Podcasts about tasmanian

214 | Navigating Chronic Illness & Vocal Injury with Hannah May {fullvoicemusic.com} ⭐ Find links mentioned in this episode here: https://www.fullvoicemusic.com/podcast/214/ ⭐ Illness and vocal health challenges touch every voice professional, in our own lives or in the lives of our students. Tasmanian-born singer, songwriter, and voice teacher Hannah May shares her journey through chronic illness and recovery from vocal injury and how that experience transformed the way she holds space for her students and sets clear, compassionate boundaries in her studio. In Episode 214, we explore a story of resilience, perspective, and a powerful redefinition of sustainable singing.

Lauren Jauncey, General Manager of Strategy, People, and Culture at the Tasmania Devils Football Club, joins Kaz and Tubes to preview the upcoming International Women’s Day Lunch uniting Tasmanian sporting clubs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From bovine waste to wellness, how one company plans to cash in on collagen.

Kaz and Tubes are joined by Amelia Pearson from the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub, to fact check what Tasmania’s latest water restrictions mean for residents across the state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracy Jones, Netball Tasmania Operations Manager, joins Kaz and Tubes to preview this weekend’s opening round of the 2026 Tasmanian Netball League season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been talking about how dry it's been for the start of the new year so far in Tasmania,  one of the 10 driest 1st month of the year on record according to the Bureau.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Kaz and Tubes are joined by Amelia Pearson from the Monash Climate Change Communication Research Hub, to fact check whether Tasmanian power bills should be rising, when most of our state’s electricity comes from renewables.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Zakis discusses dangerous wildlife encounters, including a Tasmanian tiger snake found in a child's car seat and a Victorian farmer who sustained injuries while fighting a kangaroo to save his drowning dog.

In this episode, Guive Assadi argues that we should give AIs property rights, so that they are integrated in our system of property and come to rely on it. The claim is that this means that AIs would not kill or steal from humans, because that would undermine the whole property system, which would be extremely valuable to them. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/axrpodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/axrpodcast Transcript: https://axrp.net/episode/2026/02/15/episode-48-guive-assadi-ai-property-rights.html   Topics we discuss, and timestamps: 0:00:28 AI property rights 0:08:01 Why not steal from and kill humans 0:15:25 Why AIs may fear it could be them next 0:20:56 AI retirement 0:23:28 Could humans be upgraded to stay useful? 0:26:41 Will AI progress continue? 0:30:00 Why non-obsoletable AIs may still not end human property rights 0:38:35 Why make AIs with property rights? 0:48:01 Do property rights incentivize alignment? 0:50:09 Humans and non-human property rights 1:02:18 Humans and non-human bodily autonomy 1:16:59 Step changes in coordination ability 1:24:39 Acausal coordination 1:32:37 AI, humans, and civilizations with different technology levels 1:41:39 The case of British settlers and Tasmanians 1:47:22 Non-total expropriation 1:53:47 How Guive thinks x-risk could happen, and other loose ends 2:03:46 Following Guive's work   Guive on Substack: https://guive.substack.com/ Guive on X/Twitter: https://x.com/GuiveAssadi   Research we discuss: The Case for AI Property Rights: https://guive.substack.com/p/the-case-for-ai-property-rights AXRP Episode 44 - Peter Salib on AI Rights for Human Safety: https://axrp.net/episode/2025/06/28/episode-44-peter-salib-ai-rights-human-safety.html AI Rights for Human Safety (by Salib and Goldstein): https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4913167 We don't trade with ants: https://worldspiritsockpuppet.substack.com/p/we-dont-trade-with-ants Alignment Fine-tuning is Character Writing (on Claude as a techy philosophy SF-dwelling type): https://guive.substack.com/p/alignment-fine-tuning-is-character Claude's charater (Anthropic post on character training): https://www.anthropic.com/research/claude-character Git Re-Basin: Merging Models modulo Permutation Symmetries: https://arxiv.org/abs/2209.04836 The Filan Cabinet: Caspar Oesterheld on Evidential Cooperation in Large Worlds: https://thefilancabinet.com/episodes/2025/08/03/caspar-oesterheld-on-evidential-cooperation-in-large-worlds-ecl.html   Episode art by Hamish Doodles: hamishdoodles.com

