What The Duck?!

Female lab mice have been bred to be passive and breed with ease. But, in the wild they're feisty and even pugnacious. How much of our biological understanding of the world is based on misogyny? Featuring: Lucy Cooke, Zoologist and author of Bitch A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal. Professor Arthur Georges, University of Canberra. Professor Catherine Dulac, Harvard Univ...

There's a whole world of mystery, and quite a bit of maths,  inside the humble sea shell. Forget ancestry searches online, shells can tell you the history of the world! Featuring: Amy Prendergast, University of Melbourne. Jann Vendetti, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.  Dr Paul Butler, Researcher at the University of Exeter.  This episode was originally broadcast in March 2023.  Produ...

There's only a handful of animals on earth that go through menopause, where females get to hang up the ovaries and enjoy a change of life. So, why have we (humans, chimps and some toothed whales) established a sexual retirement of sorts? What is everyone else missing out on? Featuring: Associate Professor Kevin Langergraber, Primatologist, Arizona State University. Charli Grimes, PhD student, Univ...

We will all go to trouble to get a good meal, but some animals take it to the extreme. Some build architectural masterpieces to entrap their prey, or use body parts as lures. But what is your cat doing when it makes the 'ek ek ek ek?' Is it trying to bewitch the birds?  Featuring: Professor Kris Helgen, Australian Museum. Julia Henning, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide. Associate Professor In...

Despite spending years and millions of dollars, the Tasmanian Fox Eradication team never, not once, not ever, spotted a live fox on the Apple Isle. While their efforts yielded zero foxes, it spawned a tale of lies, alleged corruption, and more scats than you could poke a stick at.  Featuring: Ian Townsend, former ABC Radio National Journalist. David Kelly, Manager of the Threatened Species Unit, N...

You have a lot to thank sheep for. Yes, sheep. More than just wool and meat — sheep have played a part in the development of contraception and reproduction in humans. It's not as dodgy as it sounds, but it is absolutely surprising. Listening to this show will have you thanking every sheep you see from here on out. Featuring: Tara Farms, YouTuber , and sheep farmer. Sally Coulthard, historian, smal...

For years we've barely even talked about the human clitoris let alone the fact that snakes have TWO.  This program has adult themes. Featuring: Belinda Smith, ABC Science Online Reporter.  Lucy Cooke, Author and Film maker. Megan Folwell, University of Adelaide. Dr Jenna Crowe-Riddell, La Trobe University. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering...

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:...

Could a legless lizard be 'minimalist of the year' for famous podcaster T. K. Coleman? Ann Jones leads an unlikely gang of animal experts on a tidy dance through the philosophy of minimalism. There are moths without mouths, flies without wings, and a worm-lizard that will even declutter its own tail.  Move over Marie Kondo, Minimalist Mother Nature is in town.  Featuring: T. K. Coleman, Co-host of...

ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a tingly sensation that can bring relaxation, and it's spawned a growing industry of videos online of whispering, tapping, mouth noises and soft speaking.  But, if you wanted quiet, intimate sounds, well, Nature does it so. much. better.  Ann Jones goes on an ASMR journey with vibrating caterpillars, whispering monkeys and birds who want to keep secre...

Imagine you've just been cancelled for a controversial opinion about Taylor Swift's musical output, and you have to go to ground. You can act like the Olsen twins, and hide behind big glasses and a big coat. Or you could take a lesson from nature and blend in, like a proverbial spotty quoll into the bush. When it comes to camouflage and animal markings, there's a lot we can learn from the animal k...

Right now, you’re probably sitting on one of the most unique things about humans. One thing that separates us from the apes, from the birds, from EVERYTHING on earth. The thing that allows us to walk upright, on two legs. We have big butts and I cannot lie,This sort of exceptionalism doesn’t deny,That when a bird walks in with a little bit of hasteAnd drumsticks in your face, you have to admit tha...

How many species live around your house? In the COVID lockdown of 2020, three housemates decided to count. They thought there’d only be a handful, but the number kept rising and rising. Could their simple suburban Queenslander house be the next candidate for a new national park? What the Duck?! is back for Season 6. Featuring: Dr Matt Holden, Mathematician, University of Queensland. Dr Andrew Roge...

