Volcanoes. Trees. Drunk butterflies. Mars missions. Slug sex. Death. Beauty standards. Anxiety busters. Beer science. Bee drama. Take away a pocket full of science knowledge and charming, bizarre stories about what fuels these professional -ologists' obsessions. Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward asks smart people stupid questions and the answers might change your life.
Puffinology (PUFFINS) with Jill Taylor
What exactly IS a puffin? Who are they related to? Are they disco birds? WHY are they so cute? Should you kiss one? Throw one? Are they in danger? Get up in a blanket burrow and listen to field researcher and legit Puffinologist, Jillian Taylor, give us all the details on who eats them, if they are neat freaks or not, their surprising life expectancy, and how they make their long marriages work. Also: the toilets with the best views, Star Wars trivia, a cereal lore, and who should NOT become a puffinologist.
Follow Jill on Instagram and TikTok
A donation was made to CPAWS Newfoundland and Labrador
More episode sources and links
Smologies (short, classroom-safe) episodes
Other episodes you may enjoy: Ornithology (BIRDS), Penguinology (PENGUINS), Oceanology (OCEANS), Oology (EGGS), Pelicanology (PELICANS), Island Ecology (ISLANDS), Ophthalmology (EYES), Lutrinology (OTTERS)
Transcripts and bleeped episodes
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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jacob Chaffee
Managing Director: Susan Hale
Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth
Transcripts by Aveline Malek
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn