

Species
mackenmurphy.org
"The host, Macken Murphy, is able to condense vast chunks of information into engaging and digestible episodes. Fact-filled and fun."
— The New York Times
— The New York Times
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 15, 2018 • 18min
Pebble Toad
This animal performs one of the most amazing displays of trickery in nature. Learn about a rock n' roll toad and get hit with an avalanche of bad comedy on this fun episode of Species. Nominate Species in the "Education" category for a podcast award! Please! https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SOhhkc8Kp9zX7Bv7kmSE79Wq0PaKtzsXgZ9hkvx95Ig/edit?usp=sharing

Jul 8, 2018 • 23min
Giraffe
Did giraffes patrol Rome on leashes? Who was right, Lamarck or Darwin? Why do giraffes have long necks, if not to reach high places? Do giraffes mourn the dead? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QOzwo1SsGY4vNt2yMKQMYbdXwSxLZf2LOVOpVbwGJac/edit?usp=sharing Nominate Species for a Podcast Award: https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup Save giraffes: https://giraffeconservation.org/donate/

Jul 1, 2018 • 23min
Immortal Jellyfish
How does a jellyfish live forever? Why do we die? Why did death evolve? What do jellyfish, plastics, gunpowder, and penicillin all have in common? What would happen if we were able to become immortal? Is eternity on the horizon? Find out the answers and potential answers to the above questions by joining us for an episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lcEZmff2p7Nwfc2v9ggUlcBoWannC6M5DQ2Y--9W2Ic/edit?usp=sharing

Jun 24, 2018 • 24min
Osprey
Come learn about the amazing skills and scandalous romances of the osprey. Today we talk about Shakespeare, WW2, bad arcade games, and environmentalism. All through the lens of an awesome animal! None of it is off-topic. Seriously. Ospreys are relevant to all of those things. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gGHGo0WC3CHZVz1747tjx5yTXvzO2DGmAz2VXoo4GTs/edit?usp=sharing

Jun 17, 2018 • 20min
Lined Seahorse
If you love your dad, share this show with him! Enter the wonderful world of males getting pregnant, and enjoy the strange science of an animal who shares traits with horses, chameleons, kangaroos, and us. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AIOq1NX97l63rW1EVL77pLPXKhnq8iwddxcADWGO23s/edit?usp=sharing

Jun 10, 2018 • 23min
Narwhal
Today's episode is all about the incredible unicorn of the sea, and the mystery surrounding their famous tusk. This show covers a wide range of related topics, including Leonardo da Vinci's interest in trapping unicorns and the etymology of the word "narwhal." This episode covers all the bizarre explanations for how the narwhal's terrible tooth evolved, listen and tell us what you think! Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j5EV672tgsvGDxU21c43zTMtY-rQ8hfAastD5O2aF1w/edit?usp=sharing

Jun 3, 2018 • 14min
Namaqua Chameleon
How do chameleons change color? How do chameleons grab prey with their tongue? Why do black shirts get hot in the sun? Was the movie "Mad Max" a heavy metal music video, or an act of war against Mother Earth? Find out on this short but spectacular episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11PPRq1kXFEFeyAKBLKyfabpGEpLbObFeQSXLtqEcZMo/edit?usp=sharing

May 27, 2018 • 16min
Philippine Eagle
"The Monkey-Eating Eagle." Back in the day, massive eagles would hunt our ancestors. Today, this eagle eats monkeys. Learn a bit about the our history of getting preyed upon by birds, and learn a whole lot about a modern day marvel: Arguably the largest eagle on earth, certainly one of the rarest and most beautiful, the Philippine eagle. Enjoy. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15BjJcrwIVFTZ4rR-iFFgXimADrLCGao_Ak2YsCsTUJ4/edit?usp=sharing Philippine Eagle Foundation: http://www.philippineeaglefoundation.org/donate

May 20, 2018 • 17min
Archerfish
Today we are going to talk about an animal who defies the stereotypes: A smart fish! Are jocks smarter than nerds? Does my goldfish recognize me? Why do archerfish spit at scientists? Today we are going to talk about the amazing sevenspot archerfish. Come listen! Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f8CIqlqUhR0ZE7ZKjhEWw75_B_o4iozCNax-H2ljL3g/edit?usp=sharing

May 18, 2018 • 12min
Bonus: Parachuting beavers, smart sparrows, and Pikachu.
In this episode Macken tells a true story about beavers parachuting into Idaho, then he tells another about house sparrows opening doors. To wrap things up, he reveals the origin of Pikachu's name. It's a short, busy, entertaining show that packs in a whole bunch of fun. Come join us for a surprising treat on this bonus episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZqR-2jGqjGBhBAxUIEcYJadIXesurePLKfY6I0otvqM/edit?usp=sharing