PODCAST · science
WTFauna
by WTFaunaPod
A podcast where we chat about obscure, unusual, or otherwise often overlooked animals. The world is full of amazing creatures; join us to explore some of them!
Episodes
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Moritz's Leaf-tailed Gecko (Saltuarius moritzi)
This week we had to steal a bit of time to record while driving down to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. Our animal of the week was our main target — a unique lizard that neither of us had seen before. We found some the very evening after this episode was recorded (see the thumbnail)!
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Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex)
This week we discuss a very imposing bird. Despite sometimes being referred to as a 'shoebill stork', this ambush predator is actually more related to pelicans.
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California Newt (Taricha torosa)
This week we discuss a bright orange toxic gummy lizard — we do not advise consumption of this salamander.
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Australian Paralysis Tick (Ixodes holocyclus)
This week we have a slightly uncomfortable chat about a health-relevant parasite that we both have some experience with.
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Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)
This week, we chat about the heaviest bony fish in the world (and its relatives). They don't quite match their historical "slow & lazy" reputation!
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Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
This week we discuss a superhero! Wait, no — it's an animal after all. Built like a tank and with a reputation that preceeds it, are Wolverines really just the simple, agressive animals they're made out to be?
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African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis)
This week, we chat about one of the most widely studied animals on the planet — and it all started with... a pregnancy test?
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Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
This week we discuss Dom's favorite animal! From a surprising evolutionary history to fascinating personal experiences, this is certainly an episode not to miss.
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Numata Longwing (Heliconius numata)
This week we discuss an Amazonian butterfly — but you'd be forgiven for thinking it was more than one.
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Sunda Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus)
This week we talk about a flying lemur — except it doesn't fly, and it's not a lemur.
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Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia)
This week we discuss a venomous snake that Jon was lucky enough to recently encounter at Paya Indah wetlands in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (the episode thumbnail). We also chat about snake venom and field safety more generally.
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Dugong (Dugong dugon)
This week we remain in the vicinity of Stradbroke island in south-east Queensland to discuss a charismatic marine mammal: the dugong.
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Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus magnirostris)
This week we chat about an immediately recognisable yet poorly studied beach bird with our toes in the sand at Stradbroke island.
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African Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)
This week we discuss a small crocodilian that may not be what you imagine as a classic 'crocodile'.
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Tarantula Hawk Wasp (Pepsis thisbe)
Thisbweek we discuss a group of fascinating wasps, using one species as a bit of a case study. Fair warning: nature may always be fascinating, but it isn't always pleasant.
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Mountain Chicken (Leptodactylus fallax)
This week, we discuss the 'mountain chicken'. Good luck guessing the type of animal if you don't already know!
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European Hamster (Cricetus cricetus)
This week we discuss the largest hamster species. There was a lot to cover, but their current conservation situation was particularly fascinating!
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Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
This week's topic is a unique bird of prey--sort of like an eagle on stilts. Perhaps best known for hunting snakes (it's literally their scientific name), there's a lot more to discuss about this iconic African species!
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Túngara Frog (Engystomops pustulosus)
This week we chat about our first amphibian species for the pod! There's a lot to be said about this small Central American frog, and the research that's been done on this species allowed us to get into some fascinating topics around how scientists understand evolution.
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Marsupial Moles (Notoryctes sp.)
This week we discuss an obscure Australian marsupial that swims through sand. Although there's a lot we don't yet know about these small mammals, what we do know is fascinating!
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Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasilensis)
This week we discuss a small, parasitic shark known for biting circular plugs of flesh out of large fish, whales, and other animals. This one's a paradoxical species that we've known about for a while yet are still often left guessing about.
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Moose (Alces alces)
This week we discuss an emblem of northern forests: the moose. This charismatic species may be widely familiar, but the impressions we have of them may not always match the reality.
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Elephant mosquitoes (Toxorhynchites sp.)
This week we talk about a genus of mosquitoes. Don't be daunted by their large size--these may be the ideal mosquitoes for humans! One small amendment from Jon: in the episode, I didn't know the lifespan of the adults. I looked it up afterwards; they live a bit longer than I expected, ~2-4 weeks...
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Lyrebirds (Menura sp.)
Recorded on location at the Oreilly's Rainforest Retreat, this episode focuses on the charasmatic lyrebirds of Australia. These birds are perhaps best known for their incredible mimicking abilities (the sounds at the beginning of the episode are of a male Albert's Lyrebird that we saw over the...
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Chambered Nautilus (Nautilus pompilus)
This week we discuss an animal from an ancient lineage. This submarine cephalopod has some fascinating traits and behviours that have allowed species in this group to persist for about 500 million years, although demand for their shells has made them vulnerable to harvesting in the present day.
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Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)
This week we talk about a familar species in urban Australia: the white ibis. Often called a 'bin chicken' due to their tendency to eat human food scraps, these birds are actually a lot more interesting than mere pests.
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Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus)
This week we discuss a ground-licking, insect-eating hyena species (it's not actually a wolf, despite the name).
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California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
Today we discuss a species named after one of Jon's home states in the USA. These snakes are quite common yet may be unfamiliar even to their human neighbors!
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Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)
In this episode, we chat about an endemic reptile from New Zealand that - despite appearances - is not a lizard but rather the last member of a distinct evolutionary order, the Rhynchocephalia.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does WTFauna have?
WTFauna currently has 30 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is WTFauna about?
A podcast where we chat about obscure, unusual, or otherwise often overlooked animals. The world is full of amazing creatures; join us to explore some of them!
How often does WTFauna release new episodes?
WTFauna has 30 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to WTFauna?
You can listen to WTFauna 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 WTFauna?
WTFauna is created and hosted by WTFaunaPod.
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