What The Duck?!

Bush rats are not black rats — that's the first thing you need to know. Ann Jones is joined by ABC Top 5 scientist Dr Patrick Finnerty to understand why researchers are going around sniffing bush rats — and how it might help reintroduce them to Sydney's nature reserves. Find out more about the Top 5 science media residency here. Featuring: Dr Patrick Finnerty, conservation ecologist at the University of Sydney Professor Peter Banks, conservation ecologist at the University of Sydney Associate Professor Thomas Newsome, conservation ecologist at the University of Sydney Mareshell Wauchope, PhD student at University of Sydney Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Eora and Kulin Nations. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Marion Anstis pursued her love of tadpoles and frogs on afternoons and weekends, writing papers for scientific journals despite not studying zoology at university. When she retired from her job as a music teacher, she finally had the time to pack her campervan and travel the country, chasing wet seasons and documenting the frogs she found. The result of that fastidious research venture is her PhD and the froggy bible, Tadpoles and Frogs of Australia. In 2022 her contribution to the field was recognised with the genus Anstisia named after her, a group of frogs that lay their eggs on the ground. Featuring: Dr Marion Anstis, herpetologist and author Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

From the rolling hills of country Ireland to rolling waves beneath her boat docked in Hobart, Dr Diane Purcell has explored the most extreme places algae survive. She's also explored the prospect of its survival away from Earth when she worked at NASA studying extremophiles. Some of Diane's earliest research was looking at algae behaviour when it's kind of sleep deprived, and algae that will eat so much it will literally explode! She's also dealt with the ebb and flow of research work by moving to Darwin and working as a high school science teacher. Featuring: Dr Diane Purcell, Project Manager of the Remediation Section, Science and Technical Branch, at the Environment Protection Authority Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Peter Menkhorst is the mammalogist who wrote the birding bible, The Australian Bird Guide. As a boy, Peter would go birdwatching with his dad, setting up in a hide before dawn to observe malleefowl tending their mounds — and ignoring ongoing attacks from mosquitoes! His professional work ranged from surveying mammals and developing National Parks, to ecological research and managing over-abundant koalas, while also leading conservation work to protect the orange-bellied parrot, the regent honeyeater and the helmeted honeyeater. Peter still keeps a list of the birds he sees, in the hardcover notebook his grandmother gave him when he was 11. Featuring: Peter Menkhorst, zoologist and author Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Every superhero has their origin story, and a superhero of science is no different… From watching slater bugs and catching non-venomous snakes in her garden just outside Toronto in Canada, to harnessing lizards with palm fronds in the Caribbean, Tanya Latty was always going to study animals. But it wasn't until an invertebrate zoology class that her "mind exploded" and her passion for entomology became clear. She went to the Rocky Mountains to study mountain pine beetles for her PhD — where she also accidentally studied bears and cougars up close. These days Tanya is based in Australia and raises awareness and understanding of invertebrates after bushfires. This is the origin story of Associate Professor Tanya Latty. Featuring: Associate Professor Tanya Latty, entomologist and insect ecologist at the University of Sydney Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Nineties kids didn't dawdle on the way home from school in the afternoon. This was the age of appointment television, and that appointment was with Totally Wild. From 1992 it was beloved afternoon viewing for almost 30 years, hosted with a massive smile (and a decent fringe) by Ranger Stacey. Every superhero has their origin story, and a superhero of environmental education is no different… From the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service, to holding her own with cranky carpet-faced puppet Agro, and then hosting her own TV show for 29 years. This is the origin story of Ranger Stacey Thomson. Featuring: Ranger Stacey Thomson, environmental educator, Redland City Council Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

The influence of selective breeding by humans has created a doggo for every occasion, but it's not without problematic results. Some breeds have breathing difficulties, hip problems, aggression, or anxiety. There are dogs with ADHD and others with depression. Does our longest-term relationship need couples therapy? Featuring: Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of Bern Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne Professor Chris Johnson, the University of Tasmania Michael Worboys, Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester With thanks to Paula Pérez Fraga at Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary for audio from Family pigs' and dogs' reactions to human emotional vocalizations:a citizen science study Further reading: Associations between Domestic-Dog Morphology and Behaviour Scores in the Dog Mentality Assessment Solitary working hunting dogs show a higher tendency for magnetic alignment, with decreased alignment in older dogs Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

This is the story of the domesticated animal that feralised itself. Where did dingoes come from and when? Where does a wild dog stop and a dingo begin? How much can genetics really tell us about Australia's only native dog — and how long do you have to live somewhere to be 'native'? Featuring: Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage Kelly Ann Blake, Wadawurrung woman, and Jack the Dingo Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford Professor Euan Ritchie, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Are puppy dog eyes really a sign of love, or does Fido just want a lil snack? Can dogs really "speak" by pressing talking buttons, or do they just make great content for TikTok? There's more to canine communication than howls and growls — and a wagging tail could be telling you more than you think. Featuring: Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Associate professor Federico Rossano director of the comparative cognition lab at the University of California San Diego Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

'Man's best friend' sure sounds better than 'obligatory symbiont', but what are the true dynamics at play? There's no denying the bond people feel and the attachment dogs have for their humans, but if we put that beautiful relationship under scientific scrutiny, does it hold up? Can any dog go 'full Lassie' if you (or Timmy) get stuck down a well? Will your dog save you? Featuring: Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne Professor Chris Johnson, the University of Tasmania Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of Bern Further reading: Importance of a species' socioecology: Wolves outperform dogs in a conspecific cooperation task Pet dogs release their trapped and distressed owners: Individual variation and evidence of emotional contagion Good dog! Using livestock guardian dogs to protect livestock from predators in Australia's extensive grazing systems Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in May and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

There's designer clothes, but they have nothing on designer dogs! They come in a huge range of shapes and colours and sizes, from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane. In the animal world this much variation usually means different species, but not for dogs — so where did they all come from? And what role did Victorian-era rats play in the development of 'breed standards'? Featuring: Joyce Sullivan, papillon breeder Wayne Douglas OAM, Afghan Hound breeder Esther Joseph, all breeds judge Michael Worboys emeritus professor the University of Manchester Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage Dr. Elaine Ostrander, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US) Dr Heidi Parker, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US) Further reading: Canine Genomics and Genetics: Running with the Pack The invention of the basset hound: breed, blood and the late Victorian dog fancy Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in May and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

The relationship between humans and big scary wolves has come a long way to give us tiny fluffy lap dogs with very discerning tastes in expensive food. Whose idea was it? Was it the wolves who wanted the warmth of the fire, or the humans who wanted protection from the other scary carnivores? And take a look at the first archaeological evidence of a beloved family pet preserved with its human family for almost 15,000 years! Featuring: Luc Janssens, Specialist in small animal surgery and archaeologist Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Further reading: A new look at an old dog : Bonn-Oberkassel reconsidered Identification of genomic variants putatively targeted by selection during dog domestication Dog domestication and the dual dispersal of people and dogs into the Americas Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in May and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Nematodes are found in every environment on Earth and can survive in some seriously extreme conditions. They will come back to life after being frozen for 40 thousand years! WHAT THE DUCK?! There's so much more to these creatures than a chocolate square for an itchy rear end… Sign up here for the nematode appreciation society. Featuring: Dr Mike Hodda, senior principal research scientist, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO Bethany Perry, PhD student at the ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity, University of Canberra and CSIRO Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was recorded and produced on the land of the Ngunnawal, Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