Today on the Poddy: 05:00 - Intro 3:54 - Wheelchair testicle incidents09:15 - Texas BBQ legends arrive (Chuck Norris BBQ)14:30 - Sausage philosophy & BBQ culture38:41 - Sausage making classes announcement (Feb 14 & 21)43:00 - Tasmanian guests: Special K & Aaliyah50:15 - Plumber War Story www.trucknorrisbbq.co.nz Bill: https://www.instagram.com/sausage_sensei?igsh=NmtwdTVlb2Fpb3dx Willy: https://www.instagram.com/smokinwillyt?igsh=NTU5NmYwdnY5ZWF3 Matt: https://www.instagram.com/trucknorristexasbbq?igsh=MWtlbDZxYW40YXdqdA== Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Protesters around Australia, including Nick McKim and other Greens MPs, gathered to express opposition to the visit of the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, this week. The Greens senator tells political editor, Tom McIlroy, that the confronting scenes of police aggression towards protesters in Sydney was a “massive overreach”. McKim is the Greens spokesperson for economic justice and treasury, and is now leading a parliamentary inquiry into the 50% capital gains tax discount. Labor has not ruled out possible changes to the generous tax breaks for investors ahead of the May budget. The Tasmanian senator argues that, with Greens' support, the government can “marry up the politics and the policy” to meaningfully addressing the housing crisis

Protesters around Australia, including Nick McKim and other Greens colleagues, gathered to express opposition to the visit of the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, this week. The Greens senator tells our political editor, Tom McIlroy, that the confronting scenes of police aggression towards protesters in Sydney were a ‘massive overreach'. McKim is the Greens spokesperson for economic justice and treasury, and is now leading a parliamentary inquiry into the 50% capital gains tax discount. Labor has not ruled out possible changes to the generous tax breaks for investors before the May budget. The Tasmanian senator argues that, with Greens support, the government can ‘marry up the politics and the policy' to meaningfully addressing the housing crisis

A rhino wants to write a book about extinct animals but, in doing so, makes a startling discovery.Written especially for this podcast by Alice.  If you enjoyed this story, please do leave us a review.  And, if you'd like to suggest an animal for a future Animal Tales story, you can do so by emailing podcast@animaltales.uk. We would love to hear from you.  Animal Tales Books!Collections of Animal Tales children's stories are available to buy exclusively at Amazon. Simply search for Animal Tales Short Stories or follow this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CLJQZ9C9?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi Become a PREMIUM SubscriberYou can now enjoy Animal Tales by becoming a Premium Subscriber. This gets you:All episodes in our catalogue advert freeBonus Premium-only episodes (one per week) which will never be used on the main podcastWe guarantee to use one of your animal suggestions in a storyYou can sign up through Apple Podcasts or through Supercast and there are both monthly and yearly plans available.   Discover a brand new story every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – just for you!  You can find more Animal Tales at https://www.spreaker.com/show/animal-tales-the-kids-story-podcastA Note About The AdvertsIn order to allow us to make these stories we offer a premium subscription and run adverts. The adverts are not chosen by us, but played automatically depending on the platform you listen through (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc) and the country you live in. The adverts may even be different if you listen to the story twice.We have had a handful of instances where an advert has played that is not suitable for a family audience, despite the podcast clearly being labelled for children. If you're concerned about an advert you hear, please contact the platform you are listening to directly. Spotify, in particular, has proven problematic in the past, for both inappropriate adverts and the volume at which the adverts play. If you find this happening, please let Spotify know via their Facebook customer care page. As creators, we want your child's experience to be a pleasurable one. Running adverts is necessary to allow us to operate, but please do consider the premium subscription service as an alternative – it's advert free.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Driven: The John Bowe Story charts the Tasmanian-born driver's path from childhood through a decorated motorsport career, capturing his two Bathurst 1000 victories, Hall of Fame status, and the personal and professional challenges he faced along the way. Written with journalist Andrew Maclean, it offers a full portrait of Bowe's life both on and off the track.

Driven: The John Bowe Story charts the Tasmanian-born driver's path from childhood through a decorated motorsport career, capturing his two Bathurst 1000 victories, Hall of Fame status, and the personal and professional challenges he faced along the way. Written with journalist Andrew Maclean, it offers a full portrait of Bowe's life both on and off the track.

In this heartfelt conversation, Pippa and Chris reflect on the remarkable football career of John Leedham — one of Tasmania's greatest ever players. From his early days dominating local leagues to becoming the first Tasmanian selected in the the All-Australian team in 1953, and ultimately his recent induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, hear the personal stories, triumphs and memories behind the legend.

