The Southern Naturalist

Dr. Bob Thomas has been plugged into the nutria crisis for more than five decades, and in this episode he and Dr. Aimée Thomas take you deep into the natural history, cultural legacy, and ecological crisis of Louisiana's most infamous invasive rodent. Bob shares the corrected origin story, the rise and fall of the fur trade, and his own role in launching the very first Nutria Fest in 1992 at the New Orleans Nature Center, where Paul Prudhomme served as judge and declared the winning dish fit for any restaurant in the world.

Along the way, Bob and Aimée get into the biology that makes nutria so well-suited to Louisiana and so devastating once they got here: their taxonomic kinship with chinchillas, capybaras, and guinea pigs (not the rats people assume), their iron-stained orange teeth that grow throughout their lives, their distinctive "nan-cy" call across the marsh, the parasitic nematode behind nutria itch, the beautiful yellow fouchette wildflower whose barbed seeds ruined the pelt industry, and the catastrophic eat-outs that have helped destroy thousands of acres of Louisiana wetlands. They cover the Coastwide Nutria Control Program, the $6-per-tail bounty, the Nutria Rodeo in Venice, the Metairie canal crisis solved by Sheriff Harry Lee's sharpshooters, and the story behind Aimée's nutria-tooth earrings.

And at the end, the math that explains why this problem is so hard to solve: a female nutria reaches sexual maturity at one year old and produces 12 to 15 babies a year for 3 to 4 years. Run the numbers and a single female is ultimately responsible for 715,000 nutria within four years.

This is a good one... enjoy!!!

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In Part 2 of this two-part series, hosts Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas continue their conversation with legendary oyster scientist Dr. Earl Melancon, turning the focus to oyster culture, harvesting, and what the future may hold for Louisiana’s iconic fishery.

Earl traces the history of oyster aquaculture in Louisiana, breaking down how oysters have traditionally been harvested and how new approaches are changing the industry. What does it really mean when an oyster is described as “milky”? Should you only eat oysters in months with an “R”? And what exactly is off-bottom aquaculture — is it the future of oyster harvesting in Louisiana, or just a passing trend?

Drawing from more than five decades of research and time spent alongside oystermen, Earl shares insights, hard-earned lessons, and memorable stories from a lifelong career in oyster science. This episode offers a grounded look at how tradition, science, and innovation intersect in the evolving world of Louisiana oysters.

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In this first of a two-part series, hosts Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas dive into the secret life of oysters with Dr. Earl Melancon — one of the most prominent voices in oyster science and Louisiana’s commercial fishing world. A Professor Emeritus at Nicholls State University and current Louisiana Sea Grant Scholar, Earl has spent more than 50 years studying the biology, ecology, and culture of oysters alongside the oystermen who harvest them.

Together, they explore the natural history of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica — how these remarkable creatures build their shells, change sex as they grow, filter vast amounts of water, and survive a gauntlet of predators in Louisiana’s estuaries. From microscopic larvae to full-grown reef builders, this episode reveals the biology behind one of the coast’s most iconic species — and a foundation of Louisiana’s ecology and culture.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where the conversation turns to the human side of oysters — the people, traditions, and challenges of the industry that depends on them.

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Hosts: Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas

Produced by Emma Reid  

Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

In this episode of The Southern Naturalist, Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas explore the slimy, strange, and surprisingly intelligent world of slime molds — with a special focus on the infamous Fuligo septica, also known as dog vomit slime mold. Despite its less-than-appealing nickname, this bright yellow protist is a marvel of biology.

Slime molds are cosmopolitan species, meaning they can be found all over the world — from your backyard mulch pile to deep forest floors. While F. septica takes center stage, we also explore a range of other slime mold species and what they reveal about the natural world.

These unique organisms have long defied easy classification. Though they’re often mistaken for fungi, slime molds are actually protists — a fascinating group of life forms that blur the lines between what we think we know about cells, movement, and even behavior.

