PODCAST · science
Life, Death, and Taxonomy
by Life, Death, and Taxonomy
Learn about all things animalia in this family friendly podcast. Each week Joe and Carlos dive deep into nature to find animals that have at least one amazing talent they use to survive. Gather up some animal knowledge and crazy nature facts to drop on your friends at parties with each new episode of Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
Episodes
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Episode 439 – Ballista Spider: Yoink
Going after prey that's larger than you can be dangerous… now, when that prey also has thousands of friends nearby, it's truly a fools gambit… But what if you could yoink a single soldier away from her platoon at blistering speeds? Then you'd have a much easier time in Life Death and Taxonomy.
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Episode 438 – Velvet Ant: Thick Skinned
“…and today we’re talking about an ant that is-ant… but more on that later.” Somewhere between a plush toy and the insect version of a honey badger lies the velvet ant. This borderline cute cluster of pom pom balls glued together hides a surprisingly complicated security system behind its pizazz....
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Episode 437 – Elephant Seal: That’s Deep
“…and today we’re talking about a deep diving elephant. But more on that later.” The deeper you go in the ocean, the more alien it becomes… crushing pressure and oppressive darkness… It’s no place for a rotund mammal that spends several months of the year on land… but there’s food down there, and...
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Episode 436 – Foam-Nest Tree Frog: Modern Insulator
“…and today we’re talking about a modern insulator… but more on that inso-later.” Description of the Foam Nest Tree Frog Measure Up Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. The official listener’s favorite part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in...
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Episode 435- Trap Jaw Ant: Speed Trap
“And today we’re talking about the fastest animal alive. But more on that later.” Speed is a key stat in the animal kingdom… the peregrine falcon, the cheetah, and the sailfish all have their speed superlatives… but one bug doesn’t need to be the fastest flyer, sprinter, or swimmer… he just needs...
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Episode 434- Dark-Edged Bee-Fly: Two Bees in a Pod
“…and today we’re talking about the stolen valor of the insect world. But more on that later.” Many plants rely on animals known as pollinators in order to reproduce and everyone likes pollinators—in part because plants are pretty great but also due to the fact that bees and butterflies have some...
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Episode 433- Carolina Sphinx
“And today we’re talking about a sphinx with a fascinating riddle. But more on that later.” What happens to the very hungry caterpillar in the last pages of the book? “He stayed inside for more than two weeks,” it says… but did he really stay? Did he remain? Everyone learns about metamorphosis in...
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Episode 432- Tasselled Wobbegong: Fringe Fury
“…and today we’re talking about a sea rug that expresses deep sorrow and wretchedness, but more on that later.” The 70s and your average coral reef have one thing in common: shag carpets are a bad idea. In either case, you need to watch where you step, because you never know what lurks…
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Episode 431- Leopard Seal: Sing Low
“…today we’re talking about a toothy torpedo. But more on that later.” The leopard seal is a terrifying arctic predator. With a mouth full of teeth and a long jaw built for coming, it looks as much like a dinosaur as it does a sea mammal. Despite its efficiency as a fighter, it’s also something […]
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Episode 430 – Secretary Bird: Stop, Hammertoe
“…and today we’re talking about a bird that knows your schedule. But not really.” The combination of a velociraptor and an HR manager somehow produced a pretty elegant bird with a mean left hook. The secretary bird struts across the African savanna with confidence that is definitely well-earned....
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Episode 429 – Soldier Crab: Crab Computer
“…and today we’re talking about a creature that can walk forward and why that’s interesting. But more on that later.” Two cohorts meet on a beach, marching forward to meet one another head on… both flying the same blue colors. There’s no reason to fight, in fact, they are much stronger together…...
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Episode 428 – European Blister Beetle: Smells Like Team Spirit
“…and today we’re talking about a blistering bug in the blistering heat of summer. More on that later.” Some creatures kick in your front door. Others pick the lock, raid the fridge, and somehow convince you to thank them for stopping by. The European blister beetle belongs squarely in that…
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Episode 427 – Regal Jumping Spider: Silken Dreams
“…and today we’re talking about a tiny brain with big thoughts. But more on that later.” The regal jumping spider has those signature big round eyes that make this arthropod kind of cute… but if you watch them long enough, you might see that there’s thoughts behind those black pearls. Jumping...
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Episode 426 – Conomyrma Ants: Blocked!
“… and today we’re talking about a demolition ant. But more on that later.” Out in the desert lives a tiny tan troublemaker that treats civil engineering like psychological warfare. These little insects spend their days bustling about deserts and grasslands looking for what seems like harmless...
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Episode 425 – Sandgrinder Cicada: Machine Music
“…and today we’re talking about a bug that sounds like a power tool… but more on that later.” Early on a Saturday morning is no time to start hearing machinery going in the neighborhood… but what if you hear that same sound in Australia’s open heath habitats and woodlands? Did someone put gravel…
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Episode 424 – East Asian Orb Weaver: Catfishing in Morse Code
“…and today we’re talking about a sophisticated chemist. But more on that later.” In moonlit meadows and forest edges, there lurks a patient puppeteer. While most predators settle for catching dinner, a sort of “earn it and burn it” approach, the East Asian orb-weaver seems oddly interested in…
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Episode 423 – Brown Flower Beetle: Bumblin’ Beetle
“…and today we’re talking about a bumbling beetle, but more on that later.” A bee is a brilliant bug… essential to the natural order. Plants propagate with the help of these fuzzy friends… not just wild flowers, but all the plants we need to survive in a healthy ecosystem. But what happens when a...
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Episode 422 – African Crested Rat: Dressed to Kill
“…and today we’re talking about a fuzzy little creep. But more on that later.” Out in the rocky woodland alleys of East Africa lurks a rodent that ain’t nothin but a heartache. The African crested rat waddles around in a spikey stripey overcoat like a tiny hedge skunk with a toxic secret. Unlike...
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Episode 421 – Eastern Long-Neck Turtle: A Little Stinker
“…and today we’re talking about a stinky turt. But more on that later.” A turtle is designed for defense… A tiny tank swimming around a river with an armored body that’s hardened against hungry fish and birds. But what if you share that river with creatures with huge jaws, capable of crushing…
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Episode 420 – Pileated Woodpecker: Built to Bash
“…and today we’re talking about a pileated pile driver. But more on that later.” Somewhere deep in the forest, a feathered jackhammer slaves away to fill all the trees with holes. The pileated woodpecker attacks hardwood with its whole face and somehow strolls away from repeated headfirst...
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Episode 419 – New Caledonian Crow: Bird Nesting
“…and now we’re talking to high quality bird brains. But more on that later.” What does the crow know? Accounts, it does not grow. Seeds, it does not sow. But knowing it will show. When life asks the crow… To think to earn its dough. The new caledonian crow may be among the smartest birds […]
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Episode 418 – Snowy Tree Cricket: Nature’s Thermometer
“…and today we’re talking about a bug that is a scientific instrument… but more on that later.” In the sticky stillness of a summer night, a tiny troubadour tunes up in the trees. This pale, unassuming performer doesn’t just chirp—it engineers, improvises, and even has custom acoustics. This...
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Episode 417 – Titicaca Water Frog: Way of the Wrinkle
“…and today we’re talking about a frog with a funny name that we’re going to be mature about! But more on that eminently.” A special frog lives at the bottom of a lake on top of the world… Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable waterway on earth, and it’s home to an amphibian that’s gone […]
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Episode 416 – Northern Fulmar: Fowl Play
“..and today we’re talking about a fat baby sea bird. But more on that later.” Out on the icy oceans of the Arctic, the Northern Fulmar floats above the waves—calm, collected, and carrying a concealed weapons permit. This bird doesn’t bluff, doesn’t bluster, and certainly doesn’t believe in…
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Episode 415 – Black Footed Ferret: Back from the Brink
“…and today we’re talking about a Lazerus noodle. But more on that later.” The worst thing that can happen to a species is extinction. The balance of life and death tips towards oblivion… a corner of creation relegated to rejoin the dust. People are often the problem…but we’re getting better at...
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Episode 414 – Mountain Alcon Blue: Ant-Agonist
“…and today we’re talking about a bug adoption. But more on that later.” The insect world is a terrifying one. It’s a bug-eat-bug world out there. Some deal with it by being bigger, faster, stronger, or more numerous. Others have subtler ways of staying alive. The Mountain Alcon Blue caterpillar...
