Episode 94: Nepenthes: Conservation Summary: How are Nepenthes doing in the wild? Can we help them if the need help? Join Kiersten as she answers these questions and more about Nepenthes conservation. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Nepenthes Conservation: Prese…

Summary: Do plants eat meat? Yes they do! Join Kiersten as she discusses the diet of Nepenthes which includes more than just meat. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Caught in a Trap,” The Biologist 62(2) p12-14. “Nepenthes lowii: the carnivorous plant that evolved…

Summary: How do Nepenthes become big strong plants? Join Kiersten as she walks through the stages of Nepenthes life cycle. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Nepenthes. Wikipedia (This page is well referenced). ”Pitcher Plant: Tropical Pitcher Plants-Nepenthes sp.” …

Summary: How many species of Nepenthes are there and where are they found? Join Kiersten as she takes you on a trip to discover the Nepenthes species. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Nepenthes. Wikipedia (This page is well referenced). “Caught in a Trap,” The Bio…

Summary: Our next unbelievable unknown plant eats something quite unusual. Join Kiersten as she unravels the amazing life of Nepenthes. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Nepenthes, Britannica Online: https://www.britannica.com Music written and performed by Katheri…

Summary: Is the stinkiest flower in the world in danger of disappearing forever? Join Kiersten as she discusses the conservation status of Rafflesia. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Most of the world’s largest flowers (genus Rafflesia) are now on the brink of ex…

Summary: Boy that sticks! Rafflesia are beautiful but stinky flowers. Join Kiersten as she explains why they smell so foul. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Colossal Blossom: Pursuing the peculiar genetics of a parasitic plant,” by Jonathan Shaw. Harvard Magazine…

Summary: Does a unique flower like rafflesia how a unique life cycle? Join Kiersten to find out! For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Most of the world’s largest flowers (genus Rafflesia) are now on the brink of extinction,” by Pastor Malabrigo Jr, Adriane B. Tobias,…

Summary: Where are rafflesia found? Join Kiersten as she visits Southeast Asia (not literally) to find out. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean “Most of the world’s largest flowers (genus Rafflesia) are now on the brink of extinction,” by Pastor Malabrigo Jr, Adriane B. Tobias, …

Summary: Rafflesia is a flower but not just any ole flower. Join Kiersten as she discusses this highly unusual plant. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Most of the world’s largest flowers (genus Rafflesia) are now on the brink of extinction,” by Pastor Malabrigo J…

Summary: Are tanuki in danger of extinction? Join Kiersten to find out all about the conservation status of the tanuki. For my hearing impaired listeners a full transcript is available in the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Nyctereutes procyonoides, Raccoon Dog. Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org “A path to human-raccoon dog harmon…

Summary: Raccoon Dogs have a complicated relationship with humans. Join Kiersten as she talks about how humans use raccoon dogs. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Nyctereutes procyonoides, Raccoon Dog. Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org The Origins o…

Summary: We’re not yet done with the mythology of tanuki. Join Kiersten for another episode about the supernatural aspects of the raccoon dog. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: https://mythick.com/tanuki https://wildinjapan.wordpress.com https://livejapan.com https…

Summary: Tanuki are also animals that are wrapped in mythology. Join Kiersten as she talks about the complicated mythology involving raccoon dogs. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: https://mythick.com/tanuki https://wildinjapan.wordpress.com https://livejapan.com h…

Summary: How do tanuki hunt for food? Join Kiersten as she shares some surprising behaviors that Tanuki use to catch prey. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Nyctereutes procyonoides, Raccoon Dog. Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org “Raccoon Dog (Nycte…

Summary: Let’s talk babies! The reproductive cycle of the Tanuki is simple but interesting! Join Kiersten as she walks you through the seasonal changes that brings Tanuki pups. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids, edited by David W. Macdon…

Summary: How social are tanuki? Do they hang out in packs like wolves or solitary like a fox? Join Kiersten as she dives into the social structure of the raccoon dog. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids, edited by David W. Macd…

