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Every episode
The Common Descent Podcast
30 episodes
Episode 250 - Camels
Ep 379 · Aug 16, 2026 · 2 hr 22 min
Large, herbivorous mammals come in many shapes and sizes, but few are as famously unusual as camels. This episode, we explore the surprising adaptations of Old World and New World camelids, from the dromedaries of Middle Eastern deserts to the llamas of the Andean highlands. Then, we take a tour through their fossil record to investigate the many forms this family took on the way to our modern diversity. In the news: stomach stones, aquatic reptiles, tiny dinosaurs, and a Poop Explosion. Time Ma…
Episode 249 - Sexual Dimorphism
Ep 378 · Aug 2, 2026 · 2 hr 57 min
In most animal species, there are differences in the anatomy, behavior, and lifestyle of male and female individuals. In this episode, we explore the incredible variety of these differences and the equally incredible blurry areas between the sexes, we investigate the evolutionary processes behind these features, and we examine the constant and confounding discussion about whether or not we can spot sexual dimorphism in the fossil record. In the news: The Story of Birds, early snakes, and early a…
Episode 248 - Big Cats
Ep 377 · Jul 19, 2026 · 2 hr 56 min
Felines come in all shapes and sizes, but only a handful of them are large enough and in charge enough to have earned the title of “Big Cats.” This episode, we’re joined by special guest Lindsay Nikole as we take a tour through the surprising diversity of the “official” and “unofficial” big cats, and we explore how their evolutionary past has shaped this impressive assortment of apex predators. Find more of Lindsay here: https://www.youtube.com/@LindsayNikole And shout-out to the Cheetah Conserv…
Snake Stuff with Ali Ashraf
Ep 376 · Jul 16, 2026 · 57 min
Happy Snake Month! In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Ali Ashraf to talk about his research on the distribution and evolution of water snakes! This month only! Join the Snakes & Crocs Tier on our Patreon to receive a Snake Month sticker and to contribute to charitable donations toward reptile and other wildlife conservation! www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast This year, our donations are going toward: Save the Snakes https://savethesnakes.org/ The Crocodile Research C…
Episode 247 – Vipers
Ep 375 · Jul 5, 2026 · 3 hr 16 min
Happy Snake Month! Some of the most fascinating, famous, and dangerous snakes on the planet belong to the family Viperidae. Vipers include some of the world’s most specialized ambush hunters, and they are one of the most diverse and successful groups of snakes. This episode, we take a tour through the many visages of vipers, we explore their unique adaptations from head to tail, and we investigate the deep history that led them to their incredible modern success. In the news: colorful crocs, pre…
Episode 246 - Gharials
Ep 374 · Jun 21, 2026 · 2 hr 24 min
Happy Croc Month! Most living crocodilian species look pretty similar overall – that’s why there are so many tips for telling alligators from crocodiles – but one group really stands out with their bulging eyes and remarkably slender snouts. This episode, we explore the various features and habits that make gharials unique among crocs, and which have caused no end of confusion for scientists trying to sort out their evolutionary history. And, of course, we’ll take a trip into the fossil record t…
Croc Chat with Maddie Turala
Ep 373 · Jun 17, 2026 · 57 min
Happy Croc Month! In this bonus episode, we're joined by friend of the podcast Maddie Turala to talk about her research on estimating body size in fossil alligators! This month only! Join the Crocs & Snakes Tier on our Patreon to receive a Croc Month sticker and to contribute to charitable donations toward reptile and other wildlife conservation! www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast This year, our donations are going toward: The Crocodile Research Coalition https://crocodileresearchcoalition.org…
Episode 245 - Cycads
Ep 372 · Jun 7, 2026 · 2 hr 15 min
Cycads are cousins of conifers, and although they can be found throughout the modern tropics, they are often considered a visual indicator of prehistory. This episode, Aly joins us to explore what sets cycads apart from other plants, what we know of their deep history, and whether they truly deserve their reputation as dinosaur food. In the news: toothless crocs, Arctic mammals, turtle relations, and crater life. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:10:35 Main discussion, Part…
Episode 244 - Sea Turtles
Ep 371 · May 24, 2026 · 2 hr 28 min
Most modern turtles are pretty good in the water, but only some are truly ocean-dwellers. This episode, we explore the unique and diverse lifestyles and anatomy of modern sea turtles, then we take a tour of turtles through time, visiting the surprising number of ancient lineages that have taken to the seas and the surprising forms some of them have taken. In the news: twisted jaws, early centipedes, Ediacaran microbes, and Neanderthal teeth Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:…
