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What The Duck?!: Daily Summaries Delivered
by ABC
Australia is full of weird plants and animals. And Dr Ann Jones is on speaking terms with most of them! Each week Ann explores the most unusual elements of our natural world — the ones that make you go What the Duck?! Like why do quolls have spots? Who farts (and who doesn't)? And how do snakes climb trees? Join Ann alongside experts and ordinary Aussies alike to solve mysteries, smash myths and uncover the bizarre truth about nature down under.
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- Today26 min
It’s survival relies on idiotic male wasps bonking it
This flower takes needy to a whole new level! It was almost extinct. That was, until 2015, when a woman called Julie took it upon herself to make sure we didn’t lose the species altogether, and as it happened (baby) Ann Jones went along with a microphone. Now, it’s 10 years on, and Ann is older, greyer and more closely resembles a bearded orchid. But, given she hasn’t been made redundant yet, we can revisit the forest to ask – was all that effort worth it? Did the orchids survive? Featuring:Julie Radford, Threatened species ecologist in Central VictoriaProduction:Ann Jones, Presenter / ProducerSarah Prosser, ProducerMastering Engineer: Tegan NichollsThis episode of What the Duck was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung 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.
- 1 weeks ago25 min
Who's your Daddy?
You probably have a daddy-long-legs in your house right now.But when is having a weird housemate in the corner ACTUALLY a good thing? Dr Ann Jones investigates.Featuring:Dr Samantha Nixon, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).Dr Lizzy Lowe, Invertebrates Australia.Thanks also to Dr Bernhard Huber, Arachnid Curator at Museum Koenig for helping us get the facts right.Production:Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.Petria Ladgrove, Producer.Additional mastering: Hamish Camilleri.This episode of What the Duck?! was originally broadcast in 2023 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.
- 2 weeks ago26 min
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.
- 3 weeks ago25 min
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 relationshipsOnce 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 Peuchmarin, 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.
- 4 weeks ago25 min
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.
- Jun 26, 202625 min
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.
- Jun 19, 202625 min
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.
- Jun 12, 202625 min
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.
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About What The Duck?!
Australia is full of weird plants and animals. And Dr Ann Jones is on speaking terms with most of them! Each week Ann explores the most unusual elements of our natural world — the ones that make you go What the Duck?! Like why do quolls have spots? Who farts (and who doesn't)? And how do snakes climb trees? Join Ann alongside experts and ordinary Aussies alike to solve mysteries, smash myths and uncover the bizarre truth about nature down under.
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