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Life, Death, and Taxonomy

Learn about all things animalia in this family friendly podcast. Each week Joe and Carlos dive deep into nature to find animals that have at least one amazing talent they use to survive. Gather up some animal knowledge and crazy nature facts to drop on your friends at parties with each new episode of Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

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23 episodes
weekly
Avg 42 min
English

Episodes 23

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Saturday · 42 min
Episode 434- Dark-Edged Bee-Fly: Two Bees in a Pod
“…and today we’re talking about the stolen valor of the insect world. But more on that later.” Many plants rely on animals known as pollinators in order to reproduce and everyone likes pollinators—in part because plants are pretty great but also du
August 22 · 53 min
Episode 433- Carolina Sphinx
“And today we’re talking about a sphinx with a fascinating riddle. But more on that later.” What happens to the very hungry caterpillar in the last pages of the book? “He stayed inside for more than two weeks,” it says… but did he really stay? Did he rem
August 20 · 52 min
Episode 432- Tasselled Wobbegong: Fringe Fury
“…and today we’re talking about a sea rug that expresses deep sorrow and wretchedness, but more on that later.” The 70s and your average coral reef have one thing in common: shag carpets are a bad idea. In either case, you need to watch where you s
August 13 · 55 min
Episode 431- Leopard Seal: Sing Low
“…today we’re talking about a toothy torpedo. But more on that later.” The leopard seal is a terrifying arctic predator. With a mouth full of teeth and a long jaw built for coming, it looks as much like a dinosaur as it does a sea mammal. Despite i
August 1 · 31 min
Episode 430 – Secretary Bird: Stop, Hammertoe
“…and today we’re talking about a bird that knows your schedule. But not really.”  The combination of a velociraptor and an HR manager somehow produced a pretty elegant bird with a mean left hook. The secretary bird struts across the African s
July 25 · 49 min
Episode 429 – Soldier Crab: Crab Computer
“…and today we’re talking about a creature that can walk forward and why that’s interesting. But more on that later.” Two cohorts meet on a beach, marching forward to meet one another head on… both flying the same blue colors. There’s no reason to
July 18 · 45 min
Episode 428 – European Blister Beetle: Smells Like Team Spirit
“…and today we’re talking about a blistering bug in the blistering heat of summer. More on that later.” Some creatures kick in your front door. Others pick the lock, raid the fridge, and somehow convince you to thank them for stopping by. The Europ
July 13 · 50 min
Episode 427 – Regal Jumping Spider: Silken Dreams
“…and today we’re talking about a tiny brain with big thoughts. But more on that later.” The regal jumping spider has those signature big round eyes that make this arthropod kind of cute… but if you watch them long enough, you might see that there’
July 4 · 49 min
Episode 426 – Conomyrma Ants: Blocked!
“… and today we’re talking about a demolition ant. But more on that later.” Out in the desert lives a tiny tan troublemaker that treats civil engineering like psychological warfare. These little insects spend their days bustling about deserts and g
June 27 · 40 min
Episode 425 – Sandgrinder Cicada: Machine Music
“…and today we’re talking about a bug that sounds like a power tool… but more on that later.” Early on a Saturday morning is no time to start hearing machinery going in the neighborhood… but what if you hear that same sound in Australia’s ope
June 20 · 43 min
Episode 424 – East Asian Orb Weaver: Catfishing in Morse Code
“…and today we’re talking about a sophisticated chemist. But more on that later.” In moonlit meadows and forest edges, there lurks a patient puppeteer. While most predators settle for catching dinner, a sort of “earn it and burn it” approach, the E
June 13 · 38 min
Episode 423 – Brown Flower Beetle: Bumblin’ Beetle
“…and today we’re talking about a bumbling beetle, but more on that later.” A bee is a brilliant bug… essential to the natural order. Plants propagate with the help of these fuzzy friends… not just wild flowers, but all the plants we need to surviv
May 30 · 37 min
Episode 422 – African Crested Rat: Dressed to Kill
“…and today we’re talking about a fuzzy little creep. But more on that later.” Out in the rocky woodland alleys of East Africa lurks a rodent that ain’t nothin but a heartache. The African crested rat waddles around in a spikey stripey overcoat lik
May 24 · 41 min
Episode 421 – Eastern Long-Neck Turtle: A Little Stinker
“…and today we’re talking about a stinky turt. But more on that later.” A turtle is designed for defense… A tiny tank swimming around a river with an armored body that’s hardened against hungry fish and birds. But what if you share that river with
May 16 · 36 min
Episode 420 – Pileated Woodpecker: Built to Bash
“…and today we’re talking about a pileated pile driver. But more on that later.” Somewhere deep in the forest, a feathered jackhammer slaves away to fill all the trees with holes. The pileated woodpecker attacks hardwood with its whole face and som
May 9 · 40 min
Episode 419 – New Caledonian Crow: Bird Nesting
“…and now we’re talking to high quality bird brains. But more on that later.” What does the crow know?  Accounts, it does not grow.  Seeds, it does not sow.  But knowing it will show. When life asks the crow… To think to earn its dou
May 2 · 41 min
Episode 418 – Snowy Tree Cricket: Nature’s Thermometer
“…and today we’re talking about a bug that is a scientific instrument… but more on that later.” In the sticky stillness of a summer night, a tiny troubadour tunes up in the trees. This pale, unassuming performer doesn’t just chirp—it engineers, imp
April 25 · 40 min
Episode 417 – Titicaca Water Frog: Way of the Wrinkle
“…and today we’re talking about a frog with a funny name that we’re going to be mature about! But more on that eminently.” A special frog lives at the bottom of a lake on top of the world… Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable waterway on earth, a
April 18 · 37 min
Episode 416 – Northern Fulmar: Fowl Play
“..and today we’re talking about a fat baby sea bird. But more on that later.” Out on the icy oceans of the Arctic, the Northern Fulmar floats above the waves—calm, collected, and carrying a concealed weapons permit. This bird doesn’t bluff, doesn’t blus
April 11 · 30 min
Episode 415 – Black Footed Ferret: Back from the Brink
“…and today we’re talking about a Lazerus noodle. But more on that later.” The worst thing that can happen to a species is extinction. The balance of life and death tips towards oblivion… a corner of creation relegated to rejoin the dust. People ar

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