logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
24m 25s

Are Cats Evil?

Tumble Media
About this episode
Are cats evil? Are they hatching a plot to take over the world? Or are they just misunderstood? Scientist and cat expert Mikel Maria Delgado will tell us how the domestication of cats and dogs changed the way we think of our pets today, and she’ll explain how scientists of all ages can study cat preferences (or purr-fur-ences). Plus, she’ll share some tips o ... Show More
Up next
Oct 9
The Hugging Robot
What makes a good hug? That’s what Ryder wants to know. Enter HuggieBot - a robot that helped discover the 11 “ingredients” of a meaningful embrace. We’ll learn why HuggieBot’s creator, Dr. Alexis Block, decided to build a hugging robot, and what a robot can tell us about why hug ... Show More
25m 44s
Oct 2
Mailbag: What Happens When Galaxies Crash?
In this mailbag episode, astronomer Karen Masters joins Marshall and Lindsay to answer a listener's question: what happens when Andromeda crashes into the Milky Way? Plus, we're launching a brand-new segment: The Kid Quiz! Find Tumble Cards on Yoto here. To get an invite to the n ... Show More
21m 8s
Sep 25
Why Does Earth Have a Magnetic Field?
How did Earth get its magnetic field? And why does it move around? Our listeners have questions about one of Earth’s most mysterious forces. To find out, we go on an archeological expedition in the Middle East, with pioneering paleomagnetist Lisa Tauxe. Lisa has spent decades “hu ... Show More
25m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2022
Ep 31: How to better understand your cat
<p>We've lived side-by-side with domestic cats for thousands of years, yet they maintain an aura of mystery and a reputation for aloofness and even outright disdain for humans. But are cats really so enigmatic – or are we only just beginning to understand them?</p> <p>In this epi ... Show More
22m 9s
Jul 2024
Catnip, cat naps, and the history of house cats
Curious about cats? Us too! Join Molly and co-host Lynx as they sniff out the answers to some of your most pressing cat questions. They’ll head to a chaotic cat café to learn the history of house cats, they'll hear a song all about cat breeds, and chat with cat expert Mikel Delga ... Show More
33m 47s
Dec 2021
Smologies #7: CATS with Mikel Delgado
tail spinning
29m 1s
Jan 2019
Felinology (CATS) with Mikel Delgado
<p>We love them. We live with them. We are mystified by them. Alie hunted down professional cat behavior expert Dr. Mikel Delgado who dishes on everything from toilet training to feral taming to neonatal kittens to cats eating our dead bodies to domestication, toxoplasmosis, litt ... Show More
1h 24m
Aug 2021
Does Your Cat Like You — Or Just Tolerate You?
(Encore episode) It's another installment of our series, "Animal Slander," where we take a common phrase about animals and see what truth there is to it. The issue before the Short Wave court today: "Do cats deserve their aloof reputation?" We look at the evidence with cat resear ... Show More
11m 42s
May 2023
Wow in the World – How To Talk To A Cat
<p>Tinkercast Presents: Cats &amp; Dogs Week! Mindy is herding cats—or sleigh cats that is! But why aren't the sleigh cats listening to Mindy and Guy Raz? Well... Science suggests a different tone may help your cat understand you better! Tinkercast Presents: Cats &amp; Dogs Week ... Show More
23m 55s
Feb 2024
What’s going on inside your cat’s head? With Kristyn Vitale, PhD
Cats have long had a reputation as standoffish pets, but many cat owners will tell you that the cat-human bond can run deep. Cat psychologist Kristyn Vitale, PhD, talks about new research on cats’ cognitive and social abilities; why cats really are as emotionally attached to us a ... Show More
31m 54s
Nov 2021
Would my cat survive in the wild?
<p>Cats started hanging out with humans thousands of years ago, and nowadays these fluffy, lovable pets are found in many of our homes. But there is no doubt lots of them still have keen hunting instincts - witness all the birds and small mammals they kill each year.</p><p>CrowdS ... Show More
30m 39s
Oct 2012
Where did the crazy cat lady stereotype come from?
<p>Why do we associate cats with crazy old ladies? What's the historical relationship between women and cats, and why do popes hate cats? Could bacteria in cat poop make people crazy? Join Caroline and Cristen as they answer these questions and more.</p><p> </p> Learn more about ... Show More
32m 42s
Nov 2024
Are the Vikings to Blame for Cats?
House cats are astonishing, fascinating, and at-times frustrating little creatures -- yet they've made a comfortable home with humans, spreading in step with every civilization they join. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore an intriguing theory that busts more than a fe ... Show More
30m 37s