The Fact Detectives

Tune in to learn some hot facts about fire! Like how does fire work? How do you stop a fire? And can eucalyptus trees really explode? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Grant Williamson who studies wildfires and climate change at the university of Tasmania. Press play to kindle your curiosity so you can learn all the fantastic facts about fire. Guest: Grant Williamson who studies wild...

Are you  sick  of not knowing all the answers? Well the Fact Detectives are back with their 'catchiest' topic yet - viruses. What's the difference between viruses and germs? How do they spread? And what DO they have in common with zombies!? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with immunologist Catriona Nguyen-Robertson from Scienceworks. Join them as they find out all the nitty gr...

Are seahorses really horses? Why do seahorses have curly tails? Do dad seahorses really have babies instead of the mums?  In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with marine biologist Mitch Brennen. Push play to swim into all the amazing facts about seahorses.  Guest: Mitch Brennan who is a marine biologist at the SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and University of Technology, Sydney    Hosts: Anika and...

What is a volcano? Are there any volcanoes in Australia? Could lava take over the whole world?  In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Oskar Lindenmayer who is a geologist at Melbourne Museum. Join them as they bubble into all the boiling hot facts about volcanoes!  This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. To find out more about the world ar...

Are koalas bears? Why do they have such fluffy ears? What’s the pouch for? And why do koalas sleep all the time?  In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with zoologist Chris Humfrey. Press play to climb into all the amazing facts about one of Australia’s most iconic animals.  Guest: Zoologist Chris Humfrey  Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Production and sound design: Cinnamon Nippard  Executive Produ...

What is the sun made of? Why do we get sunburnt? And why do we have a day and a night?  In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Tanya Hill who is an astronomer at the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks. Join them as they zoom into all the scorching facts about the sun!  This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Scienceworks. To find out more about...

Can reindeer really fly? Do their noses go red like Rudolph’s? And were Santa’s reindeer boys or girls?  Anika and Dexter catch up with Lindsay Murray who is an animal psychologist at the University of Chester in the UK.  Press play to leap into all the amazing facts about reindeer! And if YOU have a big Fact Detective question, send it to factdetectives@kinderling.com.au Guest: Lindsay Murray is...

Are seastars the same as star fish? Where are their eyes? And can they really grow their arms back? In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Melanie MacKenzie who is a marine biologist at Museums Victoria. Join them as they dive into all the amazing facts about seastars!   This episode of The Fact Detectives is a Kinderling co-production with Melbourne Museum. Guest: Melanie MacKenzie...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Vanessa Pirotta who is a wildlife scientist and science communicator.  Press play to dive into all the amazing facts about whales, including: can whales sing? How do they breathe? Do they have teeth? And why are some whales so bumpy?  Guest: Vanessa Pirotta who is a wildlife scientist and science communicator.  Hosts: Anika and Dexter&...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter catch up with Kirsten Banks who fills us in on the inescapable facts about black holes!  Press play to hear all the mysterious facts like: What is a blackhole? What would happen if you fell into one? And, could a black hole eat the earth....?  Gu...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Mel Slarp who tells us all about plants! Press play to hear all the plant-astic facts about plants like: How is a weed different to a plant? What’s a seed and how is it created? And can plants grow in space?      Guest: Mel Slarp - Lead, Education & Engagement  Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan 
Botanic Gardens Greater Syd...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter talk to Grey Fisher who tells us just how amazing kangaroos are!  Press play to hear all the cool facts about kangaroos, including: Can kangaroos really swim? What do kangaroos sound like? And, how far and fast can they hop?    Guest: Grey Fisher - senior zookeeper at Taronga Zoo  Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Producer: Cinnamon Nippard&nb...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Renee Cawthorne who tells us all about Australian Bushfoods!  Push play to listen to all the terrific facts about Aussie bushfoods like: How do First Nations people know which plants are safe to eat? Which native plants are the yummiest? And which plants can be used for medicine?   Guest: Renee Cawthorne who is...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Kirsten Banks who fills us in on the wonderful world of Aboriginal Astronomy! Australia's First Peoples have been studying the night sky for tens of thousands of years. Press play to find out all the cool facts about Aboriginal astronomy, including: What can the night sky teach us about the land, plants and animals? What do Aboriginal peoples see when they...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Grey Fisher whoooooo tells us just how awesome owls are! Press play to hear all the cool facts about owls, including: Why do owls only come out at night? Can owls really see in the dark? And, can owls really turn their heads all the way around?   Guest: Grey Fisher - senior zookeeper at Taronga Zoo  Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Producer: Ci...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Mat Bate who fills us in on all the fascinating facts about seaweed.  Hit play to listen to all the cool facts about seaweed, including: Is the slimy seaweed on the beach the same as sushi seaweed? How big can seaweed grow? And, can seaweed really save the world?   Guest: Mat Bate (Author of the book: &lsqu...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Candace Richards who wraps up all the facts about animal mummies.  Press play to listen to all the intriguing facts about animal mummies, including: Why were animals mummified in Ancient Egypt? How were they mummified? How do you know what’s inside a mummy if you don’t unwrap it?    Guest: Candace Richards (Chau Chak Wing Museum) Hosts: Anika and Dexter  P...

In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Emily Best who takes care of sharks and marine animals.  Hit play to listen to all the super facts about sharks, including: Do sharks really not have bones? How are sharks different from other fish? Can you pat a shark?    Guest: Emily Best (Sea Life Aquarium Sydney)  Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Producer: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design: Darcey Milne  Executiv...

How did Triceratops get its name? Did Triceratops live with cave men? And what's that big frill for anyway? In this episode, Anika and Dexter meet up with Erich Fitzgerald who studies dinosaurs and fossils at Melbourne Museum. Press play to hear all the terrific facts about Triceratops.   Guest: Erich Fitzgerald (Melbourne Museum)  Hosts: Anika and Dexter  Producer: Cinnamon Nippard  Sound Design:...

How many colours are in a rainbow? Can you touch a rainbow? Is there really a pot of gold at the end?   In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Rosa Zwier from Scienceworks  Listen now to find out all the colourful facts about rainbows!  The Fact Detectives are taking a short break but don’t worry!  They’ll be back before you know it with lots more amazing facts.  In the meantime, if you love...

Do peacock spiders really dance? Are they dangerous? What kind of spiders are they?   In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Joseph Schubert who is a Legacy Registration Officer for Entomology and Arachnology at Museums Victoria. (That means he studies bugs and spiders!)  Listen now to find out all the flashy facts about peacock spiders! And big thanks to Sam, Hugo and Archie for asking The F...

What is wind? Do plants really vomit out air? Is there air in space?   In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Rosa Zwier from Scienceworks.   Listen now to find out all the breezy facts about air!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps!   A Kinderling co-...

Can snakes really dislocate their jaws to eat things bigger than themselves? Do lizard tails  really just  drop off? Are snakes and lizards friends?    In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Dr Jane Melville who studies reptiles at Museums Victoria.   Listen now to find out all the slithery facts about snakes and lizards!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for...

What is a possum skin cloak? How and why are they made? And why are they important to the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia?   In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Di-Di Vaha'akolo who is a programs officer in the First PeoplesDepartment at Museums Victoria. Di-Di is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Taungurong, Tongan and Fiji-Indian woman.   Listen now to find out about all the awe...

Can cockroaches really survive a nuclear blast? Why are they so flat? Do their butts have a special superpower?    In this episode The Fact Detectives scuttle through all the fascinating facts about cockroaches with entomologist, Simon Hinkley, at Museums Victoria.   Listen now to find out about all the awesome facts about cockroaches!  If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe...