What The Duck?!: Recent Episodes
ABC Radio
The show with a mission to explore the mysteries of nature - especially the ones that make you go What the Duck?!
You probably have a daddy-long-legs in your house right now.But when is having a weird housemate in the corner ACTUALLY a good thing? Dr Ann Jones investigates. Featuring:Dr Samantha Nixon, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr Lizzy Lowe, Invertebrates Australia.Thanks also to Dr Bernhard Huber, Arachnid Curator at Museum Koenig. 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.
An extra special, podcast only, five-minute story for you!A bird that stands over a metre tall hardly seems like it'd bow down to a rock star, but Johnny Cash played a burning role in the near-extinction of Californian Condors.Featuring:Dr. Maggie Watson, Zoologist at Charles Sturt University Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.
An ornithologist, a veterinarian and a religious devotee must find the serial killer before every last vulture in India is dead.
Featuring: Dr Campbell Murn, Head of Conservation at Hawk Conservancy Trust and University of Reading, UK. Dr Kishor Rithe, Interim Director, Bombay Natural History Society. Dr Andrea Santangeli, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Spain. Dr Percy Avari, Mumbai Vetinarary College. Sherally Munshi, Georgetown.
Vulture sounds provided by Nikita Mathur, India.
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.
We get a bit philosophical and try to find out that if animals do dream, will we ever be able to know what they’re dreaming about?
Featuring: Cassie, Claire and Pidgey the Parrot. Associate Professor Nicole Lovato, Flinders University. Associate Professor John Lesku, La Trobe University. Professor David Pena Guzman, author of ‘Animal Dreaming’ and San Francisco State University. Professor Sidarta Ribeiro, neuroscientist at Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Dr Shauni Omond, @wormgirl on Instagram, La Trobe University. Professor Niels Rattenborg, Research leader on Avian Sleep, Max Planck Institute.
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.
Birds can fly while half their brain is sleeping and some spiders sleep dangling on a silk thread, but what about worms. Do worms sleep?
Featuring: Associate Professor John Lesku, La Trobe University. Shauni Omond, @shauniomond.sleepsci on Instagram, La Trobe University. Professor Niels Rattenborg, Research leader on Avian Sleep, Max Planck Institute. Dr Daniela Roessler, University of Konstanz.
Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.
Boob-shaping hiccups are very sexy in the sage grouse world, but whose chesticles are in charge?
Featuring: Lucy Cooke, Zoologist and author of Bitch A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal. Professor Gail L Patricelli, University of California, Davis.
Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer. Petria Ladgrove, Producer. Additional mastering: John Jacobs.
This episode of What the Duck?! 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.
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.This is the last show of season 2 of What The Duck but Season 3 is on its way! The best way to stay in touch is to follow or subscribe and turn notifications on.
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.
For thousands of years eels have made people rich and powerful, literally. Now it's time to pay it back. 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 produced on the land of the Gunditjmara, Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.
For years we've barely even talked about the human clitoris let alone the fact that snakes have TWO. This program has adult themes.Featuring:Belinda Smith, ABC Science Online Reporter. Lucy Cooke, Author and Film maker.Megan Folwell, University of Adelaide.Dr Jenna Crowe-Riddell, La Trobe University.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Angie GrantThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.
They look like... 'sabre-toothed sausages', they can barely see, they live for a really long time and have a queen who oppresses them.Find out all about the Naked Mole-rat this week and let us know your weirdest animal on earth suggestions at whattheduck@abc.net.au.Featuring:Dr Alison Barker, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research.Adjunct Professor Rochelle Buffenstein, University of Illinois at Chicago.Extra information: Professor Gary R. Lewin, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editor. Additional mastering: Angie GrantThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and 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 voice. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editor. Field recording: Dylan PrinsAdditional mastering: Angie GrantWould 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 voice. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editor. Field recording: Dylan PrinsAdditional mastering: Angie GrantThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Yuggera, Turrbal and Kaurna people.
Who made small steps for man before man could even space walk?Featuring:James Foley, Author and Illustrator.Kerrie Dougherty OAM, Senior Heritage and Outreach Officer, Australian Space Agency.Emeritus Professor John P. Gluck, University of New Mexico and Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University.Michael Coggan, News Voice. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editor. Additional mastering: Matthew Crawford.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.
He loved gold, so he robbed stage coaches in South Australia and used an ostrich as a getaway car. OR DID HE?! Welcome to the first episode of 'What The Duck?!' Season 2.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 produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna people.
If you think that cow politics is just about the live export business, you are wrong.Cows have politics of their own – machinations to sort out who is the leader and who will be led. Featuring:Dr Rebecca Doyle, Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne.Joe Gelonisi - the voice of cow facts. Derek Klingenberg, cattle trombonist.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
Here’s a field guide you probably don’t have - “Introduced Dung Beetles in Australia".FEATURINGPatrick Gleeson, Research Technician CSIRO.Jane Wright, retired Scientist CSIRO.Jeremy Wilson, Goldenholme Farm on the Yass River. Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Additional mastering: Brendan O'Neill.This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
Grabbing a lift can go from bad to worse when your uber drops you outside your evolutionary niche.