Driven: The John Bowe Story charts the Tasmanian-born driver's path from childhood through a decorated motorsport career, capturing his two Bathurst 1000 victories, Hall of Fame status, and the personal and professional challenges he faced along the way. Written with journalist Andrew Maclean, it offers a full portrait of Bowe's life both on and off the track.

A late comer to the game, Tunisha Kikoak first picked up a sherrin at just 12 years of age and hasn't looked back since. Progressing through the Tasmanian talent pathways, Tunisha earned her opportunity at the elite level, joining the Fremantle Dockers AFLW program as a forward and occasional ruck. Her journey hasn't been without heartbreak, experiencing the disappointment of being overlooked in the 2023 AFLW Draft. But resilience defines her story. After signing with the Dockers in June 2024 as a replacement player, Tunisha seized her chance and has since been rewarded with a two-year contract extension with the purple army in Western Australia. In this episode, Tunisha shares her rise through the ranks, the emotional lows of professional football, and the determination it took to turn setback into opportunity.

One of football's great characters, James Manson was fiercely competitive, unapologetically intense, and impossible to ignore. A premiership player with Collingwood and a key member of the Tasmanian team that famously defeated Victoria in the 1990 clash, he truly was the ultimate football rockstar. In this episode, he opens up about his move from North Hobart to Collingwood, the culture shock of AFL life, and his volatile on-field behaviour. The passion, aggression, and mindset that defined his career. Raw, honest, and unforgettable, this is a story of talent, attitude, and the fine line between brilliance and chaos.

In this episode of Peak Pursuits, Brodie and Sim sit down with Piotr Babis to unpack one of the boldest endurance feats ever attempted in Tasmania's southwest: a first-ever continuous FKT linking the Eastern Arthurs, Western Arthurs, Port Davey and the South Coast Track. Piotr breaks down the brutal reality of 240km and 12,000m of elevation across some of Australia's most remote and overgrown terrain, covering navigation challenges, weather windows, crew logistics and multi-day fueling in true wilderness conditions. The team dives into why Tassie's Arthurs remain among the toughest environments in Australian trail running, what it takes to plan FKTs, and how this adventure fits alongside Piotr's 2026 race calendar including Gone Nuts, KMR and UTA. A must-listen for anyone fascinated by FKTs, Tasmanian trail running, and the outer edges of endurance adventure.The team then dives into some chats around the changes in the trail running scene as it gets bigger and social media influence brings new people to the trails, as well as some results and a listener question around race pressure. Results: Kilcunda Running Festival (VIC) Beerwah at Night (QLD) SEQ Trail Series Round 5: Bunyaville Perth Trail Summer Series***Don't forget, use code PEAK at https://bix-hydration.myshopify.com/en-au for 20% off Bix products, exclusive to PPP listeners!***Thanks for tuning in to Peak Pursuits!Connect with us on Instagram @peakpursuits.pod to share your thoughts, questions, and your own trail stories. Until next time, keep hitting the trails and chasing those peak pursuits!Follow Sim: Instagram | StravaFollow Brodie: Instagram | StravaFollow Piotr: InstagramMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: K08PMQ3RATCE215R

Local woolgrowers are gearing up for the Tasmanian feature wool sale in Melbourne next week.

Tasmanian tomato lovers will have to go interstate to taste the GMO Purple variety, which has been given the go ahead to be grown and sold on the mainland.