We discuss how scientists use slime molds to study things like traffic flow and network optimization, how some slime molds can “solve” mazes, and how their behavior continues to baffle researchers. You'll also hear about the strange folklore that surrounds slime molds across cultures and why these humble blobs have captured the human imagination for centuries.

Whether you're a slime mold skeptic or a full-blown myxomycophile, this episode is a deep dive into the gooey, brainy, and totally bizarre world of some of nature’s most overlooked organisms.

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Hosts: Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas

Produced by Emma Reid  

Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

In this episode of The Southern Naturalist, Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas explore the fascinating science behind why some trees, like the Japanese magnolia, burst into bloom before their leaves emerge. Why do these early bloomers put on their floral show in the chill of February? How does this strategy benefit them in the grand cycle of nature? Join us as we dive into the evolutionary and ecological reasons behind this stunning phenomenon, with a special focus on the southern landscapes where these trees thrive.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review!!!

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Visit our website at ⁠⁠⁠https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ⁠⁠⁠

Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ and we will answer you!

Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas

Produced by Emma Reid  

Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimee Thomas dive into the prehistoric world of the alligator gar, a true living fossil that has roamed North America's waters for over 100 million years. With its armor-like ganoid scales, air-breathing swim bladder, and ambush predator instincts, this ancient giant has remained virtually unchanged since the age of the dinosaurs. But despite its primeval legacy, the alligator gar is often misunderstood and even maligned. Join us as we uncover the fascinating evolution, ecological role, and conservation challenges of this Jurassic-era relic.

Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ and we will answer you!

Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas

Produced by Emma Reid  

Intern Shelby Perkins

Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

Join Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas in The Southern Naturalist as we delve into the fascinating world of cordyceps, the parasitic fungi that have captured the imaginations of scientists and storytellers alike. From their unique life cycle and ecological role to their surprising medicinal properties and pop culture fame, this episode explores the science, myths, and mysteries surrounding these natural wonders.

Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ and we will answer you!

Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas

Produced by Emma Reid  

Intern Shelby Perkins

Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

Did you know that bull sharks have been found in rivers 1,800 miles away from the ocean?

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Martin O'Connell, a scientist who has extensively researched sharks and other marine species. We dive into the history of bull shark encounters in Lake Pontchartrain and other estuarine areas. We also explore WHY these sharks come into the lake, their role as an apex predator, and our own feelings about swimming in the same bodies of water with these fascinating creatures. 

If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review!!!

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Visit our website at ⁠⁠https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ⁠⁠

Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and we will answer you!

Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas

Produced by Emma Reid  

Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

In this episode we dive into the natural history of Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis), how they compare to our native green treefrog (Hyla cinerea) and how they recently became established in Louisiana. Dr. Bob has been on the pulse of this frog invasion and identified some of the first visitors to Louisiana in the 1980s! Naturally, we compare the cuban treefrog to other invasive species in the area, such as the brown anole (Anolis sagrei), the greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) and nutria rat (Myocastor coypus). We get into the condumrum of invasive species… how do we deal with them?

Also, make sure to check out our episode from last season, Spring Frogs in Jean Lafitte to learn more about frogs in the South.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review!!!

Follow @SoNatPodcast on Facebook and Instagram!

Visit our website at https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast

Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at [email protected] and we will answer you!

Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas

Produced by Emma Reid  

Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright

Welcome back to The Southern Naturalist! Today,  we explore the intricate communication methods of alligators in the depths of swamps and marshlands. We delve into the world of alligator vocalizations, body language, and chemical signals, unraveling how these ancient reptiles convey messages, establish dominance, and navigate their complex social structures. From the iconic bellows echoing across the bayou to subtle head nods and jaw displays, we uncover the diverse repertoire of cues used for mating rituals, territorial disputes, and parental care. Join us on this thrilling journey as we decode the language of alligators, offering insight into the fascinating world hidden within the murky waters.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review!!!

Follow @SoNatPodcast on Facebook and Instagram!

Do you have any more questions about nature? Message us on social media or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ and we will answer you!

Hosts: Dr. Robert Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas

Produced by Emma Reid

Intro Music composition by Hunter Wainwright