What The Duck?!

The influence of selective breeding by humans has created a doggo for every occasion, but it's not without problematic results.Some breeds have breathing difficulties, hip problems, aggression, or anxiety. There are dogs with ADHD and others with depression.Does our longest-term relationship need couples therapy?Featuring:Dr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of BernProfessor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State UniversityDr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of MelbourneProfessor Chris Johnson, the University of TasmaniaMichael Worboys, Emeritus Professor at the University of ManchesterWith thanks to Paula Pérez Fraga at Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary for audio from Family pigs' and dogs' reactions to human emotional vocalizations:a citizen science studyFurther reading:Associations between Domestic-Dog Morphology and Behaviour Scores in the Dog Mentality AssessmentSolitary working hunting dogs show a higher tendency for magnetic alignment, with decreased alignment in older dogsProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerNat Tencic, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

This is the story of the domesticated animal that feralised itself.Where did dingoes come from and when?Where does a wild dog stop and a dingo begin?How much can genetics really tell us about Australia's only native dog — and how long do you have to live somewhere to be 'native'?Featuring:Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State UniversityDr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle HeritageKelly Ann Blake, Wadawurrung woman, and Jack the DingoProfessor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of OxfordProfessor Euan Ritchie, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at Deakin UniversityProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerNat Tencic, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerJacinta Bowler, ProducerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

Are puppy dog eyes really a sign of love, or does Fido just want a lil snack?Can dogs really "speak" by pressing talking buttons, or do they just make great content for TikTok?There's more to canine communication than howls and growls — and a wagging tail could be telling you more than you think.Featuring:Dr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of MelbourneProfessor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State UniversityAssociate professor Federico Rossano director of the comparative cognition lab at the University of California San DiegoProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerNat Tencic, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2025 and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

'Man's best friend' sure sounds better than 'obligatory symbiont', but what are the true dynamics at play?There's no denying the bond people feel and the attachment dogs have for their humans, but if we put that beautiful relationship under scientific scrutiny, does it hold up?Can any dog go 'full Lassie' if you (or Timmy) get stuck down a well?Will your dog save you?Featuring:Professor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State UniversityDr. Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation Research Fellow (Canine Welfare Science), Animal Welfare Science Centre at the University of MelbourneProfessor Chris Johnson, the University of TasmaniaDr. Annika Bremhorst, founder of Dogs and Science, and canine scientist at the University of BernFurther reading:Importance of a species' socioecology: Wolves outperform dogs in a conspecific cooperation taskPet dogs release their trapped and distressed owners: Individual variation and evidence of emotional contagionGood dog! Using livestock guardian dogs to protect livestock from predators in Australia's extensive grazing systemsProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerNat Tencic, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in May and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

There's designer clothes, but they have nothing on designer dogs!They come in a huge range of shapes and colours and sizes, from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane.In the animal world this much variation usually means different species, but not for dogs — so where did they all come from?And what role did Victorian-era rats play in the development of 'breed standards'?Featuring:Joyce Sullivan, papillon breederWayne Douglas OAM, Afghan Hound breederEsther Joseph, all breeds judgeMichael Worboys emeritus professor the University of ManchesterProfessor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of OxfordDr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle HeritageDr. Elaine Ostrander, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US)Dr Heidi Parker, geneticist at National Institutes of Health (US)Further reading:Canine Genomics and Genetics: Running with the PackThe invention of the basset hound: breed, blood and the late Victorian dog fancyProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerNat Tencic, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in May and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

The relationship between humans and big scary wolves has come a long way to give us tiny fluffy lap dogs with very discerning tastes in expensive food.Whose idea was it? Was it the wolves who wanted the warmth of the fire, or the humans who wanted protection from the other scary carnivores?And take a look at the first archaeological evidence of a beloved family pet preserved with its human family for almost 15,000 years!Featuring:Luc Janssens, Specialist in small animal surgery and archaeologistProfessor Greger Larson, evolutionary genomics at the University of OxfordDr Angela Perri, zooarchaeologist, Chronicle HeritageProfessor Clive Wynne, animal psychologist, Arizona State UniversityFurther reading:A new look at an old dog : Bonn-Oberkassel reconsideredIdentification of genomic variants putatively targeted by selection during dog domesticationDog domestication and the dual dispersal of people and dogs into the AmericasProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerNat Tencic, ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerPetria Ladgrove, Executive ProducerThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in May and was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

Nematodes are found in every environment on Earth and can survive in some seriously extreme conditions.They will come back to life after being frozen for 40 thousand years! WHAT THE DUCK?!There's so much more to these creatures than a chocolate square for an itchy rear end…Sign up here for the nematode appreciation society.Featuring:Dr Mike Hodda, senior principal research scientist, National Research Collections Australia, CSIROBethany Perry, PhD student at the ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity, University of Canberra and CSIROProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerThis episode of What the Duck?! was recorded and produced on the land of the Ngunnawal, 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

CSIRO's National Research Collection in Canberra is where millions of dead things bring life to Australian science.The specimens, collected over many decades, have just been very carefully moved into a new purpose-built facility named Diversity.The What the Duck?! team had a "sticky beak" inside to find DNA extraction robots, extinct birds, predatory flies, and a few thousand slides containing insect genitalia.This episode was recorded in September, before recent announcements were made about CSIRO funding.Featuring:Dr Alicia Grealy, research projects officer, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRODr Keith Bayless, research scientist, National Research Collections Australia, CSIROAndrea Wild, science communicator, CSIRODr Anna Kearns, research scientist, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRODr Olivia Evangelista de Souza, curator and digital data manager, National Research Collections Australia, CSIROWith thanks to Thea Williams and Ian Dewar at CSIROProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerThis episode of What the Duck?!  was produced on the land 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

After receiving a heartbreaking email, Ann goes on a mission to prove that 'girls DO like spiders, frogs and all things nature'.'Featuring:Lyra and Julie Gould from CanadaDr. Jodi Rowley- Australian Museum and University of NSWProfessor Maydianne Andrade- University of TorontoDr. Amber Beavis- Office of the Chief Veterinary OfficerAssociate Professor Tanya Latty- Sydney UniversityPlus excerpts from videos to Lyra from:Dr Federica TurcoDr Juanita RodriguezDr Kate UmbersDr Perry Beasley-HallDr Jessica FenkerJosie StylesYing LuoPlus extra sounds from:Christopher MacGregor, ABC Radio National listener with an excellent frog chorus from Bayswater in Perth, WAFrank Lambert, with a Spot-throated Babbler recording from Thailand, via xeno canto XC200877 (CC BY-NC 4.0)Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerPetria Ladgrove, ProducerJoel Werner, Script EditingThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

It's like a classic horror film.There are huge fangs, a segmented body, a remote location, the ocean bashing against cliffs, you're all alone and there's no one to help.The first bodies that turn up are of the children… of petrels.Featuring:Luke Halpin, PhD Researcher, Monash UniversityProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerPetria Ladgrove, ProducerJoel Werner, Script EditingThis episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

Turns out centipedes versus millipedes isn't as simple as a numbers game.But here at What the Duck?! we never skip leg day.Featuring:Dr Juanita Rodriguez, Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO.Dr Bruno Alves Buzatto, Flinders University.Luis Villazon, Science Educator UK.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Angela Grant.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

Can animals create, or even enjoy music?Ann rips through the animal kingdom to check out the musical talent of some likely and unlikely performers.Featuring:Dr. Stuart Watson, University of Zurich.Dr. Chiara De Gregorio, University of Torino.Assistant Professor Adena Schachner, University of California.David Teie, Musician and composer, Music for Cats.Associate Professor Cameron Webb, University of Sydney and NSW Health Pathology.Featured sounds:Musical Stimuli for Parrots by Adena Schachner, Fostog's Touch by David Teie (music for cats) and Marlene McCohen (YouTube) and her Amazon parrot Lucy.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.For more about bird song and music click here.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2023 and 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

We'll all go to trouble to get a good meal, but some animals take it to the extreme.Some build architectural masterpieces to entrap their prey, or use body parts as lures.But what is your cat doing when it makes the 'ek ek ek ek?' Is it trying to bewitch the birds?Featuring:Professor Kris Helgen, Australian Museum.Julia Henning, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide.Associate Professor Inon Scharf, Tel Aviv University.Dr David Merritt, Entomologist.Associate Professor Ajay Narendra, Macquarie University.Extra audio: Cat Ek ek ek by @thiscatisdumpling.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter/Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Belinda Smith, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri. This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2024 and 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