Bridget Archer, Minister for Ageing, joins Kaz and Tubes to detail the latest round of Ticket to Wellbeing vouchers helping Tasmanians over 65 get moving.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are humans really fish? Why are we the only animals with chins? How much of our DNA do we share with the trillions of bacteria in our bodies? For centuries, scientists have chased the secrets of how life on our planet arose, how it assumed its dazzling diversity of forms, and how we humans are related to everything else on earth. With increasingly sophisticated genetic methods now bringing us ever closer to answers, leading evolutionary biologist Max Telford takes us inside one of science's greatest quests. In the intellectually thrilling The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle (W. W. Norton, 2025), Telford shows how reconstructing the web of relationships between all our planet's species, from birds and butterflies to mushrooms and moose, allows us to unravel the epic history of life on our planet. In Telford's hands, the many-branched evolutionary trees that biologists assemble--from Charles Darwin's first sketches to the vast computer-generated diagrams scientists are building today--become time machines that take us on a vivid journey through four billion years of life's history. We meet long-lost ancestors, picturing them in the environment of a much younger earth, and discover where we first acquired our backbones and nipples and, conversely, where we lost our tails. We learn how insects are "actually" crustaceans, and how dogs and wolves are more closely related to whales than to the recently extinct Tasmanian wolves they so resemble. Far from a dry representation of the dead, the tree of life is a living, shifting thing that constantly alters our perspective on the past, present, and future of life on earth. For any reader fascinated by evolution and natural history, The Tree of Life is an essential portal to the distant past and a window onto our collective origins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Are humans really fish? Why are we the only animals with chins? How much of our DNA do we share with the trillions of bacteria in our bodies? For centuries, scientists have chased the secrets of how life on our planet arose, how it assumed its dazzling diversity of forms, and how we humans are related to everything else on earth. With increasingly sophisticated genetic methods now bringing us ever closer to answers, leading evolutionary biologist Max Telford takes us inside one of science's greatest quests. In the intellectually thrilling The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle (W. W. Norton, 2025), Telford shows how reconstructing the web of relationships between all our planet's species, from birds and butterflies to mushrooms and moose, allows us to unravel the epic history of life on our planet. In Telford's hands, the many-branched evolutionary trees that biologists assemble--from Charles Darwin's first sketches to the vast computer-generated diagrams scientists are building today--become time machines that take us on a vivid journey through four billion years of life's history. We meet long-lost ancestors, picturing them in the environment of a much younger earth, and discover where we first acquired our backbones and nipples and, conversely, where we lost our tails. We learn how insects are "actually" crustaceans, and how dogs and wolves are more closely related to whales than to the recently extinct Tasmanian wolves they so resemble. Far from a dry representation of the dead, the tree of life is a living, shifting thing that constantly alters our perspective on the past, present, and future of life on earth. For any reader fascinated by evolution and natural history, The Tree of Life is an essential portal to the distant past and a window onto our collective origins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science

Are humans really fish? Why are we the only animals with chins? How much of our DNA do we share with the trillions of bacteria in our bodies? For centuries, scientists have chased the secrets of how life on our planet arose, how it assumed its dazzling diversity of forms, and how we humans are related to everything else on earth. With increasingly sophisticated genetic methods now bringing us ever closer to answers, leading evolutionary biologist Max Telford takes us inside one of science's greatest quests. In the intellectually thrilling The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle (W. W. Norton, 2025), Telford shows how reconstructing the web of relationships between all our planet's species, from birds and butterflies to mushrooms and moose, allows us to unravel the epic history of life on our planet. In Telford's hands, the many-branched evolutionary trees that biologists assemble--from Charles Darwin's first sketches to the vast computer-generated diagrams scientists are building today--become time machines that take us on a vivid journey through four billion years of life's history. We meet long-lost ancestors, picturing them in the environment of a much younger earth, and discover where we first acquired our backbones and nipples and, conversely, where we lost our tails. We learn how insects are "actually" crustaceans, and how dogs and wolves are more closely related to whales than to the recently extinct Tasmanian wolves they so resemble. Far from a dry representation of the dead, the tree of life is a living, shifting thing that constantly alters our perspective on the past, present, and future of life on earth. For any reader fascinated by evolution and natural history, The Tree of Life is an essential portal to the distant past and a window onto our collective origins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Jonesy & Amanda for an EXCLUSIVE (unaired) episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of the Unnatural Selection Podcast, we discuss: Trump regime has lost the plot. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference filled with horrifying propaganda in which she lied about Alex Pretti, the man murdered in Minneapolis today by ICE. Alex Pretti killing in Minneapolis by federal agents: what we know so far. ICE officers detain five-year-old Minnesota boy as he arrives home from preschool. Minneapolis family, six children tear gassed after they were caught in clash between ICE and protesters. Trump's Chilling Weaponization of Confidential Government Records. $1 Billion in Cash Buys a Permanent Seat on Trump's 'Board of Peace'. Trump's Greenland U-turn was spectacular. The lesson for Europe: strongmen understand only strength. Labor's hate laws pass despite a divided Coalition. Senior Nationals quit frontbench after defying shadow cabinet on hate speech laws. 'It's moving': Hastie's supporters hit the phones in first signs of leadership challenge. Liberals wait on Hastie-Taylor decision before challenging Sussan Ley's leadership. Victoria police revokes powers to allow warrantless pat-downs across inner Melbourne. Tour website's AI sends visitors to Tasmanian sites that do not exist. The Unnatural Selection podcast is produced by Jorge Tsipos, Adam Direen and Tom Heath. Visit the Unnatural Selection website at www.UnnaturalShow.com for stuff and things. The views expressed are those of the hosts and their guests and do not reflect those of any other entities. Unnatural Selection is a show made for comedic purposes and should not be taken seriously by anyone. Twitter: @JorgeTsipos @UnnaturalShow Instagram: @JorgeTsipos @UnnaturalShow Threads: @tom.heath @JorgeTsipos @UnnaturalShow  

