Animals with Aimee

🐛🌲 Grab your hiking boots and warm jackets, explorers! This week, we are trekking through the sunlit pine forests of southern Europe and the Mediterranean to find a tiny insect that loves to march in a perfect, single-file line: the parade-loving Processionary Caterpillar.

Join Aimee to learn all about this fuzzy herbivore and its unique processional behavior. We will discover how they use silk threads and scent trails to stay connected, why their microscopic hairs act as a powerful defensive armor, and how they build communal silk nests to stay warm in the winter. Stick around until the end fo...

Grab your snorkel and fins, explorers! This week, we are diving deep into the warm, tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific coral reefs to find a dazzling sea creature that sways in the ocean currents like a bright silk ribbon: the colorful, slithery Ribbon Eel.

Join Aimee to learn all about this amazing carnivore and its incredible life cycle. We will discover how the Ribbon Eel undergoes a dramatic color-changing metamorphosis as it grows, why it always keeps its mouth wide open to breathe, and how its delicate, fan-like nostrils act as underwater scent sensors to hunt prey...

The Three-Wattled Bellbird: The Forest's Loudest Bell

Grab your binoculars, explorers! This week, we are trekking deep into the misty mountain forests of Central America to meet the wild, wonderful, and booming Three-Wattled Bellbird.

Join Aimee to learn all about this fascinating frugivore and its three worm-like wattles. We will discover how its ear-piercing "BONK" call makes it one of the loudest birds in the world, how they act as living tree-planters through seed dispersal, and why these birds have to go to "music class" just to learn their own songs. Stick around until the...

Grab your snow boots and your warmest mittens, explorers! 🥾❄️ Today on Animals with Aimee, we are hiking high into the snowy, freezing peaks of the Himalayan Mountains 🏔️ to find a beautiful bird that looks like it was painted with a brush!

Meet the hardy, the speedy, the crimson-feathered Blood Pheasant! ❤️ In this high-altitude episode, junior ornithologists will uncover the wild science behind this amazing mountain survivor:

Grab your magnifying glasses and your jungle gear, explorers! 🔍🌿 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are trekking into the deep, green rainforests of Brazil 🇧🇷 to find a spider that looks less like a creepy-crawly and more like a sparkling, metallic treasure!

Meet the colorful, the clever, the dazzling Brazilian Jewel Tarantula! ✨ In this sparkling episode, junior arachnologists will uncover the wild science behind this amazing tree-dwelling spider:

Grab your sunscreen and your sturdiest boots, explorers! 🥾☀️ We are traveling to tropical islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans to meet a creature that looks like it stepped right out of a prehistoric monster movie! 🏝️🦖  Today on Animals with Aimee, we are talking about the massive, armored, and colossal Coconut Crab (also known as Birgus latro)! 🦀 

In this heavyweight episode, junior biologists will uncover the wild science behind the largest land-living arthropod in the entire world:

Episode Title: Chuditch: The Star-Covered Hunter 🌌🐾

Grab your flashlights and your hiking boots, explorers! 🔦🥾 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are trekking into the eucalyptus forests of Western Australia 🇦🇺 to find a fierce little predator that looks like it's covered in tiny, glowing stars! ✨

Meet the spotted, the sneaky, the star-covered Chuditch! (Also known as the Western Quoll!) 🐾 In this nighttime adventure, junior zoologists will uncover the wild science behind this amazing marsupial:

Episode Title: Star-Nosed Mole: The Underground Alien 👽🌱

Grab your headlamps and your gardening gloves, explorers! 🔦🧤 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are digging deep into the damp, muddy soil of North America 🌎 to find a creature with the weirdest, wildest nose in the entire animal kingdom!

Meet the muddy, the speedy, the alien-like Star-Nosed Mole! ✨ In this underground episode, junior zoologists will uncover the wild science behind this fascinating subterranean marvel:

Tardigrade: The Indestructible Micro-Bear 🐻🔬

Grab your microscopes and your spacesuits, explorers! 🔬👩‍🚀 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are zooming way, way in on a tiny drop of water in a patch of backyard moss to find a creature so tough, it can literally survive floating in outer space!

Meet the microscopic, the mighty, the indestructible Tardigrade! 💧 In this mind-blowing episode, junior biologists will uncover the wild science behind the ultimate survival champion:

Episode Title: New Zealand Glowworm: The Cave's Living Constellation ✨🐛

Grab your headlamps and your warmest jackets, explorers! 🔦🧥 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are rappelling deep into the dark, damp limestone caves of New Zealand 🇳🇿 to find a tiny creature that makes the rocky ceiling look just like a beautiful starry night sky! 🌌

Meet the sticky, the starry, the luminous New Zealand Glowworm! ✨ In this magical underground episode, junior entomologists will uncover the glowing science behind these amazing cave dwellers:

Episode Title: Horned Lizard: The Desert's Spiky Squirt Gun 🦎🌵

Grab your sun hats and plenty of water, explorers! ☀️ Today on Animals with Aimee, we are hiking into the hot, sandy deserts of North America 🏜️ to find a tiny reptile with a defense mechanism that is straight out of a comic book!

Meet the tough, the spiky, the armored Horned Lizard! 🛡️ In this wild episode, junior herpetologists will uncover the unbelievable science behind this desert survivor:

Aye-Aye: Madagascar’s Wonderful Weirdo 🐒🌙

Grab your flashlights and bug spray, explorers! 🔦 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are sneaking into the dark, nighttime rainforests of Madagascar 🇲🇬 to find a creature that looks a little bit spooky, but actually has some of the coolest biological tools on the planet!

Meet the magical, the mysterious, the percussive Aye-Aye! 🥁 In this wonderfully weird episode, junior zoologists will uncover the wild science behind this amazing nocturnal primate:

Episode Title: Pistol Shrimp: The Ocean’s Sonic Blaster 💥🦐

Grab your earplugs and your scuba gear, explorers! 🤿 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are diving into the shallow coral reefs to find a tiny crustacean with a superpower that absolutely defies physics!

Meet the small, the snappy, the explosive Pistol Shrimp! 🌊 In this action-packed episode, junior marine biologists will learn how a creature the size of your thumb can be one of the loudest animals in the entire ocean. We are breaking down the wild science behind their sonic blast:

Episode Title: Platypus: The Egg Laying Mammal 🦆🦫

Grab your wetsuits and a pair of goggles, explorers! 🤿 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are splashing into the freshwater rivers of Australia 🇦🇺 to find an animal that is so unique, the first scientists who saw it thought it was a prank!

Meet the marvelous, the mysterious, the electrifying Platypus! ✨ In this fun-filled episode, junior biologists will uncover the wild science behind nature’s craziest combination:

Episode Title: Archerfish: The Living Water Pistol 🔫🐟 

Grab your life jacket and peer into the brackish mangrove swamps of Southeast Asia and Australia! 🛶🌏  Today on Animals with Aimee, we are looking for a silver, striped fish that turns the water into a tool to catch its dinner. 💦 

Meet the clever, precise, and ballistic Archerfish! 🎯  In this episode, junior physicists will learn how this amazing fish uses a specialized mouth that works like the barrel of a toy water gun! 🔫  They can fire a stream up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) long to knock insects righ...

Shoebill: The Swamp’s Living Dinosaur 🦖

Grab your binoculars 🔭 and pull on your sturdy swamp boots, explorers! 🥾 Today on Animals with Aimee, we are trekking deep into the freshwater marshes and vast wetlands of East Africa 🌍 to find a bird that looks like it stepped right out of the age of dinosaurs.

Meet the patient, prehistoric, and formidable Shoebill! 🪶

In this episode, explorers will learn all about this giant bird's amazing hunting skills and unique biology. We'll uncover the secrets of its 9-inch, shoe-shaped beak 👟 and the sharp, nail-like hook at the end called an Unguis. Di...

Is it a mythical creature, a clump of floating seaweed, or just a really fancy fish? In this episode of Animals with Aimee, we’re diving into the chilly, kelp-filled waters of Southern Australia to meet the Leafy Sea Dragon.

This isn't your average seahorse cousin. Adorned with elaborate, leaf-like appendages that make it look like a piece of drifting vegetation, the Leafy Sea Dragon is a master of "passive" camouflage. We’ll explore how these fragile-looking creatures survive predators, why they are the ultimate "stay-at-home" dads, and why they are so fiercely protected by Australian law.

Imagine walking through the African bush and having a wild bird fly up to you, chatter incessantly, and then lead you directly to a hidden treasure of liquid gold. Meet the Greater Honeyguide, the only wild animal on the planet that has a two-way "conversation" with humans to help us both get a snack.

In this episode of Animals with Aimee, we’re exploring the incredible mutualism between these birds and the honey-hunting communities of Africa. We’ll discuss how a bird smaller than a starling manages to train humans to do its dirty work—and the surpri...

What if your skin was so clear that someone could watch your heart beat just by looking at you? Meet the Glass Frog, a tiny, translucent wonder of the tropical rainforest. These extraordinary amphibians have "nothing to hide," offering a literal window into their anatomy—bones, blood vessels, and all.

In this episode of Animals with Aimee, we journey to the humid mountain streams of Central and South America to discover how these lime-green tree frogs pull off one of nature’s most effective disappearing acts. We’ll explore the groundbreaking science behind their transparency and the surpri...

If you thought action movies had the best explosions, wait until you meet the Bombardier Beetle. This tiny insect doesn't just run from predators—it blasts them with a high-pressure, boiling-hot chemical spray that can reach temperatures of 100°C.

In this episode of Animals with Aimee, we’re suiting up to explore the high-stakes world of the beetle that carries its own combustion chamber. We’ll break down the incredible chemistry that allows this beetle to create a violent explosion inside its own body without hurting itself, and how it uses a "turret-like" abdomen to aim at its ene...

Imagine a creature that can transform its shape, color, and behavior in seconds to impersonate a sea snake, a lionfish, or even a flatfish. Meet the Mimic Octopus, the ocean’s most brilliant undercover agent.

In this episode of Animals with Aimee, we dive into the murky waters of the Indo-Pacific to meet this master of disguise. We explore the incredible intelligence and physical flexibility that allow this octopus to not just hide, but to actively trick both predators and prey.

In this episode, we cover:

What if you could build a high-rise apartment using nothing but living leaves and a little bit of "baby spit"? Welcome to the incredible world of the Weaver Ant, the arboreal engineer of the tropical canopy.

In this episode of Animals with Aimee, we’re climbing into the treetops of Australia, Asia, and Africa to witness one of the most sophisticated construction projects in the animal kingdom. We explore how these "superefficient" insects work in perfect harmony to turn a single tree into a bustling, green metropolis.

In this episode, we cover:

Imagine a creature the size of a kitten with ears so large they look like they belong on a much bigger animal. Meet the Fennec Fox, the world’s smallest canine and the undisputed "cool kid" of the Sahara.

In this episode of Animals with Aimee, we journey to the scorching sands of North Africa to uncover how these pint-sized predators thrive in one of the harshest environments on Earth. We’ll talk about the science behind those iconic ears and why being small is actually a superpower in the desert.

In this episode, we cove...

Ever heard a chainsaw in the middle of a pristine rainforest? Or a camera shutter clicking from the treetops? Don't worry—the forest isn't being invaded; you’ve just met the Superb Lyrebird.

In this episode of Animals with Aimee, we’re diving into the extraordinary world of Australia's most talented vocalists. We explore how these ground-dwelling birds use their powerful, flexible voices to mimic almost anything—from the complex songs of other birds to the mechanical hum of human life.

In this episode, we cover:

Grab your binoculars and a good flashlight, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us deep into the tropical rainforests of Central and South America to meet a feathered friend that loves the dark, has a mouth like a giant bug net, and looks exactly like a broken piece of wood!

In this episode, we’re quietly sneaking through the trees to learn all about the sneaky, spooky, wonderful... Great Potoo! You’ll learn:

Grab your hiking boots and a warm flannel shirt, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us high up into the snowy mountains and rushing rivers of North America to meet an animal that has a giant muscle on its back and loves to take a months-long nap!

In this episode, we’re following the giant paw prints to learn all about the furry, powerful, wonderful... Grizzly Bear! You’ll learn:

Grab your snorkel gear and a super-strong pair of underwater goggles, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us to the colorful, shallow coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans to meet an animal that has the best eyesight in the sea and packs the most powerful punch in the animal kingdom!

