Biologica: Where Humans and Animals Meet

Join Dr. Susan in discussing gardens and our love of them, and the many health benefits they have for us. Interviewee Ricky Kemery is a master gardener and educator, and publisher of the 2022 book Sensible Sustainability: A Lighthearted Approach to Develop Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63839093-sensible-sustainability We will also discuss gardening with an...

In this episode of Biologica, we examine why certain animals trigger fear or disgust. The show features interviews with friends and family about animals that make them uncomfortable, plus a conversation with an Australian researcher of disgust and fear.   Together, we delve into research highlights, a fascinating interview, personal stories, and even a poem by Emily Dickinson. Come explore animals...

Join Dr. Susan and Pippin the rescue Boston terrier puppy in this episode about raising puppies to be happy and healthy dogs. The episode includes a fascinating discussion with Amber Zawrotny, a shelter behavior and training manager. Explore what has changed in the thinking and research about best practices in raising puppies, and how to avoid behavior issues that are common in adult dogs. And rem...

Dr. Susan is welcoming a new puppy, Pippin, into her home. Pippin is a rescue boston terrier, and inspired an episode on the "smushed-face" (brachycephalic) breeds. Dr. Mark Hanks and the host discuss brachycephalic (short‑nosed) dogs: their unique anatomy, medical issues and care, and breeding implications, with practical advice for owners on when to seek veterinary care. The episode also delves...

Today's episode of Biologica introduces animal ethics with an interview with philosopher and ethicist Dr. Clare Palmer from Texas A&M University. We discuss the field of animal ethics, real research examples, and practical dilemmas from both academic and everyday perspectives. Dr. Susan also shares personal stories about youthful ethics dilemmas in science, reflecting on how educators can supp...

Join Dr. Susan for a field episode at Snowmass Ski Resort in the White River National Forest to explore the plants, animals, and adaptations of winter in the Colorado Rockies. Discover the hidden secrets of the natural world behind the busy ski resort.      The episode features interviews with student Mary Michael, Lillian Bell of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, a naturalist-led mounta...

Dr. Susan interviews journalist Melanie D.G. Kaplan about her adopted research beagle Hammy, discussing his journey from a research kennel to a loving home. His story, in the context of an in-depth exploration of animal research, is described by Kaplan in her book Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research. The episode examines the largely hidden world of c...

How do backyard chickens fare when it's negative 15 out there? Dr. Susan explores both the human and the chicken experience with backyard chicken flocks in wintertime, with interviews, snowy flock visits, and expert tips. Guests include author of The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook and "Queen of the Coop" Lisa Steele, as well as friends in Maine who take care of chickens at home and work. Together, the...

Join Dr. Susan in exploring beaches in Southwest Florida, searching for shells and discussing shell diversity with world-renowned scientist Dr. Geerat Vermeij. Dr. Vermeij has won numerous awards, published over 200 scientific articles in leading journals, and has written five books about mollusks, their shells, and more. Talking with Dr. Susan, he traces his lifelong fascination with mollusk shel...

Host Dr. Susan explores winter ecology, featuring an interview with Dr. Alex Sutton on defining winter, its ecological importance, and how climate change is altering winter patterns for wildlife. The episode also includes readings from Bernd Heinrich and Thoreau, summaries of studies on snow cover, and snowy field explorations in Maine, tracking wildlife activity and pond life during winter. With...

Get behind the lens and look at nature with a different perspective as Dr. Susan interviews three passionate nature and wildlife photographers. Each shares their different views on getting out in the wild with a camera – how they got interested, what motivates them, and favorite experiences. Enjoy the stories and perhaps even get inspired to get out there yourself. Interviews and where to find the...

Just in time to listen in on your drive to Grandma’s house for Turkey Day (or even to Friendsgiving for Tofurkey), join Dr. Susan to learn all about domestic turkeys. Dr. Erin Thornton (an Archaeologist from Washington State University) explains the surprising discoveries that archaeological bones and ancient DNA reveal about the domestic turkey. Dr. Susan also weaves in some interviews with frien...

Host Dr. Susan explores wild turkeys, blending field observations with expert interviews to reveal their behavior, population trends, and close ties to the hunting community. The episode features a conversation with a wild turkey biologist, a discussion with a female turkey hunter about her family tradition, and reflections on conservation challenges. Note: the next episode (in two weeks) will be...

Join Dr. Susan as she leaps among a few different branches of topics related to squirrels and their biology: urban ecology, squirrel behavior, even an interesting discussion about improving accessibility in field biology. Hear about how squirrels in cities differ from country squirrels, hear a tale about an incredible swimming squirrel, interview folks about their feelings about squirrels, and mor...

Dr. Susan explores the world of ravens and the humans that are fascinated by them— their acrobatic flight, intelligence, and close ties with humans. She interviews Dr. Thomas Bugnyar about raven social intelligence and communication. The episode also highlights two of Dr. Bugnar’s studies, shares a personal raven sighting, and finishes with a full reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven."   *Inter...

As Halloween approaches here in the US, find out about cutting edge bat research in Germany. Discover just how bats manage to fly out of caves in the thousands without hitting each other. Also, challenge stereotypical perceptions of bats as scary or creepy.   *We interview Dr. Aya Goldschtein about bat echolocation, the importance of bats, and more   *We interview a couple friends about their feel...

Join Dr. Susan and explore the biology and conservation of giant pandas through a visit to the National Zoo, interviews with a Smithsonian scientist, and more. The episode covers panda captive care, habitat protection efforts in China, and the unique role of pandas in international diplomacy, with expert insights from Dr. Melissa Songer, a conservation biologist who studies and helps conserve wild...

Explore how conservation biologists are saving magnificent giants like elephants, Scimitar-Horned Oryx, and more. Join Dr. Susan in checking out some of these charismatic mammals at the National Zoo and for an interview with a world renowned conservation biologist who has fascinating stories to share. How do you re-introduce an extinct species? What kind of satellite collar do you put on an elepha...

Explore with Dr. Susan how these avian marvels adapt to and live at high altitude in the mountains near the equator. Come hiking and soak up the sounds of the forest, with waterfalls and the calls of vibrant hummingbirds. Dr. Christopher Witt explains how these hummingbirds adapt to high-altitude environments through physiological changes and more. These fascinating flyers have come to thrive in t...

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Assateague Island, neighbor of Chincoteague Island and home to its renowned wild horses. A biologist at Assateague Island National Seashore shares captivating insights on the horses’ history, biology, and management. Dr. Susan also weaves in live field recordings from a camping and biking journey there, capturing the beauty and serenity of this unique...

Join Dr. Susan as she interviews Dr. Jane Brockmann, a renowned animal behaviorist from the University of Florida. Discover the ancient lineage and unique breeding behaviors of horseshoe crabs. Learn about their ecological significance and their critical role for migrating shorebirds, as well as their role in modern medicine. Dr. Brockmann discusses her journey into the study of animal behavior an...

The iconic monarch butterfly has inspired generations with its beauty and its complex and mysterious migration - come be inspired by the monarch again. In this episode, join Dr. Susan in exploring monarch butterflies: talking with both an expert biologist who studies them and an inspirational conservationist who is dedicated to helping them. The flagship for the movement to help pollinators, the m...

In this episode (Part 2 on Alewives), delve into the vibrant fish migration occurring at Mill Brook and its fish ladder in Southern Maine. Learn about the alewife’s challenging journey from the ocean to Highland Lake, and the community-led citizen science efforts to monitor and restore their population. Dr. Susan shares her observations while counting fish at the fishway, interviews biologist Toby...

Dive into the world of alewife conservation and river restoration from the perspective of the Penobscot Nation. Join Dr. Susan in fascinating conversations with Chuck Loring, the Director at the Penobscot Nation Department of Natural Resources, and Dan McCaw, the Fisheries Program Manager at that department. Chuck describes the importance of “sea run” fish like alewives and salmon to the Penobscot...

Join us in this intriguing episode as we sit down with Dr. Karin Gustafsson, an associate professor and environmental sociologist from Orebro University, Sweden. Dr. Gustafsson delves into the intricate connections between sociology and environmental challenges, shedding light on how social sciences are essential in understanding and addressing issues like climate change and biodiversity loss. Dis...