Fungi are already hard at work helping trees survive drought, recycling fallen logs, rotting away carcases, and helping human digestive systems, but could they do more?Is our future made of fungi?Research has shown the fungi's potential to make medicine, clothing, and cheap fire-retardant housing, but trying to isolate and harness just one species is not an easy task given they get into pretty much everything.Featuring:Dr. Tien Huynh, associate professor at the School of Sciences, RMITGrace Boxshall, PhD student at the University of Melbourne and visiting junior research fellow at the University of New South Wales.Georgina Hold, professor of gut health at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South WalesDr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher, fungal and plant ecologist at the University of New EnglandAlistair McTaggart, mycologist and researcher at Psymbiotika LabJustin Beardsley, researcher at the University of Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute and physician at Westmead HospitalProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

Mushrooms were once lumped in with plants, and they stayed there well after science knew better.But if a fungus is not a plant… is it a closer relative of yours than you might've thought?With millions of species on Earth, and many that live inside you, it seems important to know about the kingdom of fungi.Featuring:Tom May, senior principal research scientist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria; and co-author of Planet Fungi Grace Boxshall, PhD student at the University of Melbourne and visiting junior research fellow at the University of New South WalesGeorgina Hold, Professor of Gut Health at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South WalesDr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher, fungal and plant ecologist at the University of New EnglandProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

As daily updates about the 'mushroom murders' monopolised newsfeeds around the country, the What the Duck?! team started questioning the motives.  Not the human ones — the fungi ones.Why would a mushroom need a toxin so powerful it takes just a few grams to kill a human?And where's the warning?  Nature usually throws up alerts for poison, like bright colours or spots, but the death cap is pretty plain.Why does a mushroom need such a deadly toxin anyway?Featuring:Tom May, senior principal research scientist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria, and co-author of Planet Fungi Grace Boxshall, PhD student at the University of Melbourne and visiting junior research fellow at the University of New South Wales.Lindsay Mollison, retired consultant physician in infectious diseases and gastroenterologyJustin Beardsley, researcher at the University of Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute and physician at Westmead HospitalProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerRebecca McLaren, ProducerHamish Camilleri, Sound EngineerThis episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

Have you found yourself wondering why a simple brown mushroom would develop a toxin so strong that just a few grams could kill a human?What the Duck?! is investigating the motives of toxic fungi and exploring the curious world of puffballs, fly agarics, stinkhorns, and death caps.Powerful toxins are scary, but there are varieties that could help humans in medical treatment, space exploration, manufacturing, and by consuming plastic waste…Mushrooms are sending us mixed messages!What the Duck?! serves mushrooms from October 3rd.Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on the ABC Listen app (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.

Cuckoo babies hatch in the nests of other bird species then quickly, often brutally, make sure they're the only baby to get fed…So how does a cuckoo know how to be a cuckoo?Well… that is a ducking good question.Featuring:Cassandra Taylor, ANU.Claire Taylor, Uni of Melbourne.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editing.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and produced (mainly) 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 the ABC Listen app (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.

There are so many sticky things in nature, but what's the nature of their stickiness?Could slug mucus or frog ooze be used in medical treatments?Ann puts on her spider-woman gloves to find out.Featuring:Ella Tyler, wife of the late Prof Mike Tyler.Prof Andrew Smith, Biology, Ithaca College.Prof George Murrell, Director Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital, NSW.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and 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 the ABC Listen app (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.ore the mysteries of nature.

If you ever wanted to be able to stick to walls like Spider-Man, then listen to this!How do geckos and ants walk easily up walls and across the ceiling?Is an insect foot sticky in the same way as a reptilian tootsie?And how does underwater stickiness compare? Just how is that barnacle attached to that boat?Featuring:Rishab Pillai, James Cook University.Dr Christofer Clemente, University of the Sunshine Coast.Dr Eleanor Velasquez, Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) at UQ.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Joel Werner, Script Editing.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2022 and 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 the ABC Listen app (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.