Why is a bird of paradise so fantastic? Do the beautiful colors and crests found in birds and other animals have some secret purpose, or do they just like to look hot? Joining me today to discuss this question is science writer the New York Times Magazine, Scientific American, and many other publications, Ferris Jabr! 
Guest: Ferris Jabr 
Footnotes:
Check out Ferris Jabr's article on bird beauty! https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/magazine/beauty-evolution-animal.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pretty Bird!

We take a critter’s eye view to explore how animal behavior parallels humans. Join comedians and science-lovers as we get inside the minds of animals

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These animals have figured out how to treat their own ailments with the medicine available to them in their habitats. Plus, what can we learn from animals about human medicine? Discover this and more as we answer the age old question, does swallowing a rough leaf a day keep Doctor Zaius away? 
Guest: Dr. Kaveh Hoda
Source for last week's mystery animal sound: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/v_rSygXA1lw See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Orangutan, Heal Thyself

I answer your questions, like why do animals act weird during an eclipse? How do animals know what to eat? What's the deal with dino penises?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Q's: Eclipse Blues

The Wise owl, the lazy sloth, and the courageous lion, how much do these animals live up to their names, or should we not judge a book by its cover or a sloth by its algae? Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: is owls stupid?
Guest: Adam Todd Brown
Source of last week's mystery animal sound: 
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TDMftMtr5to See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Animal Stereotypes

To celebrate cicadageddon 2024, here's one of my favorite past episodes, this one on cicadapocalypse 2021: BROOD X has been waiting 17 years to emerge from the ground. What is Brood X? Should we panic? Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: How is it fair that swarms of baby turtles are considered cute, but swarms of bugs are considered “horrifying?” 
Guest: Mara Wilson
Footnotes:
Cicada
https://live.staticflickr.com/3067/2607912292_150e08400e_z.jpg
 
Cicada tymbal 
https://www.cicadamania.com/images/tymbalanism.gif
 
Cicada sounds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNJ6DL_1R9I
 
Holes left by mass cicada emergence (warning for trypophobia)
https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/A-e1373044330806.jpg
 
Lots of cicadas!
https://mk0charlottestopdskr.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Cicadas-swarm-north-carolina.jpg
 
Mass sea turtle hatching! 
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/olive-ridley-sea-turtle-swarm-filmed-costa-rica
 
Giant river turtle!
https://zooinstitutes.com/img/animals/83/831567514683_33.jpg
 
Mass river turtle hatching!
https://www.treehugger.com/rare-turtles-hatch-beach-brazil-5092340
 
Soft coral
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/84bPOAlpoBNPmyhMTsbhJ-iF7UDOo1lCST_18GrEChIqlOg6CL-nO1yx_6AVw8g2FWgRFAndhaD3HAUw_zMrVDbbNGYQS2Uqob1196fcVrNv7bveRZTylg03CdBwB3BCnpQ
 
Stony coral
https://www.ecomagazine.com/images/Newsletter/0_2020/Week_1-6-20/underwater-photography-of-coral-reef-3100361.jpg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creature Classic®: Brood X!

You can be a citizen scientist in your own backyard! Broods! Birds! And mushroom butts! I'm joined by podcaster and voice actress Janet Varney.
Guest: Janet Varney  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pretty Bird!

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