Quirky Creepy and Freaky

This week we are back to the ocean, talking about a polychaete worm, the bobbit worm! Unlike other worms we've talked about, this one is not a parasite, but they are still quite the predator, giving us one more reason living on land is pretty cool: You don't have to worry that a worm is going to jump out and pull you underground. What a time! 

The Steller's Sea Eagle has been seen in Maine again for the last month or so, so that's our topic for today! Hear about this bird's incredible journey, as it made it's way from Alaska, to Texas, then moved between Canada and New England, and we'll also talk about where the sea eagle is supposed to live, and all that good stuff!  For more information on the eagle's tour through North America:  202...

We've had some episodes about crazy long bird migrations, but what about the birds that don't migrate and stay behind for winter? This episode talks about some of the ways birds survive the cold days of winter, including hoarding food, snuggling on up, and shivering. Birds have quite a few adaptations to survive winter, so tune on in to hear how they survive the cold!  Also corrections corner: bla...

Today we have the part 2 of our journey down the rabbit hole that is the Flying Primate Hypothesis! Without giving spoilers, this episode talks about the evidence against the hypothesis, and talks about what science is currently saying about how closely related bats are to primates (and therefore us!) and other groups. Find out in this episode if bats are more closely related to primates or to cat...

And we're back! You, the listeners picked the episode today, and we have quite the episode! In what will be a 2 part series, we will be exploring the flying primate hypothesis, the idea that the large bats, flying foxes and fruit bats, were descended from primates! In this episode, we introduce the flying primate hypothesis, and introduce some of the drama and controversy surrounding it, and the s...

Happy Halloween everyone! This week, we'll be exploring some of the history of superstitions surrounding black cats. Did you know that a black cat showing up in your door step could bring your prosperity? Or that black cats could actually be shape-shifting witches? Join us this week to learn all about your favorite kitties.     

For episode 40 we are once again talking about fantastic feats of migration! Today, we talk about transoceanic migration paths of three small songbirds, the blackpoll warbler, Connecticut warbler, and the Bobolink, and how every fall they fly thousands of miles over the open ocean.  A couple notes on mis-speaks: The Connecticut warbler flies to the Amazon Basin, and the Blackpoll warbler is indeed...

Fall is here, leaves are changing colors, so it's time to talk about pollinators! This is an important time of year to be thinking about supporting our native pollinators and native bees over winter, so tune in to learn about how you can use your fallen leaves to help the bees! For more information on how you can support your local pollinators, check out xerces.org.  Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycre...

In Episode 38, we have our third episode on sharks and the end of our shark unofficial miniseries! This episode we talk about blue sharks, and their migration patterns, their litters with all of the pups, and then we decide which sharks are the top five fastest sharks in the world. Tune in to find out where the blue shark fits in that list! Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

This next shark themed episode talks about the porbeagle shark! Come learn about this warm-blooded shark and its more famous cousins, the Great White, and find out how this shark's name may have been inspired by beagles.  Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Join us this episode as we start a few episode long series on different shark species! We start of with basking sharks, the second largest fish, and the second largest shark, and just how small you would feel sitting next to one. Of course we use bananas for scale, so if you've ever wanted to know how long a basking shark is in bananas, be sure to tune in!  patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakyp...

Have you ever been curious about the use of leeches in medicine? Then this is the episode for you! We talk about the history behind medicinal leeches, what makes them useful, and some of the things we still use leeches for in medicine today.  Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

On our last critter in our series of bloodsucking summertime ectoparasites, we have a part 1 episode talking about leeches! Many bloodsucking parasites have a risk of transmitting a long list of diseases, but leeches are an exception. Listen on in to learn more about leeches and their lack of disease transmission.  Patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

In episode 3 of our 4 week ectoparasite series, we are talking about Black flies, how black fly season in Maine has lengthened over the years, and some tips for keeping black flies out of your nose!  patreon: patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

This week in our series of parasites, we have a small tick that lives in grassy, wooded areas that likes to bit moose! Learn more about ticks and moose, and how you can prevent tick bites   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Join me this week as we start a new 4 episode series on some warm weather ectoparasites with an episode about the world's deadliest animal, which is a critter you may not expect! Mosquitoes, while just annoying in many places, can spread some pretty nasty diseases in other places, so learn some things about mosquito diseases, some other things mosquitoes do in the ecosystem, and some good, eco-fri...

And we're back! Did you know there are animals in the ocean that can change what their entire body looks like in just a couple of seconds? Listen to this week's episode to learn more! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Join in this week's episode as we talk about one of the longest bird migrations!  We'll also be taking a bit of a break after this episode, but we'll be back with new episodes in a few weeks!

Glowing platypus?? Learn about this other quirky trait of the already wonky platypus in this week's episode!    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

In this episode, we hear about a spider going up against a bat in what turned out to be a first for a few different things! How will it end? Find out who prevails! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

In episode 26, we travel on back to North America to talk about a bird...that's a parasite? Come join me and learn about brood parasitism! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

Join me in this week's episode as we talk about a fish that can almost instantly cover a highway in slime!  Slime photos and article: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2017/07/truck_full_of_eels_overturns_o.html   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

This week's episode features a great group of snakes: sea snakes.  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

For this week's episode, we're looking at more gliding animals! This time, the unexpected gliding ant! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod

In Episode 22, we talk about a marine parasite that lives in the hollowed out shell of its host! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quirkycreepyfreakypod