Curious Currents

Emily Kenneth, Siobhan Loughrey
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A deep dive into the deep blue. Learn more about your favourite marine life from your favourite marine biologist, Emily, and clueless but curious friend Shiv. Better yet find out the weird stuff that makes them even more fascinating!

  1. Sep 2

    I'll have whatever intestinal parasite she's having!

    Welcome to another episode of Curious Currents! This week, we’re kicking off Part 1 of our parasitic worms series with the infamous tapeworm (because apparently, the ocean wasn’t horrifying enough already). We’ll be getting into how these worms adapt to their hosts, including some fascinating (and unsettling) examples of how they make themselves at home in different anatomies. Join us for a journey through attachment strategies, reproduction, and the deeply unfortunate fact that tapeworms are covered in tiny hairs. Get ready for the heebie-jeebies!

  2. Aug 19

    Parasites: Crab Malware

    What if something could get inside your body, change your behaviour, and make you care for its children as if they were your own? Meet Sacculina carcini — a parasitic barnacle with a truly horrifying life cycle. In this episode of Curious Currents, we follow this tiny parasite from the moment it infects a crab, through its hidden life inside its host, to the bizarre reproductive structure that eventually emerges from the crab’s abdomen. Sacculina doesn’t just feed on its host. It can stop moulting, alter reproduction, feminise male crabs, and manipulate their behaviour so they groom and care for the parasite’s brood. But how does it actually do this? We’ll explore what scientists know about parasite-induced behavioural manipulation — and the fascinating gaps in our understanding. Because Sacculina doesn’t need to take over the crab’s brain. It may simply need to interfere with the biological systems that make a crab behave like a crab.

  3. Aug 12

    Parasites: Tongue Tied

    What if a parasite didn’t just live on you… but replaced your tongue? This week we dive into the bizarre world of parasitic isopods — from the infamous tongue-eating Cymothoa exigua, which cuts off a fish’s tongue and takes its place, to shrimp parasites that shut down reproduction and vampire-like isopods that suck fish blood before disappearing into the darkness. They might sound like monsters, but these tiny crustaceans are just evolution doing what it does best: finding a way to survive. Welcome to the ocean’s weirdest freeloaders.

  4. Aug 5

    Parasites: Bite Club

    This week on Curious Currents, we're sinking our teeth into one of the ocean's strangest predators: the cookie cutter shark. Smaller than a housecat but bold enough to take bites out of whales, dolphins, great white sharks—and even submarines—this tiny deep-sea shark punches well above its weight. Join us as we uncover how it carves its signature cookie-shaped bites, why it glows in the dark, and the bizarre way it recycles its own teeth. From bioluminescent camouflage to midnight feeding missions thousands of metres below the surface, this is one shark that's equal parts weird and wonderful. It's a short episode, but definitely not a sweet one.

  5. Jul 29

    Parasites:All Mouth and No Jaws

    From ancient oceans to modern medicine, lampreys have been quietly making waves for over 360 million years. These jawless, bloodsucking fish might look like something from a horror film, but there's far more to them than their terrifying smile. In this episode of Curious Currents, we dive into the bizarre world of lampreys, exploring how their unique anatomy makes them such effective parasites, why they caused chaos after invading North America's Great Lakes, and how scientists are studying their anticoagulant saliva and incredible biology for potential medical breakthroughs. Along the way, we also uncover their surprisingly important role in healthy ecosystems and why not all lampreys deserve their villainous reputation. So, whether you're fascinated by evolution, love an ecological mystery, or just want to learn why a fish with no jaws became one of nature's most successful survivors, latch on and get sucked into the weird and wonderful world of lampreys.

  6. Jul 22

    The Brainless and the Beautiful

    Think jellyfish are just floating blobs with a painful sting? Think again. In this episode, we're diving into the incredible world of jellyfish to uncover how these ancient animals have survived for over 500 million years without a brain, heart, or bones. We explore the fascinating anatomy of true jellyfish and comb jellies, how their lightning-fast stinging cells work, why some species are among the most venomous animals on Earth, and the surprising ways they navigate their environment. We'll also cover the bizarre jellyfish life cycle, meet the so-called "immortal jellyfish," discover the incredible vision of box jellyfish (yes, they have 24 eyes!), and discuss why jellyfish play a vital role in marine ecosystems. Whether you're fascinated by marine life or just curious how an animal with no brain can thrive, this episode is packed with amazing facts and plenty of sting-worthy science.

  7. Jul 1

    Cephalopods: Myths and Legends

    Dive beneath the waves and into the world of cephalopod legends in this episode exploring the myths and monsters inspired by octopuses, squid and cuttlefish. From the fearsome Kraken of Scandinavian folklore to shape-shifting sea witches, octopus spirits and ancient gods, we uncover the stories that have fascinated cultures around the world for centuries. Discover how sightings of real giant squid may have inspired terrifying sea monster tales, why octopuses became symbols of mystery and magic, and how these legends continue to influence modern films, books and popular culture. Join us as we separate fact from fiction and reveal the incredible animals behind some of history's most enduring marine myths. Show notes can be found on our website curiouscurrents.wordpress.com

  8. Jun 24

    Into the Abyss Part 2

    In Part 2 of our deep-sea cephalopod special, we meet two of the ocean's most mysterious and fascinating inhabitants: the Giant Squid and the Vampire Squid. Discover the truth behind the legendary Giant Squid, a creature so elusive that much of what we know comes from stranded specimens and clues left behind in the stomachs of sperm whales. We'll explore how these enormous animals grow to incredible sizes, why they have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, and what life is really like in the depths they call home. Then we turn our attention to the aptly named Vampire Squid. Despite its fearsome appearance, this unique cephalopod survives in some of the most oxygen-poor waters on Earth and has evolved a lifestyle unlike any other member of its family. From glowing defensive displays to feeding on marine snow, the Vampire Squid proves that appearances can be deceiving. Join us as we uncover the science, myths, and remarkable adaptations behind two of the deep sea's most iconic creatures. Show notes on our website: curious currents.wordpress.com

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About

A deep dive into the deep blue. Learn more about your favourite marine life from your favourite marine biologist, Emily, and clueless but curious friend Shiv. Better yet find out the weird stuff that makes them even more fascinating!

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Kenneth, Siobhan Loughrey
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Emily Kenneth, Siobhan Loughrey
  • Show Website
    Curious Currents