
Species
"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
Latest episodes

Apr 5, 2021 • 23min
Cicada
Why do periodical cicadas lie dormant for 17 years? What are they doing that whole time? And how do they know it's time to come up? My first children's book: https://neonsquidbooks.com/books/animal-sidekicks/ Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_RGZZryFdAAgF17xDu2Kx-IrrPRgoix4Xx3iO-P_KwQ/edit?usp=sharing

Mar 29, 2021 • 19min
Whip-poor-will
Omen of death or benevolent being? Annoyance or lullaby? Come learn about the invisible bird that looks like an owl and hunts like a frog. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-B4baVczEVG-ASmV9X05bZTFeFR32vgaFAy97c7irXw/edit?usp=sharing

Mar 22, 2021 • 19min
Humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa
Try saying that three times fast. Come learn all about the fish with the longest name, and a bit about nomenclature in general. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rCa0QIyXMNlbGe9tJLtRxkr1f6FXfuLKH1-tccPBvmU/edit?usp=sharing

Mar 15, 2021 • 21min
Flying Lemur
They aren't lemurs, they can't fly, but they're the greatest mammalian gliders on earth and they might be your cousin. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tYVDiQix_0cqwVwzGhDW7oS2QjyBR9V6TAJ7FCj_yiE/edit?usp=sharing

Mar 8, 2021 • 23min
Bearded Dragon
Why did beards evolve (in us and these lizards)? Were the lizards in Holes real? Will bearded dragons changing sex decimate the species? Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gi3tAGnuhqMVB4w9i-bjB804WPaluKvb3TdrD7bpVDE/edit?usp=sharing

Mar 1, 2021 • 19min
Sandgrouse
This bird carries home water stashed in their chest feathers. Come learn about the price of water on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TTS5YvQiBiKlIu_40pOf8029Frs0cIO0M_P7TmAVDRI/edit?usp=sharing

Feb 22, 2021 • 27min
Lamprey
It is ridiculous that all the aliens we've made up have jaws. Come find out why, and learn about the fish that lack them. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1npNiNPEIkuVmjfjSbW346YaT28eoNdOUubCWkaww0gM/edit?usp=sharing

Feb 15, 2021 • 22min
Hamster
Why do hamsters eat their babies? What language calls them "Mr. Saddlebags," and why? Who would win, a hamster or a wasp? Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OxSxISRaNmFfB60z-3akij2nbsAPjVqqfNxXzqL2mbM/edit?usp=sharing

Feb 8, 2021 • 24min
Globe Skimmer
What percentage of the population could you plausibly have a child with? Come learn about a species that may have acheived global panmixia. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JpZAzmg7ZCuT4I3hzm_J3Xa_qZiPM0l_M1kp94XAohc/edit?usp=sharing

Feb 1, 2021 • 22min
Harpy Eagle
The biggest eagle on earth (debatably). Come learn about a monster on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tl56m5p9t60wa9R4mhAHsLO6LkXMqb_yyTVwn2WfEJ4/edit?usp=sharing
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.