What The Duck?!

ABC Australia
  • 4.8 (33)
  • Natural Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. 1d ago

    Flies are probably better at picking up than you are

    Flies have rhythm and choreography, could their moves make the next TikTok dance fad? Dune flies groove to their own beat in dance-circles and hoverflies use rhythmic movements in mating. Researchers found the dancing dune fly’s repertoire has specific moves for impressing a female and others for rival dance battles.  Pretty fly for a dune fly. In Costa Rica the male red hoverfly rhythmically squeezes and strokes his mate during copulation. They also have a pattern of coupling and uncoupling as many as 17 times during the act! Featuring: Dr Keith Bayless, research scientist, National Research Collections Australia, CSIROProfessor William Eberhard, emeritus scientist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute; emeritus professor, Universidad de Costa RicaFurther reading: Genital behaviour in Menidon falcatus (Diptera, Syrphidae) and the possible significance of repeated, rhythmic movementsCourtship choreography is stabilized among genetically isolated populationsProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerTegan Nicholls, Sound EngineerThis episode of What the Duck?!  was recorded on Ngunnawal Country and produced on the lands of the Wadawarrung and Taungurung people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

  2. Jul 10

    Duck, marry, avoid, friendzone

    Live from the World Science Festival Brisbane What the Duck?! is playing a game and you get to decide: duck, marry, avoid, or friendzone. You'll hear about the natural world's romance, reproduction, and relationships Once you've listened you can email whattheduck@abc.net.au to vote for how you would categorise snakes, birds, insects and mammals. Featuring: Dr Chstina Zdanek, Australian Reptile AcademyDr Cesar Puechmarin, wildlife veterinarian and podcasterDr Bryan Lessard, entomologistJacinta Bowler, ABC Science journalistProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerRecorded by Steve Fieldhouse and Daniel ShaplandWith thanks to the World Science Festival Brisbane This episode of What the Duck?! was recorded on the land of the Turrbal and Jagera people and produced on the lands of the Kulin Nation. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

  3. Jul 3

    What's with the electric eel's shocking attitude?

    It seems absolutely bonkers that an animal can muster ELECTRICITY, especially enough to send out a zap like a taser. But that's exactly what electric eels can do, and the world record holder more than doubles the voltage of the Australian electricity supply. More than that, electric eels inspired the design of Volta's first batteries, but (hold onto your socks so they don't get blown off) they're not the only ones who've got electricity pumping through their bodies. Featuring: Professor Will Crampton, University of Central Florida.Professor Ken Catania, Vanderbilt University.Professor Kate Trinajstic, Curtin University.Production: Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Emrys CroninThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2024 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

  4. Jun 26

    Gay animals: same-sex science

    For around 700 years scientists observed same-sex pairings in as many as 1500 different species, but didn't record or publish their findings due to public perceptions. Now research is catching up and many papers on queer behaviour in nature have been published in the past two decades. This discussion was recorded live at Mardi Gras 2026 and presented by the Royal Zoological Society of NSW for Wildlife at the Watering Hole. Featuring : Daphne Willemsen, behavioural ecologist, PhD candidate at the University of NSWLucien Alperstein, microbial ecologist, PhD candidate at the University of NSWDr Caitlin Creak, behavioural ecologist and arachnologist, University of NSWCody Williams, marine biologist, PhD candidate at the University of NSWWith research by Neve Kelly, geneticist, PhD candidate at the University of NSWProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerRecording by Harvey O'SullivanThis episode of What the Duck?! was recorded and produced on the lands of the Eora and Kulin Nations. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

    Gay animals: same-sex science

  5. Jun 19

    Sex is Weird 7: Do we need sex?

    Sex comes at a cost, there's energy, time, risks of predators, and diseases… so do we even need it? Asexual organisms don't seem to miss the dating scene, and yet here we are putting a whole lot of energy into sex, even when it doesn't lead to babies when same sexes attract. Of course, sex is a chance to genetically repair faults and outrun threats, but is the pay-off really enough? Sex is Weird is a series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom. Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Featuring: Associate Professor Kevin Teather, Author, The Evolution of SexAssistant Professor Amanda Gibson, University of VirginiaProfessor Joseph Heitman, Duke UniversityProfessor Jenny Graves, La Trobe UniversityProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerPetria Ladgrove, ProducerAdditional mastering: Isabella TropianoThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2024 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

    Sex is Weird 7: Do we need sex?

  6. Jun 12

    Sex is Weird 6: Virgin birth

    It turns out not everyone was listening when it was written 'it takes two to tango' and some species can go it alone in their quest to reproduce. And then there's the plants that decided THREE or ONE was for them, never an even number. Why is sex so… suspiciously complicated? Sex is Weird is a series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the natural world. Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Featuring: Dr Meredith Lake, Presenter, Soul Search ABC Radio NationalDr Michael Whitehead, Evolutionary EcologistLibby Eyre, Biologist, Macquarie UniversityAssociate Professor Andrew Durso, Florida Gulf Coast University, FloridaProfessor Michael Kearney, University of MelbourneDr Christine Dudgeon, University of QueenslandProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerPetria Ladgrove, ProducerAdditional mastering: Isabella TropianoThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2024 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

    Sex is Weird 6: Virgin birth

  7. Jun 5

    Sex is Weird 5: Why does it feel good, anyway?

    What is the role of pleasure in successful reproduction? Evolution says it's mightily important: every female vertebrate has a clitoris. Snakes have two! Female pleasure has been selected for. Making sex fun and pleasurable is a biologically sensible thing to do, more sex means more potential babies. Some studies of pigs and dairy cows have found an increase of up to 6% in successful conception when the females are stimulated during artificial insemination. Sex is Weird is a series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom. Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Featuring: Dr Bruno Buzatto, Flinders University, South AustraliaLynette Greenwood, Dairy farmer, VictoriaAssociate Professor Andrew Durso, Florida Gulf Coast University, FloridaLucy Cooke, Author and Film makerAssociate Professor Patty Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, USEmeritus Professor Susan Suarez, Cornell University, New YorkProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerPetria Ladgrove, ProducerAdditional mastering: Isabella TropianoThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2024 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

    Sex is Weird 5: Why does it feel good, anyway?

  8. May 29

    Sex is Weird 4: How to be hot according to nature

    Do animals fall in love at first sight? Every species has different traits that are 'attractive' — they're showing off their DIY skills making a bower, vibrating sexy fruit fly songs, puffing up a wattle, or just having really massive moose… antlers. Is this innate attraction like falling in love or is it more like meeting a (really hot) investment advisor? Because these attractive traits are also messages about genes — who will make a good investment to partner with for the next generation. Of course, one species beauty is another's turn off, and some species have a very low bar (looking at you guppies), so Hot or Not could end up being a very individual thing. Sex is Weird is a series of What the Duck?! with Dr Ann Jones following the sexual evolution of the animal kingdom. Please note that this program contains adult themes and explicit language. Parental guidance is recommended. Featuring: Dr Bruno Buzatto, Flinders University, South AustraliaNathan Finger, Bird of the Week podcast hostJason Graham, Pacific black duck conservation group, TasmaniaDr Victoria Austin, Western Sydney UniversityProfessor Rob Brooks, University of New South WalesDr Judy Wang, Queensland Brain InstituteProduction: Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerPetria Ladgrove, ProducerAdditional mastering: Isabella TropianoThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2024 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people. Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.

    Sex is Weird 4: How to be hot according to nature
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
33 Ratings

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 Australia
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    What The Duck?!

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