Creepy, Cool, and Critically Endangered — The Aye-Aye Story

Back to the vault for you to meet the Aye-aye — Madagascar’s most misunderstood primate. With its eerie, skeletal fingers, giant eyes, and nocturnal habits, it’s often called creepy, but in truth, it’s one of nature’s most fascinating survivors. This lemur has evolved to fill the same niche as a woodpecker, tapping trees to find hidden grubs with its elongated middle finger — a feeding behavior found nowhere else on Earth. Sadly, the Aye-aye’s ghostly reputation has made it a target of superstition and fear, and deforestation continues to threaten its fragile home. In this episode, we explore the Aye-aye’s bizarre adaptations, its crucial role in Madagascar’s ecosystem, and why this “creepy” creature is actually one of the coolest examples of evolution in action. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie explore the fascinating world of praying mantises. As mammalian biologists venturing into the realm of invertebrates, they discuss the diverse species, striking adaptations, and complex behaviors of mantises. Topics covered include their iconic hunting skills, unique physiology, and intriguing mating rituals—complete with the infamous act of sexual cannibalism. The discussion also highlights the mantis's remarkable vision, advanced reflexes, and the environmental threats they face due to human activity. Listeners are encouraged to appreciate and conserve these incredible insects and their habitats. Podcast Timeline 02:00 Introduction to the Creatures Podcast 02:51 Diving into the World of Praying Mantis 04:24 Personal Stories and Listener Engagement 06:18 Praying Mantis Around the World 09:36 Physical Characteristics and Adaptations 21:36 Conservation and Ecological Importance 32:15 Butterflies and Their Changing Environment 33:36 Impact of Light Pollution on Insects 34:09 Insects Thriving in Urban Environments 35:18 Conservation Efforts and Organic Farming 36:30 Creating Wildlife-Friendly Yards 42:13 Evolution and Survival of Insects 43:11 Praying Mantis: Evolution and Adaptations 47:19 Praying Mantis: Reproduction and Behavior 50:57 Praying Mantis: Vision and Hunting Techniques 59:36 Praying Mantis: Hearing and Sensory Abilities 01:07:04 Praying Mantis Ultrasound Experience 01:11:25 Praying Mantis Diet and Feeding Behavior 01:12:48 Praying Mantis Grooming and Cleanliness 01:14:31 Praying Mantis Intelligence and Nervous System 01:16:40 Praying Mantis Anti-Predator Displays 01:18:21 Praying Mantis Life Cycle and Molting 01:23:55 Praying Mantis Reproduction and Courtship 01:42:36 Praying Mantis Conservation and Final Thoughts =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was first released in 2021 and now we are bringing back an icon of Australia! The kookaburra, one of Australia’s most iconic birds, is famous for its infectious laugh that echoes through the bush at dawn and dusk. While the Laughing Kookaburra remains listed as Least Concern and thrives across much of eastern Australia, recent surveys show local declines—mainly due to habitat loss and the removal of old trees with nesting hollows. Ecologically, they play a vital role as top insect and small-animal predators, helping keep ecosystems balanced. Beyond their ecological importance, kookaburras are woven into Australian culture as a symbol of the wild bush spirit—adaptable, bold, and endlessly entertaining. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are honoring the Legacy of Jane Goodall and the animal she showed the world was more than just an animal, the Chimpanzee. In this heartfelt episode, Chris and Angie pay tribute to the legendary Jane Goodall and her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees. They delve into Goodall's profound impact on primatology, conservation, and the broader understanding of animal behavior. The hosts discuss their personal encounters with Goodall, reflecting on her inspiring legacy and expressing their own emotional connections to her work. They emphasize the importance of continued efforts to protect chimpanzees, highlighting the Jane Goodall Institute and its various initiatives aimed at conservation and education. The episode also explores chimpanzee behavior, social structures, and the critical need for their conservation in the face of rapidly declining populations. Podcast Timeline: 00:00 Introduction and Tribute to Jane Goodall 03:30 Jane Goodall's Impact and Legacy 09:50 Chimpanzee Behavior and Personal Stories 20:56 Chimpanzee Conservation Challenges 44:06 Chimpanzee Evolution and Genetics 52:59 Chimpanzee Strength and Agility 54:37 Chimpanzee Intelligence and Social Behavior 57:59 Chimpanzees in Zoos and Conservation Efforts 59:34 Chimpanzee Diet and Ecosystem Role 01:07:14 Chimpanzee Communication and Cognition 01:29:40 Chimpanzee Reproduction and Parenting 01:37:54 Conservation Challenges and Efforts 01:39:59 Jane Goodall's Legacy and the Future of Conservation =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back to our vault for an episode on the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), one of Europe and Asia’s most elusive and awe-inspiring predators. With its signature tufted ears, powerful build, and ghost-like movement through dense forests, this big cat symbolizes the wild heart of the Old World. Once nearly wiped out across much of Europe due to hunting and habitat loss, the Eurasian lynx has made an incredible comeback in some regions thanks to decades of conservation and reintroduction programs. Today, the Eurasian lynx is listed as Least Concern globally by the IUCN, but many local populations remain threatened or endangered. In Western and Central Europe, their survival depends on continued protection of old-growth forests, healthy prey populations, and reduced human persecution. Sadly, illegal hunting and poaching still occur in several countries, often driven by conflict with livestock farmers or trophy hunting traditions. Despite these challenges, the lynx is a success story in rewilding—its quiet return to forests in countries like Switzerland, Germany, and France has reignited hope for the restoration of Europe’s natural ecosystems. The Eurasian lynx reminds us that when given space and respect, nature can heal itself. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re diving back into the mysterious world of one of the ocean’s strangest and most elusive creatures — the Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni). Often called the “living fossil” of the shark world, this deep-sea predator looks like something out of a nightmare — or a prehistoric past — with its long, flattened snout and lightning-fast, extendable jaws. Found in the dark depths of the ocean, often below 1,000 meters, the Goblin Shark is rarely seen by humans, making every encounter a glimpse into the ancient lineage of sharks that have survived for over 125 million years. While Goblin Sharks are not currently considered endangered, their deep-sea habitat means they are vulnerable to bycatch from deepwater fisheries and the impacts of deep-sea mining and pollution. Like all sharks, they play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems by keeping prey populations balanced and the food web stable. Protecting these incredible animals — even those we rarely see — is essential for preserving the ocean’s delicate equilibrium. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**Just a heads up, this interview discusses adult content and may trigger some. Also, would say not approrpriate for younger listeners, but such an important discussion on the coffee industry** Chris welcomes Etelle Higonnet an environmental and human rights activist with a JD from Yale Law School. The conversation delves into the interconnectedness of human rights and environmental issues, highlighting the destructive impact of various industries, particularly focusing on the coffee industry. Etelle discusses their work with organizations like Greenpeace and Human Rights Watch and introduces Coffee Watch, an initiative aimed at curbing deforestation, ensuring ethical practices, and achieving living incomes for farmers and workers in the coffee industry. They emphasize the power of consumer action, the importance of ethical purchasing, and the effectiveness of petitions and activism in driving corporate and legislative change. Listeners are encouraged to become 'sustainable coffee ninjas' to help transform the coffee industry and support broader environmental and human rights goals. Coffee Watch Website HERE Podcast Timeline 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 04:33 Guest's Background and Activism Journey 07:21 Human Rights and Environmentalism 09:00 Aha Moments and Realizations 15:18 The Coffee Industry's Impact 26:51 Goals and Solutions for Coffee Watch 33:23 How to Support Ethical Coffee 37:11 Voting with Your Wallet: Making a Difference 38:46 Critical Mass and Corporate Responsibility 39:47 The Power of Petitions 43:07 Challenges in the Coffee Industry 45:14 The Role of Certifications 50:32 Global Solidarity and Consumer Action 52:22 Legal Frameworks and Enforcement 59:21 Taking Action: How You Can Help =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back to the vault with another special animal. Opossums may not always get the love they deserve, but these remarkable marsupials are some of the coolest animals in North America. With their prehensile tails, opposable thumbs, and sharp survival skills, opossums thrive in environments ranging from forests to city backyards. They play a crucial ecological role as nature’s cleanup crew—eating carrion, insects, and even ticks by the thousands, helping control pests and prevent the spread of disease. Beyond their ecological importance, opossums have fascinating adaptations: they’re immune to most snake venom, can “play dead” as a defense, and are expert climbers. While often misunderstood, these gentle creatures are vital for healthy ecosystems and deserve more appreciation than they often receive. Tune in to learn why opossums are much more than meets the eye. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie dive into the fascinating world of the white-tailed deer. Initially underestimated, this episode reveals how ubiquitous and crucial this species is across the Americas, marked as one of the best conservation success stories. Growing up in the US, Chris took the species for granted, but this episode sheds light on their immense ecological importance, versatility, and adaptability across various biomes. They discuss how white-tailed deer populations once faced near extinction in the 19th century and bounced back due to rigorous conservation efforts, now numbering over 30 million in North America alone. Unfortunately, overpopulation in certain areas poses new challenges, including disease spread and ecological impact. Angie passionately explains the intricacies of antler growth, shedding, and the physiological marvels of the species. The episode also touches on subspecies like the endangered Florida Key Deer. Listeners are encouraged to get involved with local conservation efforts, visit areas where deer are found, and contribute to ongoing wildlife protection programs. Podcast Timeline 02:00 Introduction to the Creatures Podcast 02:08 The Fascinating World of White-Tailed Deer 02:40 Key Deer and Other Unique Subspecies 03:38 Deer Physiology and Antler Growth 05:24 The Ubiquity of White-Tailed Deer 05:07 Conservation Success Stories 05:53 Shoutouts and Listener Appreciation 06:51 Describing the Deer: Size and Appearance 11:15 White-Tailed Deer Across the Americas 13:52 The Role of Deer in Ecosystems 15:22 Overpopulation and Its Consequences 16:43 Historical Near-Extinction and Recovery 20:02 The Importance of Hunting and Conservation 28:07 Challenges Facing Key Deer 31:30 Overpopulation in Various Regions 36:51 Managing Deer Populations 41:34 Evolution and Diversity of Deer 49:53 Incredible Leaping and Swimming Abilities 51:20 Adaptations for Cold and Hot Climates 52:20 Survival Strategies and Metabolism 54:44 Deer in Different Habitats 59:28 The Role of Antlers in Deer Behavior 01:04:56 Breeding Season and Reproduction 01:09:52 Antler Growth and Shedding 01:28:10 Fawn Rearing and Maternal Care 01:33:59 Conservation and Final Thoughts =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A re-release of a favorite, coyotes are one of the most fascinating and misunderstood animals in North America. Known as the “song dogs” of the wild, these resilient canids have adapted to almost every environment on the continent from deserts and prairies to suburbs and big cities. In this episode, we dive deep into: The ecological importance of coyotes – how they keep rodent and rabbit populations in check, help balance ecosystems, and even shape the behavior of other wildlife. Why coyotes face persecution – from bounties and predator-control programs to misconceptions that paint them as pests or villains, we examine the history of human conflict with coyotes. What makes coyotes incredible – their intelligence, family bonds, adaptability, and iconic howls that define the soundscape of North America. Conservation lessons – why understanding and coexisting with coyotes is critical for healthier ecosystems and for changing the way we view predators. Coyotes remind us that nature is resilient, complex, and worth protecting. =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices