The Amateur Naturalist

By Tommy Fowler

The host, Tommy Fowler, is an amateur naturalist with a deep love for the outdoors. Each week we will discuss the natural history of wild plants or animals. These discussions will give the listener

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FAQs about The Amateur Naturalist:

How many episodes does The Amateur Naturalist have?

The podcast currently has 53 episodes available.

The Amateur Naturalist episodes:

April 07, 2025Whitetail Deer Communication Through Scent Glands
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Send us a text
In Episode #52 of Season #4, I will discuss the Whitetail Deer and their use of glandular scents for communication between deer.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
In tonight's episode I will discuss the 7 glands of whitetail deer and the glands basic uses.
I will discuss a bit about the last 100+ years of Kentucky restoring the whitetail deer to the populations that we see today.
This is not a podcast about hunting. I used to live and breathe hunting but I never go any longer although I greatly miss being in the outdoors as much as I used to go. I never found anyone who spend the hours in the cold, the rain, the thunderstorms, the below zero temperatures all day because of my sheer love of the deer and the outdoors.
I will briefly discuss deer rubs and scrapes, but just briefly today. I want to come back and do another episode at a later date on these topics.
_________________________________________________________________________
******** https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TommyFowler *********

One way that you can support this podcast is to "Buy Me a Cup of Coffee". Not a real cup of coffee. Just click on the Buy Me a Cup of Coffee and you can give a small donation to help me get some new equipment or to just stay on the air. Many thanks in advance if you do.
_________________________________________________________________________
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Also, be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see your pictures or hear your feedback.
____________________________________________________________________

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast
_______________________________________________________________________
You can support the people who support the Smoky Mountains, black bears and wildlife by going to:
Friends of the Smokies. https://friendsofthesmokies.org
Appalachian Bear Rescue. https://appalachianbearrescue.org
________________________________________________________________________
** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700
_________________________________________________________________________
The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
44min
January 26, 2025Do Black Bears Hibernate...Fully?
Send us a text
In Episode #51 of Season #4, I will discuss the American Black Bear, Ursus americanus.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
In tonight's episode we will talk about the American Black Bear.
I will discuss that there are 16 species of American Black Bear.
This episode #51 will mainly discuss hibernation and specifically if Black Bears are true hibernators or do they hibernate but not fully, or what?
We will compare the black bears hibernation to smaller mammals like squirrels and chipmunks.
I will discuss how geography and the much colder areas of our continent effect this same species, the American Black Bear.
_________________________________________________________________________
******** https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TommyFowler *********

One way that you can support this podcast is to "Buy Me a Cup of Coffee". Not a real cup of coffee. Just click on the Buy Me a Cup of Coffee and you can give a small donation to help me get some new equipment or to just stay on the air. Many thanks in advance if you do.
_________________________________________________________________________
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Also, be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see your pictures or hear your feedback.
____________________________________________________________________

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast
_______________________________________________________________________
You can support the people who support the black bears by going to:
Friends of the Smokies. https://friendsofthesmokies.org
Appalachian Bear Rescue. https://appalachianbearrescue.org
________________________________________________________________________
** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700
_________________________________________________________________________
The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
34min
December 05, 2024The Omnivorous American Black Bear
Send us a text
In Episode #50 of Season #4, I will discuss the American Black Bear, Ursus americanus.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
In tonight's episode we will talk about the American Black Bear.
I will discuss that there are 16 species of American Black Bear.
What do they eat?
What eats the black bears?
Where do they live?
Do they attack and eat and kill humans?
Where do they live?
A few stories about the black bears.
_________________________________________________________________________
******** https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TommyFowler *********

One way that you can support this podcast is to "Buy Me a Cup of Coffee". Not a real cup of coffee. Just click on the Buy Me a Cup of Coffee and you can give a small donation to help me get some new equipment or to just stay on the air. Many thanks in advance if you do.
_________________________________________________________________________
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see pictures or hear your feedback.
____________________________________________________________________

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast
_______________________________________________________________________
You can support the people who support the black bears by going to:
Friends of the Smokies. https://friendsofthesmokies.org
Appalachian Bear Rescue. https://appalachianbearrescue.org
________________________________________________________________________
** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700
_________________________________________________________________________
The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
43min
September 22, 2024A Very Recognizable Predator - The Hammerhead Shark
Send us a text
n Episode #49 of Season #4, I will discuss the Hammerhead Shark which is a very unique and interesting shark.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
In tonight's episode we will talk about the Hammerhead Sharks
I will discuss that there are 9 species of Hammerhead Sharks.
What do they eat?
What eats the hammerhead sharks?
Where do they live?
I will bring up their migrations?
Do they attack and eat and kill humans?
What is that hammerhead shape of their head for?
How do they reproduce ... this might surprise you!!
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TommyFowler

One way that you can support this podcast is to "Buy Me a Cup of Coffee". Not a real cup of coffee. Just click on the Buy Me a Cup of Coffee and you can give a small donation to help me get some new equipment or to just stay on the air. Many thank you's in advance if you do.
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see pictures or hear your feedback.

