Life, Death, and Taxonomy

Episode 433- Carolina Sphinx

“And today we’re talking about a sphinx with a fascinating riddle. But more on that later.” What happens to the very hungry caterpillar in the last pages of the book? “He

Episode 432- Tasselled Wobbegong: Fringe Fury

“…and today we’re talking about a sea rug that expresses deep sorrow and wretchedness, but more on that later.” The 70s and your average coral reef have one thing in comm

Episode 431- Leopard Seal: Sing Low

“…today we’re talking about a toothy torpedo. But more on that later.” The leopard seal is a terrifying arctic predator. With a mouth full of teeth and a long jaw built f

Episode 430 – Secretary Bird: Stop, Hammertoe

“…and today we’re talking about a bird that knows your schedule. But not really.”  The combination of a velociraptor and an HR manager somehow produced a pretty elegant b

Episode 429 – Soldier Crab: Crab Computer

“…and today we’re talking about a creature that can walk forward and why that’s interesting. But more on that later.” Two cohorts meet on a beach, marching forward to mee

Episode 428 – European Blister Beetle: Smells Like Team Spirit

“…and today we’re talking about a blistering bug in the blistering heat of summer. More on that later.” Some creatures kick in your front door. Others pick the lock, raid

Episode 427 – Regal Jumping Spider: Silken Dreams

“…and today we’re talking about a tiny brain with big thoughts. But more on that later.” The regal jumping spider has those signature big round eyes that make this arthro

Episode 426 – Conomyrma Ants: Blocked!

“… and today we’re talking about a demolition ant. But more on that later.” Out in the desert lives a tiny tan troublemaker that treats civil engineering like psychologic

Episode 425 – Sandgrinder Cicada: Machine Music

“…and today we’re talking about a bug that sounds like a power tool… but more on that later.” Early on a Saturday morning is no time to start hearing machinery going in t

Episode 424 – East Asian Orb Weaver: Catfishing in Morse Code

“…and today we’re talking about a sophisticated chemist. But more on that later.” In moonlit meadows and forest edges, there lurks a patient puppeteer. While most predato

Episode 423 – Brown Flower Beetle: Bumblin’ Beetle

“…and today we’re talking about a bumbling beetle, but more on that later.” A bee is a brilliant bug… essential to the natural order. Plants propagate with the help of th

Episode 422 – African Crested Rat: Dressed to Kill

“…and today we’re talking about a fuzzy little creep. But more on that later.” Out in the rocky woodland alleys of East Africa lurks a rodent that ain’t nothin but a hear

Episode 421 – Eastern Long-Neck Turtle: A Little Stinker

“…and today we’re talking about a stinky turt. But more on that later.” A turtle is designed for defense… A tiny tank swimming around a river with an armored body that’s

Episode 420 – Pileated Woodpecker: Built to Bash

“…and today we’re talking about a pileated pile driver. But more on that later.” Somewhere deep in the forest, a feathered jackhammer slaves away to fill all the trees wi

Episode 419 – New Caledonian Crow: Bird Nesting

“…and now we’re talking to high quality bird brains. But more on that later.” What does the crow know?  Accounts, it does not grow.  Seeds, it does not sow.  But knowing

Episode 418 – Snowy Tree Cricket: Nature’s Thermometer

“…and today we’re talking about a bug that is a scientific instrument… but more on that later.” In the sticky stillness of a summer night, a tiny troubadour tunes up in t

Episode 417 – Titicaca Water Frog: Way of the Wrinkle

“…and today we’re talking about a frog with a funny name that we’re going to be mature about! But more on that eminently.” A special frog lives at the bottom of a lake on

Episode 416 – Northern Fulmar: Fowl Play

“..and today we’re talking about a fat baby sea bird. But more on that later.” Out on the icy oceans of the Arctic, the Northern Fulmar floats above the waves—calm, colle

Episode 415 – Black Footed Ferret: Back from the Brink

“…and today we’re talking about a Lazerus noodle. But more on that later.” The worst thing that can happen to a species is extinction. The balance of life and death tips

Episode 414 – Mountain Alcon Blue: Ant-Agonist

“…and today we’re talking about a bug adoption. But more on that later.” The insect world is a terrifying one. It’s a bug-eat-bug world out there. Some deal with it by be