Summary: What are Tanuki eating? Join Kiersten as she discusses just what raccoon dogs are eating in the wild. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids, edited by David W. Macdonald and Claudio Sillero-Zubiri. Raccoon dogs: Finnish …

Summary: Where are tanuki found? Join Kiersten as she looks at the range of the Japanese raccoon dog. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids, edited by David W. Macdonald and Claudio Sillero-Zubiri. Raccoon dogs: Finnish and Japan…

Summary: A raccoon that’s a dog? Not exactly. Join Kiersten as she introduces you to the Tanuki. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids, edited by David W. Macdonald and Claudio Sillero-Zubiri. Raccoon dogs: Finnish and Japanese r…

Summary: Want more cool facts about slime mold? Who doesn’t!? Join Kiersten for more unbelievable facts about slime mold. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Slime Molds: No Brains, No Feet, No Problem,” Science Thursday. PBS. https://www.pbs.org “100 million years …

Summary: Looking for an easy care but unusual pet? Slime mold might be just what you’re looking for! Join Kiersten as she talks about slime molds as pets. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Slime Molds: No Brains, No Feet, No Problem,” Science Thursday. PBS. https:…

Summary: Can an organism without a brain be smart? You bet! Join Kiersten as she discusses some of the smart things slime mold can do. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Slime Molds” by Dr. Sharon M. Douglas, Department of Plant Pathology and Ecology, The Connectic…

Summary: What can we learn from studying slime mold? So much! Join Kiersten as she discusses some of the more recent studies involving slime mold. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Slime molds as a valuable source of antimicrobial agents,” by Vida Tafakori. AMB Ex…

Summary: Are you telling me a brainless protists has senses? You bet! Join Kiersten as she discusses slime mols senses. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Slime Mould Senses” Warwick Life Sciences. https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci “Phototaxis and Photomorphoge…

Summary: Where does slime mold come from? Join Kiersten as she explains how slime mold reproduces. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Slime Mold Reproduction” Brad Renner, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. bioweb.uwlax.edu “Slime Mould,” by Thomas J. Volk, in Ency…

Summary: Slime mold eats some pretty interesting stuff, but how it finds it’s food is they really fascinating part. Join Kiersten as she talks about who slime mold eats. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Slime Molds” by Dr. Sharon M. Douglas, Department of Plant P…

Summary: How many species of slime mold do you think there are? You’d be surprised! Join Kiersten and a guest co-host as she talk about the different species of slime mold. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Summary: “What is Slime Mold?” By Stephen C. George. Discover Magazine…

Summary: Where can you find slime molds. Everywhere! Join Kiersten as she tells you the best places to look for slime mold. Show Notes: “Introduction to the Slime Molds” UC Berkeley “What is Slime Mold?” By Stephen C. George. Discover Magazine, Apr 21, 2023. https://www.discovermagazine.com “Slime Molds” by Dr. Sharon M. Douglas, Department of Plan…

Summary: Yuck! What is that goopy, gross pile of snot?! It’s Slime Mold! Join Kiersten as she reveals slime mold. Show Notes: “Introduction to the Slime Molds” UC Berkeley “What is Slime Mold?” By Stephen C. George. Discover Magazine, Apr 21, 2023. https://www.discovermagazine.com “Slime Molds” by Dr. Sharon M. Douglas, Department of Plant Patholog…

Today is World Pangolin Day! To celebrate this amazing but highly endangered animal, we’re reposting the first episode of our series on pangolins. Please enjoy and go back and listen to the rest of the series to learn more about the pangolin! Originally Aired: 9/14/2022 Pangolin Scales Summary: Join Kiersten as she talks about her first favorite th…

Episode 65: Echidna: Conservation Summary: What does the future of the echidna look like? Join Kiersten as she discusses echidna conservation For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeates) Fact Sheet: Population and Conservation Sta…

Summary: Some echidna senses don’t make much sense, but they’re really cool! Join Kiersten as she discusses echidna senses. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean “Functional Diversity and Evolution of Bitter Taste Receptors in Egg-Laying Mammals,” by Akihito Itoigawa, Akashi Hayak…

