What The Duck?! – Details, episodes & analysis

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 new 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 Australia.

Nathan Finger, Bird of the Week podcast host.

Jason Graham, Pacific black duck conservation group, Tasmania.

Dr Victoria Austin, Western Sydney University.

Professor Rob Brooks, University of New South Wales.

Dr Judy Wang, Queensland Brain Institute.

Production:

Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer

Petria Ladgrove, Producer

Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.

This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

The energy required to grow, birth and raise young is intense, so it's only fair that the female body has some tricks to make sure reproducing is worth it.

From cryptic choice to immune system sperm blockers, the female reproductive system can be a literal maze for those seeking to gain access to her eggs.

In the battle of the sexes, this is females fight back.

Sex is Weird is a new 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:

Professor Sarah Robertson, University of Adelaide.  

Dr Diane Kelly, Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Associate Professor Patricia Brennan, Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts, US.

Emeritus Professor Susan Suarez, Cornell University, New York.

Professor Mariana Wolfner, Cornell University, New York.

Production:

Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.

Petria Ladgrove, Producer.

Additional mastering: Isabella Tropiano.

This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and the Kaurna people.

It's the early 20th century,  a government scientist position was determined by a boxing match, and a tomato virus threatened to stop the development of Australian-style tomato sauce in its tracks. 

Luckily, apart from their prowess as fighters, Australian plant scientists were leaders in identifying and controlling plant illnesses. 

They wouldn't do it without some drama though, and in this very special podcast extra, Ann Jones traces some of the turbulent history of tomato virus research down under. 

Featuring:

• Associate Professor Andrew Geering, University of Queensland.

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.
• Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
• Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri.

This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.

Sometimes it’s not enough to liquify your enemies and drink them through a straw. Sometimes you have to wear their skins as you hunt down their friends and families.

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.

How does a snake climb a pole? It's not like they have a ladder... or arms.

Yes, that was a kookaburra at the start of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. But WHY?  

Why is it that bird names seem so… childishly misogynistic? 

Humans totally were the first farmers, right?! Think again.  

Evolution has resulted in a million ways that animals succeed on this earth, we just didn’t realise so many of them involved eating your own poo.