CSIRO's National Research Collection in Canberra is where millions of dead things bring life to Australian science. The specimens, collected over many decades, have just been very carefully moved into a new purpose-built facility named Diversity. The What the Duck?! team had a "sticky beak" inside to find DNA extraction robots, extinct birds, predatory flies, and a few thousand slides containing insect genitalia. This episode was recorded in September, before recent announcements were made about CSIRO funding. Featuring: Dr Alicia Grealy, research projects officer, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO Dr Keith Bayless, research scientist, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO Andrea Wild, science communicator, CSIRO Dr Anna Kearns, research scientist, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO Dr Olivia Evangelista de Souza, curator and digital data manager, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO With thanks to Thea Williams and Ian Dewar at CSIRO Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

After receiving a heartbreaking email, Ann goes on a mission to prove that 'girls DO like spiders, frogs and all things nature'.' Featuring: Lyra and Julie Gould from Canada Dr. Jodi Rowley- Australian Museum and University of NSW Professor Maydianne Andrade- University of Toronto Dr. Amber Beavis- Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer Associate Professor Tanya Latty- Sydney University Plus excerpts from videos to Lyra from: Dr Federica Turco Dr Juanita Rodriguez Dr Kate Umbers Dr Perry Beasley-Hall Dr Jessica Fenker Josie Styles Ying Luo Plus extra sounds from: Christopher MacGregor, ABC Radio National listener with an excellent frog chorus from Bayswater in Perth, WA Frank Lambert, with a Spot-throated Babbler recording from Thailand, via xeno canto XC200877 (CC BY-NC 4.0) Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Petria Ladgrove, Producer Joel Werner, Script Editing This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

It's like a classic horror film. There are huge fangs, a segmented body, a remote location, the ocean bashing against cliffs, you're all alone and there's no one to help. The first bodies that turn up are of the children… of petrels. Featuring: Luke Halpin, PhD Researcher, Monash University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Petria Ladgrove, Producer Joel Werner, Script Editing This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Turns out centipedes versus millipedes isn't as simple as a numbers game. But here at What the Duck?! we never skip leg day. Featuring: Dr Juanita Rodriguez, Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO. Dr Bruno Alves Buzatto, Flinders University. Luis Villazon, Science Educator UK. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Angela Grant. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Can animals create, or even enjoy music? Ann rips through the animal kingdom to check out the musical talent of some likely and unlikely performers. Featuring: Dr. Stuart Watson, University of Zurich. Dr. Chiara De Gregorio, University of Torino. Assistant Professor Adena Schachner, University of California. David Teie, Musician and composer, Music for Cats. Associate Professor Cameron Webb, University of Sydney and NSW Health Pathology. Featured sounds: Musical Stimuli for Parrots by Adena Schachner, Fostog's Touch by David Teie (music for cats) and Marlene McCohen (YouTube) and her Amazon parrot Lucy. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri. For more about bird song and music click here. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2023 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

We'll all go to trouble to get a good meal, but some animals take it to the extreme. Some build architectural masterpieces to entrap their prey, or use body parts as lures. But what is your cat doing when it makes the 'ek ek ek ek?' Is it trying to bewitch the birds? Featuring: Professor Kris Helgen, Australian Museum. Julia Henning, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide. Associate Professor Inon Scharf, Tel Aviv University. Dr David Merritt, Entomologist. Associate Professor Ajay Narendra, Macquarie University. Extra audio: Cat Ek ek ek by @thiscatisdumpling. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter/Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Belinda Smith, Producer. Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.   This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2024 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Fungi are already hard at work helping trees survive drought, recycling fallen logs, rotting away carcases, and helping human digestive systems, but could they do more? Is our future made of fungi? Research has shown fungi's potential to make medicine, clothing, and cheap fire-retardant housing, but trying to isolate and harness just one species is not an easy task given they get into pretty much everything. Featuring: Dr. Tien Huynh, associate professor at the School of Sciences, RMIT Grace Boxshall, PhD student at the University of Melbourne and visiting junior research fellow at the University of New South Wales. Georgina Hold, professor of gut health at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher, fungal and plant ecologist at the University of New England Alistair McTaggart, mycologist and researcher at Psymbiotika Lab Justin Beardsley, researcher at the University of Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute and physician at Westmead Hospital Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Mushrooms were once lumped in with plants, and they stayed there well after science knew better. But if a fungus is not a plant… is it a closer relative of yours than you might've thought? With millions of species on Earth, and many that live inside you, it seems important to know about the kingdom of fungi. Featuring: Tom May, senior principal research scientist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria; and co-author of Planet Fungi  Grace Boxshall, PhD student at the University of Melbourne and visiting junior research fellow at the University of New South Wales Georgina Hold, Professor of Gut Health at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher, fungal and plant ecologist at the University of New England Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

As daily updates about the 'mushroom murders' monopolised newsfeeds around the country, the What the Duck?! team started questioning the motives.  Not the human ones — the fungi ones. Why would a mushroom need a toxin so powerful it takes just a few grams to kill a human? And where's the warning?  Nature usually throws up alerts for poison, like bright colours or spots, but the death cap is pretty plain. Why does a mushroom need such a deadly toxin anyway? Featuring: Tom May, senior principal research scientist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria, and co-author of Planet Fungi Grace Boxshall, PhD student at the University of Melbourne and visiting junior research fellow at the University of New South Wales. Lindsay Mollison, retired consultant physician in infectious diseases and gastroenterology Justin Beardsley, researcher at the University of Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute and physician at Westmead Hospital Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Have you found yourself wondering why a simple brown mushroom would develop a toxin so strong that just a few grams could kill a human? What the Duck?! is investigating the motives of toxic fungi and exploring the curious world of puffballs, fly agarics, stinkhorns, and death caps. Powerful toxins are scary, but there are varieties that could help humans in medical treatment, space exploration, manufacturing, and by consuming plastic waste… Mushrooms are sending us mixed messages! What the Duck?! serves mushrooms from October 3rd. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

Cuckoo babies hatch in the nests of other bird species then quickly, often brutally, make sure they're the only baby to get fed… So how does a cuckoo know how to be a cuckoo? Well… that is a ducking good question. Featuring: Cassandra Taylor, ANU. Claire Taylor, Uni of Melbourne. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and produced (mainly) on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

There are so many sticky things in nature, but what's the nature of their stickiness? Could slug mucus or frog ooze be used in medical treatments? Ann puts on her spider-woman gloves to find out. Featuring: Ella Tyler, wife of the late Prof Mike Tyler. Prof Andrew Smith, Biology, Ithaca College. Prof George Murrell, Director Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, NSW. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.ore the mysteries of nature.

