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What The Duck?!

Science Podcasts

The show with a mission to explore the mysteries of nature - especially the ones that make you go What the Duck?!

Location:

United States

Description:

The show with a mission to explore the mysteries of nature - especially the ones that make you go What the Duck?!

Language:

English


Episodes
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Shells with stories to tell

4/26/2024
There's a whole world of mystery, and quite a bit of maths, inside the humble sea shell. Forget ancestry searches online, shells can tell you the history of the world! Featuring: Amy Prendergast, University of Melbourne. Jann Vendetti, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Dr Paul Butler, Researcher at the University of Exeter. This episode was originally broadcast in March 2023. Production: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:16

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The merits of menopause. End of. Period.

4/19/2024
There's only a handful of animals on earth that go through menopause, where females get to hang up the ovaries and enjoy a change of life. So, why have we (humans, chimps and some toothed whales) established a sexual retirement of sorts? What is everyone else missing out on? Featuring: Production: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:14

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Extreme traps in nature

4/12/2024
We will all go to trouble to get a good meal, but some animals take it to the extreme. Some build architectural masterpieces to entrap their prey, or use body parts as lures. But what is your cat doing when it makes the 'ek ek ek ek?' Is it trying to bewitch the birds? Featuring: Extra audio: Cat Ek ek ek by @thiscatisdumpling. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:16

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Phantasmic Mr Fox

4/5/2024
Despite spending years and millions of dollars, the Tasmanian Fox Eradication team never, not once, not ever, spotted a live fox on the Apple Isle. While their efforts yielded zero foxes, it spawned a tale of lies, alleged corruption, and more scats than you could poke a stick at. Featuring: Production: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:17

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What the [sheeping] flock?

3/29/2024
You have a lot to thank sheep for. Yes, sheep. More than just wool and meat — sheep have played a part in the development of contraception and reproduction in humans. It's not as dodgy as it sounds, but it is absolutely surprising. Listening to this show will have you thanking every sheep you see from here on out. Featuring: YouTuberProduction: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:16

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Purely for pleasure

3/22/2024
For years we've barely even talked about the human clitoris let alone the fact that snakes have TWO. This program has adult themes. Featuring: Belinda Smith, ABC Science Online Reporter. Lucy Cooke, Author and Film maker. Megan Folwell, University of Adelaide. Dr Jenna Crowe-Riddell, La Trobe University. Production: This program was first broadcast in 2023. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:18

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Face your fear of snakes

3/15/2024
Would you meet a stranger in a park with a pile of snakes? Comedian Craig Quartermaine took the risk in an attempt to overcome his fears. Featuring: Production: This episode was originally broadcast in 2023. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Yuggera, Turrbal and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:19

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Animals with extreme minimalist mindsets

3/8/2024
Could a legless lizard be 'minimalist of the year' for famous podcaster T. K. Coleman? Ann Jones leads an unlikely gang of animal experts on a tidy dance through the philosophy of minimalism. There are moths without mouths, flies without wings, and a worm-lizard that will even declutter its own tail. Move over Marie Kondo, Minimalist Mother Nature is in town. Featuring: Production: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:16

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Mother Nature does it better (ASMR edition)

3/1/2024
ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a tingly sensation that can bring relaxation, and it's spawned a growing industry of videos online of whispering, tapping, mouth noises and soft speaking. But, if you wanted quiet, intimate sounds, well, Nature does it so. much. better. Ann Jones goes on an ASMR journey with vibrating caterpillars, whispering monkeys and birds who want to keep secrets. Featuring: ASMR artistProduction: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:19

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Why do Quolls have spots?

2/23/2024
Imagine you've just been cancelled for a controversial opinion about Taylor Swift's musical output, and you have to go to ground. You can act like the Olsen twins, and hide behind big glasses and a big coat. Or you could take a lesson from nature and blend in, like a proverbial spotty quoll into the bush. When it comes to camouflage and animal markings, there's a lot we can learn from the animal kingdom. Featuring: Production: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:16

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Butts. What are they good for?

2/16/2024
Right now, you’re probably sitting on one of the most unique things about humans. One thing that separates us from the apes, from the birds, from EVERYTHING on earth. The thing that allows us to walk upright, on two legs.We have big butts and I cannot lie,This sort of exceptionalism doesn’t deny,That when a bird walks in with a little bit of hasteAnd drumsticks in your face, you have to admit that bipedalism ISN’T what’s interesting.It's actually our peachy butts. Featuring: Professor Daniel Lieberman, Harvard University, US. Professor Jo Setchell, Durham University, UK. Dr Peter Bishop, Harvard University, US. Lauren Thornton, University of Sunshine Coast. Production:

Duration:00:25:21

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How many animals REALLY live in your house?

