The Nagging Naturalist – Details, episodes & analysis

In this final episode for the Zambezian flooded grasslands, we take a look at Africa's largest otter species, the African clawless otter. I also go off on a tangent about conservation after some further reflection on Gabi and I's discussion. I'm going to be traveling for a week, so there will not be an episode next week.

Since it was too long for the serval episode, this is the rest of Gabi and I's conversation about conservation. It's a lot. While conservation as a concept is a good thing, there are wrong ways to do it that can result in harm. We need to shift our perceptions on conservation and its applications.

You can follow Gabi on Twitter, @fleurygs and check out their website: fleurygs3.wixsite.com/gabifleury

In this lengthy episode we wrap up our discussions about the Virginia opossum as we walk through their environmental, social, and economic benefits as well as ways to help reduce our impact on their populations.

You can follow Jessica on Instagram (Jessinthewild) & Twitter (@College_FIIT). You can also follow the rehabilitation center she works at, the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, on Facebook, Instagram (BlueRidgeWildlifeCtr), and Twitter (@BRWildlifeCtr).

This month, we're talking about animals that commonly find themselves in wildlife rehabilitation centers, and I chatted with Jessica Andersen about the Virginia opossum, the only marsupial found in the U.S. and Canada. Learn about these quirky critters and their marsupial Space Portal Vaginas™ (A. Hilborn, 2019). This episode is split into 2, so there will be another episode this Friday.

You can follow Jessica on Instagram (Jessinthewild) & Twitter (@College_FIIT). You can also follow the rehabilitation center she works at, the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, on Facebook, Instagram (BlueRidgeWildlifeCtr), and Twitter (@BRWildlifeCtr).

Sorry for missing last week's episode. Hopefully this week's longer than usual episode helps make up for it. I'm joined by Benjamin Lancer, who studies dragonflies, in particular a specialized neuron in their brains. We discuss some of the cool and surprising adaptations dragonflies have. This episode includes a bonus segment, the TTRPG Naturalist, where we look at what advantages dragonfly adaptations have for character traits, spells, and blessings.

I want to start off by thanking everyone who wished me well while I was struggling with COVID. I really appreciated it! This week, Barry and I discuss the Splendid fairywren, Malurus splendens, a striking blue bird endemic to Australia. This episode includes a bonus segment, Family Fauna, where we talk about some of the distinguishing features of birds that share the Splendid fairywren's genus. 

This month's episode was a huge departure from the usual in large part due to me having COVID and struggling to record. Barry stepped in this month and helped me with this new episode about the cutest mammal you probably haven't heard of, the Dibbler! February will be highlighting the Esperance mallee region of Australia where these rare marsupials can be found.

Sorry for the belated update. I may or may not be battling COVID right now. If I do develop full blown symptoms, this may affect my February schedule. For now, enjoy the final species of the month, the Pacific sanddab! I am once again joined by my partner Barry to learn about this sandy seafloor flatfish and the adaptations that have helped it thrive in an unwelcoming habitat.

The second part of my discussion about Broadnose sevengill sharks with Meghan Holst is up! We talk about the environmental, social, and economic value of these sharks as well as their conservation. I was surprised to see how often we brought up salmon during these 2 episodes, but to be fair, they are an incredibly beneficial species that have a huge impact on so many habitats. Be sure to check out Meghan on Instagram and Twitter, @megholst and follow her awesome work and see all her wonderful wildlife pictures.

As we continue with our theme of sandy seafloor species along the Monterey Bay continental shelf, we're taking a look at one of the top predators in this habitat: the Broadnose sevengill shark. Join Meghan and I as we talk about this freckled cow shark! How many babies does this 3 meter shark have? What might a recent discovery mean for researchers in understanding of their population dynamics? Tune in and find out! Be sure to check out Meghan on Instagram and Twitter, @megholst and follow her awesome work and see all her wonderful wildlife pictures.