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Episode 413 – Goldie’s Tree Cobra: Cobra High
“…and today we’re talking about danger from above. But more on that later.” In the African rainforest lives the King of Trees, gliding along the canopy, seeking prey in his sky domain. His crown is slight, but not his bite. One peck sends his subjects into an eternal slumber. Leave the ground to...
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Episode 412 – Phillip Island Centipede
“…and today we’re talking about an insect that doesn’t stay in its lane. But more on that later.” Squirming the soil of a windswept island, lurks a many-legged menace with a taste that…raises eyebrows. It’s a wriggling, writhing ribbon of ruthless efficiency, equal parts nightmare noodle and…
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Episode 411 – Harlequin Cockroach: The Prettiest Pest
“…and today we’re talking about a bug that is a real jokester. But more on that now.” Suggestion from Rowan via email The harlequin cockroach is a little like the bus boy at an underground speakeasy. It clears a low bar. This brilliant bug is striking for its mottled pattern and interesting hues…...
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Episode 410 – Brazilian Free Tailed Bat: Friendly Skies
“…and today we’re talking about a friendly sky rat. But more on that later.” Picture a dusk-drenched desert sky where the horizon starts to move. A clear evening gives way to a tornado. But it’s not the weather, it’s a living, breathing, leathery blizzard pouring out of caverns deep within the...
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Episode 409 – Canadian Lynx: Hares Eat Lynx?
“…and today we’re talking about a cool Canadian cat. But more on that later.” As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another. A friend can show you the way to a better you… but sometimes… so can a rival. The Canadian wilderness is the field for an eternal game of cat and hare… […]
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Episode 408 – Spotted Ratfish: Water Rabbit
“…and today we’re talking about a fish that would shoot a guy in the back. But more on that later.” Lurking in the low-lit lounge of the Pacific lies the spotted ratfish, this silvery weirdo skims the ocean floor, callously crunching crustacean carapaces. Part shark, part rabbit, part catfish...
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Episode 407 – Black Rat: Chew Chew
“…and today we’re talking about insistent incisors. But more on that later.” A black rat finds a brick stack that blocks his way back to a food sack that helps his rat pack get a good snack. There’s no flaw in a steady gnaw in the brick’s flaw with a rat jaw and a sharp […]
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Episode 406 – Dementor Wasp: Put Me In, Roach
“…and today we’re talking about the worst thing about wasp prison. But more on that later.” Slender, shiny, and carrying the emotional energy of a horror movie villain, the Dementor Wasp floats through the insect world like a tiny eight-legged HR nightmare. This is not a creature that rushes,...
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Episode 405 – Wolverine: Boom and Bust Weasel
“…and today we’re talking about an animal so cool, they named an X-man after it.” It takes a tenacious heart to survive in the Yukon and other high latitude places. Food is a reward for the brave and the bold when temperatures drop below zero. The wolverine is a small creature with a big appetite...
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Episode 404 – Goat: Bleating Hearts
“…and today we’re talking about a screaming sensation. But more on that later.” In the open meadows, the humble goat grazes and stares into the middle distance, contemplating its place in the universe and the meaning of life. Its calls shift subtly, shaped by its social circle, adapting as needed...
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Episode 403 – Giant Owl Buttery: The Sincerest Form of Flattery
“…and today we’re asking hoo is this bug? But more on that later.” In nature, mimicry allows some creatures to ride the coat tails of others. You get the aura–the vibe of a dangerous, poisonous, or disgusting critter without having to put in the hard work of developing those traits. But the Giant...
