Keeper Chat - podcast cover

Keeper Chat

Two zookeepers talk weird animals. Informative, irreverent, and sometimes funny. Learn about animals in a way you never have before, with all the dirty details from two people who aren't afraid to call animals out on their junk.
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Episodes

213: Pigeon

We always said our final episode would be Pigeon so if this title doesn't make sense that's why. Also good luck finding a single fact about pigeons in this episode lmaooo. End of an era, gang! Thanks for sticking with us all these years and join us over on Patreon if you want to keep the party going. Xoxo, gossip girl

Jul 09, 202420 minEp. 228

212: Pygmy falcon

There's something about a bug-eating bird that just checks all the boxes, you know? This week we ponder questions like How do weavers and pygmy falcons have a symbiotic relationship? What does it mean for egg-hatching to be asynchronous? Which back-to-school supply is closest in size to this bird? and Why does this little guy have so much riz? Happy National Zookeeper Week to all of our hard-working animal-loving babes out there - we see you and <3 you. Stay grimy!...

Jul 18, 202341 minEp. 227

211: Kea

Let's zoop back down to New Zealand and talk about another one of those sentient avocados they have flying around down there. This episode is about the Kea! Did you know it commits real crimes? Something to do with sheep, very bad. We chat about this omnivorous cheeky parrot. Where are they found? Do they like hitting the gym? Are they the same thing as the kakapo?

Jul 04, 202349 minEp. 226

210: Emperor tamarin

Little monkey hour - come learn about this LITTLE GUY. We ponder questions like Where did the emperor tamarin get its name? How does low-key bullying play into their survival strategy? Did y'all have a Furby and how much did you torture it? and Was this monkey created in Waluigi's image?

Jun 20, 202356 minEp. 225

209: Louse

Not gonna lie the intro is long on this one - if you are a louse only interested in louse information please skip about 12 minutes in. We chat about LICE which is the plural of louse I already didn't know that at all. Are they a big deal? Are they full of disease? Are they easily spread? Tune in TO FIND OUT

Jun 06, 202357 minEp. 224

208: Crested coua

The number one takeaway from this episode is that F&F are dumb, per usual. Enjoy! We answer questions about the crested coua such as If you're not that great at flying can you still live a life in the trees? What does it mean to be altricial? Where was Darwin born (warning: false facts ahead)? Where do I have to go to get a reversible toe? and Why does this chick have a lower lip tattoo and BULLSEYE in its mouth?

May 16, 202354 minEp. 223

207: Crocodile Monitor

Welcome back to another fact *filled episode. We discuss the crocodile monitor which might be the longest lizard in the whole worl. THE WHOLE WORL. Don't tell the komodo dragon. We chat about the Carrier's Constraint, whip tails, killing one woman, long school buses, and this big big boy.

May 04, 20231 hr 1 minEp. 222

206: Crabeater seal

Weird teeth, weird teeth, weird teeth! Tune in to learn about the Crabeater seal, an Antarctic krill-lovin' pinniped. We dive into questions such as Does this thing eat crabs? What are Flora and Fauna's recurring nightmares? Where in the world does this seal end up when it gets lost? and What is life like out on the free-floating pack ice?

Apr 18, 202352 minEp. 221

205: Flamboyant Cuttlefish

It ain't deja-vu baby we are here again. Only this time we focus on one lil creature instead of all the lil creatures. Come learn about the Alien Cinematic Universe, DnD, and the Challenger Deep

Apr 04, 202356 minEp. 220

204: Pangolin

Is it an artichoke or a bug-eating boy? This mysterious animal is exposed in this week's episode and we have a hard time coming to terms with its tongue. What's going on with the scales? Why is this the most trafficked animal in the world? How does the pangolin put new meaning into the phrase "pelvic thrust"? We answer these questions and many more!

Mar 21, 202358 minEp. 219

203: Lobster

How many legs do you have? And are they walking legs or mouth legs? Now how many do you think a lobster has? We discuss this biblical being and have one big ask of all of you. :) Participation is required. Tune in to hear all about this crusty crustacean and how Fauna dreams of lobster fan fiction.

Mar 07, 20231 hr 7 minEp. 218

202: Capybara

Rodent gang rise up, it's time to learn about the big boss. This week, we answer questions like What does it mean to be gregarious? Exactly how many toes are on this guy? What is autocoprophagy and why is it.....interesting? Why are rodent teeth so whack? and Will F&F ever get a sponsorship deal with Burger King?

Feb 21, 20231 hrEp. 217

201: African Buffalo

Are they murder machines? Or are they bringers of justice? Only you can decide. We learn about the African Buffalo which is a real big'n. Tune in to hear about where they eat, sleep, and make sweet lil Ed Sheeran babies.

Feb 07, 202355 minEp. 216

200: Arctic fox

Throw on your uggs and parka because we're getting frosty learning about the arctic fox. We answer questions like: How does the arctic fox stay toasty in their harsh environment? What is kin selection? Why are lemmings the tastiest treat? How does the arctic fox control its Basal Metabolic Rate? and Why she just so darn cute?

Jan 24, 202356 minEp. 215

199: Echidna

Weird Australian animal time! With this episode we officially mark Monotremes off of our list. We are actually making progress covering all the animals on the planet. Happy New Year! If you thought we would change or get better, we didn't. Tune in to hear about this egg laying mammal who is full of surprises. I mean FULL OF THEM.

Jan 10, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 214

198: American woodcock

Rounding out 2022 with one of the most unhinged episodes to date. Who's ready to learn about the original internet-famous funky fresh bird? We learn about the American woodcock and answer questions like Why are all of this bird's nicknames absolutely buckwild? What insane ideas does James Cameron have in store for Avatar fans? When does this crepuscular cutie migrate? What are Flora and Fauna's 2023 resolutions? and LITERALLY WHAT is a peent??

Dec 27, 202257 minEp. 213

197: Christmas Tree Worm

Sorry we are late - I almost died. Here is this episode about WORMS. We are very worm-centric these days. It just feels right. Would you enjoy Christmas more if your tree was a worm? Think about it

Dec 13, 202257 minEp. 212

196: Dik-Dik

What would a Keeper Chat episode be if it wasn't 2% informative and 98% nonsense - asking for a friend. This week we learn about the dik-dik, a little deer with some interesting habits. We ponder questions like how did the dikidik get its name? What is going on with that preorbital gland? Why are ungulates buckwild? What are Flora and Fauna's worst qualities? and Will scent-marking ever not be heinous?

Nov 29, 202255 minEp. 211

195: Arkansas Darter

We surely must be running out of animals - why was I forced to look up a 2 inch fish from Kansas. Tune in to hear about the Arkansas Darter which is just a lil guy being threatened by a couple of things! One of those things, is even kind of a mystery! ooooo! Fun. What are F&F's thoughts on Spike the Gremlin? Would an Arkansas Darter feed a family of four? What are everyone's thoughts on latex? Tune in to find out all this and more.

Nov 15, 202251 minEp. 210

Quick & Dirty: Ep 38

This week we tackle another listener-submitted question all while battling a series of ailments and sleep deprivation. Heads up, we talk about some heavy animal-welfare related topics and our personal experiences which haven't always been pleasant, so proceed with that in mind. We discuss the question of: What are some of the best strategies for advocating for animals under your care and at what point do you jump ‘chain of command’ and do so effectively?

Nov 01, 202230 minEp. 209

194: Vampire Deer

It is that time of year where all the animals are spooky scary! So how about a deer with the teefers of a vampire! I mean he doesn't use them to suck blood or anything, but hey it's all about looks these days anyway. Come learn about where the vampire deer is found, what lengths F&F will do to have a famous podcast, what a pheep is and more!

Oct 18, 202255 minEp. 208

193: Skeleton shrimp

To kick off October, we talk about the Skeleton shrimp! Because what's spookier than a man with 18 appendages who is also slightly transparent. This week, we muse over questions like: What does it mean to be a detritivore? What happens in the afterlife? What are gnathopods and why are they maybe venomous? Where is the best place to set up a fight club? and WHY is the ocean so bonk?

Oct 04, 202245 minEp. 207

192: Eastern Screech Owl

A little owl! Found in the Eastern United States! But does he screech? No. Alright, we almost got the name right. Join us in your favorite podcast released every FORTNIGHT. Where are Eastern Screeches found? What does Henry Thoreau have to say about this? Will I be able to spot a screech when I hear it? Has anyone ever thrown one at a tree before? Tune in to find out.

Sep 20, 20221 hr 1 minEp. 206

Quick & Dirty: Ep 37

This week, let's hype up the actually heart and soul of the Zoo: commissary keepers! Learn what goes on inside the food prep kitchens as we answer this listener submitted question: As a zoo outsider, how do diets work for the hundreds of zoo animals? And what alternatives are used for some of the exotic delicacies?

Sep 06, 202244 minEp. 205

191: Zebu

The final letter of the internet - we made it back around again. As the end of another era comes to a close we are changing the format of our little podcast just a bit. Tune in to hear about plans for the future. This episode is really barely about this animal at all. It's just a cow.

Aug 23, 202252 minEp. 204

190: Yeti crab

The ocean is so extremely cursed and this thing proves it. This week we tackle questions about the yeti crab like: where on earth is it found? What are setae and why does it have them? Is a hydrothermal vent basically just a hot tub? and what other horrors does the ocean have in store for us?

Aug 16, 202238 minEp. 203

189: Xoloitzcuintli

Everyone say it together! Sholo-eats-quint-lee. The xolo is actually kinda cute, he grows on us a little bit. For being a big bald baby with no teeth. Tune in to hear about what and where this bald thing comes from. What's up with the baldness of the Xolo? Can they grow hair? How do genetics work anyway and why is it just like rock, paper, scissors.

Aug 09, 202248 minEp. 202

188: Wolverine

Good luck to all the students out there using this podcast as a source for their school papers. This episode is a doozy. We answer questions like: What makes mustelids so stinky? How does delayed implantation help female wolverines? What does it mean to be plantigrade? and Why is Wolverine the hero for all the short kings out there?

Aug 02, 202254 minEp. 201

187: Vinegaroon

We are back after taking National Zookeeper Week off to relax and enjoy roasting the f out of zoos. Welcome back to this scorpion from the moon. Is he actually a scorpion? Does he whip or nene? Where are vinegaroons found and what do they eat? Is he in fortnite?

Jul 26, 202247 minEp. 200

186: Uakari

This episode is the epitome of struggle - not all of them can be winners. Listen to Flora and Fauna try to be normal humans and....maybe fail. We answer questions about this New World monkey, like what is this arboreal friend up to? Where in South America is it found? Why did Darwin decide to give him a RED BALD HEAD? Did the writers of American Horror Story take hair inspo from the uakari? and Do you look like this monkey after 30 seconds of exercise or are you a fitness influencer?...

Jul 12, 202241 minEp. 199
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