Episode Summary: Join emcees Susan Altrui, Joy Matlock, and Dustin Bean on That’s Wild Podcast as they explore the clever world of foxes and the urban ingenuity of rats. In this episode—brought to you by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and produced by the Little Rock Zoo—the hosts dive into intriguing animal behaviors, pop culture nods, and conservation insights that connect nature to everyday life.

Show Notes:

1. Introduction & Mission

• Welcome: Dustin Bean sets the stage by celebrating the wonders of our natural world and emphasizing the podcast’s mission to inspire wildlife conservation.
• Sponsors: Proudly presented by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and produced by the Little Rock Zoo.

2. Foxes – Nature’s Clever Survivors

• Vixen Insights:
  • Discover why a female fox is called a vixen and learn about unique fox couple dynamics (e.g., if the vixen dies, the male remains single, but she can find a new partner).
• Hunting Superpowers:
  • Learn how foxes use Earth’s magnetic field and specialized eye pigments to pinpoint their prey with precision.
• Pop Culture & Fun Facts:
  • Enjoy references from video vixens to iconic characters like Foxy Cleopatra, Nick Wilde from Disney’s Zootopia, and Robin Hood.
• Behavioral Traits:
  • Understand their solitary, territorial nature, along with fascinating adaptations such as rotating ears and using their brush-like tail as a warm blanket.

3. Rats – The Urban Survivors

• Meet Remy & Friends:
  • Get to know Remy, the ambassador rat, and her companions, highlighting their intelligence and social behavior.
• Biological Insights:
  • Uncover how rats’ keen sense of smell, burrowing skills, and rapid reproduction (up to 50 babies a year) make them such successful urban survivors.
• Group Behavior:
  • Find out why a group of rats is called a “mischief” and learn about their role in seed dispersal and soil aeration.
• Conservation Message:
  • Emphasize the importance of keeping wildlife wild—feeding foxes or rats can disrupt their natural habits and survival skills.

4. Pop Culture & Celebrity Silver Foxes

• Celebrity Talk:
  • Engage in lively banter about silver fox celebrities—from Michael J. Fox to other iconic figures—and fun trivia on animal group names (like a “skulk” of foxes).

5. Guest Spotlight & Final Thoughts

• Special Guest:
  • Hear from guest Hannah as she shares additional fun animal anecdotes and explains how ambassador animals help educate the public.
• Conservation Reminder:
  • A final call to appreciate and protect our wildlife, emphasizing that every creature—from foxes to rats—plays a vital role in nature.

• Engage: Subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite animal facts using #ThatsWildPodcast.
• Connect: Follow us on social media for more insights and wild adventures.