
177 episodes

The Wild Life The Wild Life
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- Science
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4.8 • 45 Ratings
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An optimistic, curiosity-chasing show about the wonder and wildness of life, following the threads that connect us to the natural world. The Wild Life is, always has been, and always will be a show about the diversity of life within the animal kingdom, but it's about more than that. It's about connections. It's about how the natural world inspires our culture, movies, and technologies. It's about the patterns that persist throughout not just life, but the universe itself. It's about us.
The Wild Life is a place for the curious, the adventurous, the hopeful, and the hopeless to discover the natural world through unique perspectives. Between the blog and podcasts, The Wild Life seeks to bring the traditional naturalist experience into the 21st century by merging immersive storytelling and foley art with technology and creative experiences. It’s an exploration of truth, common ground, and shared places as we attempt to fill each episode with wonder, connectedness, intrigue, and humor.
Thank you for being here.
Contact | hello@thewildlife.blog
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Revisited: Nature's Vampires with Dr Marie Lisandra Zepeda-Mendoza
This episode, which originally aired on March 24 2018, takes us all the way from Copenhagen to the rainforest of South America, from the belly of the beast to its excrement, as we explore nature’s Vampires.
Our guest is Dr Marie Lisandra Zepeda Mendoza, who had recently finished her postdoc in Copenhagen, Denmark and whose recently published research on vampire bats and how they survive on such a peculiar diet is at the center of this story.
If you'd like to support the creation of this show, the blog, and my science communication efforts on social media, you can do so for as little as $1 per month at www.patreon.com/thewildlife -
Shark Conservation with Dr Alexandra McInturf
Sharks are in the water. But is the ocean shark-infested, or shark-depleted? I sat down to talk with Dr Alexandra McInturf to find out.
Learn more about Alexandra and her work
Papers Referenced:
Half a Century of Global Decline in Sharks and Rays
Half a century of rising extinction risk of coral reef sharks and rays
Global catches, exploitation rates, and rebuilding options for sharks
Bycatch Solutions
NOAA Link -
Revisited: Busting Bat Myths and Mistruths with Liz Dengate
Another stroll down memory lane as I revisit the second-ever guest episode of The Wild Life, Myth-Understood: Busting Bat Myths and Mistruths with Liz Dengate from March 6th of 2018.
If you'd like to support the creation of this show, the blog, and my science communication efforts on social media, you can do so for as little as $1 per month at www.patreon.com/thewildlife
This week we focus on an animal that has been the victim of superstition and fear for thousands of years. Despite what many believe, these creatures are extremely important to our everyday lives. -
Revisited: The Mystery of Zebra Stripes with Dr Tim Caro
This was the first ever episode of The Wild Life back in 2017, and it was never supposed to happen. That's right, The Wild Life, as a podcast, was an accident. The result of a series of unfortunate events. But that's life, isn't it? It happens in the most unexpected of ways. I never imagined that this is where I would be today, and I'm so incredibly grateful for the experience and all those who have been a part of it, as guests, as listeners, and as people who believed in the work I was doing and helped me to succeed.
The mystery of zebra stripes has long been a subject of debate, at least since the days of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace. Now, thanks to Dr. Tim Caro, a professor of wildlife biology at the University of California-Davis, we finally have our answer.
Next week, we're exploring Shark Conservation with Alexandra McInturf!
If you'd like to support the creation of this show, the blog, and my science communication efforts on social media, you can do so for as little as $1 per month at www.patreon.com/thewildlife
Peace out, rainbow trouts! -
Reintroducing The Wild Life + The Path Forward
It's been awhile. I think it's time for some reintroductions.
I've spent a lot of time over the past year, 6 years really, reflecting on the journey so far, the ups and downs, the struggles, the wins, the change (oh, so much change), and I think I've finally landed comfortably with where I am and what I want this to be. I look forward to sharing my work and the perspectives of scientists from around the world with you every Wednesday as we explore the natural world, the dizzying amount of connections we share to it and each other, and find the courage to protect this planet we call home.
If you managed to get through all 25-ish minutes, thank you so much for your time.
The release schedule for the remainder of the year is as follows:
REVISITED: The Mystery of Zebra StripesShark Conservation with Alexandra McInturfREVISITED: Bat Myths and MistruthsWasps with Eric EatonREVISITED: Nature's VampiresCephalopodcast with Meg MindlinREVISITED: Canary in the Coal MineConversation with Lauren Queen of the WildREVISITED: The Air We BreatheCarnivores with Aiden BranneyREVISITED: Metamorphosis MetaphorConversation with Dr Carly Anne YorkREVISITED: Is Anybody Out There?Animal Ethics with Mad About Animals MagsREVISITED: Ant Farm
If you are able and would like to help sustain and support The Wild Life, you can do so at www.patreon.com/thewildlife for as little as $1 per month
Follow me on social media @devonthenatureguy -
SHORT | Do Ticks Fall From Trees?
Ticks, for as small as they are, strike a disproportionate amount of fear and disgust into our hearts and minds (no matter what good they might do!). Perhaps it’s their arachnid nature. Maybe it’s the fact that they burrow their creepy mouthparts into your body and feast off of your blood. Oh yeah, and there’s Lyme Disease and the ever-increasing red meat allergies. Whatever the reason, one thing’s for certain— nothing quite warps our conceptions of reality like fear.
For example, there’s a common misconception that ticks fall from trees and drop onto unsuspecting victims. Let’s explore the truth behind this myth and shed light on how ticks actually go about finding their hosts.
Have a question you want answered on the show? Send them over to hello@thewildlife.blog!
Have your voice featured on the show when you send a voice memo recorded directly on your phone!
Support the creation of The Wild Life for as little as $1 per month at www.patreon.com/thewildlife
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Customer Reviews
Love the content.
If you are looking for amazing content and interesting facts, this is the podcast for you! It is smart and so much fun to listen to!
I love this show
Really excellent show about our world and how to step up and make things better. Gives me hope for the future :)
Great variety of wildlife and conservation topics
I really appreciate the guest experts and always learn a lot from this podcast. It’s in-depth but still accessible.