If you ever wanted to be able to stick to walls like Spider-Man, then listen to this! How do geckos and ants walk easily up walls and across the ceiling? Is an insect foot sticky in the same way as a reptilian tootsie? And how does underwater stickiness compare? Just how is that barnacle attached to that boat? Featuring: Rishab Pillai, James Cook University. Dr Christofer Clemente, University of the Sunshine Coast. Dr Eleanor Velasquez, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) at UQ. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You’ll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

This place is so extreme that NASA sends scientists to test equipment for Mars missions. And yet, Australia's salty lakes are full of life. Featuring: Bonnie Teece, Postgraduate Researcher at UNSW Angus D'Arcy Lawrie, PhD Student at Murdoch University. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Ann finds out that birds are not really blue. Not even bluebirds. If they're not blue, then what the duck are they? Featuring: Richard McClure, Stems Flower Market, Ballarat. Nate Byrne, ABC News Breakfast Meteorologist and science nerd. Prof Andrew Lowe, University of Adelaide. Dr Kate Umbers, University of Western Sydney. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Listen back to the What the Duck?! special broadcast with Dr Ann Jones and Cassie McCullagh. After 65,000 votes, Australia has spoken — the rakali has been crowned Australia's most underrated native animal! Raking in a whopping 20 per cent of the votes cast, the water rat was well out in front. Here are the results: Rakali Palm cockatoo Giant cuttlefish Dugong Marsupial mole Turtle frog Velvet worm Great desert skink Ghost bat Short-finned eel You can also read more on the ABC News blog from the countdown: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/wildlife-blog-15-august-2025/105651126 Featuring: Professor Euan Ritchie, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin University Jacinta Bowler, ABC Science Reporter Dr Kirsti Abbott, head of science at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Professor Nicki Mitchell, UWA Jonathan Webb, ABC Science Editor Dr Mark Norman, Chief Scientist Parks Victoria Dr Christina N Zdenek, ecologist with People for Wildlife Professor Peter Banks, University of Sydney Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer James Bullen, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer

They live off seagrass, and sound like a teeny bird, but can weigh in at more than 400 kilograms and will cut you with their tusks. Dugongs (Dugong dugon) were once confused for mermaids. Yanyuwa people in the Golf of Carpentaria have observed their roles in family groups and identified 16 different types of dugongs. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Rachel Groom, Charles Darwin University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

It's a bold claim, but the palm cockatoo might be the most punk-rock bird of all. The black and scarlet parrot lives in the rainforests and woodlands of Far North Queensland, as well as the Aru Islands and New Guinea. With a wingspan of 1.5 metres, the palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is an impressive bird, with a black mohawk and a powerful beak. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Christina N Zdenek, ecologist with People for Wildlife Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

This little orange lizard lives with his mum and poos outside. What's not to love? The great desert skink (Liopholis kintorei) can be found in the deserts of the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia. They live in large burrows in family groups, which is extremely unusual for reptiles. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Christine Ellis Michaels, Warlpiri ranger Dr Rachel Paltridge, Indigenous Desert Alliance Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

What has no eyes, no ears, and is barely ever seen? It's no riddle — it's the marsupial mole! These tiny, golden creatures like to burrow through the sands in central Australia, making the two species of marsupial mole (Notoryctes) almost impossible to find. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Associate Professor Natalie Warburton, Murdoch University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

This tiny frog is pasty white, with big arms, a teeny head, and is — somehow — still absolutely adorable. The turtle frog (Myobatrachus gouldii) can be found in a small part of south-west Western Australia. They mostly live underground, and are one of only a few species of frog that burrow forwards instead of backwards. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Paul Doughty, Western Australian Museum Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

They can travel over land, climb walls and take down large prey. And that's all before the short-finned eel (Anguilla australis) makes it out into the ocean for their epic migration to mate. The location is so remote, scientists still don't know what happens while they're there. But then, as new baby eels, they need to swim thousands of kilometres back to the Australian mainland — and only one in every 10,000 hatchings make it. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Wayne Koster, Arthur Rylah Institute Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

Sure, it's a rat, but it's Australia's own cheeky little water rat! The rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) is Australia's largest rodent, and can be found in the waterways all around Australia. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Emmalie Sanders, Charles Sturt University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

They shoot glue, puree their enemies, and are about the size of a leaf. With 140 species of southern velvet worms (Peripatopsidae), and most of those in Australia, these tiny creatures are our home-grown invertebrate. They normally live in rainforests, under logs or leaf litter, and they like to keep it damp and dark. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Associate Professor Tanya Latty, the University of Sydney Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

The ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) is Australia's only carnivorous bat, so it's probably not a good idea to make fun of their giant ears and unique nose. They live in large colonies of up to 1500 individuals in northern Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, roosting in caves, and old abandoned mine shafts. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Nicola Hanrahan, Charles Darwin University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

They can grow up to a metre and the world's largest cuttlefish species can also disappear in a puff of ink and mucus. The giant cuttlefish (Ascarosepion apama) is an oddball, and you can catch a glimpse of them around the whole bottom half of Australia — all the way from Brisbane to Shark Bay. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Mark Norman, Chief Scientist Parks Victoria Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

Move the peas over to find that Australian freezers have seals, kangaroo penises and the DNA of 'the Chanel of goats.' Featuring: Dr Natalie Warburton, Murdoch University.  Dr Jillian Garvey, La Trobe University.  Dr Nicola Rivers, Monash University. Dianne Hakof, Hospital Manger Animal Health Department Zoos SA Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer.  This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

It turns out self-medicating and herbal remedies are not exclusive to humans. From cats eating grass, to elephants making medicinal tea in their throat pouch — the animal world has its own prescriptions. And naturally, there's plenty of digging through poo involved in this scientific research! Featuring: Dr Kevin Feeney, Central Washington University. Professor Michael Huffman, University of Kyoto. Dr Sophia Daoudi-Simison, Newcastle University UK. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Nick Kilvert, Presenter/ Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Mastering: Angela Grant. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

Fossils tell us a lot about the past, but are there fossilised farts? (Spoiler, YES!) Look back at great farts of history, and the story of methane. Do birds not fart? And which creature is responsible for the stinkiest? Listen to part one (Does it Fart?!) here. Featuring: Dani Rabaiotti, Author of Does it Fart? and Zoological Society of London. Dr Nick Gales, Former Head of Australian Antarctic Division. Prof Dave Watson, Charles Sturt University. Prof Jeffrey Stillwell, Adjunct Monash Uni Dr Adam Munn, Biologist. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Jo Khan, Producer. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Stream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

