California Condor

FromSpecies

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California Condor

FromSpecies

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Length:

24 minutes

Released:

Sep 19, 2022

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Find out how sock puppets aided the most insane conservation effort in history and learn everything about America's biggest bird. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SA3gYa9Xrq-sZxWkkqGWBbEbB1X0ZaaUGlFqLg-NN9w/edit?usp=sharing

Released:

Sep 19, 2022

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

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Flying Snake: How do snakes slither? How do they climb trees? Heck, how do they "fly"?! Become an expert on the paradise flying snake, and learn all about the physics of snake movement (on the ground, up trees, and through the air!) on this episode of Species.... by Species
22 min listen
Kakapo: The only flightless parrot, one of the only nocturnal parrots, the heaviest parrot we know and perhaps the longest-living bird on earth... the kakapo! Come learn all about this wonderful animal, and get all your questions answered: What is a lek? Why... by Species
24 min listen
Beaver: Did silk hats save beavers from extinction? Which is longer, the Hoover Dam, or the biggest beaver dam ever? Are humans naturally monogamous? Learn all about the North American beaver on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
33 min listen
Coconut Crab: Can coconut crabs swim? Is my cat safe from coconut crabs? What happened to Amelia Earhart? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. He also spoils the ending of "King Kong," so watch out for that. Bibliography: by Species
15 min listen
Opossum: Why do opossums get hit by cars? How did the opossum, a marsupial, end up in America? Did an opossum really meet the King and Queen of Spain? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
18 min listen
Dung Beetle: Why do dung beetles build dung balls? Do dung beetles dance? How do polarized sunglasses work? Why did entomologists dress up dung beetles in cardboard hats and tiny mittens? Learn all about the sacred scarab on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
24 min listen
Sunfish: Why do sunfish sunbathe? Will a sunfish squash my child? Can I use a dead sunfish to pay my taxes? Is that a baby whale? Come learn about the egg-laying champion on this episode of Species. Bibliography: Addendum: Some Japanese biologists... by Species
19 min listen
Bonus: Why do domesticated animals have floppy ears?: Dogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, cows, pigs, all of these animals (and more) have floppy ears in captivity. Many of them have blotchy spots, and shorter snouts too! Why are these traits common to domesticated mammals? How can it possibly be a coincidence,... by Species
9 min listen
Budgerigar: Which animal is the pound for pound language champion? What is so special about bird brains? Can a budgie lead me to food? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
19 min listen
Greenland Shark: Can a Greenland shark live for 500 years? Do Greenland sharks hunt for moose? Why did a Danish physicist need shark eyes? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
18 min listen
Giant Panda: How come giant pandas don't eat meat like other bears? Why are they black and white? Do pandas have 6 fingers? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
21 min listen
Great Blue Heron: Who would win, a great blue heron or a golden eagle? Have chimpanzees invented spears? Are great blue herons mute? Learn the answers to all these questions and more! Learn everything about this fantastic bird on this episode of Species.... by Species
27 min listen
Cowbird: Why do we call them "cowbirds," and why are they nicknamed "mafia birds"? Does the mafia still exist? Are cowbirds running an extortion racket in my backyard? Macken answers all on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
16 min listen
Japanese Giant Salamander: Who would win, a samurai, or a giant salamander? Is it true that they breathe through their skin? Can the Japanese giant salamander survive getting cut in half? Do they make good dads? Come learn everything about this massive creature on this episode... by Species
22 min listen
