logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
35m 1s

How does coral communicate?

American Public Media
About this episode

Coral is one of the coolest creatures in the ocean. It comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, from bright yellow stars to big round brains. Sometimes, coral looks like rocks or even plants – but did you know it’s actually an animal?


This week, your ears are in for a special treat: Brains On editor Shahla Farzan (a.k.a. world’s biggest coral fan) hosts the show! Join Shahla and co-host Eben as they go on an underwater adventure to learn about coral and the animals that call it home. We’ll also hear from a researcher about how coral might be able to hear and make sounds. All that, plus a rockin’ new mystery sound.


Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!


Today’s episode is sponsored by:


See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Nov 25
How does music get recorded and stored?
<p>Most of us take listening to music or podcasts for granted. You can find them on your phone, in the car or just about anywhere you can imagine. But, have you ever wondered how those sounds were captured in the first place? To find out, Molly and Co-host Canyon shrink down and ... Show More
30m 56s
Nov 18
Do dogs know that they're dogs?
<p>We treat dogs like they're part of the family. But do they know they are a different species, or do they think they're just short, four-legged people?</p> <p data-encore-id="text">In this episode, canine cognition researcher Alexandra Horowitz helps us puzzle out this question ... Show More
26m 18s
Nov 11
Mystery Sounds from the natural world
<p>Today&rsquo;s episode is full of Mystery Sounds from around the world. Molly and co-host Rehema are joined by sonic explorer Thomas Rex Beverly, who travels the globe to capture the sounds of the natural world. He brings us some beautiful head-scratchers that really must be he ... Show More
33m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
CORALS with Shayle Matsuda
<p>What IS a coral? Where do they grow and what do they eat and why are they so pretty? What kind of tools do coral scientists use? Why are they so many colors? And what is bleaching? Will changing your sunscreen save coral reefs? The wonderful and charming Cnidariologist Dr. Sha ... Show More
22m 4s
Oct 2021
S1E41 - Floozemania: Sea Creature Trivia
Join Floozeville's factory manager Mr. Shnews as he hosts Floozemania, the fun-filled flooze challenge show for kids! Today's challenge is a trivia bowl about sea creatures. Let's find out what you REALLY know about whales, sea horses, and starfish! 
13m 21s
Jul 2025
What Does an Ailing Coral Reef Sound Like?
Sick coral reefs are visually striking—bleached and lifeless, far from the vibrancy we’ve come to expect. But what does an unhealthy coral system sound like? In this rerun, conservation bioacoustics researcher Isla Keesje Davidson tells Science Quickly all about the changing soun ... Show More
16m 51s
Sep 2024
Antibiotics for coral reefs
Vox’s Benji Jones takes us diving in a coral reef to learn how scientists are trying to save them. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/ ... Show More
26m 46s
Nov 2020
Giant Squid vs. Blue Whales
<p>We’ve got a deep-sea debate for you today, so put on your scuba gear and jump on in! It’s Giant Squid vs. Blue Whales. Journalist Tom Weber goes up against science writer and stand-up comedian Kasha Patel in a fearsome debate battle. Which of these large and legendary beasts w ... Show More
36m 25s
May 2025
Do you know about Jellyfish? 🌊🪼
In this episode of Sleep Tight Science, we learn all about the world of jellyfish! Discover why jellyfish aren’t really fish, how they sting, what they eat, and the incredible ways they glow, swim, and grow. From tiny Irukandji to the giant lion’s mane, you’ll learn all about whe ... Show More
24m 58s
Jul 2025
Sunken Treasure!
Episode Description: When a poetic message in a bottle leads Max and Molly back to 1835, they dive into an underwater mission to help Charles Darwin collect marine life for scientific study. Outfitted with SCUBA gear, they descend 99 feet into the ocean, facing rising pressure, n ... Show More
19m 4s
Sep 2024
How studying octopus nurseries can shape the future of our oceans
Watching documentaries about the Titanic inspired deep-sea microbiologist Beth Orcutt to study life at the bottom of the ocean - a world of ‘towering chimneys, weird shrimp and octopus nurseries’ that she has visited 35 times. But Orcutt says there is so much we still don't know ... Show More
31m 12s
Oct 17
The Story presents: Planet Hope - Protecting Australia’s Ningaloo Coast
This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays. Marine scientist Ben Fitzpatrick is fighting to protect the N ... Show More
30m 45s
Dec 2021
S1E3 - Tales With a Whale: Underwater Quiz Show
Join Betty the Whale and her sidekick Bubble the Seahorse for a new underwater game show extravaganza every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! 
9m 56s