Farts are not just for laughs. There are farts for survival, for communication, and even to attack! But it turns out it's tricky to get scientists to agree on what actually constitutes a fart. Still, from tiny fish, ants, and spiders, to manatees, primates, and blue whales — is it as simple as the bigger the creature, the bigger the fart? Featuring: Dani Rabaiotti, Author of Does it Fart? and Zoological Society of London. Dr Nick Gales, Australian Antarctic Division. Prof. Ben Wilson, Scottish Association for Marine Science. Dr Federica Turco, Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC). Farts: Chimpanzee farts, Kris Sabbi. Hooknose snake coacal pop, Orry Martin. Humpback whale song and fart adjacent sounds, Brian Miller, Australian Antarctic Division. River gas exchange Talaroo Station, Simon Linke. Tasmanian Devil Running Fart, David Hamilton. Farting wombat, Glenn Ross. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Jo Khan, Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people

It's a seemingly simple question from What the Duck?! listener Skylar: how do scientists determine a new species? Turns out, it's complicated. And it's got Ann Jones impersonating a dog on the internet to try to find out what breed she is, as well as asking, 'what is a species anyway?'. Featuring: Skyla Seltzer, What The Duck?! listener. Beanz and Henry the dog. Link Olson, Curator of Mammals, University of Alaska Museum. Dr Nicola Rivers, Monash University. Professor Paul Hebert, Scientific Director, International Barcode of Life. Dr Leo Joseph, Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO. Tim Low, Biologist and author. Thanks also to Ying Luo for background information. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in December 2023 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

The influence of selective breeding by humans has created a doggo for every occasion, but it's not without problematic results. Some breeds have breathing difficulties, hip problems, aggression, or anxiety. There are dogs with ADHD and others with depression. Does our longest-term relationship need couples therapy? Featuring: Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of Bern Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne Professor Chris Johnson, the University of Tasmania Michael Worboys, Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester With thanks to Paula Pérez Fraga at Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary

This is the story of the domesticated animal that feralised itself. Where did dingoes come from and when? Where does a wild dog stop and a dingo begin? How much can genetics really tell us about Australia's only native dog — and how long do you have to live somewhere to be 'native'? Featuring: Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage Kelly Ann Blake, Wadawurrung woman, and Jack the Dingo Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford Professor Euan Ritchie, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Jacinta Bowler, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

Are puppy dog eyes really a sign of love, or does Fido just want a lil snack? Can dogs really "speak" by pressing talking buttons, or do they just make great content for TikTok? There's more to canine communication than howls and growls — and a wagging tail could be telling you more than you think. Featuring: Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Associate professor Federico Rossano director of the comparative cognition lab at the University of California San Diego Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

'Man's best friend' sure sounds better than 'obligatory symbiont', but what are the true dynamics at play? There's no denying the bond people feel and the attachment dogs have for their humans, but if we put that beautiful relationship under scientific scrutiny, does it hold up? Can any dog go 'full Lassie' if you (or Timmy) gets stuck down a well? Will your dog save you? Featuring: Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of Melbourne Professor Chris Johnson, the University of Tasmania Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of Bern Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

There's designer clothes, but they have nothing on designer dogs! They come in a huge range of shapes and colours and sizes, from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane. In the animal world this much variation usually means different species, but not for dogs — so where did they all come from? And what role did Victorian-era rats play in the development of 'breed standards'? Featuring: Joyce Sullivan, papillon breeder Wayne Douglas OAM, Afghan Hound breeder Esther Joseph, all breeds judge Michael Worboys emeritus professor the University of Manchester Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage Dr. Elaine Ostrander, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US) Dr Heidi Parker, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US) Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

The relationship between humans and big scary wolves has come a long way to give us tiny fluffy lap dogs with very discerning tastes in expensive food. Whose idea was it? Was it the wolves who wanted the warmth of the fire, or the humans who wanted protection from the other scary carnivores?  And take a look at the first archaeological evidence of a beloved family pet preserved with its human family for almost 15,000 years! Featuring: Luc Janssens, Specialist in small animal surgery and archaeologist Professor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of Oxford Dr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle Heritage Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Petria Ladgrove, Executive Producer

A new series from What the Duck?! is coming soon. Dr Ann Jones is exploring the connection between humans and dogs and asking how our destinies became intertwined. How did we get pugs from wolves? How did the howling creatures of our nightmares become floppy eared, tail wagging good boys and girls? From the very first archaeological evidence of 'beloved family pet' to the paw-pushing communication buttons on YouTube… this is a look at the true nature of the relationship with man's best friend.

How does a snake climb a pole? It's not like they have a ladder... or arms. It turns out that snakes have some pretty crazy skills when it comes to climbing anything and everything. The Island of Guam had between two and four million brown tree snakes in the 1980s, leading to all sorts of issues for the birds and the environment. Guests: Dr Aaron Collins- Assistant State Director Guam/Western Pacific Theatre at USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services Professor Kristin Y. Pettersen- Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and System at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Stuart McKenzie - Director/Owner at The Snake Catcher Sunshine Coast Professor Bruce C. Jayne- Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. Charlie and Olivia, Board game players. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast on the 5th of March 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Would you meet a stranger in a park with a pile of snakes?  Comedian Craig Quartermaine took the risk in an attempt to overcome his fears. Featuring: Craig Quartermaine, comedian.  Sandy Dickinson, Urban Reptiles. Jonathan Wright, announcer's voice.  Production: Ann Jones, presenter/producer. Petria Ladgrove, producer. Joel Werner, script editor. Field recording: Dylan Prins. Additional mastering: Angie Grant. This episode was originally broadcast in 2023. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Yuggera, Turrbal and Kaurna people.

Have you heard of the Kookaburra that conquered Hollywood? Yes- that was a kookaburra at the start of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. But WHY?  Dr Ann Jones is on a mission to find out.   Featuring: Ella Loeffler, Film and Bird Watcher.  Dr Maggie Watson, Ornithologist, ecologist, fantasy fiction fan.  Assoc Professor Cameron Webb,  Mosquito Wrangler, NSW Health and University of Sydney. Professor John W. Fitzpatrick, Emeritus Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, James Currie, Sound Recordist / Editor.  With extra sounds from Listener: Jesse Cotteril   Movie Sounds: The Wizard of Oz (1939) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Charlie's Angels (2000) Columbia Pictures Tarzan and the Green Goddess (1938) Burroughs-Tarzan Enterprises Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Paramount Pictures The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) Universal Pictures/ Amblin Entertainment Finding Nemo (2003) Pixar Animation/ Walt Disney Pictures Lord of the Rings - Return of the Kings (2003) New Line Cinema Mary Poppins (1964) Walt Disney Pictures Skippy (1968) Fauna Productions Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) Warner Brothers   Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Spiders have gravity-defying ninja skills, they can hear without ears and they work together to gang up on huge prey. Spiders are murder machines! Featuring: Dr Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University. Dr Alfonso Aceves-Aparicio, University Hamburg. Dr Jay Stafstrom, Cornell University. Dr Lena Grinsted, University of Portsmouth. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editor.  Additional mastering: Angela Grant.    This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people and was first broadcast on the 17th of December 2022.

A tiny penis, a 12-hour annual fertilisation window, picky females and strawberry bubble bath – these are just a few of the issues that pop up when making a panda cub. Featuring: Chad Crittle, Acting Assistant Curator for Carnivores and Ungulates at Zoos SA. Mr Li Zhang, Consul, Head of Bilateral Section at the Chinese Consulate-General in Adelaide. Dr Meghan Martin Wintle, Director, Conservation Ecologist at PDX Wildlife. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering:  Carey Dell. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast on April the 1st 2023 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people. The pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, are no longer at the Adelaide Zoo. They've been replaced with new pandas, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan.

There's a whole world of mystery, and quite a bit of maths,  inside the humble sea shell. Forget ancestry searches online, shells can tell you the history of the world! Featuring: Amy Prendergast, University of Melbourne. Jann Vendetti, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.  Dr Paul Butler, Researcher at the University of Exeter.    Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Carey Dell This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in March 2023 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Jaws (1975) was a massive hit that also created a whole lot of fear, but does anything in the film really stand up to shark science?  Do sharks stalk humans? Do they roar? What can they sense?  There are so many misconceptions when it comes to sharks that even now, 50 years later, these are impacting shark policies in Australia, and have come to be known as 'the jaws effect.' Featuring: Sophie Maycock, shark obsessive and founder of SharkSpeak.  Chris Pepin-Neff – Shark policy expert at the University of Sydney.  Jaws (1975) Universal Studios. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in Nov 2024 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Female lab mice have been bred to be passive and breed with ease.  But, in the wild they're feisty and even pugnacious. How much of our biological understanding of the world is based on misogyny? Featuring: Lucy Cooke, Zoologist and author of Bitch A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal. Professor Arthur Georges, University of Canberra. Professor Catherine Dulac, Harvard University. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering:  Ann-Marie Debettencor. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in July 2023 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Eels are mysterious and have a fascinating history.  People in pre-medieval England used them to pay rent. Early 17th-century maps featured 'eel ships,' and even Sigmund Freud studied their breeding and reproduction habits for a whole summer. Dr Ann Jones gets 'eely' curious about eels in today's What the Duck?! Featuring: Dr. John Wyatt Greenlee, Historian Cornell University.  Erin Rose, Budj Bim World Heritage Executive Officer at Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Braydon Saunders, Tour Guide Coordinator at Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism. Tyson Lovett-Murray, Budj Bim World Heritage Ranger at Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Wayne Koster, Research Scientist at the Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Victorian Government. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Timothy Jenkins. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in March 2023 and was produced on the land of the Gunditjmara, Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

When it comes to sexual organs, the penis is really ‘out there.’  Name another organ that can change its form AND function in a matter of seconds!  There’s a lot of variety in the animal kingdom; from spikes and nails to coils and collagen – so, this appendage is worth investigating... close up.   Sex is Weird is a new series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom.    Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. It was first broadcast in August 2024.  Featuring:  Dr Emily Willingham, biologist, journalist and author.   Dr Diane Kelly, Senior Research Fellow, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.   Associate Professor Andrew Durso, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida.   Associate Professor Patty Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, US.  Dr Bruno Buzatto, Flinders University, South Australia.    Philippa Holm, HFR Performance Horses, Victoria.  Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Aussie classic Babe turns 30 this year, and its story of the little pig that achieves his dream of being a sheep dog is still as uplifting as the day it premiered. But we can't say "that'll do, pig" when it comes to the science.... By now, we know pigs aren't "definitely stupid", but how smart are they? Would an orphaned pig be taken in by a family of dogs? Could a pig really learn to herd sheep? And would Babe really stay so small for so long? Dr Ann Jones sniffs out the porkies Hollywood told us in this poignant pig picture.  Featuring: Dr Daryl Sparkes, Senior Lecturer (Media Studies and Production) at the University of Southern Queensland Professor Chris Johnson, Ecologist and Conservation Biologist at the University of Tasmania Associate Professor Suzanne Held, Behavioural Biology and Animal Welfare at the University of Bristol Babe (1995), Universal Pictures Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Isabella Tropiano, additional mastering This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the lands of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Taungurung, and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

If you have a fear of getting swooped by magpies, mobbed by seagulls or blinded by crows, perhaps Alfred Hitchcock is to blame. His 1963 horror classic The Birds created a generation of ornithophobes, and played on our fears of death by feathered fiend.  But how accurate are his creepy corvids? Do birds of a feather flock together exclusively? Can a bird go all 'Here's Johnny' on a locked door? Do birds hold grudges? Dr Ann Jones gets a bird's eye view of Hollywood's avian lies. Featuring: David Stratton, Australian film critic Associate Professor Lucy Aplin, Research School of Biology at the Australian National University Dr Corrie Ackland, clinical psychologist, Sydney Phobia Clinic  The Birds (1963), Universal Pictures Further reading: Nearly 3 Billion Birds Gone, Cornell University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Isabella Tropiano, additional mastering This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the lands of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Taungurung, and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

Remember that 1998 film Antz? The one about an ant named Z? The one where the ants had nightmare-inducing human teeth? The one we probably have to blame for the existence of Jerry Seinfeld's Bee Movie? Considering the movie is all about ants, you'd think it'd get SOMETHING right about ants. But Hollywood has once again LIED TO US. Do male ants have any jobs outside the boudoir? Can ants breathe? Do ants have creepy little human teeth? Ann Jones sets out to be pedANTic and find the facts in the fiction. Featuring: Dr Kirsti Abbott, ant lover and head of science at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Antz (1998), DreamWorks Pictures Further reading: Social isolation causes mortality by disrupting energy homeostasis in ants Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Rebecca McLaren, Producer Isabella Tropiano, additional mastering This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the lands of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Taungurung, and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

In 1985, a real American black bear consumed a bunch of cocaine that'd been dropped from a plane into the forest, and died. Nearly 40 years later Hollywood stepped in the rewrite the story. What would happen if the bear survived? Maybe it'd go on a coke-fueled rampage. That's how it works, right? Cocaine Bear (2023) launched a lot of memes, but does it get anything right about bears, or how they'd act under the influence of blow...or did Hollywood lie to us? Would a black bear really eat a drug dealer alive? Do bears do 'snow' *wink* angels? Dr Ann Jones cuts through it all to get some serious answers.  Guests: Nate Bowersock, Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation, Chair, The BearWise Program Dr Ben Kilham, founder Kilham Bear Centre Nat Tencic, What the Duck?! producer  Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Isabella Tropiano, additional mastering This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the lands of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

