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The Animal Sensemaker

The Observer

One animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by The Observer and On the Edge.

To find out more about The Observer:

Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

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20 episodes
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S1 · E36
Jul 4, 2025 · 8 min
Purple frogs: an annual ritual
Once a year purple frogs come above ground to mate but in doing so, they face a whole host of challenges. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E35
Jun 27, 2025 · 9 min
Dugong: seagrass and karaoke bars
Given how much seagrass Dugongs consume everyday, they're often referred to as sea cows. But when they're not busy eating, how do they communicate with each other? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge You can find out more about the dugong here: https://www.ontheedge.org/edge-zine/species-spotlight/dugong?rq=dugong?utm_campaign=TheAnimalSensemaker?utm_medium=Partnerships?utm_source=Tortoise To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E34
Jun 20, 2025 · 9 min
Great Green Macaw: picky eaters and favourite trees
Found across Central and South America, the Great Green Macaw is the world’s second largest. Despite having a lush rainforest to choose from though, the macaw quite particular when it comes to food and nesting sites. To find out more about the Great Green Macaw click here: https://www.ontheedge.org/edge-zine/species-spotlight/great-green-macaw?rq=great%20green%20macaw?utm_campaign=TheAnimalSensemaker?utm_medium=Partnerships?utm_source=Tortoise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E33
Jun 13, 2025 · 7 min
Nguru pygmy chameleon: forest floors and fast tongues
No bigger than a golf tee, the Nguru pygmy chameleon tends to hide among leaf litter on forest floors. But why are they important to local farmers? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge You can find out more about the Darwin frog here: https://www.ontheedge.org/edge-zine/species-spotlight/nguru-spiny-pygmy-chameleon?utm_campaign=The%20AnimalSensemaker?utm_medium=Partnerships?utm_source=Tortoise To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E32
Jun 6, 2025 · 10 min
Sea otters: favourite rocks and tummy tables
Diving to depths of around 20 metres, sea otters can access all kinds of food but they often need the help of their favourite rock to crack open their catch. No bigger than a golf tee, the Nguru pygmy chameleon tends to hide among leaf litter on forest floors. But why are they important to local farmers? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge You can find out more about the sea otter here. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E31
May 30, 2025 · 12 min
Darwin's frog: ‘pregnant’ males and a 7,000 mile journey
After a deadly fungus spread through the rainforests in southern Chile, conservationists embarked on a rescue mission to save Darwin's frog. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge You can find out more about the Darwin frog here. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E30
May 23, 2025 · 11 min
Long-Beaked Echidna: Attenborough’s elusive creature rediscovered
Sixty-two years after Attenborough's long-beaked echidna was last scientifically recorded, Expedition Cyclops went on a mission to find out whether the species still exists in the Cyclops Mountains. You can find out more about the long-beaked echidna here. The Animal Sensemaker is brought to you from Tortoise and On the Edge. If you’d like to learn more about the hunt for Attenborough’s echidna, click on the links below: https://www.expeditioncyclops.org/ https://expeditioncyclops.substack.com/ https://www.yappenda.eco/ https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/people/james-kempton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E29
May 16, 2025 · 9 min
Saiga Antelope: humungous noses and countless comebacks
Having roamed since the Ice Age, Saiga Antelope are no stranger to harsh conditions. But as mass mortality events leave their population extremely vulnerable, how have they managed to make countless comebacks? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. Find out more about the Saiga Antelope here. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E28
May 9, 2025 · 11 min
Beavers: waffle tails and river lodges
After being extinct in England for centuries, beavers are making a comeback thanks to a new license permitting their wild release. How could their dam building prevent flooding and droughts? You can find out more about the beaver here. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E27
May 2, 2025 · 8 min
Chinese Giant Salamander: the living fossils
As the world's largest surviving amphibian, Chinese giant salamanders haven't changed much in their 170 million years on earth. So what does life look like for these "living fossils"? You can find out more about the Chinese giant salamander here. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E26
Apr 25, 2025 · 10 min
Stingless Bee: keeping the rainforest blooming
In the Amazon and tropical places around the world, armies of stingless bees spend their days collecting nectar from plants and flowers across the forest. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about the stingless bee here. You can find out more: Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Head to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E25
Apr 18, 2025 · 10 min
Pygmy hippo: The internet’s chunky best friend
Pygmy hippos are the most internet-famous species around, thanks to viral sensation Moo Deng – but in the wild these creatures are shy, elusive and incredibly rare. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about the pygmy hippo here. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E24
Apr 11, 2025 · 12 min
Can the Harlequin toad stage a comeback?
Harlequin toads lit up the jungles of South and Central America with their dazzling colours, until they began to vanish – but some of these tough little toads are bouncing back… You can find out more about the harlequin toad here. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E23
Apr 4, 2025 · 11 min
Is being so cute a curse for red pandas?
Red pandas might be unbearably cute, but they were the original pandas - long before their black-and-white namesakes stole the spotlight… You can find out more about the red panda here. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E22
Mar 28, 2025 · 10 min
Why did the gibbons stop singing?
Western Hoolock Gibbons sing soulful duets to bond, defend territory and find love in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia. But lately they’ve learnt to fall silent. You can find out more about the Western Hoolock Gibbon here. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E21
Mar 21, 2025 · 9 min
Swifts: sleeping whilst flying on the ultimate commute
Every year, Swifts make the long journey from the UK to Mozambique and back again. It's a long journey for a little bird. So, how have they perfected the ultimate commute? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about swifts here. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E20
Mar 14, 2025 · 12 min
Komodo dragons: tail whipping and a venomous bite
Komodo is an island in Indonesia and a real life Jurassic Park. It’s been home to the world's largest lizard for more than a million years, So, what's life like for the Komodo Dragon? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about komodo dragons here. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E19
Mar 7, 2025 · 8 min
Olm: how to live to 100
Found deep in Europe's caves, the Olm can go up to a decade without food. How does taking life slow help them live so long? The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about olms here. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E18
Feb 28, 2025 · 9 min
Wombat: cubed poop and a secret weapon
Wombats may look like chunky teddy bears, but when threatened, they unleash a surprising defense to fend off predators. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about wombats here. Jack Ashby's book "Platypus Matters: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals" is out now. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E17
Feb 21, 2025 · 7 min
Dwarf sperm whale: escape artists
What do Taylor Swift and the dwarf sperm whale have in common? A talent for dodging unwanted attention. This pint-sized, introverted whale has a genius escape tactic. The Animal Sensemaker - one animal, every week to make sense of the world. Brought to you by Tortoise and On the Edge. You can find out more about the dwarf sperm whale here. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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