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Episode 402 – Rooster: Earplugs
“…and today we’re talking about a familiar feathered friend. But more on that now.” In the quiet just before dawn, when everything feels briefly held in place, one animal steps in and breaks it like a neighbor who thinks that revving his mufflerless engine at 5 am is what the kids on fleek think…
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Episode 401 – Puffin: Join In to Fit In
“And today we’re talking about a tiny creature that looks like a penguin but isn’t. More on that later.” A bird with a funny name sits upon a dock post of a frigid Atlantic wharf, waiting for friends to arrive for the busy mating season. With a beak the color of sunset, these seabirds squawk […]
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Episode 400 – Iberian Harvester Ant: Little Farmer
“….and today we’re talking about a tiny, little farmer. But more on that later.” (Messor Ibericus) Measure Up Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. The official listener’s favorite part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in relatable terms…
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Episode 399 – Little Blue Penguin: Catastrophic Molt
“…and today we’re talking about little bird blue, but more on that later.” As seasons change, so do many animals. New coats, sloughed skin, fresh molts–even humans don’t wear white after labor day. For most, it’s a gradual process that can be a challenge, but makes way for growth. For some, it…
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Episode 398 – Alpine Swift: Nonstep Nonsense
“…and today we’re talking about a high fly star that’s not Taylor or D’andre… But more on that later. High above the Alps, where even eagles take snack breaks, there’s a bird that laughs in the face of gravity, sleep schedules, and layovers. It’s a feathered jet stream, a sky-soaring insomniac…
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Episode 397- Frilled Shark: Trident Bite
“…and today we’re talking about fish with an identity crisis. But more on that later.” Is it a snake? An eel? A buzz saw? The frilled shark is none of those things, and yet it’s something of all three. This creepy looking ocean creature appears to have blunt pearly whites from a distance, but a […]
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Episode 396 – African Buffalo: Seen and Herd
“…and today we’re talking about the savannah’s secret dangerous megafauna. But more on that later.” Species: Syncerus caffer, also known as Cape buffalo, savanna buffalo, or forest buffalo, depending on the subspecies. Description Build: Stocky and muscular with a broad chest, short neck, and...
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Episode 395 – Globe Skimmer: Bug Flight
“…and today we’re talking about a globe trotting bug. But more on that later.” A simple insect lives a glover trotter’s life. No dry season will do in this bug’s life–rainfall is needed near round to maintain a healthy life cycle. So, chasing storms all over the Indian ocean is the bold strategy...
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Episode 394 – Crown of Thorns Starfish: Chemical Bromance
“…and today we’re talking about a starfish that the jester stole. But more on that later.” Dive into the dazzling depths of the ocean, where a spiky sovereign slinks silently across coral castles, whispering secrets through an invisible ink of proteins. This prickly predator, a veritable…
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Episode 393 – Emperor Tamarin: Long Distance Charge
“…and today we’re talking about a monkey that pays for long distance. But more on that later.” Description Tiny primate, about the size of a large squirrel compared to other tamarins Soft, silky fur in a mix of gray, black, and brownish hues Distinctive long, white mustache that droops like a...
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Episode 392 – Dwarf Sperm Whale: Little Big Creature
“…and today we’re talking about a little big creature. But more on that later.” Description Appearance: Compact body with a blunt, shark-like head, small lower jaw, and grayish skin that may appear wrinkled, especially in older individuals. They have a dorsal fin, smaller than that of the pygmy...
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Episode 391- Thorny Devil: Ant Snacks
“…and today we’re talking about a dessert demon. But more on that later.” Finding a solid food source is a top priority in the red dust of the Australian outback. But one thorny little devil has developed an appetite for the dessert’s spicy buffet. Not all creatures can stomach one of nature’s…
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Episode 390 – Bogong Moth: The Stars Remind Us that the Past Is Real
“…and today we’re talking about a bug that dances by the light of the moon. But more on that later.” It’s time to dive into the dark, daring, and downright dazzling world of the Bogong moth! This unassuming little night-flyer might look like a dusty brown speck, but it’s got a secret superpower...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Learn about all things animalia in this family friendly podcast. Each week Joe and Carlos dive deep into nature to find animals that have at least one amazing talent they use to survive. Gather up some animal knowledge and crazy nature facts to drop on your friends at parties with each new episode of Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
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Life, Death, and Taxonomy
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Life, Death, and Taxonomy have?
Life, Death, and Taxonomy currently has 418 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Life, Death, and Taxonomy about?
Learn about all things animalia in this family friendly podcast. Each week Joe and Carlos dive deep into nature to find animals that have at least one amazing talent they use to survive. Gather up some animal knowledge and crazy nature facts to drop on your friends at parties with each new episode...
How often does Life, Death, and Taxonomy release new episodes?
Life, Death, and Taxonomy publishes regularly with 418 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Life, Death, and Taxonomy?
You can listen to Life, Death, and Taxonomy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Life, Death, and Taxonomy?
Life, Death, and Taxonomy is created and hosted by Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
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