FEATURING
Dr Matt Greenlees, Sydney University.
Arthur White, NSW frog and tadpole study group.
David Chapple, Monash University.
Dr Maggie Watson, Charles Sturt University.
Dr Robert Streit, Reef Function Hub at James Cook University.
Voice of the Internet: Nikolai Beilharz.
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.
Ever wondered about the spiders in your car mirror? How they got there and ‘where the duck’ they’re going?
FEATURING
Dr Ken Walker, Senior Curator of Entomology, Museums Victoria Research Institute.
Dr Laurent Keller, University of Lausanne
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.
The 'sound of summer' is actually thousands of blokes screaming 'PICK ME' at the top of their screaming cicada voices.
A millipede has a thousand legs right? WRONG!
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 produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
It turns out self medicating and herbal remedies are not exclusive to humans…
FEATURING
Dr Kevin Feeney, Central Washington University.
Adjunct 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.
This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
How far from reality are the folk stories about wolves and dogs? We’re going right back to Aesop’s fables with zoologist and author Jo Wimpenny.
Listen to part one (Aesop’s animals) here:
FEATURING
Dr Jo Wimpenny- Zoologist and Author
Production:
Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.
Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
The world's oldest fart is frozen in amber, and it is the source of the world's oldest fart joke.
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 produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
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 produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
There are so many sticky things in nature, but what's the nature of their stickiness? 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 produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
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 produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.
What the Duck?! is taking a short break so instead you'll be hearing Radio New Zealand’s 'Our Changing World' on the radio for the next three weeks.
Sawing through tree myths with Arborists Maja and Sam.
No matter how good your job is, there’s always something that really cheeses you off, and Maja and Sam are SICK TO DEATH of all your misconceptions about trees.
Ann revisits the release site of a bunch of (almost extinct) Murray Crayfish to find out the crays have been completing sexy rhythmic gymnastics in the mud on the bottom of the murray river.
It’s like a serial killer movie, a classic horror film. There are huge fangs, a segmented body, a remote location, the ocean bashes 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.
So... what do you do when a crocodile and a shark end up in your mine pit? AT THE SAME TIME.
Farts can be a matter of life or death, but not in the way that you're thinking. This is SERIOUS.
You can run but you can't hide! Ever wondered how a mosquito manages to hit a blood vessel without fail?
Back again!? The thylacine has made its last appearance alive on earth. Or has it? Ann chases the elusive Tasmanian Tiger with geneticists, conservationists and a bloke who saw one while he was coming home from the shops.
Ann finds out that birds are not really blue. Not even bluebirds. They’re not blue. Then what the duck are they?
Dr Ann Jones has the answer to the game of 'Who the duck?!' this week.
Thanks for your many guesses and emails... it is now time for the big reveal.
Stay tuned for the newest episode of What the Duck?! this Saturday!
Dr Ann Jones is out filming for ABC TV , but she hasn't forgotten the loyal subscribers.
Here's the final clue to a game of 'Who the duck?!' just for you!
Please send your guesses to whattheduck@abc.net.au.
Dr Ann Jones is out filming for ABC TV , but she hasn't forgotten the loyal subscribers.
Here's another clue to a game of 'Who the duck?!' just for you!
Please send your guesses to whattheduck@abc.net.au.
Dr Ann Jones is out filming for ABC TV , but she hasn't forgotten the loyal subscribers.
Here's a clue to a game of 'Who the duck?!' just for you!
Please send your guesses to whattheduck@abc.net.au.
Ann stumbles across spinifex hopping mice on gumtree and then finds herself cornered by a bloke with a crocodile (and more).
After receiving a heartbreaking email, Ann goes on a mission to prove that ‘girls DO like spiders.’
Between 1831 and 1916 there were 111 published reports of quolls eating human corpses. What. The. Duck?!
Sometimes it’s not enough to liquify your enemies and drink them through a straw. Sometimes you have to wear their skins as you hunt down their friends and families.
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.
Yes, that was a kookaburra at the start of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. But WHY?
Evolution has resulted in a million ways that animals succeed on this earth, we just didn’t realise so many of them involved eating your own poo.
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 swearing a symptom of something much more sinister?
Australia is full of weird plants and animals. And Dr Ann Jones is on speaking terms with most of them! Each week Ann explores the most unusual elements of our natural world — the ones that make you go What the Duck?! Like why do quolls have spots? Who farts (and who doesn't)? And how do snakes climb trees? Join Ann alongside experts and ordinary Aussies alike to solve mysteries, smash myths and uncover the bizarre truth about nature down under.