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PODCAST

WTFauna

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!

science life sciences

All Episodes

01:02:44

California Newt (Taricha torosa)

WTFauna ·

2026/09/30

This week we discuss a bright orange toxic gummy lizard — we do not advise consumption of this salamander.

en

00:55:53

Australian Paralysis Tick (Ixodes holocyclus)

WTFauna ·

2026/09/22

This week we have a slightly uncomfortable chat about a health-relevant parasite that we both have some experience with.

en

00:54:51

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

WTFauna ·

2026/09/15

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!

en

00:53:17

Wolverine (Gulo gulo)

WTFauna ·

2026/09/08

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?

en

01:11:22

African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis)

WTFauna ·

2026/09/01

This week, we chat about one of the most widely studied animals on the planet — and it all started with... a pregnancy test?

en

00:55:58

Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

WTFauna ·

2026/08/25

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.

en

00:55:36

Numata Longwing (Heliconius numata)

WTFauna ·

2026/08/18

This week we discuss an Amazonian butterfly — but you'd be forgiven for thinking it was more than one.

en

00:53:09

Sunda Colugo (Galeopterus variegatus)

WTFauna ·

2026/08/11

This week we talk about a flying lemur — except it doesn't fly, and it's not a lemur.

en

00:56:18

Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia)

WTFauna ·

2026/08/04

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.

en

00:47:02

Dugong (Dugong dugon)

WTFauna ·

2026/07/28

This week we remain in the vicinity of Stradbroke island in south-east Queensland to discuss a charismatic marine mammal: the dugong.

en

00:57:59

Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus magnirostris)

WTFauna ·

2026/07/21

This week we chat about an immediately recognisable yet poorly studied beach bird with our toes in the sand at Stradbroke island.

en

00:43:39

African Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)

WTFauna ·

2026/07/15

This week we discuss a small crocodilian that may not be what you imagine as a classic 'crocodile'.

en

00:46:52

Tarantula Hawk Wasp (Pepsis thisbe)

WTFauna ·

2026/07/07

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.

en

00:40:33

Mountain Chicken (Leptodactylus fallax)

WTFauna ·

2026/06/30

This week, we discuss the 'mountain chicken'. Good luck guessing the type of animal if you don't already know!

en

00:53:33

European Hamster (Cricetus cricetus)

WTFauna ·

2026/06/23

This week we discuss the largest hamster species. There was a lot to cover, but their current conservation situation was particularly fascinating!

en

00:33:40

Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

WTFauna ·

2026/06/16

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!

en

00:39:14

Túngara frog (Engystomops pustulosus)

WTFauna ·

2026/06/09

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.

en

00:30:18

Marsupial Moles (Notoryctes sp.)

WTFauna ·

2026/06/02

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!

en

00:30:24

Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasilensis)

WTFauna ·

2026/05/27

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.

en

00:32:09

Moose (Alces alces)

WTFauna ·

2026/05/19

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.

en

28 results

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