Episode 243 - Burrowers
Ep 370 · May 10, 2026 · 2 hr 23 min
A lot of life on Earth happens underground. This episode, we sample the species that have taken to a life of digging in the dirt – and elsewhere – why they do it and what physical adaptations help them along the way. Then, we’ll take a tour of burrows in the fossil record and explore what clues paleontologists can use to determine which ancient critter constructed a given burrow. In the news: malaria history, false octopus, pterosaur tracks, and giant octopus. Time markers: Intro & Announcements…
Leaf it to Us Season 2 Trailer
Ep 369 · May 1, 2026 · 2 min
Leaf it to Us Season 2 is coming! Episode 1 drops on May 7th! You can find Leaf it to Us on any podcast platform! Consider supporting Leaf it to Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/leafittouspod And connect with the community in these places: https://linktr.ee/leafittouspod The Leaf it to Us theme song is “Late Bloomer” by Devours. Find more from Devours at https://devours.bandcamp.com/
Silver Screen Science - The Valley of Gwangi (1969)
Ep 368 · Apr 30, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we’re wrapping things up with a tale of cowboys and dinosaurs in The Valley of Gwangi! Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Lots more ways to connect with u…
Episode 242 - Fire
Ep 367 · Apr 26, 2026 · 2 hr 30 min
Earth is a very flammable world. The combination of heat, oxygen, and burnable plants makes fire a constant feature of our planet. Many modern ecosystems thrive in the presence of fire, and lots of plant and animal species have adapted to avoid or take advantage of the flames. This episode, we explore the diverse topic of fire ecology, and we take a tour through the deep history of fire on Earth. In the news: Triassic crocs, anglerfish lures, behavior and evolution, and synapsid babies. Time mar…
Silver Screen Science - One Million Years B.C. (1966)
Ep 366 · Apr 23, 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we visit a classic of mid-century caveman-versus-dinosaur cinema, with One Million Years B.C. Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Lots more ways to connect…
Silver Screen Science - Dinosaur Shorts (Gertie, Slumber Mountain, Fantasia)
Ep 365 · Apr 16, 2026 · 1 hr 18 min
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we compile and compare a handful of dino-themed short films from the early days of dinosaur movies: Gertie the Dinosaur, The Ghost of Slumber Mountain, and the Rite of Spring segment from Disney’s Fantasia. Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to su…
Episode 241 - Digestion
Ep 364 · Apr 12, 2026 · 2 hr 20 min
The world is full of food, but in order to make the most of it, living organisms need to be able to break it down and extract the useful nutrients. This episode, we explore the fundamental process of digestion and the many, many ways that life has adapted this process to various diets. And we’ll take a look at what the fossil record has to tell us about ancient diets and the evolutionary history of digestive systems. In the news: predator bites, coelacanth lungs, Cambrian claws, and squid evolut…
Silver Screen Science - The Lost World (1925)
Ep 363 · Apr 9, 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Silver Screen Science is our series where we explore science on the big screen and beyond. This year, we’re taking a tour through cinematic history with Old School Dinosaurs! This episode, we start things off with the great grand-daddy of dinosaur movies: The Lost World (1925). Check out our website for blog posts and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Lots more ways to connect wit…
Episode 240 - Terror Birds
Ep 362 · Mar 29, 2026 · 2 hr 42 min
For most of the Cenozoic Era, South America was home to an incredible group of predatory birds called phorusrhacids, which included some of the largest carnivorous birds of all time. With their giant axe-like beaks and powerful clawed legs, these giants have gained the nickname “terror birds.” This episode, we explore what makes these birds unique, how they varied across their diversity, and what exactly they were doing with all those terrifying tools. In the news: a bitten plesiosaur, wildflowe…
Episode 239 - Nocturnality
Ep 361 · Mar 15, 2026 · 2 hr 14 min
Creatures of the night! The world is a different place in the dark, and a whole array of organisms have adapted to being most active outside of daytime hours. This episode, we’ll explore the regular traits that allow nocturnal animals to get by, we’ll discuss some of the ways nocturnal evolution has shaped living species, and we’ll investigate which – if any – of these traits we can identify in the fossil record. In the news: snake hormones, Australian amphibians, ancient microbes, and baby dino…
Pok-É – Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza
Ep 355 · Mar 7, 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we take on the super-ancient Pokémon of Hoenn. How could natural selection result in masters of the sea, land, and sky embroiled in an endless feud? Our creatures to create this time: Kyogre, Groudo…
Patron Mini-Episode Compilation #7
Ep 359 · Mar 3, 2026 · 2 hr 24 min
One of the benefits our Patrons can receive is a personalized mini-episode on an animal of their choice! Every now and then, we throw them together into a compilation for all to enjoy! As always, an enormous thanks to all of our wonderful Patrons! Time markers: Basal Ornithopods for Aaron: 00:02:00 Orangutans for Justin: 00:22:30 Tardigrades for Jeff: 00:54:25 Trilobites for Timpaxew: 01:16:55 Rauisuchians for Ryan: 01:36:45 Ravens for Bogdraw: 01:56:15 Join us on Patreon to support the podcast…
Episode 238 - Osteoderms (Skin Bones)
Ep 360 · Mar 1, 2026 · 2 hr 36 min
Some bones are only skin deep! In many species of reptiles, mammals, and amphibians, bones called osteoderms develop within the skin, serving as body armor, additional muscular support, display features, or any number of other functions. This episode, we explore the extraordinary diversity of osteoderm anatomy, we take a tour through the many and varied osteoderms of Earth history, and we investigate a long list of hypothesized functions for these unusual bones. In the news: reptile skin, dinosa…
Pok-É – Koraidon and Miraidon
Ep 354 · Feb 28, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we take a tour of the Paradox Pokémon. Where on the tree of life could we find a pair of dragons built for battle and all-terrain travel? Our creatures to create this time: Koraidon and Miraidon. Jo…
Pok-É – Zygarde
Ep 353 · Feb 21, 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we grapple with the Order Pokémon. What biological explanations can we find for an ecological guardian of many, many faces? Our creature to create this time: Zygarde. Join the Common Descent Discord…
Episode 237 - The Dinosaur Renaissance
Ep 358 · Feb 15, 2026 · 3 hr 8 min
In the mid-to-late 20th Century, dinosaurs received a major makeover in their scientific and popular image. This episode, Riley Black takes us through the timeline of the Dinosaur Renaissance. We discuss some of the big scientific milestones and the various players which brought dinosaurs into their modern era, and we’ll explore the early signs and lingering notes of this historic shift. In the news: sleepy jellyfish, fast mammals, bird beaks, and dinosaur diets. Find Riley in these places: http…
Pok-É – Giratina
Ep 352 · Feb 14, 2026 · 51 min
Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we confront the Renegade Pokémon. From what ancestors might we get a many-limbed monster from a parallel world? Our creature to create this time: Giratina. Join the Common Descent Discord server for…
Pok-É – Lugia
Ep 351 · Feb 7, 2026 · 58 min
Welcome ... to Pok-É! This year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, so we’re picking some of our favorite Legendary Pokémon and speculating upon how they – or something like them – might evolve in real life, pulling inspiration from species throughout our planet’s history! This episode, we set our sights on the Diving Pokémon. How might evolution produce a sea-dwelling bird with a knack for stirring up storms? Our creature to create this time: Lugia. Join the Common Descent Discord…
Episode 236 - Chalicotheres
Ep 357 · Feb 1, 2026 · 2 hr 2 min
The Cenozoic Era was home to many unusual ancient mammals, but few so strange as the “gorilla-horses,” the ungulates that swapped their hooves for claws, chalicotheres. This episode, we discuss the features that make these animals distinct and which confused paleontologists for decades, and we go over what is known – and still unknown – about their evolution and lifestyles. In the news: Let’s Botanize, Prototaxites identity, and giant kangaroos. Find Let’s Botanize here: https://www.hachettebook…
Episode 235 - Aquatic Plants
Ep 356 · Jan 18, 2026 · 2 hr 38 min
All plants need water, but some take it to the extreme. This episode, Dr. Aly Baumgartner joins us to explore the many life strategies of plants that live in the water. We’ll discuss the adaptations that allow them to lead an aquatic lifestyle, their evolutionary history as seen through genes and fossils, and the benefits that keep leading plants back to water. In the news: fish diversity, ammonite survivors, gut microbes, and hiding dinosaurs. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News:…
Episode 234 - Snails and Slugs
Ep 350 · Jan 4, 2026 · 2 hr 24 min
From deep-sea trenches to your home garden, gastropods (snails and slugs) are among the most diverse and successful groups of animal life in Earth history. This episode, we’ll explore what makes these animals distinctive, we’ll touch on their extraordinary fossil record, and we’ll investigate the many evolutionary experiments gastropods have undergone in their anatomy and lifestyle. In the news: squishable ants, false saber-tooths, bee burrows, and baby ankylosaurs Time markers: Intro & Announce…
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