The Wild Episode

61
Nature #242

A Collection of Wonders and Curiosities from the Animal Kingdom. Zoology, natural history and sometimes human history too. Amazing stories about amazing wildlife.

Recent Episodes
  • Golden Rocket Frog : The Bromeliad, the Waterfall and the Frog
    Apr 1, 2025 – 30:19
  • Ochre Sea Star : The Keystone Experiment
    Dec 20, 2024 – 33:19
  • Pygmy Hippo : The Hippo in the Zoo
    Dec 3, 2024 – 35:09
  • Texas Horned Lizard : The Pain Index III
    Oct 30, 2024 – 30:49
  • Tarantula Hawk : The Pain Index II
    Oct 16, 2024 – 30:20
  • Bullet Ant : The Pain Index I
    Oct 2, 2024 – 34:56
  • Remipede : How to be Perplexing
    Sep 19, 2024 – 32:25
  • Myrmeconema : Gliding Ants and Red Berries
    Jul 18, 2024 – 30:46
  • Sumatran Rhino : Sunset Song
    Jul 1, 2024 – 34:32
  • Cookiecutter Shark : A Bright Shark in a Dark Ocean
    Jun 13, 2024 – 30:29
  • Giant Barrel Sponge : Methuselah on the Reef
    May 23, 2024 – 30:57
  • Aldabra Giant Tortoise : The One and Only
    May 9, 2024 – 33:15
  • Phrynus longipes : The Whip Spider in the Cave
    Apr 23, 2024 – 32:06
  • Glacier Lanternfish : The Scatterers
    Apr 8, 2024 – 33:03
  • Matabele Ant : The Raid
    Mar 8, 2024 – 29:50
  • Yellow-Footed Antechinus : Paying the Hormonal Price
    Feb 1, 2024 – 31:26
  • Train Millipede : The Eight Year Itch
    Jan 11, 2024 – 31:48
  • Leopard : The Cat in the City
    Dec 13, 2023 – 32:09
  • Paragordius tricuspidatus : The Phantom Thread
    Nov 30, 2023 – 34:06
  • Northern Gannet : Deep Impact
    Nov 16, 2023 – 31:15
  • Antarctic Krill : Maximum Swarm
    Nov 1, 2023 – 32:32
  • Tentacled Snake : J Stands For Death
    Jul 5, 2023 – 29:19
  • Mediterranean Monk Seal : The Seal in Hiding
    Jun 14, 2023 – 34:21
  • São Tomé Caecilian : Double Yellow
    May 24, 2023 – 31:57
  • White-Barred Acraea : Where Did All The Males Go?
    May 10, 2023 – 30:48
  • Whirling Disease Myxozoan : Minimum Animal
    Apr 26, 2023 – 32:38
  • Megamouth Shark : The Third Biggest Shark in the World
    Apr 12, 2023 – 31:05
  • Update and 2023 Preview
    Dec 16, 2022 – 04:31
  • Vampire Jumping Spider : Vampire or Van Helsing?
    Nov 18, 2022 – 32:39
  • Vampire Squid : Neither Vampire Nor Squid
    Oct 31, 2022 – 31:13
  • Corsac Fox : Two Foxes, an Eagle and a Marmot
    Sep 28, 2022 – 31:42
  • Neon Flying Squid : You'll Believe a Squid Can Fly
    Sep 7, 2022 – 29:59
  • Scottnema : Maximum South
    Aug 25, 2022 – 31:48
  • Red-Crowned Crane : DMZ
    Jul 28, 2022 – 36:06
  • Emperor Scorpion : Very Good With Children
    Jun 28, 2022 – 30:36
  • (REBROADCAST) Northern Fulmar : The Foul Gull of St Kilda
    Jun 10, 2022 – 33:09
  • Pig-Nosed Turtle : One of a Kind
    May 24, 2022 – 30:23
  • Fenyes's Strepsipteran : You Have Got To Be Kidding
    May 12, 2022 – 31:08
  • Tri-Spine Horseshoe Crab : Survivors
    Apr 25, 2022 – 32:10
  • Colugo : Glide Path
    Apr 7, 2022 – 28:54
  • Wasp Mantidfly : Spider's Bane
    Mar 24, 2022 – 28:45
  • Great Slaty Woodpecker : The Haunted Bird
    Mar 2, 2022 – 30:27
  • Greater Argonaut : The Aquarium of Jeanne Villepreux-Power
    Feb 11, 2022 – 30:39
  • Stoplight Loosejaw : Jaws Sees Red
    Dec 29, 2021 – 30:29
  • Giant Hummingbird : Life At The Limit
    Dec 13, 2021 – 29:07
  • Death's-Head Hawkmoth : The Mad King's Moth
    Nov 29, 2021 – 30:38
  • Armadillo Lizard : The Armoured Ouroboros
    Nov 10, 2021 – 30:59
  • Crab Nemertean : The Egg Thief
    Oct 27, 2021 – 30:32
  • Black-Headed Duck : The Cuckoo Duck
    Oct 13, 2021 – 28:31
  • Orca : The Ultimate Predator
    Sep 22, 2021 – 38:04
Recent Reviews
  • CozyGoblin
    Phenomenal nature podcast
    If David Attenborough made a podcast, it would be of this quality and tone. It’s now my favorite podcast. I am so grateful to have found it.
  • Consumer04312
    Great
    Such a phenomenal podcast. Well researched and structured. The narrator is on par with David Attenborough
  • HodorTheTriumphant
    Great storytelling about awesome organisms
    I’ve really enjoyed this podcast. The producer does a great job and shares fascinating stories about diverse and often obscure organisms. It seems to be well researched, as when I dug deeper into some of the things I learned from this podcast, I found confirmation of the facts presented. I recommend it as a great way to learn about the beautiful and diverse things that life does to survive and thrive on our planet.
  • Nobody AKA Odysseus
    Need episode soon
    Great facts and stories. I need a new episode soon. REALLY soon
  • Tom Conwell
    Fabulous
    Great content, great music, but the star is the narrator and writer. I could listen to him all day.
  • joshuaraeburn2002
    Absolutely soothing and informative!