Quick! Think of a ‘dinosaur movie’. Chances are Jurassic Park (1993) was first to mind.    Steven Spielberg’s genetic nightmare/theme park gone wrong classic is so iconic that it inspired a generation of kids to study palaeontology, and reinvented our modern popular idea of dinosaurs. But does that idea still stack up?    Could you really clone a triceratops from DNA found in an ancient mozzie?   Did dilophosaurus really look like a frill-necked lizard?   And aren’t dinosaurs supposed to be feathery?    Ann Jones cracks into how Jurassic Park did (and didn’t) lie to us.  Featuring:  Dr Travis Holland, Senior Lecturer in Communication at Charles Sturt University, host Fossils and Fiction Podcast  Tim Richards, Lecturer at the University of Queensland Associate Professor Cameron Webb, Mosquito Expert, NSW Health Pathology & University of Sydney  This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the lands of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

When you really think about it, sex to make babies is WEIRD! You take an outie that has to get stuck inside an innie that links into a production line of eggs to assemble a perfect tiny being. It’s so damn complicated! So why does it work like that? Join us at What the Duck for the first episode of a series where we figure out how living things went from splitting ourselves in half to double the population, to periodically feeling compelled to copulate in such a vigorous, sometimes highly embarrassing, manner. Earth - this is your sexual history! Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended.  This is a summer repeat of Episode One -  please find the rest of the "Sex is Weird" series here. Featuring: Emeritus Professor David Siveter, University of Leicester, UK. Assistant Professor Emily Mitchell, University of Cambridge, UK and curator of non-insect invertebrates, University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, UK. Dr Marissa Betts, geologist and palaeontologist at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia.  Dr Emily Willingham, biologist, journalist and author. Associate Professor Patty Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, US.  Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano and Russell Stapleton. Thanks also to Will Ockenden, Belinda Smith, Corey Hague and Joel Werner.  If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in September 2024 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Could a legless lizard be 'minimalist of the year' for famous podcaster T. K. Coleman? Ann Jones leads an unlikely gang of animal experts on a tidy dance through the philosophy of minimalism. There are moths without mouths, flies without wings, and a worm-lizard that will even declutter its own tail.  Move over Marie Kondo, Minimalist Mother Nature is in town.  Featuring: T. K. Coleman, Co-host of the Minimalists Podcast. Dr. Bryan Lessard, aka Bry the Fly Guy, entomologist and author of 'Eyes on Flies'. Dr. George Binns,  Entomologist, Macquarie University. Dr. David Wong, Ecologist. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Russell Stapleton.   If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in March 2024 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a tingly sensation that can bring relaxation, and it's spawned a growing industry of videos online of whispering, tapping, mouth noises and soft speaking.  But, if you wanted quiet, intimate sounds, well, Nature does it so. much. better.  Ann Jones goes on an ASMR journey with vibrating caterpillars, whispering monkeys and birds who want to keep secrets.  Featuring: Dr Giulia Poerio, University of Sussex. Thanh Sagris, ASMR artist, Melbourne. Associate Professor Rachel Morrison, University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Associate Professor Rindy Anderson, Florida Atlantic University. Associate Professor Mandy Ridley, University of Western Australia. Professor Jayne Yack, Carleton University. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Russell Stapleton.   If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in Feb 2024 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Imagine you've just been cancelled for a controversial opinion about Taylor Swift's musical output, and you have to go to ground. You can act like the Olsen twins, and hide behind big glasses and a big coat. Or you could take a lesson from nature and blend in, like a proverbial spotty quoll into the bush. The animal kingdom has a lot to teach us about camouflage and animal markings. Featuring: Dr Belinda Wilson, The Australian National University. Associate Professor Tanya Latty, University of Sydney. Dr Quentin Fogg, University of Melbourne. Dr Kaia Tombak, Purdue University.  Professor Marc Holderied, Bristol University. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.   If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in Feb 2024 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Right now, you’re probably sitting on one of the most unique things about humans. One thing that separates us from the apes, from the birds, from EVERYTHING on earth. The thing that allows us to walk upright, on two legs. We have big butts and I cannot lie, This sort of exceptionalism doesn’t deny, That when a bird walks in with a little bit of haste And drumsticks in your face, you have to admit that bipedalism ISN’T what’s interesting. It's actually our peachy butts. Featuring: Professor Daniel Lieberman, Harvard University, US. Professor Jo Setchell, Durham University, UK.  Dr Peter Bishop, Harvard University, US. Lauren Thornton, University of Sunshine Coast. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Russell Stapleton. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in Feb 2024 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

How many species live around your house? In the COVID lockdown of 2020, three housemates decided to count. They thought there’d only be a handful, but the number kept rising and rising. Could their simple suburban Queenslander house be the next candidate for a new national park? Featuring: Dr Matt Holden, Mathematician, University of Queensland. Dr Andrew Rogers, Ecologist, University of Melbourne. Dr Russell Yong, Taxonomist.  Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Nathan Turnbull. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in Feb 2024 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer is a Christmas classic... but how much do we really know about reindeer?  In the last instalment of "Hollywood lied to us" for 2024, Ann Jones fact-checks the festive fairytale for biological accuracy. What would it take for a reindeer to fly? What are their noses really like? Would a glowing nose even make a decent fog light?? Featuring: Belinda Smith, ABC Science Online reporter Tim Horstkotte, Staff scientist at Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Petria Ladgrove, Producer Nat Tencic, Producer Isabella Tropiano, additional mastering This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the lands of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

The Lion King (1994), aka Hamlet with Cats, is an iconic family classic. But would The Lion King's portrayal of a pride make biologists proud? Ann Jones presents “Hollywood lied to us” - a What The Duck?! podcast that takes your favourite movies and puts them under the microscope to work out what would happen in the real world and what’s just Hollywood magic. Would Simba really end up with Nala? Would the hyena henchmen really fall in line for a lion? They’re the big questions and Ann Jones has all the answers."   Featuring: Amanda Finn, The Lion King super fan,  Theatre, travel, and lifestyle journalist. Dr Neil Jordan, Conservation Scientist in the Centre for Ecosystem Science at the University of New South Wales and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, and researcher with Botswana Predator Conservation. The Lion King, 1994, Disney Studios. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano Check out our Hyena episode here! This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

The movie is fictional but Groundhog Day (asking a groundhog for a long-term weather report)  IS A REAL THING! But wait, what even ARE groundhogs? AND do they have any qualifications in meteorology? Ann Jones is examining the biological accuracy of classic movies with the help of scientists and fans in the series "Hollywood Lied to Us." Featuring: Link Olson, Curator of Mammals, University of Alaska Museum. Dr Adam Daniel, Western Sydney University.  Associate Professor Mike Rennie, Lakehead University. Groundhog Day by Columbia Pictures  Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

Yes, the Little Mermaid is an animated movie, but if it were real, where would this mermaid paradise be?  Is it plausible that Ursula the Octo-woman would have henchmen in the form of eels?  Ann Jones is examining the biological accuracy with the help of scientists and fans  of classic movies in the series "Hollywood Lied to Us." Featuring: Flo Rama- The Little Mermaid super fan.  Professor Peter Godfrey-Smith, Sydney University.  The Little Mermaid, Disney Studios. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