Angus Stewart is passionate about native plants, but particularly kangaroo paw.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

The next couple you're about to meet had never been to Tasmania, let alone worked in wine, before they bought a winery in the states oldest wine region.

Ellen gives the Tasmanian devil his due. We discuss mythbusters, cranial real estate, the masculine urge to bite your fingers off, which came first: the chicken or the egg, dump stats, contagious cancer, and so much more. Works Cited:"Too hot for the devil? Did climate change cause the mid-Holocene extinction of the Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii from mainland Australia?" - Shane D. Morris et al., Ecography, Dec 2021"Holocene Demographic Changes and the Emergence of Complex Societies in Prehistoric Australia" - Alan N. Williams et al., PLOS One, June 2015"Bite club: comparative bite force in big biting mammals and the prediction of predatory behaviour in fossil taxa" - Stephen Wroe, Colin McHenry & Jeffrey Thomason, Proc Biol Sci, March 2005"Saving our darling devils", Esme Mathis, Australian Geographic, January 2026Links:For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website!Follow Just the Zoo of Us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram & Discord!Follow Ellen on Instagram or BlueSky! 

2025 marked the 50th anniversary of SBS. As a contributor to SBS Japanese, Yukiko Burns has been delivering Tasmanian news to the Japanese community from Hobart for 30 years since 1996. Please listen again to the interview. This story was first published in May 2025. - 2025年はSBSが始まって50周年の節目でした。 SBS日本語放送のコントリビューターとして、1996年から30年間、タスマニア州の情報を日系コミュニティー向けにホバートから発信してきました。バーンズ幸子さんのインタビューを再度お聞きください。（2025年5月放送）

Ellen gives the Tasmanian devil his due. We discuss mythbusters, cranial real estate, the masculine urge to bite your fingers off, which came first: the chicken or the egg, dump stats, contagious cancer, and so much more. Works Cited:"Too hot for the devil? Did climate change cause the mid-Holocene extinction of the Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii from mainland Australia?" - Shane D. Morris et al., Ecography, Dec 2021"Holocene Demographic Changes and the Emergence of Complex Societies in Prehistoric Australia" - Alan N. Williams et al., PLOS One, June 2015"Bite club: comparative bite force in big biting mammals and the prediction of predatory behaviour in fossil taxa" - Stephen Wroe, Colin McHenry & Jeffrey Thomason, Proc Biol Sci, March 2005"Saving our darling devils", Esme Mathis, Australian Geographic, January 2026Links:For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website!Follow Just the Zoo of Us on BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram & Discord!Follow Ellen on Instagram or BlueSky! 

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

If you're farming on a small scale, having diverse income streams is a big part of running a sustainable business.

A Tasmanian mayor's routine trip to a public restroom turned into an official plea for citizens to stop snacking on the facilities.READ or SHARE: https://weirddarkness.com/tasmania-mayor-dont-eat-toilet-seatsWeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.#WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS, #BizarreNews, #WeirdNews, #Tasmania, #Australia, #StrangeButTrue, #OddNews, #ViralNews, #WTFNews

