What The Duck?!

It's a bold claim, but the palm cockatoo might be the most punk-rock bird of all. The black and scarlet parrot lives in the rainforests and woodlands of Far North Queensland, as well as the Aru Islands and New Guinea. With a wingspan of 1.5 metres, the palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is an impressive bird, with a black mohawk and a powerful beak. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrate...

This little orange lizard lives with his mum and poos outside. What's not to love? The great desert skink (Liopholis kintorei) can be found in the deserts of the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia. They live in large burrows in family groups, which is extremely unusual for reptiles. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/scie...

What has no eyes, no ears, and is barely ever seen? It's no riddle — it's the marsupial mole! These tiny, golden creatures like to burrow through the sands in central Australia, making the two species of marsupial mole (Notoryctes) almost impossible to find. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian...

This tiny frog is pasty white, with big arms, a teeny head, and is — somehow — still absolutely adorable. The turtle frog (Myobatrachus gouldii) can be found in a small part of south-west Western Australia. They mostly live underground, and are one of only a few species of frog that burrow forwards instead of backwards. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.ne...

They can travel over land, climb walls and take down large prey. And that's all before the short-finned eel (Anguilla australis) makes it out into the ocean for their epic migration to mate. The location is so remote, scientists still don't know what happens while they're there. But then, as new baby eels, they need to swim thousands of kilometres back to the Australian mainland — and only one in...

Sure, it's a rat, but it's Australia's own cheeky little water rat! The rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) is Australia's largest rodent, and can be found in the waterways all around Australia. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Emmalie Sanders, Charles Sturt Univ...

They shoot glue, puree their enemies, and are about the size of a leaf. With 140 species of southern velvet worms (Peripatopsidae), and most of those in Australia, these tiny creatures are our home-grown invertebrate. They normally live in rainforests, under logs or leaf litter, and they like to keep it damp and dark. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net....

The ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) is Australia's only carnivorous bat, so it's probably not a good idea to make fun of their giant ears and unique nose. They live in large colonies of up to 1500 individuals in northern Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, roosting in caves, and old abandoned mine shafts. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.ab...

They can grow up to a metre and the world's largest cuttlefish species can also disappear in a puff of ink and mucus. The giant cuttlefish (Ascarosepion apama) is an oddball, and you can catch a glimpse of them around the whole bottom half of Australia — all the way from Brisbane to Shark Bay. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-0...

Move the peas over to find that Australian freezers have seals, kangaroo penises and the DNA of 'the Chanel of goats.' Featuring: Dr Natalie Warburton, Murdoch University.  Dr Jillian Garvey, La Trobe University.  Dr Nicola Rivers, Monash University. Dianne Hakof, Hospital Manger Animal Health Department Zoos SA Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer.  This episode...

It turns out self-medicating and herbal remedies are not exclusive to humans. From cats eating grass, to elephants making medicinal tea in their throat pouch — the animal world has its own prescriptions. And naturally, there's plenty of digging through poo involved in this scientific research! Featuring: Dr Kevin Feeney, Central Washington University. Professor Michael Huffman, University of Kyoto...

Fossils tell us a lot about the past, but are there fossilised farts? (Spoiler, YES!) Look back at great farts of history, and the story of methane. Do birds not fart? And which creature is responsible for the stinkiest? Listen to part one (Does it Fart?!) here . Featuring: Dani Rabaiotti, Author of Does it Fart? and Zoological Society of London. Dr Nick Gales, Former Head of Australian Antarctic...

Farts are not just for laughs. There are farts for survival, for communication, and even to attack! But it turns out it's tricky to get scientists to agree on what actually constitutes a fart. Still, from tiny fish, ants, and spiders, to manatees, primates, and blue whales — is it as simple as the bigger the creature, the bigger the fart? Featuring: Dani Rabaiotti, Author of Does it Fart? and Zool...

