Orca
One of the most intelligent, complicated, mysterious and controversial animals on the planet. A Rorschach test and a mirror, wrapped into one... Bibliography Donate...
Episodes
Species
"The host, Macken Murphy, is able to condense vast chunks of information into engaging and digestible episodes. Fact-filled and fun."
— The New York Times
Episodes
Basilisk
This lizard can walk on water. Listen to find out the science of how they achieve this miraculous feat, and learn a bit more about miracles, all on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate
Hoatzin
This animal has been called a stink bird, a cattle bird, an avian cow, a skunk bird, and a living dinosaur. Find out what they have in common with cows, and what makes them a dinosaur, all on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate
Coquí
Today we talk about the pride of Puerto Rico and the bane of Hawaii, a tiny frog with an enormous sound, the coquí. Donate Bibliography
Koala
At first glance, the koala is one of the cutest animals on earth. But if you take a closer look, you find some surprises. Come find out about the personal lives of koalas, Australian pranks, and John Oliver, all on this episode of Species. Help Koalas Bibliography
Goliath Birdeater
This is the largest spider on earth. Come learn about how spiders stick to things, find out how dangerous this animal is, and discover their strange and unique abilities on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate...
Pigeon
This underrated animal has saved countless American soldiers, they were the email of their era, and they can perform as well as doctors, art teachers, and undergraduates after basic training. Come learn about one of the most underestimated animals on earth on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate...
Salmon
How do salmon find their way back home? Why do they go back to the same river? How many salmon survive the journey? The Chinook salmon is the largest salmon on earth, and they've got a fascinating life cycle. In this episode, we learn everything about them. Bibliography Donate...
Armadillo
Can armadillos roll themselves into a ball or not? Today, we talk about the nine-banded armadillo, an animal whose population stretches from South America to the US, and might be headed for Massachusetts or even Canada. In this episode, you'll hear about their surprising athletic abilities, including their absurd vertical leap and strange river-crossing strategies. Learn about the weird possible functions of their armor, as well as its embarrassing drawbacks, all on this episode of Species. Bibl...
Human: Soul Eubanks, Artist & Activist
Soul Eubanks is an artist and an activist in the animal rights movement. He is a leader in Atlanta’s vegan community, an environmentalist, a musician, a photographer, and he has worked with numerous animal rights organizations in various capacities. In this conversation, we discuss his vegan journey, his organization of the Atlanta Animal Right’s March, his undercover work for PETA, how his art intersects with his activism. and his outreach work with Anonymous for the Voiceless and the Humane So...
Fierce Snake
This animal, the inland taipan (a.k.a. the "fierce snake") is the most venomous snake on earth. How much of their venom could kill you? How much could kill a football team? How much of it could kill all of New York? Find out about this, black t-shirts, and Theodore Roosevelt all on this episode of Species. Bibliography Macken & Ben Shapiro...
MacGregor's Bowerbird
Is this bird an artist? They sing, they dance, they do imitations, and they build insane structures... But is it art? Come learn about the incredible abilities of MacGregor's bowerbird, find out about the science of sexual selection, and ponder the nature and origin of art, all on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate...
Goldfish
Come hear the legendary history of the goldfish, and get the answers to your most important goldfish-related questions: Do goldfish have a 3-second memory? How big is the biggest goldfish ever? How old is the oldest goldfish? Is my goldfish depressed? Learn all of this and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate...
Japanese Macaque
Humans don't have a monopoly on culture, innovation, accents, great ideas, or even using other animals as forms of transport; the Japanese macaque has all these things and more! Come learn about the history of macaque innovation on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate
Human: Dr. David A. Steen, Reptile Expert & Science Communicator
Listen and learn from reptile expert Dr. David Steen ! He comes on the show to bust some myths about snakes and turtles, share science communication strategies, and tell us what to do if we find venomous snakes, reveal the secrets of the Atlanta biology Illuminati. David is the founder and executive director of The Alongside Wildlife Foundation (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization). Until recently he worked as the research ecologist of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and now he is a herpetology r...
Tapeworm
There might be a 25-meter long worm living inside your body. On today's episode, you can get to know them a little better. Bibliography Donate Read Macken's work on Tenderly
Loon
Loons are more than just a pretty voice, and they have an entire American town completely obsessed with them. This bird can do two out of the following three things: Fly 70 mph, dive 200 feet underwater, and walk. Find out which of these things is impossible for loons on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate...
Flying Frog
Today we are talking about Wallace's flying frog. You'll learn about how and why they fly, how and why Franz Reichelt didn't, and discover the bizarre way this animal reproduces, all on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate
Okapi
This episode is about a bizarre animal we used to call the "African unicorn." They've got an assortment of bizarre traits, each one more surprising than the last, and all of them are going to be described on this show. Join us to learn about the utility of abstaining from defecation, discover the practical uses of black and white stripes, and hear the silent sounds of the ghost of the forest. This animal is practically a mythical creature... Today we are going to try (and fail) to demystify them...
Humboldt Squid
This episode starts with a squid attack, and goes downhill from there... This cannibalistic animal is big, vicious, and capable of biting through kevlar. Now, human folly is causing their populations to explode. Listen to find out if we are doomed. Bibliography Donate
Human: Aaron Reynolds, Creator of Effin' Birds
Today's guest is Aaron Reynolds, humorist, writer, and creator of Effin' Birds. In this wide-ranging conversation, Macken and Aaron talked about hacking into casinos through fish tanks, monetizing pettiness, the CEO of LifeLock getting his identity stolen, the comedy of relatability, and the poetry of vulgarity. Find Effin' Birds on Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and on their website . To simultaneously disappoint and impress your house guests, preorder Aaron's book now!...
Kea
This rare parrot is inarguably one of the most intelligent on earth. Their ability to use tools is stunning, their social complexity is startling, and their cheekiness is unrivaled. Come hear a murder mystery, and learn about Macken's second-favorite animal, on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate...
Manta Ray
This gentle giant can pass intelligence tests that would stump your dog and your child, and if they had the opportunity they could crush your car with their bodyweight. Come learn about one of the most unique animals on earth: the giant oceanic manta ray. Bibliography
Sumatran Rhino
The Sumatran rhino is a mix between a unicorn, a military tank, Beavis, Butthead, Blair Witch and a humpback whale. Listen to their insane vocalizations, learn about their bizarre behaviors, and find out why they might go extinct on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate...
Monarch Butterfly
This surprisingly poisonous animal is incredibly mysterious. They engage in migrations that take multiple generations, they gather together and use their combined weight to topple trees, and they have lived on the International Space Station. How do they migrate? How do caterpillars turn into butterflies? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate...
Gull
Are seagulls real? Could a gull kill a lamb? How have gulls adapted to human expansion? Today, we talk about the King of Gulls, the scourge of Chihuahuas, the largest gull on earth, the great black-backed gull. Bibliography Donate
Coelacanth
This animal was extinct for 66 million years... Until they weren't. Come learn about an animal that came back from the dead, an animal the size of an NBA player, that hunts sharks from deepwater caves. Bibliography
Bonus: 100
In this episode, Macken celebrates episode 100 by answering your questions! Thank you to all the donors and listeners for helping us get this far!
Walrus
Walruses are incredible animals. Their skin is so thick, polar bears struggle to draw blood. Their suction ability is so powerful, they can strip paint off walls. Join us for an episode on the walrus, and get the answers to the following questions: What does "I am the Walrus" mean? Why do walruses have mustaches? What's with the teeth? Come learn all about the largest penis bone of all time, on this episode of Species. Bibliography...
Marine Iguana
Millions of years ago, a group of iguanas were unbelievably fortunate; and now, we have marine iguanas. Hear that story, and learn all about the popular animal that can out-do dolphins underwater, and shrink their bones when necessary. Please nominate us for the Podcast Awards, nominations close in just a few days... Bibliography...