2/9/2024
How many species live around your house? In the COVID lockdown of 2020, three housemates decided to count. They thought there’d only be a handful, but the number kept rising and rising. Could their simple suburban Queenslander house be the next candidate for a new national park? What the Duck?! is back for Season 6. Featuring: Dr Matt Holden, Mathematician, University of Queensland. Dr Andrew Rogers, Ecologist, University of Melbourne. Dr Russell Yong, Taxonomist. Production:

Duration:00:25:00

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Space race- the animal edition

2/2/2024
Fruit flies, guinea pigs, frogs, monkeys, turtles, cats and dogs… all sorts of animals have been to space. Find out who made small steps for mankind before we could even spacewalk as Ann goes through the emotional turmoil of hearing animals in space. Featuring: James Foley, Author and Illustrator. Kerrie Dougherty OAM, Senior Heritage and Outreach Officer, Australian Space Agency. Emeritus Professor John P. Gluck, University of New Mexico and Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University. Michael Coggan, News Voice. What the Duck?! Season 6 will be back next week. Production:

Duration:00:25:17

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SUMMER - Silence of the vultures

1/19/2024
An ornithologist, a veterinarian and a religious devotee must find the serial killer before every last vulture in India is dead. The episode was first published on the 2nd of September 2023. Featuring: Dr Campbell Murn, Head of Conservation at Hawk Conservancy Trust and University of Reading, UK. Dr Kishor Rithe, Interim Director, Bombay Natural History Society. Dr Andrea Santangeli, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Spain. Dr Percy Avari, Mumbai Vetinarary College. Sherally Munshi, Georgetown. Vulture sounds provided by Nikita Mathur, India. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:06

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SUMMER - Are Naked Mole-rats the weirdest animals on earth?

1/12/2024
They look like… 'sabre-toothed sausages', they can barely see, they live for a really long time and have a queen who oppresses them. Find out all about the Naked Mole-rat this week and let us know your weirdest animal on earth suggestions at whattheduck@abc.net.au. Featuring: Dr Alison Barker, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research. Adjunct Professor Rochelle Buffenstein, University of Illinois at Chicago. Extra information: Professor Gary R. Lewin, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Angie Grant This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:06

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SUMMER - The ostrich-riding bushranger

1/5/2024
He loved gold, so he robbed stagecoaches in South Australia and used an ostrich as a getaway car. OR DID HE?! This episode was first published on the 11th of February 2023. Featuring: Denice Mason, teacher and Meningie resident. Associate Professor Rohan Clarke, Monash University and co-author of the Australian Bird Guide. Jacob Fiebig, Meningie resident and composer of "The ballad of John Peggotty". Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Angie Grant. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:06

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SUMMER- Kneel before the eel

12/29/2023
For thousands of years eels have made people rich and powerful, literally. Now it's time to pay it back. This episode was originally published on the 18th of March 2023. Featuring: Dr. John Wyatt Greenlee, Historian Cornell University. Erin Rose, Budj Bim World Heritage Executive Officer at Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Braydon Saunders, Tour Guide Coordinator at Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism. Tyson Lovett-Murray, Budj Bim World Heritage Ranger at Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Wayne Koster, Research Scientist at the Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Victorian Government. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Timothy Jenkins. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Gunditjmara, Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:05

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SUMMER- Birds, bees and a wang wang with a problem.

12/22/2023
A tiny penis, a 12-hour annual fertilisation window, picky females and strawberry bubble bath – these are just a few of the issues that pop up when making a panda cub. This is a repeat of an episode first published on the 1st of April 2023. Featuring: Chad Crittle, Acting Assistant Curator for Carnivores and Ungulates at Zoos SA. Mr Li Zhang, Consul, Head of Bilateral Section at the Chinese Consulate-General in Adelaide. Dr Meghan Martin Wintle, Director, Conservation Ecologist at PDX Wildlife. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Carey Dell. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:06

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Who's a good girl?

12/15/2023
Ann Jones does a DNA test to see if she is a dog! This is the final episode for Season 5 of What the Duck?! We will be back in February with new episodes. Featuring: Thanks also Ying Luo for background information. Production: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:25:16

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Is the pigeon the weirdest animal on earth?

12/8/2023
It is related to the dodo, makes milk and even played a role in the French Revolution. Surely this bird deserves some recognition? Featuring: Rosemary Mosco, Science writer and author of 'The Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching'. Nathan Finger, Host of 'Bird of the Week' podcast Dr Robin Leppitt, Ornithologist. April Broadbent, Pigeon Rehabber. Aaron and Aria, Pigeon Fanciers. Production: This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Duration:00:26:04