Biologica: Where Humans and Animals Meet

Nature Spies: photographers in the wild

Get behind the lens and look at nature with a different perspective as Dr. Susan interviews three passionate nature and wildlife photographers. Each shares their different views on getting out in the wild with a camera – how they got interested, what motivates them, and favorite experiences. Enjoy the stories and perhaps even get inspired to get out there yourself.
Interviews and where to find the interviewees' photographs:
*Carl Walsh https://www.carlwalshphoto.com/ Instagram cwalsh63
*Tim Greenway https://timgreenway.com/ Instagram: tim_greenway17
*Darcy Baird www.facebook.com/mooseheadimages/
Instagram: @mooseheadimages
Coming soon- https://mooseheadimages.com/
 
*Learn more about responsible wildlife and nature photography here: https://nanpa.org/

North America’s History of Turkey Domestication

Just in time to listen in on your drive to Grandma’s house for Turkey Day (or even to Friendsgiving for Tofurkey), join Dr. Susan to learn all about domestic turkeys. Dr. Erin Thornton (an Archaeologist from Washington State University) explains the surprising discoveries that archaeological bones and ancient DNA reveal about the domestic turkey. Dr. Susan also weaves in some interviews with friends and family about turkey at Thanksgiving dinner, and bridges the gap from ancient history to now with some stories gleaned from the book The Turkey- an American Story. Two research highlights, a poem, and some fun samples from modern media will round out the episode. It’s a great episode to enjoy over the Thanksgiving holiday or to share with friends and family.
Learn more- find lots of interesting information on the website for Dr. Erin Thornton: https://anthro.wsu.edu/faculty-and-staff/erin-thornton/
(Note – the episode cover image is not meant to be scientifically or culturally, accurate, but more to be a symbolic representation of the topic)

Turkey Talk: Wild Turkey Biology

Host Dr. Susan explores wild turkeys, blending field observations with expert interviews to reveal their behavior, population trends, and close ties to the hunting community.
The episode features a conversation with a wild turkey biologist, a discussion with a female turkey hunter about her family tradition, and reflections on conservation challenges.
Note: the next episode (in two weeks) will be Part 2 on turkeys, about the domestication and cultural role of turkeys.
*Featured interview: Dr. Michael Chamberlain, known as the Wild Turkey Doc, from the University of Georgia; Dr. Chaberlain is a leading expert in wild turkey biology.
Find out more –
https://wildturkeylab.com/
Content note – this episode features descriptions of turkey hunting, and male turkeys fighting. It also includes a traditional country song with a very light swearword.

City Slickers: Squirrels and Urban Ecology

Join Dr. Susan as she leaps among a few different branches of topics related to squirrels and their biology: urban ecology, squirrel behavior, even an interesting discussion about improving accessibility in field biology. Hear about how squirrels in cities differ from country squirrels, hear a tale about an incredible swimming squirrel, interview folks about their feelings about squirrels, and more. We share our parks, cities, and yards with these close neighbors. Jump into this topic, learn more, and think about - or even challenge - your own feelings about squirrels.
*Expert Interview - Charlotte Devitz, Urban ecology researcher at University of Minnesota
Learn more at this link: https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/grad-awards/2021-graduate-award-and-fellowship-recipients/charlotte-devitz/

The Intelligence of Ravens

Dr. Susan explores the world of ravens and the humans that are fascinated by them— their acrobatic flight, intelligence, and close ties with humans. She interviews Dr. Thomas Bugnyar about raven social intelligence and communication.
The episode also highlights two of Dr. Bugnar’s studies, shares a personal raven sighting, and finishes with a full reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven."
 
*Interview: Dr. Thomas Bugnyar, Professor in Dept. of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology at the University of Vienna
 
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, please spread the word about the Biologica podcast 🐦‍⬛

Biology and Perceptions of Bats

As Halloween approaches here in the US, find out about cutting edge bat research in Germany. Discover just how bats manage to fly out of caves in the thousands without hitting each other. Also, challenge stereotypical perceptions of bats as scary or creepy.
 
*We interview Dr. Aya Goldschtein about bat echolocation, the importance of bats, and more
 
*We interview a couple friends about their feelings about bats.
 
Fly with us into this exploration of bat biology!🦇
 
*In thanks to Dr. Goldschtein for the interview, and in support of bat conservation, a bat was adopted at Bat Conservation International's website. Each bat has a biologically accurate and informative stuffed animal. Find out more or adopt your own bat here: https://shop.batcon.org/collections/adopt-a-bat
 
* Learn about Northeastern cave conservation from this website mentioned during the episode: https://www.necaveconservancy.org/preserves/

Saving Giants Part 2: Conservation of Pandas

Join Dr. Susan and explore the biology and conservation of giant pandas through a visit to the National Zoo, interviews with a Smithsonian scientist, and more. The episode covers panda captive care, habitat protection efforts in China, and the unique role of pandas in international diplomacy, with expert insights from Dr. Melissa Songer, a conservation biologist who studies and helps conserve wild pandas. During part two of the special on the conservation of charismatic, large mammals, come spend some time with panda bears. *interview- Dr.Melissa Songer, conservation biologist at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute * a donation was made as a symbolic adoption of a panda on the World Wildlife Fund page: https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions

Saving Giants Part One: Conservation of Endangered Large Mammals

Explore how conservation biologists are saving magnificent giants like elephants, Scimitar-Horned Oryx, and more. Join Dr. Susan in checking out some of these charismatic mammals at the National Zoo and for an interview with a world renowned conservation biologist who has fascinating stories to share. How do you re-introduce an extinct species? What kind of satellite collar do you put on an elephant? Find out more in this fascinating episode, part one in a two-part series on conservation biology.
*Interview: Dr. Melissa Songer, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
 
*A donation was made to this organization by the Biologica Podcast in thanks to Dr. Songer
 
*Learn more here: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/conservation/about-scbi
*See photos from Dr. Songer of her work with elephants and oryx on the Patreon or Instagram pages for Biologica
 
*Next episode – Saving Giants Part Two: Conservation Biology of Pandas
 
*Please share, repost, send a telegram or carrier pigeon, leave a message in a bottle, or follow (if you enjoyed this episode), and thank you for helping keep the Biologica ball rolling. 🙏
*To see images by Dr. Songer from this episode, follow one of these links:
Biologica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biologica_podcast?igsh=MXRydjJ1Z3d2emVjZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Biologica on Patreon: patreon.com/Biologica

High-flying Hummingbirds: Evolution, Adaptations, and Altitude

Explore with Dr. Susan how these avian marvels adapt to and live at high altitude in the mountains near the equator. Come hiking and soak up the sounds of the forest, with waterfalls and the calls of vibrant hummingbirds. Dr. Christopher Witt explains how these hummingbirds adapt to high-altitude environments through physiological changes and more. These fascinating flyers have come to thrive in the high slopes of the Andes mountains, and have many secrets to share.
*Interview: Dr. Christopher Witt, Curator of Birds & Director, Museum of Southwestern Biology; Professor, Department of Biology, UNM.
Learn more about his research here: https://www.unmornithology.org/home
 
*A donation was made to the International Hummingbird Society in thanks to Dr. Witt, from the Biologica Podcast.
Find out more or donate here: https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/
(Note-the episode cover design is symbolic- not scientific or meant to depict an accurate species.)
 
*Tenth Episode celebration: Send Dr. Susan a message with your favorite of the first 10 episodes (and why) at biologica.podcast@gmail.com by September 1st; Dr. Susan will draw 10 names to receive an embroidered Biologica patch.
If you enjoy this episode, please share it and help spread the word about Biologica. 🙏🐾

Horsing Around: biology and conservation of the wild ponies of Assateague

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Assateague Island, neighbor of Chincoteague Island and home to its renowned wild horses. A biologist at Assateague Island National Seashore shares captivating insights on the horses’ history, biology, and management. Dr. Susan also weaves in live field recordings from a camping and biking journey there, capturing the beauty and serenity of this unique landscape. Discover how humans and ponies intersect on this extraordinary and beloved barrier island,
*Interview: Lindsay Ries, Supervisory Biologist for Assateague Island National Seashore
- A donation was made by Biologica to the Assateague Island Alliance in the form of a symbolic foster of the Assateague horse Aster Linea.
- Learn more or foster a horse at their website: https://assateagueislandalliance.org
- Learn about visiting the National Seashore here: https://www.nps.gov/asis/index.htm
* Coming soon: In celebration of the next episode, which will be the 10th episode (not including the trailer), Biologica will have a fun special event where listeners can email their favorite episode (from all ten) in order to be entered in a drawing for one of 10 embroidered Biologica patches. Stay tuned in the next episode for more information. Thank you so much to the Biologica loyal listeners! If you are new to the podcast, welcome; I hope to see you next time. 🙏🐾 -Dr. Susan