An amazing water felid is the Fishing Cat. These endangered cats live throughout Asia in fragmented populations from India to Java. As one of the largest "small cats," Fishing Cats have carved out a specific niche in many habitats. Their behaviors are incredible, and yes, they actually do fish. They swim and love water. A fun species to learn about and is facing extinction. Thank you to all our Patreon supporters. We now are hosting monthly Zoom meetings with them, answering questions and gettin...
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr 12 min
One of the apex predators located in South America lies the Green Anaconda. One of four species of anaconda, the Green Anaconda is one of the world's longest snakes and is without doubt the heaviest. There is so many fun facts about anacondas, it will blow you away. They are semi-aquatic snakes that thrive in many biomes in South America. Some of the most interesting facts are not only their "super powers" in detecting prey, but also their breeding behaviors and strategies. Thankfully, anacondas...
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr 21 min
One of the more iconic monkeys has to be the White-Faced Capuchin. There are actually two species of White-Faced Capuchins, and in fact there are 22 total species of capuchin monkeys. Sadly, 17 out of 22 capuchin monkey species are faced with extinction. This week we talk everything capuchin monkey. Most of all, we talk about their incredible behaviors and document just how intelligent they are. So much so, that they are often considered the smartest of any monkey, old or new world. A wonderful ...
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Whenever you look at a hedgehog, you have to smile. This charismatic little creatures is an absolute delight and are found in many parts of the world. In fact, there are 17 species of hedgehogs that live in Europe, Asia, Africa and....Aotearoa New Zealand. Unfortunately, hedgehogs are devastating to many native species in Aotearoa New Zealand and we touch upon this in this week's podcast. HOWEVER, everywhere else hedgehogs are actually critical omnivores that help bring balance to their ecosyste...
Aug 31, 2022•1 hr 18 min
Mark Weston is author of the new book The Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa's Greatest Lake. He joins us this week to talk about his experiences living on Lake Victoria in Africa. Additionally, we talk about the collapse of the native fish species there due to exploitation and their impacts on the native peoples. In addition to his latest book, Mark has written about and broadcasts on Africa for the BBC World Service, Slate, the Royal African Society, South Africa’s Mail & Guardian, and...
Aug 24, 2022•53 min
One of the world's most elusive canids is the Bush Dog. Native to South America, these ancestors to our favorite dogs have carved out a special niche to survive. Not much is known about Bush Dogs because they are so secretive. In fact, scientists first discovered fossils and thought they were an extinct species because no live specimens had been discovered yet. However, today we know Bush Dogs do exist across a massive range from the northern most point of Argentina all the way up into Central A...
Aug 17, 2022•1 hr 4 min
One of the most charismatic seabirds has to be the Pelican. Around the world, Pelicans fly and soar near almost every shore. There are so many surprising facts about Pelicans and how they do what they do. One of the most interesting has to be that Pelicans have not changed much over the past 30 million years! Then, their large beaks with their pouches (called a gular) has to be their most defining characteristic. What else is surprising is how the Brown Pelican, much of our focus this podcast, w...
Aug 10, 2022•1 hr 19 min
Melodie Edwards hosts the incredible storytelling podcast The Modern West. There is much lore and fascination with the American West, made popular over the decades in popular culture. Melodies works to tell the true stories of the culture and history of the Western United States. Sometimes she confirms some stereotypes of the old west, while others shedding light on the truth. Melodie also highlights such important stories such as those of the disappearing and reemergence of the Bison and the ma...
Aug 03, 2022•58 min
Each species we have covered for Plastic Free July has blown us away. Here we are again, with a fish that just defies logic. Most salmon species start off in freshwater, then eventually migrate to the ocean and live out most their lives, then migrate back up the rivers and streams from which they were born! How do they do it? Well, this week we answer that and more. You may be asking if salmon are a sustainable food choice? Short answer, yes, but only from certain countries. There was so much to...
Jul 27, 2022•1 hr 29 min
This week we are thrilled to welcome Carlee Jackson from Minorities in Shark Science (MISS). Carlee is the Director of Communications from MISS, which is an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the shark sciences. Carlee's graduate studies in Marine Biology had her involved in tagging sharks off Florida in the USA and she has also done shark research off the coast of Belize. Carlee has also worked in sea turtle conservation and has been heavily involved in education and fighting to ...
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 17 min
As one of the ocean's top predators, Bull Sharks are demonized and characterized as man-killing machines. What gives this myth even more teeth is the fact that Bull Sharks can be found in many major river systems and even some freshwater lakes around the world. We fear Bull Sharks, when the statistics show Bull Sharks hardly ever attack and even kill humans. We are now harvesting nearly 100 million sharks a year from our oceans at an unsustainable rate. Thus, Bull Sharks and many of its close re...
Jul 20, 2022•1 hr 26 min
Out of all the species we have covered , none can compare to the insane adaptations of the Mantis Shrimp. Over 500 million years of evolution have produced one of the most advanced biological entities in existence. Not only do Mantis Shrimp boast the world's most advanced eyesight of any organism, they pack a punch that defies logic. Mantis Shrimp were some of the earliest organisms in existence and can be found in almost all the world's tropical and temperate oceans. This is a must listen to po...
Jul 13, 2022•1 hr 29 min
As we kick off our Plastic Free July Challenge, this week we welcome Dr. Lisa Erdle from the 5 Gyres Instiute. Dr. Erdle is the Director of Science & Innovation at the 5 Gyres Institute. She is a microplastics researcher, lifelong sailor, and is passionate about keeping waterways clean for wildlife and people. Lisa completed her PhD at the University of Toronto, where her research focused on the sources, fate, and effects of microfibers in the environment. Currently, Lisa lives in California...
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr
An absolute unique wonder of the natural world is the Glass Frog. These species of amphibian that are native to South and Central America, are characterized with undersides that are actually "see-through" and "translucent" and "transparent." This means when looking up at them, you can see their digestive system, bones, eggs, blood vessels and an actual heart beating. We answer all about this phenomenon and why exactly glass frogs evolved this way. Another important topic of this week's podcast i...
Jun 29, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 364
One of the most unique and striking mammals has to be the Babirusa. Native to four islands in Indonesia, this member of the swine family is one of the most ancient and often misunderstood. The Babirusa is heading towards extinction but thankfully groups within and outside Indonesia are fighting hard to save these unique animals. This week we highlight what we know about the Babirusa, what makes it a unique animal and why we need to keep fighting to save them. We then talk all about those tusks, ...
Jun 22, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 363
Down in Australia and in New Guinea is a unique and popular marsupial, the Bandicoot. Made famous by the video game Crash Bandicoot, these small animals are nocturnal omnivores and true ecological engineers. There are currently 20 species of Bandicoots, with many endangered and few going extinct in the 20th century. The loss of their habitat and a plethora of invasive species have been devastating to Bandicoots in both Australia and New Guinea. However, many conservation efforts are underway. Th...
Jun 15, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 362
Yes, it is true, there are flying snakes! You may not know this but in fact, there are FIVE recognized species of flying snakes. These natives to Asia absolutely are not only stunningly beautiful, but they are incredible evolutionary engineers. Over millennia, these snakes have developed the ability to grapple with gravity while leaping from tree to tree, sometimes nearly 100 meters away! How they do this is just one of the amazing facts about the Paradise Tree Snake that we cover this week. You...
Jun 08, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 361
Following our Kākāpō episode we are very excited to speak with Thomas Rillstone, who hosts the popular History of Aotearoa New Zealand Podcast. Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand and we talk about this and more. We were very fortunate to track Thomas down to talk about the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and just what impacts the Māori had on her many islands. We also talk about the impacts they had on all the native species like the now extinct Moa and Haast's Eagle. We then switch gear...
Jun 01, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 360
The critically endangered Kākāpō is one of the more endearing species we have covered to date. This flightless parrot is native to Aotearoa New Zealand and was nearly extinct in the late 20th century. It is only through the commitment of the New Zealand Government and her people that the Kākāpō is still in existence. Today there are over 200 of these birds that are being cared for and guarded off Aotearoa New Zealand's coasts. This is just an amazing bird that surprised us at every turn. They tr...
May 25, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 359
This week we welcome back (now) 8-year old Darby from Idaho in the United States. Darby is fascinated with wildlife and her favorite animals are the many species of otters that live in our oceans and many rivers throughout the world. Darby blows us away with not only all her knowledge about otters, but also about their conservation, and why they are so important to our water ecosystems. Darby and her generation are going to be critical to helping us save our world's diverse wildlife. It is absol...
