Fossils tell us a lot about the past, but are there fossilised farts? (Spoiler, YES!)

Look back at great farts of history, and the story of methane.

Do birds not fart?

And which creature is responsible for the stinkiest?

Listen to part one (Does it Fart?!) here.

Featuring:

• Dani Rabaiotti, Author of Does it Fart? and Zoological Society of London.
• Dr Nick Gales, Former Head of Australian Antarctic Division.
• Prof Dave Watson, Charles Sturt University.
• Prof Jeffrey Stillwell, Adjunct Monash Uni
• Dr Adam Munn, Biologist.

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.
• Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
• Jo Khan, Producer.

This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

Farts are not just for laughs. There are farts for survival, for communication, and even to attack!

But it turns out it's tricky to get scientists to agree on what actually constitutes a fart.

Still, from tiny fish, ants, and spiders, to manatees, primates, and blue whales — is it as simple as the bigger the creature, the bigger the fart?

Featuring:

• Dani Rabaiotti, Author of Does it Fart? and Zoological Society of London.
• Dr Nick Gales, Australian Antarctic Division.
• Prof. Ben Wilson, Scottish Association for Marine Science.
• Dr Federica Turco, Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC).

Farts:

• Chimpanzee farts, Kris Sabbi.
• Hooknose snake coacal pop, Orry Martin.
• Humpback whale song and fart adjacent sounds, Brian Miller, Australian Antarctic Division.
• River gas exchange Talaroo Station, Simon Linke.
• Tasmanian Devil Running Fart, David Hamilton.
• Farting wombat, Glenn Ross.

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.
• Jo Khan, Producer.
• Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
• Joel Werner, Script Editing.

This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people

It's a seemingly simple question from What the Duck?! listener Skylar: how do scientists determine a new species?

Turns out, it's complicated.

And it's got Ann Jones impersonating a dog on the internet to try to find out what breed she is, as well as asking, 'what is a species anyway?'.

Featuring:

• Skyla Seltzer, What The Duck?! listener.
• Beanz and Henry the dog.
• Link Olson, Curator of Mammals, University of Alaska Museum.
• Dr Nicola Rivers, Monash University.
• Professor Paul Hebert, Scientific Director, International Barcode of Life.
• Dr Leo Joseph, Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO.
• Tim Low, Biologist and author.

Thanks also to Ying Luo for background information.

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.
• Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
• Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.

This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in December 2023 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

The influence of selective breeding by humans has created a doggo for every occasion, but it's not without problematic results.

Some breeds have breathing difficulties, hip problems, aggression, or anxiety. There are dogs with ADHD and others with depression.

Does our longest-term relationship need couples therapy?

Featuring:

• Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of Bern
• Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University
• Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne
• Professor Chris Johnson, the University of Tasmania
• Michael Worboys, Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester

With thanks to Paula Pérez Fraga at Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary 

This is the story of the domesticated animal that feralised itself.

Where did dingoes come from and when?

Where does a wild dog stop and a dingo begin?

How much can genetics really tell us about Australia's only native dog — and how long do you have to live somewhere to be 'native'?

Featuring:

• Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University
• Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage
• Kelly Ann Blake, Wadawurrung woman, and Jack the Dingo
• Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford
• Professor Euan Ritchie, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin University

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
• Nat Tencic, Producer
• Rebecca McLaren, Producer
• Jacinta Bowler, Producer
• Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

Are puppy dog eyes really a sign of love, or does Fido just want a lil snack?

Can dogs really "speak" by pressing talking buttons, or do they just make great content for TikTok?

There's more to canine communication than howls and growls — and a wagging tail could be telling you more than you think.

Featuring:

• Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne
• Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University
• Associate professor Federico Rossano director of the comparative cognition lab at the University of California San Diego

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
• Nat Tencic, Producer
• Rebecca McLaren, Producer
• Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

'Man's best friend' sure sounds better than 'obligatory symbiont', but what are the true dynamics at play?

There's no denying the bond people feel and the attachment dogs have for their humans, but if we put that beautiful relationship under scientific scrutiny, does it hold up?

Can any dog go 'full Lassie' if you (or Timmy) gets stuck down a well? Will your dog save you?

Featuring:

• Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University
• Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne
• Professor Chris Johnson, the University of Tasmania
• Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of Bern

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
• Nat Tencic, Producer
• Rebecca McLaren, Producer
• Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

There's designer clothes, but they have nothing on designer dogs!

They come in a huge range of shapes and colours and sizes, from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane.

In the animal world this much variation usually means different species, but not for dogs — so where did they all come from?

And what role did Victorian-era rats play in the development of 'breed standards'?

Featuring:

• Joyce Sullivan, papillon breeder
• Wayne Douglas OAM, Afghan Hound breeder
• Esther Joseph, all breeds judge
• Michael Worboys emeritus professor the University of Manchester
• Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford
• Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage
• Dr. Elaine Ostrander, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US)
• Dr Heidi Parker, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US)

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
• Nat Tencic, Producer
• Rebecca McLaren, Producer
• Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

The relationship between humans and big scary wolves has come a long way to give us tiny fluffy lap dogs with very discerning tastes in expensive food.

Whose idea was it? Was it the wolves who wanted the warmth of the fire, or the humans who wanted protection from the other scary carnivores? 

And take a look at the first archaeological evidence of a beloved family pet preserved with its human family for almost 15,000 years!

Featuring:

• Luc Janssens, Specialist in small animal surgery and archaeologist
• Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford
• Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage
• Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
• Nat Tencic, Producer
• Rebecca McLaren, Producer
• Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

A new series from What the Duck?! is coming soon.

Dr Ann Jones is exploring the connection between humans and dogs and asking how our destinies became intertwined.

How did we get pugs from wolves?

How did the howling creatures of our nightmares become floppy eared, tail wagging good boys and girls?

From the very first archaeological evidence of 'beloved family pet' to the paw-pushing communication buttons on YouTube… this is a look at the true nature of the relationship with man's best friend.