Summary: Do echidnas dream? Join Kiersten as she travels into the sleep cycles of the echidna to find out if they dream. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Monotremes and the evolution of rapid eye movement of sleep,” J. M. Siegel, P. R. Manger, R. Nienhuis, H. M. …

Summary: Do echidnas ever get on each others nerves? Join Kiersten as she talks about the social structure of echidnas to find out! For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Short-beaked Echidna. Bush Heritage Australia, https://www.bushheritage.org.au Eastern long-beaked …

Summary: Ouch! Echidna spines are no joke! Join Kiersten as she discusses this amazing echidna anatomy. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeates) Fact Sheet: Physical Characteristics, San Diego Wildlife Alliance Library. https:…

Summary: Echidnas don’t have a lot of natural predators but they do have some great defense strategies. Join Kiersten as talks defense in echidnas. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeates) Fact Sheet: Behavior and Ecology, San…

Summary: Making baby echidnas is weird! Join Kiersten as she talks echidna baby-making. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “Echidna penises: Why They’re so Weird,” by Angela Heathcote, Australian Geographic, May 24, 2021. https://www.australiangeographic.com.au “Ech…

Summary: We all gotta eat, right? The echidna eats insects. Take a trip with Kiersten as she travels through the digestive track of the echidna. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeates) Fact Sheet: Diet and Feeding, San Diego …

Summary: Join Kiersten as she takes a closer look at the habitats in which echidnas are found. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Short-beaked Echidna. Bush Heritage Australia, https://www.bushheritage.org.au “Home Ranges, Movement, and Den Use in Long-Beaked Echidn…

Summary: Ech-what? Echindas are mammals that break all the rules of Nature! Join Kiersten as she takes us on a journey into the weird world of the echidna. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: “The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals,” edited by David W. Macdonald Echid…

Summary: Rattlesnakes need love too! Join Kiersten as she talks about what threatens the survival of our scaly friends and how we can help. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber Rattlesnake by Ted Levin “Snake Fungal Dis…

Summary: There are sooo many myths about rattlesnakes that Kiersten had to do a second episode! Join Kiersten as she dispels more myths about rattlesnakes. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Rattlesnake: Portrait of a Predator by Manny Russo America’s Snake: The Ris…

Summary: Rattlesnakes are the only types pf snakes with a rattle, hence the name. But how much do you know about the rattle? Join Kiersten as she tells you everything you ever wanted to know about a rattlesnake’s rattle. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Rattlesnak…

Summary: Rattlesnakes are excellent hunters, but how do they do it? Join Kiersten as she explains how rattlesnakes hunt and catch their prey. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: Rattlesnake: Portrait of a Predator by Manny Russo “Pit Viper Can Detect Prey Via Heat” b…

Summary: Rattlesnakes are solitary animals. Are you sure? Join Kiersten as she turns what we know about rattlesnake lifestyles on its head. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber Rattlesnake by Ted Levin “Social Lives of …

Summary: Fangs and venom are two of the amazing adaptations that rattlesnakes are known for and feared for. Join Kiersten as she discusses these two valuable assets. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show notes: America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber Rattlesnake by T…

Summary: There are so many myths about rattlesnakes. Join Kiersten as she dispels some of these harmful myths. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber Rattlesnake by Ted Levin “Coexisting with Rattlesnakes” by Bryan Hughes…

Summary: How do rattlesnakes make baby rattlesnakes? You might be surprised! Join Kiersten as she gives you a rundown of rattlesnake reproduction. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Timber Rattlesnake by Ted Levin Rattlesnak…

Summary: Even though rattlesnakes are only found in the New World, there are a plethora of cool species. Join Kiersten as she take a few close up looks at some wicked cool rattlesnakes. For my hearing impaired listeners, a complete transcript of this podcast follows the show notes on Podbean Show Notes: America’s Snake: The Rise and Fall of the Tim…