What The Duck?!

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  • NATURAL SCIENCES
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The show with a mission to explore the mysteries of nature - especially the ones that make you go What the Duck?!

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Mars on Earth: Salt lake life

    This place is so extreme that NASA sends scientists to test equipment for Mars missions. And yet, Australia's salty lakes are full of life. Featuring: Bonnie Teece, Postgraduate Researcher at UNSWAngus D'Arcy Lawrie, PhD Student at Murdoch University.Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editing.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

    26 min

  2. 22 AUG

    Is anything true blue?

    Ann finds out that birds are not really blue. Not even bluebirds. If they're not blue, then what the duck are they? Featuring: Richard McClure, Stems Flower Market, Ballarat.Nate Byrne, ABC News Breakfast Meteorologist and science nerd.Prof Andrew Lowe, University of Adelaide.Dr Kate Umbers, University of Western Sydney.Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editing.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

    26 min
  3. Australia's most underrated animal: Winner!

    15 AUG

    Australia's most underrated animal: Winner!

    Listen back to the What the Duck?! special broadcast with Dr Ann Jones and Cassie McCullagh. After 65,000 votes, Australia has spoken — the rakali has been crowned Australia's most underrated native animal! Raking in a whopping 20 per cent of the votes cast, the water rat was well out in front. Here are the results: 1.Rakali2.Palm cockatoo3.Giant cuttlefish4.Dugong5.Marsupial mole6.Turtle frog7.Velvet worm8.Great desert skink9.Ghost bat10.Short-finned eelYou can also read more on the ABC News blog from the countdown:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/wildlife-blog-15-august-2025/105651126 Featuring: Professor Euan Ritchie, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin UniversityJacinta Bowler, ABC Science ReporterDr Kirsti Abbott, head of science at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern TerritoryProfessor Nicki Mitchell, UWAJonathan Webb, ABC Science EditorDr Mark Norman, Chief Scientist Parks VictoriaDr Christina N Zdenek, ecologist with People for WildlifeProfessor Peter Banks, University of SydneyProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerJames Bullen, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer

    55 min
  4. Underrated animals: Dugong

    9 AUG

    Underrated animals: Dugong

    They live off seagrass, and sound like a teeny bird, but can weigh in at more than 400 kilograms and will cut you with their tusks. Dugongs (Dugong dugon) were once confused for mermaids. Yanyuwa people in the Golf of Carpentaria have observed their roles in family groups and identified 16 different types of dugongs. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Rachel Groom, Charles Darwin UniversityProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerStream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

    7 min
  5. Underrated animals: Palm Cockatoo

    8 AUG

    Underrated animals: Palm Cockatoo

    It's a bold claim, but the palm cockatoo might be the most punk-rock bird of all. The black and scarlet parrot lives in the rainforests and woodlands of Far North Queensland, as well as the Aru Islands and New Guinea. With a wingspan of 1.5 metres, the palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is an impressive bird, with a black mohawk and a powerful beak. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Christina N Zdenek, ecologist with People for WildlifeProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerStream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

    8 min
  6. Underrated animals: Great desert skink

    7 AUG

    Underrated animals: Great desert skink

    This little orange lizard lives with his mum and poos outside. What's not to love? The great desert skink (Liopholis kintorei) can be found in the deserts of the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia. They live in large burrows in family groups, which is extremely unusual for reptiles. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Christine Ellis Michaels, Warlpiri rangerDr Rachel Paltridge, Indigenous Desert AllianceProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerStream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

    9 min
  7. Underrated animals: Marsupial mole

    6 AUG

    Underrated animals: Marsupial mole

    What has no eyes, no ears, and is barely ever seen? It's no riddle — it's the marsupial mole! These tiny, golden creatures like to burrow through the sands in central Australia, making the two species of marsupial mole (Notoryctes) almost impossible to find. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Associate Professor Natalie Warburton, Murdoch UniversityProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerStream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

    9 min
  8. Underrated animals: Turtle frog

    5 AUG

    Underrated animals: Turtle frog

    This tiny frog is pasty white, with big arms, a teeny head, and is — somehow — still absolutely adorable. The turtle frog (Myobatrachus gouldii) can be found in a small part of south-west Western Australia. They mostly live underground, and are one of only a few species of frog that burrow forwards instead of backwards. Cast your vote for Australia's most underrated animal here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-01/science-week-underrated-australian-animal-vote/105582104 Featuring: Dr Paul Doughty, Western Australian MuseumProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerStream the brand-new series Dr Ann's Secret Lives on ABC iview.

    6 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

The show with a mission to explore the mysteries of nature - especially the ones that make you go What the Duck?!

Information

  • Creator
    ABC listen
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    What The Duck?!

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