Amazon Molly: The Amazon molly is an entirely female species of fish. So how do they reproduce? Why haven't they gone extinct, like biologists once predicted? Is the Greek legend of the Amazons real? Macken answers all on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
19 min listen
Mary River Turtle: Can these turtles breathe through their butts? Do they shop at Hot Topic? How did people sell these turtles as pets before they were even discovered as a species? Why do these turtles wear mohawks? Is the New York Times fake news? Come find out about... by Species
17 min listen
Tasmanian Devil: Why are they called devils? Do they have the strongest bite on earth? Can they eat people? Will the Tasmanian devil save humanity? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
22 min listen
Bonus: Parachuting beavers, smart sparrows, and Pikachu.: In this episode Macken tells a true story about beavers parachuting into Idaho, then he tells another about house sparrows opening doors. To wrap things up, he reveals the origin of Pikachu's name. It's a short, busy, entertaining show that packs in a... by Species
12 min listen
Poison Dart Frog: How many people can 1 gram of poison from a golden poison frog kill? Are they really used in darts, or is that just a myth? Is a poison dart frog a safer pet than my dog? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
17 min listen
American Pika: Why do we find some animals so adorable? What is the science behind cuteness? Do pikas have accents? If the American pika dies at room temperature, how the heck are they adapting to global warming? Come learn all about the animal who is somehow... by Species
18 min listen
Peacock Mantis Shrimp: They throw punches fast enough to vaporize water, and create deadly underwater implosions. Their eyes are the most advanced on earth: They can see more colors than we can imagine, and their eyes may be powerful enough to see cancer. This creature is... by Species
24 min listen
Jumping Spider: This animal forces us to ponder the nature of intelligence itself. They are running incredibly complex software on unbelievably small hardware: Their brain could fit on the head of a pin, and yet their sensory processing and strategizing abilities... by Species
27 min listen
Sheltopusik: Why don't snakes have legs? What is the difference between a snake and a legless lizard? Is Indiana Jones a fraud? Find out on this strange, slithering Species special that is not about snakes. by Species
17 min listen
Bonus: Did St. Patrick banish the snakes from Ireland?: Snakes live almost everywhere, so why aren't there any snakes in Ireland? Legend has it that St. Patrick got rid of them! Celebrate this St. Patrick's day with knowledge. Did this primate banish the snakes from Ireland? Find out on this bonus episode... by Species
8 min listen
Archerfish: Today we are going to talk about an animal who defies the stereotypes: A smart fish! Are jocks smarter than nerds? Does my goldfish recognize me? Why do archerfish spit at scientists? Today we are going to talk about the amazing sevenspot archerfish.... by Species
17 min listen
Amami Hoshizora Pufferfish: Torquigener albomaculosus. This amazing species makes incredible underwater art, out of sand! It was a mystery for a long time, nobody knew who was making these weird pop-up underwater crop-circle things, and then we finally discovered that a... by Species
17 min listen
Vampire Bat: Are vampire bats nicer than people? Do they really suck blood? Which came first, the vampire or the bat? Will their saliva save you from a heart attack? Learn an absurd amount of facts about vampire bats so you have a conversation piece on Halloween.... by Species
21 min listen
Vaquita: The vaquita is a tiny, adorable, panda-like porpoise, and they need your help. Listen to this episode fast, because sadly, it could expire any day. Species does not cover extinct animals, and this animal is on the brink. Find out all about the $20,000... by Species
18 min listen
Chinese Mantis: This praying mantis hunts hummingbirds. Seriously. Find out why female mantises eat male mantises, discover the world of praying mantis kung fu, and ruin your day by learning all about the horrifying lifestyle of the Chinese mantis on this episode of... by Species
17 min listen
Mudpuppy: Neither mud nor puppy, this strange salamander is just a big baby. Like you. Seriously, you look like an infant. Listen to find out why! Also, find out all about paedomorphism and neoteny. Enjoy learning about the fascinating life and life cycle of... by Species
14 min listen

