The Common Descent Podcast

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...

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 whe...

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...

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!
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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 hea...