The Fact Detectives

Kinderling Kids

The Fact Detectives are two curious kids on a mission to find out all the cool facts about EVERYTHING!

Join Anika and Dexter as they take their BIG questions to some very smart grown-ups who know lots of interesting facts about lots of interesting stuff.

In this brand new season, The Fact Detectives ask; What does a Triceratops and a Peacock have in common? Can you pat a shark? And what is an animal mummy?

Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson

Producer: Cinnamon Nippard

Sound Designer: Josh Newth, Cinnamon Nippard, Darcy Milne

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89 episodes
Updated Apr 25, 2024

Episodes89

Newest first

Jul 27, 2021 · 14 min
Plants
In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Mel Slarp who tells us all about plants! Press play to hear all the plant-astic facts about plants like: How is a weed different to a plant? What’s a seed and how is it created? And can plants grow in space? Guest: Mel Slarp - Lead, Education & Engagement Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan  Botanic Gardens Greater Sydney Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcy Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 13, 2021 · 9 min
Kangaroos
In this episode, Anika and Dexter talk to Grey Fisher who tells us just how amazing kangaroos are! Press play to hear all the cool facts about kangaroos, including: Can kangaroos really swim? What do kangaroos sound like? And, how far and fast can they hop? Guest: Grey Fisher - senior zookeeper at Taronga Zoo Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcy Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 29, 2021 · 11 min
Australian Bushfoods
In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Renee Cawthorne who tells us all about Australian Bushfoods! Push play to listen to all the terrific facts about Aussie bushfoods like: How do First Nations people know which plants are safe to eat? Which native plants are the yummiest? And which plants can be used for medicine? Guest: Renee Cawthorne who is a proud Wiradjuri woman and Manager of First Nations Education and Engagement at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcy Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 15, 2021 · 10 min
Aboriginal Astronomy
In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Kirsten Banks who fills us in on the wonderful world of Aboriginal Astronomy! Australia's First Peoples have been studying the night sky for tens of thousands of years. Press play to find out all the cool facts about Aboriginal astronomy, including: What can the night sky teach us about the land, plants and animals? What do Aboriginal peoples see when they look at the stars? Do constellations always have stars in them? Guest: Kirsten Banks - Wiradjuri astrophysicist and science communicator Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcy Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 1, 2021 · 12 min
Owls
In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Grey Fisher whoooooo tells us just how awesome owls are! Press play to hear all the cool facts about owls, including: Why do owls only come out at night? Can owls really see in the dark? And, can owls really turn their heads all the way around? Guest: Grey Fisher - senior zookeeper at Taronga Zoo Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcey Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 18, 2021 · 10 min
Seaweed
In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Mat Bate who fills us in on all the fascinating facts about seaweed. Hit play to listen to all the cool facts about seaweed, including: Is the slimy seaweed on the beach the same as sushi seaweed? How big can seaweed grow? And, can seaweed really save the world? Guest: Mat Bate (Author of the book: ‘With a Little Kelp from my Friends’) Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcey Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 4, 2021 · 10 min
Animal Mummies
In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Candace Richards who wraps up all the facts about animal mummies. Press play to listen to all the intriguing facts about animal mummies, including: Why were animals mummified in Ancient Egypt? How were they mummified? How do you know what’s inside a mummy if you don’t unwrap it? Guest: Candace Richards (Chau Chak Wing Museum) Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcey Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 20, 2021 · 9 min
Sharks
In this episode, Anika and Dexter chat to Emily Best who takes care of sharks and marine animals. Hit play to listen to all the super facts about sharks, including: Do sharks really not have bones? How are sharks different from other fish? Can you pat a shark? Guest: Emily Best (Sea Life Aquarium Sydney) Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcey Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 6, 2021 · 11 min
Triceratops
How did Triceratops get its name? Did Triceratops live with cave men? And what's that big frill for anyway? In this episode, Anika and Dexter meet up with Erich Fitzgerald who studies dinosaurs and fossils at Melbourne Museum. Press play to hear all the terrific facts about Triceratops. Guest: Erich Fitzgerald (Melbourne Museum) Hosts: Anika and Dexter Producer: Cinnamon Nippard Sound Design: Darcy Milne Executive Producer: Lorna Clarkson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 2, 2020 · 10 min