May 17, 2022•31 min•Ep. 358
Nearly 150 million years ago, our earliest mammalian ancestors learned to glide from tree to tree. It is one of the most amazing adaptations next to flying mammals (aka bats). The Flying Lemurs, or Colugos, ancestors emerged nearly 85 million years ago. Stunningly, not much has changed since. These special creatures would leap to leap from tree to tree, living amongst dinosaurs and other primitive life forms. Today, there are two main species of Colugo living in South East Asia. While not curren...
May 04, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 357
The Binturong is an obscure and elusive carnivore living in the tropical forests of South East Asia. They are in fact one of the most ancient carnivore species in existence and are modern replicas of what ancient Miacids might have looked like. Sadly, Binturongs have suffered for many decades due to a loss of their habitat. So much so, that sightings of Binturongs are now rare in their native ranges. Binturongs are so incredibly unique and are extremely important species to their native habitats...
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 356
Sarah Woodard is an award-winning author of multiple children's books focused on activism. We often talk about the next generation and how they will be vital in helping to reverse the extinction crisis, global climate change, and other critical topics focused on protecting our wildlife. Sarah has multiple books introducing these topics and more in helping young children understand the world we live in. Sarah states, "I believe children are magical beings with the power to change adults, and the ...
Apr 20, 2022•58 min•Ep. 355
One of the most well recognized whale species in our oceans has to be the Humpback Whale. From their acrobatics in the water to their melodic acoustics under the seas, Humpbacks amaze us. It is not too well known that Humpbacks were nearly hunted to extinction in the 20th Century and only survive today due to the ban on international whaling and focused protections from governments from around the world. Once down to an estimated population of only around 5000 whales, today there are estimates o...
Apr 13, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 354
This week we welcome Dr. Richard Dawkins to discuss his latest book, Flights of Fancy Defying Gravity by Design & Evolution. We were both thrilled to speak with one of the world's best known evolutionary biologists and science communicators. Dr. Dawkins is well known for his advocacy for science and on of the world's leading scientific authors. We both were very fortunate to be able to read his latest book Flights of Fancy and we both agree it is a must buy. The artwork alone is incredible a...
Apr 06, 2022•52 min•Ep. 353
For this week we wanted to return to some of our special kids episodes. Particularly, we welcome Zoe who is 5 years old and from Texas. Zoe shares with us all her knowledge about one of her favorite species, the Red Ruffed Lemur! Zoe also shares with us her other favorite animals, especially the Red Panda and turtles. It is amazing to listen to the next generation talk about their favorite species and how they want to help save them. If you have your own kid expert and wanting to be featured on ...
Mar 30, 2022•25 min•Ep. 352
Basilisks are some of the most charismatic reptiles currently living on our planet. Yet, not really known for their beauty, but rather more for their incredible ability to literally run across water. There are four species of Basilisk whose primary ranges are in Central America, with some ranging as far north as Mexico, and some ranging as far south as the the northern portions of South America. Generally, all four species of Basilisk are not in crisis, yet. Central America is a global conservat...
Mar 23, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 351
This week we welcome Hope Carr. She is the Education Manager at Austin Zoo, as well as the founder and chairperson of the Texas Lobo Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to the restoration of the Mexican wolf to West Texas. Hope has been drawn to wild animals and wild places her entire life, and since earning her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation at Brigham Young University, she has been dedicated to teaching people all about the value of wildlife. Prior to her role at the Austin Zoo, Hope...
Mar 18, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 350
This week we are excited to speak with Animal Chaplain and author Sarah Bowen. Sarah has grown up with a deep love and connection to animals and nature. So much so, that is led her in a direction of exploring spirituality, our connection with animals of all types, and the wonderous landscape we and they live in. We discuss many topics related to spirituality and what drove her to write her new book, "Sacred Sendoffs: An Animal Chaplain's Advice for Surviving Animal Loss, Making Life Meaningful, ...
Mar 09, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 349
This week we welcome one of our greatest conservation heroes, Jeff Corwin. We were thrilled to spend an hour with Jeff in between filming of his latest show, Wildlife Nation, which is now airing on ABC in the USA. Jeff Corwin as a wildlife biologist and conservationist has spent the last three decades educating and entertaining many millions with his wildlife adventures. Jeff is now working with the incredible Defenders of Wildlife organization to showcase the many imperiled species in North Ame...
Mar 02, 2022•51 min•Ep. 348