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Forgotten Apes | Dr. Susan Cheyne: An audio essay on human nature, followed by an interview with primatologist Dr. Susan Cheyne. Susan is the co-director of the Borneo Nature Foundation International and the Borneo River Initiative for Nature Conservation and Communities, she is the... by Species
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Pilled | Louis Bachaud: A deep dive into the manosphere, with the scholar who knows it best, Louis Bachaud. The manosphere is a constellation of 5 loosely affiliated communities, including pick-up artists (PUAs), men's rights activists (MRAs), "Men Going Their Own Way"... by Species
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Hair on Our Faces | Dr. Barnaby Dixson: Today, we explore the befuddling (and surprisingly complex) mystery of the human beard. Our guide is Dr. Barnaby Dixson, a human behavioral ecologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast who uses interdisciplinary methods to investigate human mate... by Species
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100 min listen
Great White Shark: Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water... a brand new episode of Species. Come listen and learn about their secret social lives, how to survive a shark attack, and some mind-blowing stats. Bibliography: by Species
23 min listen
Updates | 1.15.23: I'm extremely busy and, unfortunately, pausing production on Species, at least for most of this month. If you sent me a donation in January and you want a refund, contact me through mackenmurphy.org, and I will be sure to send it back to you. My... by Species
3 min listen
Updates | 12.18.22: TikTok @mackenmurphy: YouTube @murphymacken (I would buy the @mackenmurphy handle from you, if you have it): by Species
3 min listen
Mimic Octopus: Nature's greatest shapeshifter, the mimic octopus is known for their spectacular impersonations of other species. Bibliography: by Species
22 min listen
Gossiping for Mates | Dr. Tania Reynolds: Women compete vigorously over mates but do so more subtly than men. In this episode, Dr. Tania Reynolds teaches us how women use gossip to win mates. Additionally, we discuss friendship, thinness, and the evolution of homosexuality, among other... by Species
88 min listen
Vegetarian Spider: This spider, Bagheera kiplingi, prefers a plant-based diet. Come learn about trees that pay ant security guards in gold, The Jungle Book, and an exceptional animal on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
23 min listen
Guinea Pig: Not from Guinea, not a pig. Upcoming live events... 10 AM on October 26th: 2 PM on October 26th: 2 PM on October 27th: by Species
20 min listen
White-Tailed Deer: Come learn about predator-prey communication, Bambi, and the most-hunted big game animal in America on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
20 min listen
State of Affairs | Dr. Brooke Scelza: Infidelity is almost ubiquitous among the Himba, an indigenous group of pastoralists living in Namibia and Angola. In this episode, I speak with a human behavioral ecologist who can help us understand why. UCLA's Professor Brooke Scelza (@bascelza)... by Species
57 min listen
Birdlike: An essay about birds, music, and evolution. by Species
17 min listen
Rattlesnake: How come some Christians risk their lives to hold snakes? Why do snakes have forked tongues? Do snakes "see" heat? Listen and learn the answers to all these questions and more! Bibliography: by Species
22 min listen
Siamang: Come learn about a singing, (mostly) monogamous acrobat! Bibliography: by Species
28 min listen
Tardigrade: This microscopic animal can survive in outer space. Find out how and learn about the toughest animal on earth (and off of it) by listening to today's episode! Bibliography: by Species
26 min listen
Updates | 4.24.22: Exam season is upon us. Until exams finish, I will be taking a hiatus from the show to focus. Donors, please feel free to pause donations until then; there are never any hard feelings from me, only gratitude towards you. Until we return, please feel... by Species
7 min listen
Japanese Spider Crab: This crab could give your car a hug. Come learn about Scottish fairies and fisheries on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
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Parasitic Jaeger: 95% of this bird's food is stolen. Come learn about the greatest pirate in the animal kingdom and the largest cash heist in world history on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
18 min listen
How Love Evolved | Dr. Helen Fisher: Why did love evolve? In this episode, we hear from Dr. Helen Fisher about the three different kinds of love, how they benefited our ancestors, and how we can use our knowledge of them to improve our romantic lives. She gives us data-driven advice on... by Species
103 min listen
Brown Bear: They run faster than Usain Bolt, they swim faster than Michael Phelps, they're stronger than Eddie Hall, and they're taller than Yao Ming. Come learn about brown bears on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
20 min listen
Altruism's Allure: Why do bad animals do good things? In this episode, Macken discusses some of the main reasons why humans do good, and dives into one of the little-known benefits of altruism. Bibliography: by Species
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Giant Centipede: Come learn about the biggest centipede on earth, discover their insane hunting habits, and hear two big pieces of news from the millipede world on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
17 min listen
Misbehavioral Biology | Dr. David Buss: When Men Behave Badly: Dr. David Buss is the most referenced evolutionary psychologist in history, and one of the most influential psychologists on earth. In this episode, he joins us to explain conflict between the sexes, sexual selection theory,... by Species
68 min listen
Your Brain Isn't as Big as It Thinks: What's so special about the human brain? Bibliography: If you would like to learn about human evolution, listen to Macken's audio course here: This is my affiliate link, I get 30% of your subscription if you sign up here. If you use the... by Species
11 min listen
Honeyguide: The honeyguide is, perhaps, humanity's oldest friend. We share a symbiotic relationship that is among the most complicated examples of mutualism in nature—the only natural instance of human cooperation with a wild animal. Come learn about one of... by Species
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Siamese Fighting Fish: How do you breed betta fish in a US prison? How come betta bubbles don't pop? Why do betta fish gulp air? And what does this have to do with self-defense law? Come get your answers to these questions, and learn a bit about violence, on this episode of... by Species
20 min listen

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Swamp Rabbit: The biggest cottontail on earth acts like a fictional ninja, and tried to attack a US president. Hear all about them on this episode of Species. Bibliography: by Species
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California Condor

California Condor

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Species

Related podcast episodes