Jaws (1975) was a massive hit that also created a whole lot of fear, but does anything in the film really stand up to shark science? Do sharks stalk humans? Do they roar? What can they sense? There are so many misconceptions when it comes to sharks that even now, 50 years later, these are impacting shark policies in Australia, and have come to be known as 'the jaws effect.' Featuring: Sophie Maycock, shark obsessive and founder of SharkSpeak.  Chris Pepin-Neff – Shark policy expert at the University of Sydney.  Jaws (1975) Universal Studios. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

Did you know that pigeons make milk?  The pigeon gets a bad rap, but it is actually an incredible bird with a rich history. It is related to the dodo and even played a role in the French Revolution! Surely this bird deserves some recognition?   Featuring: Rosemary Mosco, Science writer and author of 'The Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching'. Nathan Finger, Host of 'Bird of the Week' podcast  Dr Robin Leppitt, Ornithologist. April Broadbent, Pigeon Rehabber. Aaron and Aria, Pigeon Fanciers. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in Dec 2023 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Are you high, or is that a sheep glowing? Yep- sheep glow, but that's not all... when it comes to glowing the list of animals includes the platypus, dolphin teeth, bilby ears and Tasmanian Devil feet.    Featuring: Linda Reinhold, Zoologist at James Cook University. Professor Simon Lewis, Curtin University.  Dr. Kenny Travouillon, Western Australian Museum.  Caitlin Grieve, Hillend Dorsets. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script editing. Additional mastering:  Simon Branthwaite. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in October 2023 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

There's a statue of an ostrich wearing a saddle in Meningie, South Australia. The large bird statue is dedicated to the legend of "John Francis Peggotty", the Birdman of the Coorong.  He loved gold, robbed stagecoaches, and used an ostrich as a getaway car. OR DID HE?!    Featuring: Denice Mason, teacher and Meningie resident. Associate Professor Rohan Clarke, Monash University and co-author of the Australian Bird Guide. Jacob Fiebig, Meningie resident and composer of "The ballad of John Peggotty".  Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editor.  Additional mastering: Angie Grant. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in Feb 2022 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna people. If you want to hear more "What the Duck?" episodes- please like and subscribe here.

What makes a true fly and do we really need them?  As per usual the What the Duck?! team is elbow-deep in crap looking for a way out. And the way out, is flies!   Featuring: Dr Bryan Lessard, Entomologist, Author of Eyes on Flies.    Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in September 2022 and is produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

A group of Killer whales have been hassling boats around Spain over the last few years.  They've been nibbling the rudders and even sinking yachts, but why? Has anyone considered that it might be revenge?  How dangerous are Orcas anyway?  Featuring: Martin Evans, UK Sailor. Professor Peter Keegan, History and Archaeology at Macquarie University.  Dr Rebeca Wellard, Curtin University. Dr Luke Rendell, University of St Andrews, Scotland.  Anna Selbmann, University of Iceland. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast on the 30th of September 2023 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Did you know that some squirrels, otters and goats are capable of autofellatio?  And ferrets, macaques and dolphins can use rocks, plants and other objects as sex toys?  Fresh off the back of the Sex is Weird series, Sana Qadar from All in the Mind is getting the down low on animal masturbatory behaviours.  Dr Ann Jones has all the goss and it's entirely ruined her internet search history.    Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended.   Featuring: Sana Qadar, Presenter All in the Mind.  Check out her podcast on the psychology of masturbation here.  Matthias Wentzlaff-Eggebert, Listener.   Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Petria Ladgrove, Producer Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.   This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Sex comes at a cost, there’s energy, time, risks of predators, and diseases… so do we even need it? Asexual organisms don’t seem to miss the dating scene, and yet here we are putting a whole lot of energy into sex, even when it doesn't lead to babies when same sexes attract. Of course, sex is a chance to genetically repair faults and outrun threats, but is the pay-off really enough? Sex is Weird is a series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom.   Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended.   Featuring: Associate Professor Kevin Teather, Author, The Evolution of Sex. Assistant Professor Amanda Gibson, University of Virginia. Professor Joseph Heitman, Duke University. Professor Jenny Graves, La Trobe University.   Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Petria Ladgrove, Producer Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.   This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

It turns out not everyone was listening when it was written ‘it takes two to tango’ and some species can go it alone in their quest to reproduce. And then there’s the plants that decided THREE or ONE was for them, never an even number.  Why is sex so... suspiciously complicated?  Sex is Weird is a series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the natural world.   Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended.    Featuring: Dr Meredith Lake, Presenter, Soul Search ABC Radio National. Dr Michael Whitehead, Evolutionary Ecologist.  Libby Eyre, Biologist, Macquarie University. Associate Professor Andrew Durso, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida.  Professor Michael Kearney,  University of Melbourne.  Dr Christine Dudgeon, University of Queensland.    Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Petria Ladgrove, Producer Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

What is the role of pleasure in successful reproduction? Evolution says it's mightily important: every female vertebrate has a clitoris. Snakes have two! Female pleasure has been selected for. Making sex fun and pleasurable is a biologically sensible thing to do, more sex means more potential babies. Some studies of pigs and dairy cows have found an increase of up to 6% in successful conception when the females are stimulated during artificial insemination. Sex is Weird is a new series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom. Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Featuring: Dr Bruno Buzatto, Flinders University, South Australia. Lynette Greenwood, Dairy farmer, Victoria. Associate Professor Andrew Durso, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida. Lucy Cooke, Author and Film maker. Associate Professor Patty Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, US. Emeritus Professor Susan Suarez, Cornell University, New York. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Petria Ladgrove, Producer Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people

Do animals fall in love at first sight? Every species has different traits that are 'attractive' — they're showing off their DIY skills making a bower, vibrating sexy fruit fly songs, puffing up a wattle, or just having really massive moose… antlers. Is this innate attraction like falling in love or is it more like meeting a (really hot) investment advisor? Because these attractive traits are also messages about genes – who will make a good investment to partner with for the next generation. Of course, one species beauty is another's turn off, and some species have a very low bar (looking at you guppies), so Hot or Not could end up being a very individual thing. Sex is Weird is a new series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom. Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Featuring: Dr Bruno Buzatto, Flinders University, South Australia. Nathan Finger, Bird of the Week podcast host. Jason Graham, Pacific black duck conservation group, Tasmania. Dr Victoria Austin, Western Sydney University. Professor Rob Brooks, University of New South Wales. Dr Judy Wang, Queensland Brain Institute. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer Petria Ladgrove, Producer Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

