The Animal Nerd Podcast

Incitatus, the favourite horse of Emperor Caligula, lived a life of luxury the rest of us can only imagine. Servants, a palace, the finest jewellery, and even a potential consulate in the Roman Senate? But there's actually a lot more to this story than the surface-level tale that's often told, and it carries some important lessons that we can still learn from to this day about political power and what 'history' even actually is. Bet you weren't expecting that on the fun animal podcast!

Original air date: 10th September 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-vrK2B2kMc3SkbNMUmu4MVH9E3uFjdPkchn1amOBvwM/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are few animals more feared than the crocodile, and for good reason - but when Chito Shedden, a Costa Rican fisherman, found an adult male American crocodile on the verge of death after a gunshot wound to the head, he chose compassion, rescuing the croc, who he named Pocho, and tenderly nursing him back to health. That alone would have been a beautiful story about the power of love and the strength of the human-animal bond, but things only got more touching when Chito finally tried to release Pocho back into the wild.

The relationship shared between these two individuals was truly once-in-a-lifetime, and I loved getting to share it with you.

Original air date: 3rd September 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N-W2tUBQttU2vfSyk3VIbU4Y1ztJ1o38sBXgkEj_02c/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I don't need to introduce Keyboard Cat to you, right? It was one of the earliest cat videos to go viral online and is still one of the most recognisable ever memes to this day. But dip beneath the surface, and how much do you actually know about the real cat behind this viral phenomenon? Or should I say the cats behind it, because there have actually been four different Keyboard Cats over the years and the original video is actually over 40 years old! Today we're deep diving into the full story of Keyboard Cat, from humble beginnings as a 1980s home video to the height of it's fame in the early days of YouTube, and everything that's happened since. It's a fun one!

Original air date: 20th August 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j4tViVYTfy8pQP5E-VENYlHARTyDH8kUUFzVXZ4wO7I/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you think of heroic animals, a giant African rat is probably not the first species to come to mind, and yet these incredible creatures have saved thousands of lives in countries all across the world by detecting landmines, diagnosing TB, and now they're even helping to protect endangered species from poaching! And one of the most famous of these lifesaving giant rats is Magawa, who, working for the charity APOPO, detected over 100 landmines and unexploded devices in Cambodia, for which he received one of the highest honours any animal can receive.

Like all of APOPO's rats, Magawa is a true hero, and it was an honour to be able to honour him in this episode 💕

Original air date: 13th August 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kWXmm1vOjjeHFwH4IaH9Aelpz6ObimQoNqNHBSDUCjs/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once upon a time, Peggy was just a normal rescue dog. Sure, she may have got strange looks from people when she was out being walked, but she was adored by her adoptive family, and that was all that mattered. And then, in 2023, she was officially crowned "Britain's Ugliest Dog", and now she's an award-winning Hollywood actress and social media star, best known for her role as Dogpool in the 2024 MCU film Deadpool & Wolverine.

In this week's episode of the Animal Nerd Podcast, we dive deep into this beautiful girl's entire life story, from humble beginnings to international stardom, and so much more!

Original air date: 10th August 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xafswQrrb5mfnB17xe2arokEZRWV4BSmbKrzjbEcBUE/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1995, a former dairy cow named Emily made headlines across the US when she decided to take her destiny into her own hands (or hooves?) and escaped from a slaughterhouse mere moments before she was due to be killed. From living wild in the harsh Massachusetts for over a month to becoming a sacred cow visited by pilgrims from across the world, Emily's life story is almost beyond belief, and I was delighted to be able to share it with you today 💕

Original air date: 6th August 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iZdsKb6evHc2iokYCOMa9tANuNf4RMnjl2XPviAKM18/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Jane Goodall first documented tool use in wild chimpanzees, it completely rewrote our understanding of non-human great apes - and also of our own evolution. Scientists were eager to learn more, and one such study was carried out on Abang, a rescue orangutan who had been stolen from the wild as a baby. However, things would become more complicated when the phenomena of enculturation was discovered, and scientists realised the ways that it could hinder the usefulness of studies based on captive ape behaviour. This week's episode is a bit of a niche one, but super interesting!

Original air date: 27th July 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X_K2m_6fs1vTyeN_4QG-MdgZecpG90xBVOGCqqVJjE0/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In summer 2009, Australia faced the worst bushfires it had ever seen. And yet in a time of such intense darkness and horror, there was a glimmer of light in the form of a small, badly-burnt koala, whose rescue video went viral. Sam, as she was named, would go on to become a symbol of hope for those who had lost everything, and served as a poignant reminder of just how much of an impact one small act of kindness can truly have.

Original air date: 23rd July 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gkzJ6NYrJ3C1tZXpZIIXbtRW-IY4CJpVizsX2J1FRMw/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thumbelina was the shortest horse to have ever lived - only 17 inches tall! And while she did receive some media coverage in her lifetime, a lot of it was very surface-level, and since her passing she's faded into obscurity. So join me today as we deep-dive into the full life story of this incredible little animal, and the massive impact she left behind on the world!

Original air date: 16th July 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17d8l17td4JxCJyE4IqItm_26QaBaAXzXDyOtsYURaQQ/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Golden tabby is a rare colour mutation sometimes seen in tigers, and there's no doubt that they're beautiful, but despite that, their presence in the wild is a major red flag for conservationists. We're diving into why it's so concerning to experts in this week's episode of the Animal Nerd Podcast.

Original air date: 9th July 2024

Important note: Unfortunately I wasn't able to import my show when I was switching hosting platforms, and as a result I'm having to re-upload my podcast from the start. Because of that, these early episodes are not indictive of the show's current quality - both in terms of the equipment used and my own skills as a writer & presenter - so apologies for that! Hopefully before too long I'll have caught up to my current output. In the meantime, you can check out my full back catalogue of episodes, and catch up with my newer content, over on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp6MWEI1w5ZrPiEM7zZKmgvtqhmWWbpeB

Show notes: (for content warnings, sources used, related non-profits, etc)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VHRvEBPLegEWdCERledz3qa5rY6LJLvLHoayvVclKj8/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.