    This is such a wonderful podcast! For anyone with an interest in biology or zoology, I promise this show will teach you so much you didn’t know that you didn’t know. I’ve learned so much from this show, and the sometimes complex information is given in such a completely manageable way. The animals featured are always fascinating, and it’s such a surprise to me that this show isn’t a top podcast (yet!). The narrator is hilariously funny in a dry, subtle way and his voice is so calming. I just was recommended this show but I’ve listened to almost every episode in the last couple weeks. The 25-35 minute time span is perfect for doing chores or driving. Give it a listen, you’re going to love it!
  • KindnessMattersIL
    Best Podcast for Animal Nerds
    I love animals and all of their weird and amazing adaptations and behaviors and this is a podcast for that! This reminds me of Song Exploder, but for animals: each episode is a deep dive into one species and manages to make a coherent and engaging story about that species. Also the host has the charm and feel of a hobbyist sharing their passion for the natural world while you both sit in comfy armchairs in the back of a cozy pub. Well-produced and engaging, looking forward to more in 2021!
  • Jesus this is annoying
    Top Ten Podcasts of All Time
    The narrative quality, content and delivery are matched for me only by Robin’s History of Byzantium podcast. I’m an indoorsy person, I barely like nature but I love the world and it’s diversity and the idiosyncratic details and Brian nails it every time and then some. I’ve listened to every episode at least twice and would totally support him monetarily for producing more if indeed possible. This programme has made the past five months since I discovered it immensely more bearable; it’s a blessing at the very least. Thank you for this expansive addition to the international podcast listening community—we are so grateful for your work.
  • blobeyestiguy
    Fantastic
    Brian has found the quintessential balance between captivating storytelling, fascinating science, and relevant digressions. Quite frankly, it baffles me that this podcast is not more widely listened to; I suppose this review is my tiny contribution to changing that. Keep up the amazing work Brian!
  • Jackgarf36
    Uniquely Great
    Awesome narration and great content, good for mid day or late at night to help fall asleep!!!
  • thinkelbottom
    Great podcast
    I love this podcast. Exactly what I was looking for
  • swizzilkz
    Best Voice in Podcasting - plus awesome topics!
    1. The animals he covers are the best, weirdest and most wonderful creatures. 2. Very well researched. The host knows his stuff. 3. His voice is so relaxing, I now listen to old episodes to fall asleep. I used to do that with other nature documentaries but now I can do it with this podcast. Yes, I am grouping our host with David Attenborough and it’s not hyperbole.
  • dh031701
    Amazing and Unique
    This is such a wonderful podcast that constantly teaches me new things every time I listen. Highly recommend!!
  • popejacob
    Excellent and Informative!
    Discovered this due to being a fan of BR’s books and have truly enjoyed the journey into the oddities and horrors of nature!
  • Foy Greenwood
    Lovely, educational, and peaceful.
    You won't find a podcast that is more thoughtful, peaceful, and informative. The host is insightful, unique in his choices, and knowledgeable. Further, his presentation is calming, yet extremely entertaining.
  • Ommmmmmmmmmm
    Best host since Attenborough
    Ruckley’s soothing voice, creative narration about rare animals, and beautiful sound design make this my absolute favorite nature podcast. I have chronic anxiety, and I use nature docs and podcasts as a way to wind down in the evenings (taking my mind off of my worries, and putting the world into larger perspective.) One night after having finished all of my usual BBC podcasts I went searching for more. I found this little independently produced podcast, and it has quickly usurped all the others in my listening queue.
  • Trfvnjyrfhjrxguefhirhjjk
    Best wildlife podcast there is.
    This podcast features tons of amazing animals, the story’s behind them, and what makes them so amazing. Brian Ruckley does such an amazing job bringing these animals to light and surfacing knowledge I might not have discovered otherwise. I am a 16 year old aspiring zoologist and this podcast has only furthered my passion for going into this field! Highly suggest taking a listen!
  • sbo8505
    Amazing podcast
    Absolutely wonderful podcast about a different species each week. So interesting and told in a captivating way as he describes the story of each new species! Some are so amazing it’s hard to believe such things exist.
  • Sleepgreat
    Great animal oddities.
    I love this podcast! A great show for those who like to learn about lesser known animals.
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