It's a seemingly simple question from What the Duck?! listener Skylar: how do scientists determine a new species? Turns out, it's complicated. And it's got Ann Jones impersonating a dog on the internet to try to find out what breed she is, as well as asking, 'what is a species anyway?'. Featuring: Skyla Seltzer, What The Duck?! listener. Beanz and Henry the dog. Link Olson, Curator of Mammals, Uni...

The influence of selective breeding by humans has created a doggo for every occasion, but it's not without problematic results. Some breeds have breathing difficulties, hip problems, aggression, or anxiety. There are dogs with ADHD and others with depression. Does our longest-term relationship need couples therapy? Featuring: Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist...

This is the story of the domesticated animal that feralised itself. Where did dingoes come from and when? Where does a wild dog stop and a dingo begin? How much can genetics really tell us about Australia's only native dog — and how long do you have to live somewhere to be 'native'? Featuring: Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, C...

Are puppy dog eyes really a sign of love, or does Fido just want a lil snack? Can dogs really "speak" by pressing talking buttons, or do they just make great content for TikTok? There's more to canine communication than howls and growls — and a wagging tail could be telling you more than you think. Featuring: Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare...

'Man's best friend' sure sounds better than 'obligatory symbiont', but what are the true dynamics at play? There's no denying the bond people feel and the attachment dogs have for their humans, but if we put that beautiful relationship under scientific scrutiny, does it hold up? Can any dog go 'full Lassie' if you (or Timmy) gets stuck down a well? Will your dog save you? Featuring: Professor Cliv...

There's designer clothes, but they have nothing on designer dogs! They come in a huge range of shapes and colours and sizes, from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane. In the animal world this much variation usually means different species, but not for dogs — so where did they all come from? And what role did Victorian-era rats play in the development of 'breed standards'? Featuring: Joyce Sulliva...

The relationship between humans and big scary wolves has come a long way to give us tiny fluffy lap dogs with very discerning tastes in expensive food. Whose idea was it? Was it the wolves who wanted the warmth of the fire, or the humans who wanted protection from the other scary carnivores?  And take a look at the first archaeological evidence of a beloved family pet preserved with its human fami...

A new series from What the Duck?! is coming soon. Dr Ann Jones is exploring the connection between humans and dogs and asking how our destinies became intertwined. How did we get pugs from wolves? How did the howling creatures of our nightmares become floppy eared, tail wagging good boys and girls? From the very first archaeological evidence of 'beloved family pet' to the paw-pushing communication...

How does a snake climb a pole? It's not like they have a ladder... or arms. It turns out that snakes have some pretty crazy skills when it comes to climbing anything and everything. The Island of Guam had between two and four million brown tree snakes in the 1980s, leading to all sorts of issues for the birds and the environment. Guests: Dr Aaron Collins- Assistant State Director Guam/Western Paci...

Would you meet a stranger in a park with a pile of snakes?  Comedian Craig Quartermaine took the risk in an attempt to overcome his fears. Featuring: Craig Quartermaine, comedian.  Sandy Dickinson, Urban Reptiles. Jonathan Wright, announcer's voice.  Production: Ann Jones, presenter/producer. Petria Ladgrove, producer. Joel Werner, script editor. Field recording: Dylan Prins. Additional mastering:...

Have you heard of the Kookaburra that conquered Hollywood? Yes- that was a kookaburra at the start of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. But WHY?  Dr Ann Jones is on a mission to find out. Featuring: Ella Loeffler, Film and Bird Watcher.  Dr Maggie Watson, Ornithologist, ecologist, fantasy fiction fan.  Assoc Professor Cameron Webb,  Mosquito Wrangler, NSW Health and University of Sydn...

Spiders have gravity-defying ninja skills, they can hear without ears and they work together to gang up on huge prey. Spiders are murder machines! Featuring: Dr Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University. Dr Alfonso Aceves-Aparicio, University Hamburg. Dr Jay Stafstrom, Cornell University. Dr Lena Grinsted, University of Portsmouth. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Produce...