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast

** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700

The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
45min
July 08, 2024The Hammerhead WHAT??
Send us a text
In Episode #48 of Season #4, I will discuss the Hammerhead Worm which is a very highly invasive worm.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
In tonight's episode we will talk about the Hammerhead worm
It eats earthworms.
It came from southeast Asia.
Very invasive and eats earthworms, slugs, and insect larvae.
Re[produces sexually and asexually.
We will mention to never chop them up because they regenerate easily.
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see pictures or hear your feedback.

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast

** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700

The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
34min
April 30, 2024Crotalus horridus - The Timber Rattlesnake PART # 2 "Thank Goodness for the Glass"
Send us a text
In Episode #47 I will discuss PART TWO of the Timber Rattlesnake. Otherwise known as the Canebrake Rattlesnake.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
In tonight's episode we will talk about the Timber rattlesnake.
I did mean to discuss that they are venomous but the ARE NOT poisonous. If something is poisonous it typically means we ate it. But is something injects or bites us and inducts into us a venom then they are venomous.
They live in half of the United States.
They have eggs inside their bodies but the eggs hatch prior to the babies being born as live birth.
Lets talk about what they eat and what eats them.
Listen at the end about my Thank Goodness for the glass story as a rattlesnake struck at my face!!!!
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see pictures or hear your feedback.

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast
** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700

The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
36min
March 27, 2024Crotalus horridus - The Venomous but Not Poisonous Timber Rattlesnake
Send us a text
In Episode #46 I will discuss the Timber Rattlesnake. Otherwise known as the Canebrake Rattlesnake.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
In tonight's episode we will talk about the Timber rattlesnake.
I did mean to discuss that they are venomous but the ARE NOT poisonous. If something is poisonous it typically means we ate it. But is something injects or bites us and inducts into us a venom then they are venomous.
They live in half of the United States.
They have eggs inside their bodies but the eggs hatch prior to the babies being born as live birth.
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see pictures or hear your feedback.

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast
** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700

The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
34min
February 26, 2024Our Black and White Musk-Filled Little Friend; The Striped Skunk
Send us a text
In Episode #45 I will discuss the striped skunk.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
In tonight's episode we will talk about the striped skunk because it is February 2024. Skunks are on the move.
Why are they on the move?
Why are so many getting killed on the highway, every single year, in February and in March?
We will talk about where they live geographically.
Where do they live as far as habitats.
How long is their gestation period and how big of a litter does momma actually have?
And I have a few stories where I was pretty dang close to striped skunks. Once, almost in my lap!!!!!!
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see pictures or hear your feedback.

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast
** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700

The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
47min
January 29, 2024The Mushroom That Looks Like Santa's Beard
Send us a text
In Episode #44 I will discuss the the bright white, edible mushroom that looks a lot like Santa Claus big white beard.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
I will describe what this mushroom looks like.
I will discuss that there are three mushrooms in the wild that look somewhat like this Lion's Mane mushroom and they are Comb Tooth, White Coral Fungus, and Bear's Head Tooth mushrooms.
I spoke a lot about not going out and picking fungus and mushrooms if you are not very proficient or an actual professional at identifying mushrooms. It can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. I apologize for saying it so many times on the podcast, I just wanted to emphasize the point of being careful.
I gave a few ideas of where to buy the mushrooms or to even get kits to grow them at your house.
I also mentioned that there are many pills, capsules, powders that you can use for helping with all kinds of health issues like anxiety and depression. I also stated several times that there is not enough FDA testing done to prove much of this yet. So, again, be careful.
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see pictures or hear your feedback.

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast
** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700

The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
42min
January 08, 2024The Large Yet Declining Albatross
Send us a text
In Episode #43 I will discuss the the colossal, yet actually declining in population, bird we call, the Albatross.

Your host is Tommy Fowler. I have a biology degree from the University of Kentucky and a high passion for the outdoors. I am "The Amateur Naturalist".

We will talk about:
The biological classification of the Albatross.
Where does it live geographically?
How many species of the Albatross are there?
How wide is it's massive wing span?
What is causing the decline of 16 of the 22 species of Albatross?
What do they eat?
Do they mate for life?
How does plastic pollution affect these Albatross?
My website:
https://theamateurnaturalist.buzzsprout.com/2032491

Be sure to visit Facebook and look for my site ... The Amateur Naturalist
I would love to hear your ideas, see pictures or hear your feedback.

You can help me out by:
Please hit “download” on every episode
Please hit Follow
please leave me a review
download each of my episodes
please leave a 5-star rating This helps me grow as a podcaster
please tell 1-2 friends or family about this podcast
** Click here to get $20 off a paid Buzzsprout account to start your own podcast. It’s fun, start today!!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2014700

The short music intro and outro is:
"Hickory Hollow" by Dan Lebowitz.
I love this music. Thank you, Dan.

This music is royalty free.
...more
28min

FAQs about The Amateur Naturalist:

How many episodes does The Amateur Naturalist have?

The podcast currently has 53 episodes available.

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