The energy required to grow, birth and raise young is intense, so it's only fair that the female body has some tricks to make sure reproducing is worth it. From cryptic choice to immune system sperm blockers, the female reproductive system can be a literal maze for those seeking to gain access to her eggs. In the battle of the sexes, this is females fight back. Sex is Weird is a new series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom. Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Featuring: Professor Sarah Robertson, University of Adelaide.   Dr Diane Kelly, Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Associate Professor Patricia Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, US. Emeritus Professor Susan Suarez, Cornell University, New York. Professor Mariana Wolfner, Cornell University, New York.   Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.   This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

When it comes to sexual organs, the penis is really ‘out there.’  Name another organ that can change its form AND function in a matter of seconds!  There’s a lot of variety in the animal kingdom; from spikes and nails to coils and collagen – so, this appendage is worth investigating... close up.   Sex is Weird is a new series of What the Duck?! With Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom.    Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended.         Featuring:    Dr Emily Willingham, biologist, journalist and author.   Dr Diane Kelly, Senior Research Fellow, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.   Associate Professor Andrew Durso, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida.   Associate Professor Patty Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, US.  Dr Bruno Buzatto, Flinders University, South Australia.    Philippa Holm, HFR Performance Horses, Victoria.    Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.   This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

When you really think about it, sex to make babies is WEIRD! You take an outie that has to get stuck inside an innie that links into a production line of eggs to assemble a perfect tiny being. It’s so damn complicated! So why does it work like that? Join us at What the Duck for the first episode of a new series where we figure out how living things went from splitting ourselves in half to double the population, to periodically feeling compelled to copulate in such a vigorous, sometimes highly embarrassing, manner. Earth - this is your sexual history!   Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended.    Featuring: Emeritus Professor David Siveter, University of Leicester, UK. Assistant Professor Emily Mitchell, University of Cambridge, UK and curator of non-insect invertebrates, University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, UK. Dr Marissa Betts, geologist and palaeontologist at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia.  Dr Emily Willingham, biologist, journalist and author. Associate Professor Patty Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, US.    Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano. Thanks also to Will Ockenden, Belinda Smith, Corey Hague and Joel Werner.    This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

How the duck did sex evolve as a major form of reproduction? Sex is Weird is a brand new series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones.  From the evolution of the first-ever genitals and the strange methods that animals use to copulate, to the unbelievable ways that the female body responds to sex.  So strap in and get ready for the ride of your life, you'll never think about sex the same way again!   Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended.    Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: Russel Stapleton.   This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

Have the crabs been lying to us? They usually have ten legs and eyes on stalks, but there are all sorts of things hiding under the shell, including emotions.  There are true crabs, false crabs, and even shame-faced crabs which implies that some of them, at least, are guilty.   Featuring: Dr Rachael King, SA Museum.  Professor Judith Weis, Rutgers University, Newark.  Dr Annabel Dorrenstein, University of Western Sydney. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people and was first broadcast in September 2023.

Spiders have gravity-defying ninja skills, they can hear without ears and they work together to gang up on huge prey. Spiders are murder machines!   Featuring: Dr Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University. Dr Alfonso Aceves-Aparicio, University Hamburg. Dr Jay Stafstrom, Cornell University. Dr Lena Grinsted, University of Portsmouth.   Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editor.  Additional mastering: Angela Grant.    This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people and was first broadcast on the 17th of December 2022.

Ripper the musk duck had many bad habits – chief among them was attacking the keepers and then swearing under his breath. But was Ripper really angry, or was his potty mouth a symptom of something much more sinister?   FEATURING: Peter Fullagar, wildlife sound recordist and retired CSIRO Scientist. Nick Hayward, Film maker, The Message of the Lyrebird. Daryl Snowdon, Duck Shooter. Lisa Sperber, Ballarat Bird World parrot whisperer.  Victoria Austin, University of Western Sydney..  Carel Ten Cate,  Institute of Biology Leiden.   EXTRA SOUND RECORDINGS: Ripper the Duck and others, Peter Fullagar via the Australian National Wildlife Collection at the CSIRO, files X49184 and X49185. Brolgas grunting by Henry Cook. Echo the Lyrebird imitating a (human) baby, courtesy of Taronga Zoo. Regent Honeyeaters in the wild by Ross Crates, ANU.   Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Jo Khan, Field Producer. Joel Werner, Script editor. Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people. It was first published on the 29th of Jan 2022.

You can run but you can't hide! Ever wondered how a mosquito manages to hit a blood vessel without fail? And that one mozzie that you hear buzzing and buzzing at night? It’s probably a species that prefers birds and is trying to determine whether you’re a bird.   Featuring: Assoc Prof. Cameron Webb, NSW Pathology & University of Sydney. Dr. Jana Batovska, Agriculture Victoria.   Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. This episode of What the Duck?! was first broadcast in June 2022 and produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

How does a snake climb a pole? It's not like they have a ladder... or arms. It turns out that snakes have some pretty crazy skills when it comes to climbing anything and everything. The Island of Guam had between two and four million brown tree snakes in the 1980s, leading to all sorts of issues for the birds and the environment.   Guests: Dr Aaron Collins- Assistant State Director Guam/Western Pacific Theatre at USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services Professor Kristin Y. Pettersen- Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and System at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Stuart McKenzie - Director/Owner at The Snake Catcher Sunshine Coast Professor Bruce C. Jayne- Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. Charlie and Olivia, Board game players.   Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Joel Werner, Script Editing. Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri.   This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast on the 5th of March 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

It's the early 20th century,  a government scientist position was determined by a boxing match, and a tomato virus threatened to stop the development of Australian-style tomato sauce in its tracks.  Luckily, apart from their prowess as fighters, Australian plant scientists were leaders in identifying and controlling plant illnesses.  They wouldn't do it without some drama though, and in this very special podcast extra, Ann Jones traces some of the turbulent history of tomato virus research down under.    Featuring: Associate Professor Andrew Geering, University of Queensland. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri. This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Plants are fully sick right now - and not just because indoor plants are in fashion.  They have an immune system, they get infections, and can catch viruses... they just can't move away from their sick neighbours. While we depend on white blood cells to fight off and remember pathogens, plants rely on inherited knowledge of past threats in their DNA, plus the effective altruism of individual cells to sacrifice themselves rather than damage the whole.  Featuring: Associate Professor Andrew Geering, University of Queensland. Professor John Rathjen, Australian National University.  Dr Amy MacKenzie, University of Adelaide. Belinda Smith, ABC Science reporter. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering:  Emrys Cronin This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

It seems absolutely bonkers that an animal can muster ELECTRICITY, especially enough to send out a zap like a taser.  But that's exactly what electric eels can do, and the world record holder more than doubles the voltage of the Australian electricity supply.  More than that, electric eels inspired the design of Volta's first batteries, but (hold onto your socks so they don't get blown off) they're not the only ones who've got electricity pumping through their bodies.  Featuring: Professor Will Crampton, University of Central Florida. Professor Ken Catania, Vanderbilt University. Professor Kate Trinajstic, Curtin University. Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering:  Emrys Cronin This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.