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 20, 2020 • 19min
Pelican
Why do two separate cultures believe the penguin feeds their children with a blood ritual? Can a pelican's beak hold more than their belican? How many horses can you trade for a pelican mandible? Find out all this and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography
Jul 13, 2020 • 25min
Wood Frog
This frog survives freezing to death. Come learn about cryonics, what cold is, terminal burrowing, and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate
Jul 6, 2020 • 34min
Blue Whale
How did blue whales evolve to be so big? What can whale earwax teach us about whale emotions? Do blue whales have long-distance relationships? Come learn about the largest animal of all time on this episode of Species. Bibliography
Jun 29, 2020 • 21min
Starfish
Do you need a brain to think? Come learn about an animal that eats inside-out and sees with their arms on this bizarre episode of Species. Bibliography
Jun 22, 2020 • 25min
Vampire Finch
Come learn about a blood-sucking bird, solve a few mysteries, and find out more about the history of evolutionary theory on this episode of Species. Bibliography
Jun 15, 2020 • 19min
Sturgeon
A gargantuan remnant of the Jurassic lives on in a Russian river... Come learn about a candidate for the largest freshwater fish of all time on this episode of Species. Bibliography
Jun 8, 2020 • 27min
Hyena
Why do female hyenas have penises? Are hyenas cats or dogs? Do hyenas eat humans, and what should I do if hyenas are terrorizing my city? Find out all the answers to these questions and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate
Jun 1, 2020 • 28min
Leatherback Sea Turtle
This animal is bolder than a shark, and tougher than your boat. Come hear a crazy story, learn everything we know about the biggest turtle in the world, and discover how you can help them on this episode of Species. Bibliography Donate
May 25, 2020 • 26min
Roadrunner
Do roadrunner's footprints ward off evil spirits? Does this animal have solar panels? Do they really make a "beep beep" sound? How fast can they go, and how do they do it? Who would win, a roadrunner or a rattlesnake? Get the answer to all of these questions and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography
May 17, 2020 • 23min
Porcupinefish
Come listen and learn about the science of inflatable fish on this episode of Species. Bibliography