In this episode, we’re diving in to learn all about the colorful, powerful, wonderful... Mantis Shrimp! You’ll learn:

Grab your raincoats and jungle gear, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us deep into the warm, wet Amazon Rainforest of South America to meet a tarantula that is completely unlike any other spider on Earth.

In this episode, we’re bravely tiptoeing to find the giant Goliath Birdeater. You’ll learn:

Grab your scuba gear, explorers, because today we are diving deep into the dark, freezing waters of the open ocean! We’re looking for a massive friend who loves to dive, loves to click, and has the biggest brain on planet Earth.

On this episode of Animals with Aimee, we’re talking all about the amazing, gigantic, and wonderful Sperm Whale!

Discover how these champion deep-sea divers can hold their breath for up to 90 minutes on a single dive to find their absolute favorite meal: the Giant Squid. Learn why...

🐹 New Episode: The Guinea Pig—The Popcorning Potato!

Grab your backpacks and a handful of fresh veggies, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us high up into the grassy Andes Mountains of South America to meet a fluffy little friend who loves to chat and isn't actually a pig at all!

In this episode, we’re tuning our ears to listen for the squeaks of the adorable Guinea Pig. You’ll learn:

Grab your flashlights and hiking boots, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us deep into the beautiful ferns and forests of New Zealand to meet a parrot that is completely unlike any other bird on Earth.

In this episode, we’re quietly tracking the mossy-green Kākāpō. You’ll learn:

Grab your snorkels and surfboards, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us out into the open ocean waves to meet a real-life dragon... but this one is smaller than a silver dollar and floats completely upside down!

In this episode, we’re diving into the bizarre and beautiful world of the Blue Dragon (also known as a sea slug!). You’ll learn:

Put on your armor, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us into the deep forests and sweeping savannas to meet an animal that looks like a cross between a tiny dinosaur and a pinecone.

In this episode, we’re following the wobbly tracks of the incredible Pangolin. You’ll learn:

Grab your binoculars and lace up your hiking boots, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us on a walking safari across the tall grasses of Africa to meet a bird that looks like a supermodel but hunts like a ninja!

In this episode, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for the amazing Secretary Bird. You’ll learn:

Grab your flashlights and submarines, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us on an adventure to the midnight zone, the deepest, darkest part of the ocean, to meet a creature with a very spooky name... but a surprisingly gentle heart.

In this episode, we’re diving into the glowing world of the Vampire Squid. You’ll learn:

Get ready to travel back in time, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us across the massive, sweeping grasslands of Central Asia to meet an animal that lived right alongside the Woolly Mammoth... and it has the most hilarious nose you’ve ever seen!

In this episode, we’re lacing up our running shoes to keep up with the Saiga Antelope. You’ll learn:

Pack your parkas, explorers! Today, Aimee is taking us on a chilly adventure to the very top of the world: the sparkling, frozen Arctic Circle. We’re searching for a creature so magical that for hundreds of years, people thought they were real-life unicorns!

In this episode, we’re diving deep (over 5,000 feet!) to uncover the secrets of the Narwhal. You’ll learn:

In this episode of "Animals with Aimee," listeners travel to the jungles of Southeast Asia to discover the majestic King Cobra. As the longest venomous snake in the world, the King Cobra is a record-breaker that can reach up to 18 feet in length. Despite its name, Aimee explains that it isn't a "true cobra" and highlights its unique scientific name, Ophiophagus hannah, which translates to "snake-eater."

The episode explores the snake's fascinating physical traits and behaviors, including its ability to "stand up" to look a human in the eye, its iconic hood, and its...

Join Aimee in this episode of Animals with Aimee as she explores the world of the clever and mysterious Raven. Often mistaken for crows, these "feathered Einsteins" are elite problem-solvers, aerial daredevils, and legendary tricksters.

Episode Highlights:

This episode of "Animals with Aimee" explores the friendly and energetic world of the Labrador Retriever. Host Aimee Fritz takes listeners on a journey from the breed's true origins in Newfoundland to their modern roles as beloved family pets and essential service animals.

Key Episode Highlights: