All Creatures Podcast

We first released this episode in 2019 and the story of the Bison, hunted to near extinction, and then brought back is one you must not miss! Once numbering in the tens of millions, bison shaped the grasslands of North America through their movement, grazing, and sheer presence. Then, in the late 1800s, they were driven to the edge of extinction—reduced to fewer than 1,000 animals in just a few de...

Angie welcomes Dr. Yoshi Jovel, an ecologist and neurobiologist, to discuss his new book 'The Genius Bat: The Secret Life of The Only Flying Mammal.' They delve into the fascinating world of bats, highlighting their intelligence, sophisticated social structures, and remarkable evolutionary traits. Dr. Jovel shares insights from his research, covering topics like echolocation, bat migration, and th...

Chris and Angie revisiting one of their earlier subjects, the polar bear. They discuss significant changes in polar bear populations over the last eight years, focusing on the impact of climate change and sea ice loss on their habitat and survival. Updates on new data, changes in conservation status, and regional population trends are shared. The hosts also explore the adaptations, behaviors, and...

Going back to an old episode, this species warms our hearts! Raccoon dogs are one of the most unusual mammals on Earth. Often mistaken for raccoons, yet actually members of the dog family. Chris and Angie explore the deep evolutionary history of the raccoon dog, tracing its origins back millions of years to ancient canids that survived dramatic climate shifts and mass extinctions. We unpack how ra...

Chris and Angie dive into the fascinating world of the Christmas Island Red Crab. They paint a vivid picture of waking up to find your entire town overtaken by millions of migrating red crabs. The duo explores the ecological significance, behaviors, and extraordinary migration journey of these crabs. They delve into the unique ecosystem of Christmas Island, an Australian territory teeming with var...

The binturong (often called the “bearcat”) is one of Asia’s most unusual and enchanting mammals. With a prehensile tail like a monkey, the waddling stride of a small bear, and a face full of whiskers, this elusive forest dweller is unlike anything else on Earth. Known for smelling like buttered popcorn, binturongs glide silently through the canopy, playing a vital role in their ecosystems as seed...

Chris and Angie dive into the fascinating world of the Snowy Albatross, also known as the Wandering Albatross. They discuss Chris's recent unforgettable trip, where he observed various species of albatrosses at sea, igniting a newfound admiration for these magnificent birds. The episode covers the Snowy Albatross's impressive wingspan, its remarkable ability to travel thousands of kilometers, and...

We are going way back to Episode 49! An early interview but an important one. All about how conservationists are working hard to eradicate invasive species on some of our remotest islands on Earth. Chris interviewed Theo Van Noort in 2018, who was a Research Associate at the New Zealand Institute of Plant and Food Research. He worked on entomology, bombiculture and crop pollination. His Master’s r...

We have asked someone, somewhere to make a show about all these incredible ancient animals, and here it is! Chris introduces Mike Gunton, the executive producer of the upcoming Apple TV series 'Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age'. They discuss the inspiration, challenges, and production process behind the series, which brings to life fantastical Ice Age creatures through groundbreaking visual effects mer...

Chris and Angie step back into deep time with us as we revisit one of our most fascinating episodes, New Zealand’s iconic tuatara. Often called a “living fossil,” the tuatara isn’t just another reptile; it’s the sole surviving member of an ancient lineage that walked the Earth alongside dinosaurs. In this episode, we explore what makes the tuatara truly extraordinary, from its third “parietal” eye...

Chris and Angie explore the fascinating origins of modern house cats by delving into the African Wildcat's history and features. The discussion highlights the wildcat’s behavior, physiology, and domestication journey that began over 10,000 years ago, leading to the friendly felines many have as pets today. They cover the super-sensory abilities of these wild cats, their role in ecosystems, and the...

Step back into one of our favourite stories from the wild as we revisit the extraordinary pronghorn , one of North America’s most unique and misunderstood mammals. Chris and Angie explore the physiology that makes them the continent’s unrivalled speedsters, trace their deep evolutionary history alongside now-extinct predators, and look at the conservation journey that helped bring their numbers ba...

Chris interviews renowned environmental journalist and author Elizabeth Kolbert. They discuss her impactful books, 'The Sixth Extinction' and the upcoming 'Life on a Little Known Planet,' which highlight the global biodiversity crisis caused by human activity. Elizabeth shares stories from her travels around the world, including Greenland, New Zealand, and Florida, examining environmental challeng...

Dingoes are among Australia’s most iconic yet misunderstood animals. Believed to have arrived on the continent around 5,000 to 10,000 years ago, these wild canines have become an essential part of Australia’s ecosystems. As apex predators, dingoes help regulate populations of kangaroos, rabbits, and feral species, maintaining balance across fragile landscapes. Despite their ecological importance,...

Chris and Angie revisit green sea turtles, focusing on their remarkable journey from being endangered to 'least concern’ under the IUCN classification. Originally covered in 2018, the conversation updates listeners on the latest developments, highlighting the role of science, legislation, and community in conservation success. They share personal experiences of snorkeling with sea turtles and disc...

This week we’re thrilled to re-release one of our favorite conversations with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant — a wildlife ecologist, National Geographic explorer, and all-around conservation rock star. In this inspiring episode, Dr. Wynn-Grant takes us behind the scenes of her incredible journey studying some of the world’s most iconic carnivores — from grizzly bears in Yellowstone to African lions across Ken...

Chris and Angie revisit the world of bats, focusing on the fascinating ghost bat. Known for its distinctive pale color and incredible hunting abilities, the ghost bat is a unique carnivorous species native to Australia. The episode discusses the ghost bat's behavior, echolocation abilities, and conservation status, emphasizing the threats they face from habitat destruction and predators like feral...

Back to the vault for you to meet the Aye-aye — Madagascar’s most misunderstood primate. With its eerie, skeletal fingers, giant eyes, and nocturnal habits, it’s often called creepy, but in truth, it’s one of nature’s most fascinating survivors. This lemur has evolved to fill the same niche as a woodpecker, tapping trees to find hidden grubs with its elongated middle finger — a feeding behavior fo...

Chris and Angie explore the fascinating world of praying mantises. As mammalian biologists venturing into the realm of invertebrates, they discuss the diverse species, striking adaptations, and complex behaviors of mantises. Topics covered include their iconic hunting skills, unique physiology, and intriguing mating rituals—complete with the infamous act of sexual cannibalism. The discussion also...

This episode was first released in 2021 and now we are bringing back an icon of Australia! The kookaburra, one of Australia’s most iconic birds, is famous for its infectious laugh that echoes through the bush at dawn and dusk. While the Laughing Kookaburra remains listed as Least Concern and thrives across much of eastern Australia, recent surveys show local declines—mainly due to habitat loss and...

This week we are honoring the Legacy of Jane Goodall and the animal she showed the world was more than just an animal, the Chimpanzee. In this heartfelt episode, Chris and Angie pay tribute to the legendary Jane Goodall and her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees. They delve into Goodall's profound impact on primatology, conservation, and the broader understanding of animal behavior. The hosts di...

Back to our vault for an episode on the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), one of Europe and Asia’s most elusive and awe-inspiring predators. With its signature tufted ears, powerful build, and ghost-like movement through dense forests, this big cat symbolizes the wild heart of the Old World. Once nearly wiped out across much of Europe due to hunting and habitat loss, the Eurasian lynx has made an incredi...

This week, we’re diving back into the mysterious world of one of the ocean’s strangest and most elusive creatures — the Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni). Often called the “living fossil” of the shark world, this deep-sea predator looks like something out of a nightmare — or a prehistoric past — with its long, flattened snout and lightning-fast, extendable jaws. Found in the dark depths of the oc...

**Just a heads up, this interview discusses adult content and may trigger some. Also, would say not approrpriate for younger listeners, but such an important discussion on the coffee industry** Chris welcomes Etelle Higonnet an environmental and human rights activist with a JD from Yale Law School. The conversation delves into the interconnectedness of human rights and environmental issues, highli...

Back to the vault with another special animal. Opossums may not always get the love they deserve, but these remarkable marsupials are some of the coolest animals in North America. With their prehensile tails, opposable thumbs, and sharp survival skills, opossums thrive in environments ranging from forests to city backyards. They play a crucial ecological role as nature’s cleanup crew—eating carrio...