When writer Stephen S. Hall was a child, he would capture snakes—much to his mother’s chagrin. Now the science journalist is returning to his early fascination In his latest book, Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World. The book explores our long, complicated relationship with snakes. Plus, Hall chats about humans’ and other anima ... Show More
Jul 2024
How does a snake climb a tree?
Snakes are often seen as slithery, slimy and scary. But these intriguing non-legged creatures have made CrowdScience listener Okello from Uganda wonder how they move – more specifically, he wants to know how they climb trees so easily, and so fast. Presenter Caroline Steel meets ... Show More
27m 29s
Jun 2025
Crotalology (RATTLESNAKES) with Emily Taylor
<p>Fangs. Rattles. Misconceptions. Crawl out from under your rock for the angelic rattle of one of the world’s most maligned, misunderstood, gorgeous, mysterious, efficient creatures. Herpetology professor, rattlesnake scientist and thus, Crotalologist Dr. Emily Taylor discusses ... Show More
1h 21m
Oct 2024
Exploring the Science of Spookiness at the Recreational Fear Lab
Why do so many of us love a good scare? Whether it’s horror movies, haunted houses or creepy podcasts, there’s something thrilling about feeling spooked—especially around Halloween. In this episode, host Rachel Feltman dives into our fascination with fear and morbid curiosity wit ... Show More
17m 32s
Aug 2024
Listener Questions: Poisonous Animals, Sunsets and Earth 🐍🌞🌏
In this episode, we learn why some frogs are poisonous, which snake is more venomous, the king cobra or the rhinoceros cobra and what happens when a venomous spider bites you. Then, taking a break from poisonous animals, we learn why the sun looks red at sunset and about how the ... Show More
21 m
May 2025
Curating the Coldest “Zoo” on Earth
In this episode, hosts Rick and Marco are headed back to the Frozen Zoo® to speak with its curator, Marlys Houck. This first-of-its-kind biobank began with a cell, and over the past 50 years it has grown to be the most extensive collection of its kind in the world, preserving liv ... Show More
47m 52s
Oct 2025
SECRET VOICES OF THE WILD: AI Unlocks Animal Language🦁🐘
Get ready for another adventure through space, nature, and the strangest corners of science on the BIGGER and BETTER Science Weekly! This week, we’re answering YOUR questions, have scientists battle it out to decide which science is the best, and uncovering why plastic is such a ... Show More
28m 45s