Creature Comforts

Dr. Troy Majure, veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in Jackson, is here ready to answer your pet questions. The doors to the pet hospital are wide open. The outside temperature is still high and heat stroke is a real problem for pets. Dr. Majure talks about keeping pets cool but still having them be active. Also one caller tells the story of his furry friend that only wants to be spoon feed...

Our favorite entomologist Audrey Harrison joins the show to highlight the beauty of the butterfly. Milkweed plants are critical for the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and can be a great addition to any garden. The miracle that is the butterflies migration is aided by the habitats created and maintained by butterfly lovers around the state, but there are also reasons butterflies may be missing...

All persons born after January 1, 1972 are required to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license. And today on the show Director of Hunter Education for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Megan Fedrick is here to make sure everyone knows this. Either in person or online completing a hunter education course does not have to be a cho...

Biologists in Mississippi are using environmental DNA (eDNA) to document the occurrence of alligator snapping turtles throughout the state. Sheena Feist, Conservation Resources Biologist with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, joins the show today ahead of her lecture next Tuesday on the subject. She gives us a preview into her findings and joins in the conversation with callers about...

Enjoying the Mississippi outdoors is encouraged here on Creature Comforts with being safe and legal a top priority. Today on the show we bring in Central Mississippi Boating Coordinator for the Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, Marc McCleskey. We talk about the regulations for boats on the water, who need to be a registered, and how to share the water with fellow boaters. Also Dr. Majure...

Fishing in Mississippi is one of its most popular recreational activities and there are plenty of places to catch great game fish. Jerry Brown, State Lake Coordinator with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks joins the show to take about these great natural waters and how to stay safe and legal while fishing. We even discuss some of the record breaking fish caught in the st...

Donna Yowell has been an advocate for trees and green spaces for almost all her life. Now as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Urban Forest Council she educates communities throughout the state about proper tree planning and the benefits of having trees in urban areas. On this episode of Creature Comforts we dive into the work of the council and talk about the trees that attract certain wi...

With the change of every season nature brings us new sights and sounds. This summer do you know what birds are nesting in your neighborhood? Are you doing the right thing to attract these birds to your yard? Today our friend Joe Magee is back on the program to talk about nesting birds and answer some of your birding questions. Also, we discuss how you should deal with finding an animal that is far...

Dr. Brent Hendrixson, professor of biology at Milsaps College, spends a lot of his time with some of the spiders and scorpions of the state. He is also an advocate for these creatures that play wonderful part in our ecosystem. Through out the program he answers listener questions about the spiders they have encountered and gives advice when dealing with a sting or bite. Also Dr. Majure shares his...

Adam Butler from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks joins this edition of Creature Comforts to chat about the wild turkeys of the state. As the turkey program coordinator, Adam works closely with conservation efforts for wild turkey habitats and the management of wild turkey hunting season. We talk about the health of the Mississippi turkey population and answer listener qu...

Terry Vandeventer is not afraid of snakes and does not want you to be afraid of them either. Serving as one of Mississippi's most passionate snake advocates, Terry has visited Creature Comforts before and always shares his wisdom about the snakes of Mississippi. Snake Day is coming up soon at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and Terry is bringing his own brand of fun to the event and toda...

Unless you are a super fan of Mississippi wildlife, you might not know the state is home to fifteen different species of bats. These winged mammals are a essential part of the Mississippi ecosystem and Kathy Shelton from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks joins the show to tell us about the role of the bat in Mississippi. Also through the show Dr. Majure answers pet questions and tak...

The summer season is almost hear and we know that it can bring some challenges for our pets. So today Creature Comforts is dedicated to your pet questions. Dr. Troy Majure is always ready to share the knowledge and help out our creature friends. No question is off the table, even if it's about having a raccoon as a pet. Discussed This Week: 40th Annual Harrison County Gem and Mineral Show Mississi...

The weather is warming up and the fireflies are starting to emerge. The darker the better for these bioluminescent beetles, who can actually sync their flashes. Paul Hartfield is back on the show today to help with the conversation and ask for your help with spotting these beautiful insects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roads and streets might make our traveling a little easier but what impact does that new road have on our natural environment? What impact does it have on the plants and animals or the area? Amy Carson, a wildlife biologist from the US Fish and Wildlife Service is here to help with these questions also Dr. Majure answers your pet questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

Shrews often go unseen to the majority of the world, but even if you have seen one you might have mistaken it for a more familiar small mammal. On today's show, we welcome back Mississippi wildlife mainstay, Dr. Cathy Shropshire to discuss these little creatures. Also, we get caught up on her performances as wildlife icon Fannye Cook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NatureFEST! is one of the most popular events at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science every year. It is a great opportunity to explore and learn about nature with various activities and animals. We welcome special events coordinator at the museum, Nicole Smith to explain this event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giant Salvinia is invading many of Mississippi's waters and harming the creatures that call them home. This invasive plant grows rapidly and reduces the oxygen supply in the water. Dennis Riecke from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks stops by to tells us how boaters, anglers, and anyone who enjoys Mississippi's waters can help stop the spread of the problem plant. Hosted o...

Today one of our favorite birdwatchers, Steve Peterson is back on the program to talk about eagles and other birds of the state. Also, Dr. Majure comments about the most popular dog breeds in the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Troy Majure spent the hour answering your pet questions: dogs afraid of thunder dogs who eat bugs dog fights puppies! dogs that scratch asthma? cats with allergies more scratching even more scratching paw licking more dog fights pet food muzzle like a crock ? Harry, Could this be it?  https://www.etsy.com/listing/512423183/full-grip-supply-basket-dog-muzzle-many?gpla=1&gao=1&&...

The 16th Annual Fossil Raod show is this Saturday (March 9) and our favorite paleontologist George Philips joins the show to show is latest findings. He also talks about the changes coming to the show and answers questions about how to search for fossils in your area. But first, we talk with Dr. Majure and the grief associated when pets lose a sibling or housemate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Do you know the difference between a bird song and a bird call? Birds have a language all their own and Dr. Sarah Hammond (Clinton Community Nature Center) is here to help decipher their conversation. Also, Dr. Majure wraps up Pet Dental Health Month with some oral tips for your pet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Entomologist Audrey Harrison is back on the program to talk about the aquatic insects that play a vital role in our ecosystem. She also gives us an update about the recent butterfly population reports. And Dr. Majure gives more tips about keeping the mouth of your pet healthy during this Pet Dental Health Month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The lovebirds are chirping but will you see them during this years backyard bird count? Maybe if you're backyard is in Africa, but biologist Joe Magee is here to talk about the birds that might be found in a Mississippi backyard this time of year. We also play another round of guess the bird call. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bob Crosby, owner of Blue Cat Guide Service, is a fisherman by choice and Mississippi River guide by trade. He joins the program to talk about catching the catfish of the Mississippi River and what a proper tackle would have to help reel in the big one. Also, Dr. Majure shares tips for your pets oral health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.