Species

This animal is nicknamed the "happiest animal on earth," but what do they have to be happy about? Not much, beyond hanging out with Roger Federer. Find out the meaning of "Rottnest" and learn about the child-sacrificing, lightning-fearing, gorgonzola-choking quokka on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gI4fknlR16jnIiVTwIQB7BrUW1I_oo5lK_QtBm2WN6M/edit?usp=sh...

Monogamy seems completely impractical from an evolutionary perspective. If the "goal" of the survival of the fittest is to pass on your genes, how can limiting yourself to just ONE mate make any sense at all? Wouldn't playing the field be the best way to succeed? In most cases, yep. But in some select species, monogamy is the best strategy. Today we are going to talk about why monogamy evolves, an...

Corbin Maxey is a nationally recognized animal expert and TV personality who has been featured on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Martha Stewart Show," "Late Night with Seth Myers," "The Today Show," and now… Species!   Hear Corbin talk about becoming famous, saving alligators from teenager's bedrooms, and almost getting killed by hippos while trying to use the bathroom in Africa, all on th...

This hornet has a stinger as long as a thumbtack, and their venom dissolves flesh and kills dozens upon dozens of humans every year. As if that wasn't enough, they fly in swarms faster than you can run, and they are the largest hornets in the world. Beware. They organize into war bands and decimate other species, and their behavior is unbelievably complex. Buckle up! Bibliography:  https://docs.go...

This highly intelligent bird employs unbelievably complex strategies to hunt in packs, and take down evasive prey. Their social structure is extremely complex and their romantic lives will shock you. Here about the story of Rufus the security hawk's kidnapping from Wimbledon, and learn about an amazing animal on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jqsTGgzP_e...

This tiny frog nearly cost timber farmers $30 million and then became the center of a Supreme Court case. Is the Supreme Court too powerful? Why does this frog cover their eyes when they're scared? What is a species, and what does "critical habitat" mean? Find out all on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/10mBi8uYMlwbJ1rjD30sf5xM1pZWmaQ2xK1c6YIXMbbM/edit?usp...

While it may seem weird to call a nonhuman animal a "person," Argentina has done just that - in their country, chimpanzees and orangutans enjoy the benefits of legal personhood. In America we like to think of "human" and "person" as equivalent terms, but that is demonstrably not the case; at least not legally. So... Should other animals be considered people? Vote:  https://twitter.com/SpeciesPodca...

How did we domesticate horses? Is there such thing as a wild horse? Who would win in a marathon, a horse or a human? How can I become a better inventor than Elon Musk? Find out some insanely fun facts about horses and get the answers to all these questions on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/16ksNcJ5CbL4pCuGppq7gC8HYRRVU29Q28hr03l3G-QM/edit?usp=sharing  

"Rock-paper-scissors" is an old game, and these lizards have been playing it for way longer than us. Just a different version, with higher stakes. This is a game about life and death. Learn about why lefties are better at fighting, frequency-dependent selection, and quality vs. quantity all on this episode of species.   Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EkGLivXgxNnT9RTc3XICcsHHRUC...

Ravens are so smart it's stupid. They use trickery, tools, communication, cooperation and betrayal to get ahead in the world. Come listen to some insane raven anecdotes, and get the answers to these questions: Why are there ravens in the Tower of London? Why do ravens fly towards gunfire? What do ravens, ants, humans and bees all have in common?   Find out about the common raven,  Corvus corax,  o...

The most powerful and dangerous electric fish in the entire world. Yes, they're real. Yes, they could kill you. Yes, they are insanely big. How do they generate electricity with their bodies? Can they use their electric fields to navigate? Have they invented an electric language? How come they don't shock themselves when they shock you?   Find out all on this episode of Species.   Bibliography: ht...

The vaquita is a tiny, adorable, panda-like porpoise, and they need your help. Listen to this episode fast, because sadly, it could expire any day. Species does not cover extinct animals, and this animal is on the brink. Find out all about the $20,000 bladder, the Chinese black market, and a guy who is not related to Chuck Norris on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/d...