Send us a textStart the year with a pilgrimage you can do from your front door. We sit down with Leanne Pritchard to share how a small Tasmanian walk blossomed into a Global Camino that now brings together more than a thousand pilgrims across 40+ countries for two days of movement, meaning, and community. Whether you're training for Spain, curious about your first Camino, or simply craving a gentle reset, this weekend gives you a simple way to reconnect with your body and your Camino family—no airfare required.Leanne explains how the event began during lockdown and why it endures: flexibility, inclusion, and the shared joy of posting a photo that says, “I walked.” We talk through practical details—mirroring Tasmania's 15 km and 18 km routes if you want, or choosing any distance that fits your weather, health, and time. You'll hear stories that capture the spirit, from brave northern walkers crunching through snow to the Memphis crew bringing humor with Elvis costumes, plus smart safety choices when storms hit. We also preview the weekend's livestreams: an opening ritual, a closing at St. James Church in Cygnet with a Botafumeiro, an interview with two Texas pilgrims flying in, and a live cross to Spain.We dedicate this show in memory of Judy Colaneri and Ella Neal, honoring their courage, kindness, and love for the Camino. If you've felt the yellow arrow tug at your heart, use this weekend to set intentions, test your gear, and reconnect with friends you met on the trail. RSVP on Facebook, share where you'll walk, post a photo when you finish, and encourage others in the comments. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs a nudge to lace up, and leave a review to help more pilgrims find the path. Ready to walk with us next weekend?RSVP Now for the Global Camino - https://www.facebook.com/events/1274566273763679 Judy's Podcast Episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/p22Vo-z20h8Ella's Podcast Episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/119-the-neal-family-walking-the-camino-a/id1562037974?i=1000666935472Leanne's Podcast Episode:https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/120-walking-the-global-camino-from-home-leanne/id1562037974?i=1000667888051Support the showBecome a supporter of The Camino Cafe Podcast:

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Police are calling for public help in their investigations into the theft of a unique trophy dear to the heart of Tasmanian and mainland Superfine Wool growers.

Rural news and events from Tasmania and the nation.

Thanks to Viki, Erin, Weller, and Stella for their suggestions this week! Further reading: Tasmanian tiger pups found to be extraordinary similar to wolf pups The thylacine could open its jaws really wide: A sugar glider, gliding [photo from this page]: A happy quokka and a happy person: A swimming platypus: Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. This week we're going to learn about some marsupial mammals suggested by Erin, Weller, and Stella, and a bonus non-marsupial from Australia suggested by Viki. Marsupials are mammals that give birth to babies that aren't fully formed yet, and the babies then finish developing in the mother's pouch. Not all female marsupials actually have a pouch, although most do. Marsupials are extremely common in Australia, but they're also found in most other places around the world. Let's start with Weller's suggestion, the Tasmanian tiger. We've talked about it before, but not recently. We talked about it in our very first episode, in fact! Despite its name, it isn't related to the tiger at all. Tigers are placental mammals, and the Tasmanian tiger is a marsupial. It's also called the thylacine to make things less confusing. The thylacine was declared extinct after the last known individual died in captivity in 1936, but sightings have continued ever since. It's not likely that a population is still around these days, but the thylacine is such a great animal that people hold out hope that it has survived and will one day be rediscovered. It got the name Tasmanian tiger because when European colonizers arrived in Tasmania, they saw a striped animal the size of a big dog, about two feet high at the shoulder, or 61 cm, and over six feet long if you included the long tail, or 1.8 meters. It was yellowish-brown with black stripes on the back half of its body and down its tail, with a doglike head and rounded ears. The thylacine was a nocturnal marsupial native to mainland Australia and the Australian island of Tasmania, but around 4,000 years ago, climate change caused more and longer droughts in eastern Australia and the thylacine population there went extinct. By 3,000 years ago, all the mainland thylacines had gone extinct, leaving just the Tasmanian population. The Tasmanian thylacines underwent a population crash around the same time that the mainland Australia populations went extinct—but the Tasmanian population had recovered and was actually increasing when Europeans showed up and started shooting them. The thylacine mostly ate small animals like ducks, water rats, and bandicoots. Its skull was very similar in shape to the wolf, which it wasn't related to at all, but its muzzle was longer and its jaws were comparatively much weaker. Its jaws could open incredibly wide, which usually indicates an animal that attacks prey much larger than it is, but studies of the thylacine's jaws and teeth show that they weren't strong enough for the stresses of attacking large animals. Next, Stella wanted to learn about the sugar glider, and I was surprised that we haven't talked about it before. It's a nocturnal marsupial native to the forests of New Guinea and parts of Australia, with various subspecies kept as exotic pets in some parts of the world. It's called a glider because of the animal's ability to glide. It has a flap of skin between its front and back legs, called a patagium, and when it stretches its legs out, the patagia tighten and act as a parachute. This is similar to other gliding animals, like the flying squirrel. The sugar glider resembles a rodent, but it isn't. It's actually a type of possum. It lives in trees and has a partially prehensile tail that helps it climb around more easily, and of course it can glide from tree to tree. It's an omnivore that eats insects, spiders, and other small animals, along with plant material, mainly sap. It will gnaw little holes in a tree to get at the sap or gum that ...