Dispatches from the Forest

Giraffes are the tallest terrestrial animal and largest ruminant on the planet.  But what the heck are ossicones?  And what does "necking" mean when it comes to giraffes?  Find out all this and more on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayP...

Prairie dogs are a keystone species - as a source of denning and nesting sites, regenerating soil, and as food.  And when plague comes to town, it can wipe out 98% of a colony in a matter of weeks.   And there's no species more dependent on Prairie dogs than the critically endangered Black-footed ferret.  Tune in to learn how scientists are using drone technology to combat plague in Prairie dogs i...

A bird that was born to run, the Greater Roadrunner is faster than a human, eats scorpions and rattlesnakes and survives in the harsh desert landscapes of the southwest United States and Mexico.  Learn more about this bas-ass avian on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $...

The other day a saw a bird here near Dispatches HQ that I didn't recognize - and that's always a chance to learn something new!  Meet the Lark Bunting, a species of New World Sparrow, on this Dirt Dispatch! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gm...

In this episode I want to tell you about couple groups of marine gastropods - sea slugs - which have some amazing abilities that just might blow your mind!  Nudibranchs and Sacoglassans.  Tune in to learn more! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromthefores...

Are racoons and coyotes becoming domesticated?  Are rattlesnakes losing their rattles?  And a couple of questions involving native wildlife.  Tune in to hear my thoughts!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store:...

We're going back Puerto Rico to take a look at the Monk parakeet, the Sally lightfoot crab and then down a fascinating rabbit hole to learn about the conehead termite.  Trust me, you don't want to miss it! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gma...

During our recent visit to Puerto Rico there was an animal that we didn't see, but we did hear - Coquis.  Coqui is the common name for at least 17 species of small frog that are native to Puerto Rico - and they're an unofficial national symbol for the island.  Learn more about these small but mighty loud little frogs on this episode of Dirt Dispatches! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.pat...

I recently had the chance to visit Puerto Rico, where I saw some "new to me" birds including my new favorite, the Greater Antillean grackle along with a bird that is a literal pirate of the Caribbean, the Venezuelan troupial.  Learn about these two amazing birds on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest...

I talked about Beaver a long time ago - back in Episode 11 - but I've learned a few things about them since then, so let's re-visit the busy, busy beaver!  Tune in! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store: www.caf...

On the last Dirt Dispatch I talked about bumblebees and the importance of early spring flowers.  Meet 3 more early spring pollinators, including one that is the most "Game of Thrones" bee in the pollinating world.  "Pollen is coming...." Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an ema...

The pygmy rabbit is the smallest rabbit in the world - and it lives right here in North America.  In addition to being the smallest, it has some unique qualities that set it apart from other rabbits.  Learn more on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate...

"According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway. Because bees don't care what humans think is impossible." -- The Bee Movie Now isn't actually true - at least not the first part - Bees not caring what humans think is impossible probably is.  Anyways - on t...

In today's episode I'll tell you about a couple birds that are widespread in the United States, but  that you may not be familiar with.  They're species of heron, but unlike their great blue cousin, these herons stay pretty well hidden.  Let's learn more about the American bittern and the Least bittern. Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Ca...

I learned about a couple of things this week:  Turkey drives and rabbit drives.  Now I want to share that knowledge with you!  Learn more about these interesting bits of American history on this episode! Support the podcast!  Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmai...

In this episode, I want to circle back and take a closer look at two critters I mentioned in passing on Episode 99.   One is an arthropod – an arachnid with a venomous sting, the other is a mammal – a rodent – ounce for ounce - maybe the toughest rodent on the planet.  Learn more about the Arizona bark scorpion and the grasshopper mouse on this episode! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.pa...

Everyone has a story to tell - and one of things I love about in-person programs with elder adults is hearing theirs.  In this episode I share some of the story of a recently donated leopard pelt as well as some of the stories I've heard during my in-person programs.  I'll also tell you why Japanese researchers painted a cow with zebra stripes!  Check it out! Support the podcast! Become a patron:...

You may have heard of a Blue jay, but what about a Green jay?  Green jays are related to blue jays but live in southern Texas and Central America.  While they share some common characteristics with their blue cousins, they are incredible unique and interesting birds.  Learn more about these cool corvids on this episode! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest...

Johnny Appleseed is an American folk hero.  And like any good folk tale, the story of the barefoot, coffee-sack wearing vagrant with a tin pot for a hat who planted apple seeds across the midwestern United States is rooted in a fair degree of truth.  In this Dirt Dispatch I'll tell you about the man behind the myth of Johnny Appleseed.   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispat...

They may look like big, bloated guinea pigs, but hyraxes are related to elephants and sea cows.  Learn all about these little primitive mammals whose screams echo across Africa, and whose fossilized excrement is used in perfumes on this episode of The Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $F...

Wolves and wolf management in Wyoming can be a touchy subject.  Most wolves in Wyoming are in the northwestern part of the state, in and around Yellowstone National Park.  But there are rumors of wolves in the southeastern part of the state, in Medicine Bow National Forest.  On this Dirt Dispatch I'll explore if it's possible and if it's plausible.  Tune in!   Support the podcast! Become a patron:...

I recently saw a lone Snow goose hanging out with several dozen (or more) Canada geese.  So let's learn more about the second most abundant and noisiest waterfowl in the world!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch...

Tragedy in Antarctica, footprints in the snow, some other wildlife observations from around Dispatches HQ and the lessons we can learn from Canada Geese.  Tune in to hear all about it!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out th...

I have a confession; I kind of forgot Muskox existed as a North American mammal.  But these arctic-dwelling bovines are incredibly interesting.  Learn all about them on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatch...

One of my favorite quotes comes from Barry Lopez, author of the book "Of Wolves and Men".  He wrote, "We know little about wolves, but a great deal about what we believe wolves to be."  I've been thinking about this quote a lot lately because it seems to me that many people spend a lot of time outside while still managing to isolate themselves to a certain degree from the natural world.  Tune in t...