The Ecological Bestiary

by Kevin Matteson

Welcome to The Ecological Bestiary, the podcast that treats the D&D Monster Manual like a real-world field guide... because the real world is magical too. Join host Kevin Matteson (PhD in Ecology) and his adventuring party—Mike (Forever DM & Science Teacher), Rachel (Climate Educator), and Cassie (Wildlife Expert)—as they bridge the gap between tabletop roleplaying games and real-world science. Each expedition, the party tracks down a classic fantasy creature to dissect its fictional ecology and connect it to real-world biology and conservation. How would a Gelatinous Cube actually digest its prey? What real-world fungal networks explain the Myconids? Whether you are a Dungeon Master looking for richer world-building, a science educator searching for engaging classroom hooks, or a nature lover who enjoys nerd culture, pull up a chair at our tavern. Grab your dice and your field journal. Keep exploring, because the real world is magical too!

Latest episodes

Showing 7 · updated from the feed

The Science of Beholders: Eye Stalks, Anti-Magic & Living Armor

Out of the cavern's pitch blackness, a massive central eye floats forward, framed by ten writhing, independent stalks. Before your hand can touch the hilt of your sw

Sep 17
35 min

The Science of Dragons: Apex Predators & Evolutionary Realities

The air turns bitterly dry, tasting of sulfur and ozone... You feel the heat before you see it, a wave of oppressive warmth that makes your armor feel like an oven... A s

Aug 27
49 min

The Biology of D&D Myconids: Mycorrhizal Networks & Zombie Fungi

You find the missing goblin scouting party just inside the cave entrance, but something is horribly wrong... pulsing fungal stalks erupt from their eyes and joints. In t

Aug 13
57 min

The Biology of the D&D Gelatinous Cube: Slime Molds & Deep Sea Terrors

You haven't found a ghost. You've walked right into the digestive tract of the dungeon's most efficient janitor... In this episode of The Ecological Besti

Jul 30
49 min

The Biology of the D&D Owlbear: Real-World Bears & Owls

An owlbear screech echoes through the dark valley to announce the death of its prey... In this episode of The Ecological Bestiary, we treat the Monster Manual like a fie

Jul 16
28 min

The Biology of the D&D Displacer Beast: Big Cats & Light Refraction

The twilight woods of the Feywild are unnervingly quiet... A low guttural growl vibrates through the trees to your left... But the growl didn't come from the bush, i

Jul 16
45 min

D&D Mimics in Real Life: The Biology of Aggressive Mimicry

Beware the chest you open, travelers… it might just bite back. In this episode of The Ecological Bestiary, the entire adventuring party rolls for initiative against one

Jul 16
44 min

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