Fruit flies, guinea pigs, frogs, monkeys, turtles, cats and dogs… all sorts of animals have been to space. Find out who made small steps for mankind before we could even spacewalk as Ann goes through the emotional turmoil of hearing animals in space.  Featuring: James Foley, Author and Illustrator. Kerrie Dougherty OAM, Senior Heritage and Outreach Officer, Australian Space Agency. Emeritus Profes...

An ornithologist, a veterinarian and a religious devotee must find the serial killer before every last vulture in India is dead. The episode was first published on the 2nd of September 2023.  Featuring: Dr Campbell Murn, Head of Conservation at Hawk Conservancy Trust and University of Reading, UK. Dr Kishor Rithe, Interim Director, Bombay Natural History Society. Dr Andrea Santangeli, Mediterranea...

They look like… 'sabre-toothed sausages', they can barely see, they live for a really long time and have a queen who oppresses them. Find out all about the Naked Mole-rat this week and let us know your weirdest animal on earth suggestions at whattheduck@abc.net.au. Featuring: Dr Alison Barker, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research. Adjunct Professor Rochelle Buffenstein, University of Illinois a...

He loved gold, so he robbed stagecoaches in South Australia and used an ostrich as a getaway car. OR DID HE?! This episode was first published on the 11th of February 2023. Featuring: Denice Mason, teacher and Meningie resident. Associate Professor Rohan Clarke, Monash University and co-author of the Australian Bird Guide. Jacob Fiebig, Meningie resident and composer of "The ballad of John Peggott...

For thousands of years eels have made people rich and powerful, literally. Now it's time to pay it back. This episode was originally published on the 18th of March 2023. Featuring: Dr. John Wyatt Greenlee, Historian Cornell University. Erin Rose, Budj Bim World Heritage Executive Officer at Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Braydon Saunders, Tour Guide Coordinator at Budj...

A tiny penis, a 12-hour annual fertilisation window, picky females and strawberry bubble bath – these are just a few of the issues that pop up when making a panda cub. This is a repeat of an episode first published on the 1st of April 2023.  Featuring: Chad Crittle, Acting Assistant Curator for Carnivores and Ungulates at Zoos SA. Mr Li Zhang, Consul, Head of Bilateral Section at the Chinese Consu...

Ann Jones does a DNA test to see if she is a dog! This is the final episode for Season 5 of What the Duck?! We will be back in February with new episodes. Featuring: Skyla Seltzer, What The Duck?! listener. Beanz and Henry the dog.  Link Olson, Curator of Mammals, University of Alaska Museum. Dr Nicola Rivers, Monash University. Professor Paul Hebert, Scientific Director, International Barcode of...

It is related to the dodo, makes milk and even played a role in the French Revolution. Surely this bird deserves some recognition? Featuring: Rosemary Mosco, Science writer and author of 'The Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching'. Nathan Finger, Host of 'Bird of the Week' podcast  Dr Robin Leppitt, Ornithologist. April Broadbent, Pigeon Rehabber. Aaron and Aria, Pigeon Fanciers. Production: Ann Jones,...

Someone get a translator app because the fish are ready to speak.  Featuring: Lauren Hawkins, Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University.  Dr Aaron Rice, Research Scientist at Cornell University.  Featured sounds : Thanks to Aaron and Lauren for providing sounds as well as Professor Robert McCauley and the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University.  Productio...

They make THEMSELVES scream.  Featuring: Dr. Perry Beasley Hall, Adelaide University. Ernesto Caliari Pinheiro, Acoustic biologist, Brazil. Professor Mario Vallejo-Marin, University of Uppsala, Sweden.  Lisa Schonberg, Ecological sound artist, New York. Professor Link Olson, University of Alaska Museum. Dr Andy Reid, University of Strathclyde, Scotland. Dr Ying Luo, Australian National Insect Coll...

Can animals create, or even enjoy music? Ann rips through the animal kingdom to check out the musical talent of some likely and unlikely animals. Featuring: Dr. Stuart Watson, University of Zurich.  Dr. Chiara De Gregorio, University of Torino.  Assistant Professor Adena Schachner, University of California. David Teie, Musician and composer, Music for Cats.  Associate Professor Cameron Webb, Unive...

Are you high, or is that a sheep glowing? Featuring: Linda Reinhold, Zoologist at James Cook University. Professor Simon Lewis, Curtin University.  Dr. Kenny Travouillon, Western Australian Museum.  Caitlin Grieve, Hillend Dorsets.