Rainbows
How many colours are in a rainbow? Can you touch a rainbow? Is there really a pot of gold at the end? In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Rosa Zwier from Scienceworks Listen now to find out all the colourful facts about rainbows! The Fact Detectives are taking a short break but don’t worry! They’ll be back before you know it with lots more amazing facts. In the meantime, if you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now and listen to all twenty episodes. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 18, 2020 · 9 min
Peacock Spiders
Do peacock spiders really dance? Are they dangerous? What kind of spiders are they? In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Joseph Schubert who is a Legacy Registration Officer for Entomology and Arachnology at Museums Victoria. (That means he studies bugs and spiders!) Listen now to find out all the flashy facts about peacock spiders! And big thanks to Sam, Hugo and Archie for asking The Fact Detectives to investigate peacock spiders! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 4, 2020 · 10 min
Air
What is wind? Do plants really vomit out air? Is there air in space? In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Rosa Zwier from Scienceworks. Listen now to find out all the breezy facts about air! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 21, 2020 · 10 min
Snakes and lizards
Can snakes really dislocate their jaws to eat things bigger than themselves? Do lizard tails really just drop off? Are snakes and lizards friends? In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Dr Jane Melville who studies reptiles at Museums Victoria. Listen now to find out all the slithery facts about snakes and lizards! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 7, 2020 · 8 min
Possum Skin Cloaks
What is a possum skin cloak? How and why are they made? And why are they important to the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia? In this episode The Fact Detectives chat to Di-Di Vaha'akolo who is a programs officer in the First PeoplesDepartment at Museums Victoria. Di-Di is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Taungurong, Tongan and Fiji-Indian woman. Listen now to find out about all the awesome facts about possum skin cloaks! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 23, 2020 · 7 min
Cockroaches
Can cockroaches really survive a nuclear blast? Why are they so flat? Do their butts have a special superpower? In this episode The Fact Detectives scuttle through all the fascinating facts about cockroaches with entomologist, Simon Hinkley, at Museums Victoria. Listen now to find out about all the awesome facts about cockroaches! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 9, 2020 · 11 min
Spiders
Is there really a spider as big as a bird?! Why do spiders build webs? How strong is spider silk really? In this episode The Fact Detectives untangle a web of incredible facts about spiders with entomologist, Ken Walker, at Museums Victoria. If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 26, 2020 · 6 min
Meteorites
Are meteorites really alien rocks? What’s the difference between a shooting star, a meteor and a comet? In this episode The Fact Detectives find out about meteorites - and meteor-wrongs! - with Dermot Henry, Head of Sciences at Museums Victoria. Listen now to find out all about the awesome facts about meteorites! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 12, 2020 · 7 min
Ants
Master builders? Amazing gardeners? Supersonic strength? Is there anything ants can’t do? In this episode The Fact Detectives dig down deep into the magical world of ants with Simon Hinkley who studies bugs and spiders at Museums Victoria. Listen now to find out all the f-ANT-astic facts about ants! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 27, 2020 · 6 min
Sea Spiders
Are sea spiders really spiders? How do they eat with no mouth? And what is an eye tower? In this episode The Fact Detectives head underwater to find out the facts about sea spiders with Melanie MacKenzie who looks after Museums Victoria’s collection of marine life such as sea stars and sponges. Listen now to find out all the spindly facts about sea spiders! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13, 2020 · 10 min
Frogs
Do frogs lead double lives? Why don’t they freeze in the snow? And is a tiny, cute frog really one of the most dangerous creatures in the world? In this episode The Fact Detectives find out all the slimy facts about frogs from Stephanie Versteegan who takes care of live exhibits like frogs and lizards at Museums Victoria. Listen now to find out all the ribbiting facts about frogs! If you love finding out fun facts about cool stuff, subscribe now for a brand new episode every fortnight. And if you love us, please rate us and leave a review. It really helps! A Kinderling co-production with Museums Victoria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.