Keeper Chat

Is it high fashion? Or is it just helicopter blades on top of a cicada? Come learn about the Brazilian Treehopper who doesn't do much but look weird and suck sap. I guess there are worse things in life.

Learn things like: Where is the Brazilian Treehopper found? Does it live or want to live in Antarctica? How many species of this thing is out there? Does the treehopper's crazy style have a purpose?

We answer a listener submitted question! Do we have any tips for working in weather!? Oh we do. We have experienced all weather events and seasons... and they all have their miserable moments.

So what can you do to prepare yourself to be working in the weather that the weather-person says, don't go out in? Tune in to hear how to beat the heat and the cold, and how a trash bag is gonna be your best friend.

You don't even know you know, but you know. Come learn more about the living squeaky toy who is always down to throw hands. This lil frog isn't just a regular frog, he is a dry boy.

Come learn about things like: Where are desert rain frogs found? How does small boy get with such big lady? Do frogs who live in a desert need a tadpole stage? Who really is god's favorite?

Do you love tiny crevices, man lips, and crunchy foods? Well...then this guy is probably for you.

This week we answer questions about the wolf eel, such as: is it an eel? Why do his teeth look like that? Does he have a rebellious teenage phase? How has the movie Ghost wormed its way into the wolf eel's life? What secret crimes has Sega committed? And what are some of Flora and Fauna's favorite 90s vibes?

Remember back in the day when we found the simplest of youtube videos funny? Well, they aren't anymore because you're dead inside. Let's take a look at the honey badger, a viral sensation and a Lion Guard.

We answer stuff like: Why shouldn't I put my entire name and life on a disney wikipedia page? Where are honey badgers found? What do honey badgers eat? Would they eat me?

Think you're busier than a beaver? Think again.

This week we answer questions like: why do beavers build dams? what's up with those orange teeth? why are they so pivotal to an ecosystem? what do they think about their neighbors? and why are people obsessed with their castoreum?

Time for your regularly scheduled dose of even toed ungulate. Let's chat about a dry kinda guy. And before you come @ us check out Sahara Conservation Fund if you're interested in helping these dudes out, Flora forgot to mention it in the episode....

But we do mention stuff like: Where are addax found? How many are left in the wild? How many are found in captivity? Is hunting weird or nah? Is it possible there is a weird curse put on the addax that is making them all die, or is it just humans? How are addax specially adapted to live in such a dry place?

Here is part 2 of 2 where we talk about our past zookeeping experiences. If you're new to the game, Flora and Fauna have roughly 19 years of zoo experience between them and recently left the field for other pursuits. These episodes will be a deep dive into our rationale behind leaving such a coveted career field, how we knew it was time to go, and what led us to that decision.

BIG DISCLAIMER: we have wicked mad respect for all animal care professionals out there, in zoos and in other fields. We also deeply care about animal conservation and support a lot of the work zoos do. Our personal experiences are by no means meant to offend anyone still in the field or aspiring to join. It is merely our opportunity to discuss some extremely widespread issues and hopefully provide a conversation starter for some positive change in the future.

Hey hey heyyy Grime Family! You've been asking for this one for a long time and we finally got around to it. This is part 1 of a 2 part episode wherein we talk all about our zookeeping experiences - the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you're new to the game, Flora and Fauna have roughly 19 years of zoo experience between them and recently left the field for other pursuits. These episodes will be a deep dive into our rationale behind leaving such a coveted career field, how we knew it was time to go, and what led us to that decision.

BIG DISCLAIMER: we have wicked mad respect for all animal care professionals out there, in zoos and in other fields. We also deeply care about animal conservation and support a lot of the work zoos do. Our personal experiences are by no means meant to offend anyone still in the field or aspiring to join. It is merely our opportunity to discuss some extremely widespread issues and hopefully provide a conversation starter for some positive change in the future.

This episode is chaotic, but, when are they not. Flora's mom makes a brief appearance. But we mostly talk about a BUG. This one is weird, he gave up on flight, and became an Olympian, but he paid the price.

So what's up with tiger beetles? How many subspecies of tiger beetle are they? Do they have mustaches? Do they have bones? How fast can the fastest tiger beetle run? Do we want to go to the past or the future? Is there a future? Listen now for the answers to all of these burning questions.