This isn't actually a lobster, and they don't live in trees anymore. This is the rarest insect on earth. The Lord Howe Island stick insect. Dryococelus australis. Considered extinct for decades and hidden for almost a century, this creature is unique, and they have an amazing story. Come listen and learn all about them! Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rQ-E6um6w6N9dh_OUScPt_VKhwM...

Humans are the only animals on earth that have chins. Seriously. Look at your dog. Do they have a chin? Nope. Cat? No. Lions, tigers bears? Oh my! No, they do not have chins! Why did chins evolve in humans, when they literally haven't evolved anywhere else? Today we turn to the JD Pampush and DJ Daegling to explore the possible answers. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mn1Ya8gwk5...

This animal is the baddest bird on the face of the planet: They decapitate crocodiles and deliberately defecate on their own legs. Why? Listen to find out. This bird is bad to the bone from the moment their born. Come learn all about the creature, and finally discover whether or not birds are dinosaurs on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EbSO3bks7w2jy1vID...

WARNING: This shark can walk on land. Nobody is safe. If you are easily upset by the concept of sharks, specifically those that can walk on land, this podcast may not be the one for you. Everybody else, come have some family-friendly fun and listen to the science of how a fish can survive up here with the rest of us! Also, learn about the first life to walk on earth, and hear the science behind gi...

What has two tongues, spikes on their vertebrae, a "toilet claw," a tooth comb, and no index finger? The Potto. Perodicticus potto. Come learn all about an amazing animal, hear a heartbreaking story, and get an explanation for their strange body on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QafZ6UU_G8l_m8WnPBqzJ0TQrCtswffUkAlKnWMfe1I/edit?usp=sharing  

They throw punches fast enough to vaporize water, and create deadly underwater implosions. Their eyes are the most advanced on earth: They can see more colors than we can imagine, and their eyes may be powerful enough to see cancer. This creature is one of the most amazing on earth, and you can learn all about them on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j9k_...

This bird causes 1.6 billion dollars in damage to the US economy every year, and it's Shakespeare's fault. Well, kind of. Listen and learn about the bird who has speaking abilities on par with parrots, who helped Mozart write his songs. Find out about a surprisingly amazing animal, and try to wrap your head around murmurations, on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/doc...

Dogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, cows, pigs, all of these animals (and more) have floppy ears in captivity. Many of them have blotchy spots, and shorter snouts too! Why are these traits common to domesticated mammals? How can it possibly be a coincidence, when these traits are rare in the wild and don't exist in the wild counterparts of these species? And what happens if we domesticate a new animal? W...

Torquigener albomaculosus.  This amazing species makes incredible underwater art, out of sand! It was a mystery for a long time, nobody knew who was making these weird pop-up underwater crop-circle things, and then we finally discovered that a tiny pufferfish is behind them. But this has lead to more mysteries: How to they do it? And why? Dive into the waters off the coast of Japan on this episode...

Are vampire bats nicer than people? Do they really suck blood? Which came first, the vampire or the bat? Will their saliva save you from a heart attack? Learn an absurd amount of facts about vampire bats so you have a conversation piece on Halloween. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NsVN6No5JXPPskovVe51EYut8Q8cmfxuWqrM8Sh0kK0/edit?usp=sharing

Dorymyrmex bicolor. This species of ant picks up rocks, and drops them on their enemies. Is it war? Define war. Is it tool use? Yes... And what does that say about tool use? What can ants teach us about ourselves? Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q2kwz6bnI7FqNP1b16qEG1ul_ocKEkrMg8nKm9uqlYI/edit?usp=sharing

This vulture eats bones. Seriously. 85% bone diet. They also dye themselves red. Oh, and they maybe killed a Greek playwright by throwing a turtle at him. Not joking. Listen and find out everything about the legendary bearded vulture on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oT_724nN-ElBZaqhDniHtAt0tWmcB6CBNGN5JMnpNIU/edit?usp=sharing

Neither mud nor puppy, this strange salamander is just a big baby. Like you. Seriously, you look like an infant. Listen to find out why! Also, find out all about paedomorphism and neoteny. Enjoy learning about the fascinating life and life cycle of the common mudpuppy on this episode of species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_eOJ7Kw9TncrmZc3DKI3Hd5HCXRbJLTLO_O8xAe2ZNg/edit?usp=...