carlee is the Director of Communications from MISS, which is an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the shark sciences. Carlee's graduate studies in Marine Biology had her involved in tagging sharks off Florida in the USA and she has also done shark research off the coast of Belize. Carlee ha...

As one of the ocean's top predators, Bull Sharks are demonized and characterized as man-killing machines. What gives this myth even more teeth is the fact that Bull Sharks can be found in many major river systems and even some freshwater lakes around the world. We fear Bull Sharks, when the statistics show Bull Sharks hardly ever attack and even kill humans. We are now harvesting nearly 100 millio...

Out of all the species we have covered , none can compare to the insane adaptations of the Mantis Shrimp. Over 500 million years of evolution have produced one of the most advanced biological entities in existence. Not only do Mantis Shrimp boast the world's most advanced eyesight of any organism, they pack a punch that defies logic. Mantis Shrimp were some of the earliest organisms in existence a...

As we kick off our Plastic Free July Challenge, this week we welcome Dr. Lisa Erdle from the 5 Gyres Instiute. Dr. Erdle is the Director of Science & Innovation at the 5 Gyres Institute. She is a microplastics researcher, lifelong sailor, and is passionate about keeping waterways clean for wildlife and people. Lisa completed her PhD at the University of Toronto, where her research focused on t...

An absolute unique wonder of the natural world is the Glass Frog. These species of amphibian that are native to South and Central America, are characterized with undersides that are actually "see-through" and "translucent" and "transparent." This means when looking up at them, you can see their digestive system, bones, eggs, blood vessels and an actual heart beating. We answer all about this pheno...

One of the most unique and striking mammals has to be the Babirusa. Native to four islands in Indonesia, this member of the swine family is one of the most ancient and often misunderstood. The Babirusa is heading towards extinction but thankfully groups within and outside Indonesia are fighting hard to save these unique animals. This week we highlight what we know about the Babirusa, what makes it...

Down in Australia and in New Guinea is a unique and popular marsupial, the Bandicoot. Made famous by the video game Crash Bandicoot, these small animals are nocturnal omnivores and true ecological engineers. There are currently 20 species of Bandicoots, with many endangered and few going extinct in the 20th century.  The loss of their habitat and a plethora of invasive species have been devastatin...

Yes, it is true, there are flying snakes! You may not know this but in fact, there are FIVE recognized species of flying snakes. These natives to Asia absolutely are not only stunningly beautiful, but they are incredible evolutionary engineers. Over millennia, these snakes have developed the ability to grapple with gravity while leaping from tree to tree, sometimes nearly 100 meters away! How they...

Following our Kākāpō episode we are very excited to speak with Thomas Rillstone, who hosts the popular History of Aotearoa New Zealand Podcast. Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand and we talk about this and more.  We were very fortunate to track Thomas down to talk about the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and just what impacts the Māori had on her many islands. We also talk about the impac...