Shows
The Critter ShedThe Wonderful Wild Bugs of OzCollie and Colette attempt a cross-hemispheric episode between Australia and Ireland to talk about... Australian shield bugs.Presented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella, produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media. As usual, don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...2025-03-1026 min
The Critter ShedHarvestmen: The Spiders That Aren'tThe Spiders That Aren'tIn this episode Collie and Brian Murray undertake a micro-safari in search of the wonderful, beautiful and mysterious harvestmen arachnids: the spiders that aren't spiders.Brian Murray is the founder of Microwild in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, a conservation area set up specifically for the smallest, most elusive and under-appreciated members of this planet's web of life.Brian is also involved in outreach and education. One of his missions is to help people to see, and then fall in love with...2025-02-1336 min
The Critter ShedThe Great IN YOUR NATURE Mash-up Part 2Collie chats with the great folk from the In Your Nature podcast about herons.https://birdwatchireland.ie/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/in-your-nature/id1554068928Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about.FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: CuriousThe Critter Shed is...2024-07-1538 minThe Critter ShedThe Great IN YOUR NATURE Mash-up Part 1Collie chats with the great folk from the In Your Nature Podcast, which brings you conversations about wildlife and the work of conservationists all over Ireland.https://birdwatchireland.ie/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/in-your-nature/id1554068928Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about. FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.com Music:2024-07-0839 min
The Critter ShedPond StoriesCollie and Colette talk about the bugs they find living in and around their ponds.Do you have questions or queries for us? Get in touch... deets below. FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.com Music:Podington: Curious, The ConfrontationPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-2122 min
The Critter ShedOryx TalesA feel-good tale about a north African antelope species to lift your spirits.Image link: Creative Commons imagehttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Scimitar-horned_oryx.jpgAs always, hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about.FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: CuriousPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella...2024-05-0231 min
The Critter ShedBedfellowsNEW SEASON Today we meet an unusual bedfellow with extraordinary survival skills.Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about. Or tell us about some of the oddly toxic animals in your life. FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.com Music:Podington: Curious, Algo Rhythm NaturalPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella....2024-03-0719 min
The Critter ShedNew Newt NewsCollie and Colette chat to research scientist Éinne Ó'Cathasaigh about a new species of newt that has mysteriously appeared deep in the Irish countryside...The Critter Shed is presented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella and produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.As usual, don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.com...2023-03-2040 min
The Critter ShedPimp my pond!Is your wildlife pond a bit overgrown? Well, pop in your headphones and clean it up along with Collie as he prepares his own pond for the breeding season.Questions or queries? Hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: CuriousPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella, and Dr. Steph Maher.Produced...2023-02-0914 min
The Critter ShedPredatory PlantsThis episode is about plants that eat.... INSECTS!Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about. Or tell us about some of the oddly toxic animals in your life.FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comThanks to Marie Förg for taking us on a tour of the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden University, The NetherlandsPhoto: Triona - C...2023-01-3036 min
The Critter ShedAn ode to goldfishSo, here's a joke for you:My friend's goldfish died the other day So I surprised her and got her an identical one!She was furious, saying “what am I supposed to do with two dead goldfish?”TODAY! We bust the many myths about goldfish and learn how they're so much more than fairground prizes that die as soon as you put them in a glass bowl. And also about why they should NEVER be put into a traditional goldfish bowl, how goldfish have better memories than many of us... AND, they...2022-12-0228 min
The Critter ShedStupendous sticklebacks!Today we meet a remarkable fish and an energetic puppy.Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: CuriousThe Critter Shed is a founding member of https://www.thewarren.ie/ podcast network.The Warren is a collection of some of the...2022-11-1726 min
The Critter ShedThe Scoop on SlidersCollie introduces us to some of his new, rescued critters: red-eared sliders.As usual, don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.com Music:Podington: CuriousImage:Creative commons image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red-eared_Slider_(14585091976).jpg The Critter Shed is a founding member...2022-03-0933 min
The Critter ShedThe curious case of the frog and your granny's pregnancyAfrican clawed frog image used under Creative Commons:Muffet, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-01-1221 min
The Critter ShedChristmas CrabsThis festive season we visi an island in the Indian ocean where crabs and ants battle for dominance.Prsented by Collie Ennis and Colette KinsellaProduced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare MediaAs usual, don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comChristmas Island red crab image:By DIAC...2021-12-2331 min
The Critter ShedDublin's dear old deers... We visit the Phoenix Park in Dublin to learn about its iconic wild residents. We also hear what happens to these animals when humans just won't leave them the heck alone. Spoiler alert: it's not good.Image:By Daveleicuk - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22830244Credits:The Critter Shed is presented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella, and produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.As usual, don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with...2021-12-0944 min
The Critter ShedThe Creepy Shed - a Hallowe'en SpecialMatricidal spiderlings, zombie tarantulas and intestine-splurging sea cucumbers... welcome to THE CREEPY SHED Hallowe'en special!The Critter Shed is presented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella, and produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.You can watch the Suriname toad doing its thing here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ7b4spjXhwFootage of the tarantula hawk wasp immobilizing a tarantula https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq8916ZbjfEAssassin bug, Acanthaspis petax: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-insect-uses-its-victims-carcasses-as-camouflage-83656246/2021-10-2813 min
The Critter ShedWildlife SavioursIreland has one dedicated wildlife rehabilitation and teaching hospital. It's run by volunteers and is an incredibly demanding, emotional and tireless job, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They get very little government support and they need help to help our wildlife.If you have a few quid to spare, please think about supporting them: www.wri.ieYou can also report wildlife crime here: https://wildlifecrime.ie/The Critter Shed is presented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella, and produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media. 2021-10-1943 min
The Critter ShedDragonfliesCollie and Colette visit a local pond in search the elusive dragonfly larvae.Further reading:For more information on how to identify dragonflies, click here.Presented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella, produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.As usual, don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.com Music:2021-08-1039 min
The Critter ShedPonds, quails and duck talesSUPPORT THE CRITTER SHED: https://www.patreon.com/thecrittershedWe enter the wilds of the Co. Wicklow countryside on the east coast of Ireland to visit Collie's new home. We find out how to build a very simple pond to attract amphibians, and there's an investigation into a curious duck tale.Thanks to Geoff McQueen for sharing his duck tales with us. If you want hilarious Twitter content with updates about his garden shenanigans, running adventures, and father-in-law woes, follow him here: @theGeoffMcQ2021-06-0727 min
The Critter ShedSeduced by SharksSHARKS ARE NOT JAWS!!We set the story straight on sharks, seriously misunderstood and maligned ocean dwellers. We chat to shark researcher Jenny Bortoluzzi who fell in love with sharks a long time ago and now studies them at Trinity College Dublin.We think you'll fall in love with them too, once you've heard her stories about sharks and how they survive in one of the world's toughest environments, the open sea.You can follow Jenny on Twitter to access gorgeous underwater images: @SharkyJennyBecome a citizen...2021-04-2941 min
The Critter ShedOn the Trail of the ThylacineCollie gets excited about reported sightings of an animal that was declared extinct in the early 20th century. Are the stories true?Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about.Or, leave us a voicemail on our website https://www.podpage.com/the-critter-shed/FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comWEB: https://www.podpage.com/the-critter-shed/Music:2021-04-0526 min
The Critter ShedOf Mice and (Wo)MenA peek into the private lives of one of our oldest companions, the house mouse.Produced by Red Hare MediaPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette KinsellaThe Critter Shed is now on Patreon! We make this show for free, in our own time, but it does incur costs for us. A donation from you - even the price of a cup of coffee - will help us stay afloat and allow us to keep sharing stories about the weird and wonderful side of nature.We are grateful for...2021-03-1349 min
The Critter ShedA Valentine's Day Short.For the romantic day that's in it, we're chatting about one of nature's greatest lovers... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-02-1407 min
The Critter ShedAnimal Games in Ancient RomeA very special chat with Kathryn Murphy from Trinity College Dublin about the way exotic animals were used for entertainment and hunting in ancient Rome. With a particularly gruesome (i.e. fascinating) tale of a human-bull mating. Yeah, we know.The Critter Shed is now on Patreon! We make this show for free, in our own time, but it does incur costs for us. A donation from you - even the price of a cup of coffee - would help us stay afloat and allow us to keep sharing stories about the weird and wonderful side...2021-01-3037 min
The Critter ShedOn zoosToday we chat with Dublin Zoo keeper Brendan Walsh about the role of zoos in modern society and modern conservation.For more information on Dublin Zoo conservation projects: https://www.dublinzoo.ie/The Critter Shed is now on Patreon! We make this show for free, in our own time, but it does incur costs for us. A donation from you - even the price of a cup of coffee - would help us stay afloat and allow us to keep sharing stories about the weird and wonderful side of nature.We...2021-01-1043 min
The Critter ShedChristmas 2020: An ode to the robinA special Christmas episode celebrating an iconic seasonal bird, the robin.If you have queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about, we'd love to hear from you.FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.The Warren:The Critter Shed is a founding member of https://www.thewarren.ie/ podcast network.The Warren is...2020-12-2316 min
The Critter ShedSaucy, sex-crazed space beetles: it's the ladybird show!We meet some lucky garden ladies who are literally out of this world - it's the ladybird show!If you'd like to donate to Dublin Zoo to help them through their COVID-induced financial bottleneck, you can do that here: https://www.dublinzoo.ie/Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: Curious, Dimmy2020-11-2335 min
The Critter ShedOddly Toxic CrittersHave you heard the one about the cuddly Australian mammal that has a venomous spur on its heel? Or, how about the gorgeous bird whose feathers contain toxin? Today we're all about creatures that pack a toxic - and unexpected - punch.More on the blue-capped ifrit here.Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about. Or tell us about some of the oddly toxic animals in your life.FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook...2020-10-2626 min
The Critter ShedSindbad the stowawayMeet Sindbad the Stowaway, Collie's newest housemate. And we have an update on Sam the Fox from Trinity College Dublin.Click here for more information on the Kildare Animal Wildlife Unit: https://www.facebook.com/Wildlifeunitkildare/Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: CuriousPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette...2020-07-3122 min
The Critter ShedVampire fishCollie finds a living fossil, and also becomes a surrogate mother to 15 feathery offspring...Image:Creative Commons Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Lamprey_mouth.jpgFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: Curious, TuxesPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.The Warren:The Critter Shed is a founding member of thewarren.ie podcast network.2020-06-2723 min
The Critter ShedAfrican Wild Dogs: a love storyHolly English watched a wildlife documentary when she was 10 and it changed her life. The documentary was about the beautiful and enigmatic African wild dogs and now she studies them for a living. This episode is an ode to African wild dogs.FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: Curious, SunsetPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.The Warren:The Critter Shed...2020-06-0729 min
The Critter ShedThe Eggselence of NestsWhich came first, the chicken or the nest? Collie and Colette talk turkey about nests, who made the first one, and who makes the biggest one.Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: Curious, Algo RhythmPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.2020-05-2728 min
The Critter ShedAnimal Crossing meets The Critter ShedThere's a Nintendo Switch video game doing the rounds now that is basically Collie's life in digital: Animal Crossing.Podcaster and writer Rosemary Mac Cabe and producer Liam Geraghty are both big fans of the game, and they take us to their digital islands and show us around.Also: we meet an Animal Crossing character who is a REAL digital version of COLLIE ENNIS!!!This is fun!FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:2020-05-0934 min
The Critter ShedLockdown nature around the worldIsn't nature sounding amazing at the moment? Now that many of us are in lockdown, and there are fewer noisy machines on the road or in the air, we can actually hear nature more clearly than ever.Collie and Colette listen in to the nature sounds collected and sent in by listeners from around the world, and it's a treat.Also, if you can spare the price of a cup of coffee, the folks at My Lovely Horse Rescue in Ireland would be delighted for any support you can give them. The do...2020-04-3029 min
The Critter ShedBudgie BusinessToday we soothe your corona-isolated soul with one of the most beautiful sounds of all: chattering budgies!And, we delve into their fascinating natural history. Do you know where they are native to? Well, struth, we have the answer!Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: Curious; Tuxes; Little Black Cloud2020-04-0521 min
The Critter ShedThe Murder RopeLike centipedes? Then you'll love this giant carnivorous animal that can take out BATS!Watch this BBC video about the bat-eating scolopendra: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161205-giant-centipede-hunts-batsDon't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comPhoto: Yasunori Koide / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)Music:...2020-03-3016 min
The Critter ShedThe Curious Case of the Dead Duck F%*ksLike zombie movies? Then you'll love this episode because we examine the darker side of the mating season... and it gets very dark...Further reading:Here's a great read from The Guardian.Don't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: Curious, Algo Rhythm Natural.Presented by Collie Ennis and...2020-03-2419 min
The Critter ShedToadageddon!In these socially distant times of ours, we have a special episode dedicated to an underrated amphibian: the cane toad!We dispel myths like: "They're Australian, aren't they?" Er, no.Or: "They are sadistic killers of all life on Earth, aren't they?" Again, no... and after this episode, we hope you will agree that they are simply gorgeous animals.Further reading and watching:Cane Toads, an Unnatural HistoryWatch this great documentary about the cane toad here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SBLf1tsoaw2020-03-1922 min
The Critter ShedOf bunnies and beetlesCollie and Colette celebrate the great and important BEETLE family... with a cameo by a very lucky and lovely bunny.Photo copyright Colette KinsellaDon't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about:FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comMusic:Podington: Curious, FireflyPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella for...2020-03-0628 min
The Critter ShedThe Critter Shed, live from CorkThis is a live recording in front of an audience in The Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, and we're all about SPIDERS!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2020-01-2056 minThe Critter ShedThe unsung critters of ChristmasGather round, children, for stories about lesser-celebrated Christmas animals.Yule felines, yule arachnids, yule goats and even yule marsupials - this Christmas episode has them all.Further reading:Feast your eyes here on the truly breathtaking Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus) who manage to look festive all year round.More on the terrifyingly gorgeous Icelandic Yule Cat story here.And Christmas spiders.... get wrapped up in their story here.Music:Six White Boomers sung by Bucko & Champ....2019-12-2122 minThe Critter ShedDo elephants count sheep? ... and other important questions...Snoring cats, peaceful pachyderms and orgasmic ostriches. This episode has it all!We went to Dublin Zoo to chat to keeper Brendan Walsh about a study he carried out on the zoo's largest residents, one that gave him new and remarkable insights into their nocturnal lives.An elephant-sized THANK YOU to the staff at Dublin Zoo for being so generous with their time and information. It was a wonderful visit.https://www.dublinzoo.ie/Photo credit: copyright Ray Mentzel and Niamh SmithThe Warren:2019-11-2839 minThe Critter ShedWelcome to The Warren!The Critter Shed is now a proud resident of The Warren, Ireland's newest podcast network and home to some of the most remarkable and innovative podcasts in the country.We have some great flatmates in our cosy burrow and we'd like you to get to know them as well as you know The Critter Shed. Have a listen to this bonus episode and, if you like what you hear, hop on over the http://www.thewarren.ie to hear more great audio.And if you REALLY like what you hear, please tell a friend or give...2019-11-1824 minThe Critter ShedRoly-poly townToday we head off to roly-poly town to visit the unsung heroes of the invertebrate world... WOODLICE!!!!These tiny armadillo-like creatures are nature's recyclers. All winter long they will be working hard in your garden, breaking down and recycling your organic waste.We also hear about what you can do in your winter garden to help your wildlife neighbours survive and thrive until spring, AND what to do with all those fallen leaves.Be a winter garden hero!!Further reading:Here's a fabulous little piece about the roly-poly woodlice...2019-11-0438 minThe Critter ShedTallaght Wetlands MemorialSome time before this episode was released, Collie came across an amazing sight in his own Dublin suburb, Tallaght.Over many years a former waste ground and dumpsite for silt dredged from local ponds had regenerated into a vibrant and multi-layered wetland ecosystem that was home to species such as newts, bats, frogs and the endangered European eel.The site was included in the local council's Local Area Plan and Collie was looking forward to mapping the progress of this biodiversity hotpot for any years to come.Unfortunately, less than...2019-10-1030 minThe Critter ShedThis podcast has legs... and it knows how to use them!This week we meet a gentle - and leggy - giant of the invertebrate world, Collie comes up with a new business idea, and we hear how ingenious primates deploy invertebrates as recreational drugs. Seriously. They get baked.Music: Podington: Curious, Sunset, Tuxes, ChauncyDon't forget to hit us up on our various channels with questions, queries or things you'd like us to get nerdy about.FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/TWITTER: @crittershedpodEMAIL: crittershed@gmail.comPresented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.2019-09-2521 minThe Critter ShedLittle Miss Tina Sunshine... and WilburThis week we’re on an animal rescue farm visiting one of the world's most intelligent, misunderstood and mistreated animal: the pig.We meet the enigmatic (and GIANT) boar Wilbur and his friend Tina Sunshine, who spend their days lounging in the sun when they're not opening childproof fridge locks or stable doors.Tina Sunshine and Wilbur were rescued from dire circumstances, and we also hear what Tina's life might have been like if she hadn't been rescued. It's not pretty (put down that sausage roll now).Further reading:Here's a qui...2019-09-0431 minThe Critter ShedSnail tales in 'the love shack'This week the critter shed becomes 'the love shack' as we delve into the sensuous, sumptuous and scintillating love lives of SNAILS!We hear how giant African land snails smooch and snog their way through courtship, and then shoot actual LOVE DARTS (be still my beating heart) during coitus. AND how they have enviable staying power.Also, these snails are just gorgeous, wonderfully adapted animals. If you haven't fallen in love with them by the end of this episode, we'll give you your money back. Or something.Let's all swoon for snails.A...2019-08-2044 minThe Critter ShedWe need to talk about Ted......or, as we really wanted to call this episode: LOCK UP YOUR PUSSIES!We've been wanting to have a conversation about domestic cats, the amount of wildlife they kill every year, and why they really REALLY should be kept indoors. And here it is.It's a gentle conversation, though, led by the gorgeous Ted, Colette's charismatic feline companion.AND, we have a very special after-hours tour of Colette's own critter shed, i.e. the place she calls home. And holy crap, it's quite a place and full of HUGE animals... 2019-08-0749 minThe Critter ShedTo keep or not to keep?Part 2 of our chat with herpetologist Rob Gandola. This time we're tackling the thorny issue of the rights and wrongs of keeping exotic pets and the unregulated pet trade.With cameos by tubular and amazing slow worms (who have been unfairly associated with hippies in the west of Ireland) and a couple of media-friendly frogs from Collie's shed.Here's a bit of reading from National Geographic on the - at times horrific - history of the global exotic pet trade.Music: Podington (Curious, Algo Rhythm, Chauncy).Presented by Collie Ennis and Colette...2019-07-2329 minThe Critter ShedThe Great Frog-Nerd-Gasm of 2019This week we're getting nerdy about amphibians with stories of exploding toads (yup, for real), pirate frogs (aaaarrr... yup, for real), as well as why there's an amphibian die-off right now and what small things you can do to help frogs recover.Our victim... er, guest this week is amphibian-nerd extraordinaire Rob Gandola of the Herpetological Society of Ireland.Part 1 of a two-part chat.Further reading:This is the story of the exploding Teutonic toads.Music:Podington: Curious, Algo Rhythm, Chauncy.And don't forget...2019-07-0839 minThe Critter ShedThe buzz about beesThis week we chat to Collie's cousin Dr. Stephanie Maher about the lonely, busy and fascinating lives of solitary bees. We also hear about the wondrous bee orchids, who imitate the seductive end of a female bee to encourage pollination.Also, if you want to find out how you can help bees to thrive, we have some very helpful hints. Here's a quick one: embrace your weeds! They're just badly labelled plants and they're are important food sources for bees and other insects.Further reading:Click on pollinators.ie to find out...2019-06-2537 minThe Critter ShedSNAKES: silent assassins and surprising survivorsWeird, tubular animals or geniuses of evolution? While Collie feeds his various constrictors, we hear how snakes are THE ultimate survivors.The can unhinge their jaws to swallow enormous prey items. They also have wily ways with their windpipes that stops them suffocating when ingesting a huge meal. And, when it comes to defending themselves, they have some stinky weapons up their, er, sleeves.Oh, and they have two penises. Seriously.Snakes rock.And don't forget to hit us up with any critter-related questions:FACEBOOK: https://www...2019-06-1147 minThe Critter ShedBooty calls, bed-hopping, and birdsong - it's the badger show!Booty calls, bed-hopping and badger housekeeping tips!Join Collie and Colette as badger expert Dr. Aoibheann Gaughran reveals the saucy sex lives of a group of wild badgers in Co. Wicklow, Ireland.Aoibheann has been studying a family of badgers in Co. Wicklow for a number of years, and in this episode we visit an enchanted glade (seriously, it felt like that at the time) where she tells us about their extraordinary lives.Badgers are shy, reclusive, and just plain old gorgeous animals, and so often misunderstood. Aoibheann eloquently debunks...2019-05-1441 minThe Critter ShedThe giant piranha sperm splurge!Collie delves into his new collection of epic, carnivorous horned frog tadpoles, what we lovingly call GIANT PIRANHA SPERM!!!Find out about one of the world's most amazingly adapted amphibians that can go from barely fertilized egg to fully functioning, HUGE froglets in just over two weeks - the Ferraris of the frog world!Presented by The Critter Shed crew, Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella, and a tank full of ravenous tadpoles.Produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.Follow us on social media to track the tadpoles' progress:Twitter: 2019-04-3032 minThe Critter ShedHave we got NEWTS for you!!Why are Collie and Colette lurking in a suburban park under cover of darkness wearing head torches and carrying a boom pole?The Critter Shed goes WILD in search of.... newts!Presented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare MediaShare your wildlife stories with us, ask us questions about wildlife or tell us what you'd like us to chat about on the podcast:Twitter - @crittershedpodFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheCritterShedDUB/Music by Podington.2019-04-1624 minThe Critter ShedScorpions! Dreaded killers or musunderstood ancients?Today, Colette and Collie delve into the world of these fascinating arachnids where we hear about their history on Earth, their hunting methods and very odd love lives.AND, Colette has a very unusual, VERY close encounter with a male Asian forest scorpion.Further reading:Read more about scorpions in this National Geographic article.More information on the Egyptian scorpion goddess Serket here.This is what the goddess Serket looks like: https://www.ancient.eu/image/4695/serket-statue/Music:Artist: Podingon BearTracks: S...2019-03-2542 minThe Critter ShedCockroaches, cockchafers and the insect armageddon cock-upThis episode features The Great Cockroach Challenge where Collie & Colette search for the beauty and majesty in cockroaches. Collie shows Colette his cockchafer (beetle), and we find out why insect numbers are dropping like flies and how we can all help them recover. It's a cock-a-doodle of a show.Presented by Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Colette Kinsella for Red Hare Media.Further reading:How to save our bugs! The GuardianMore about the cockchafer.Music: Podington Bear.Tracks: Curious, Firefly, Netherland, Samara, Bell Club.2019-03-1143 minThe Critter ShedHoly axolotl (hot) nun juice!Ever wanted to visit a frog orgy? Or take a trip to Mexico to meet the local salamanders and the nuns who are helping save them from extinction? (Get this: it involves holy salamander juice!)If so, this is the episode for you.And if not, tag along regardless because it's a cracker of a journey.Join Collie Ennis & Colette Kinsella in the critter shed as they delve into the world of these two amazing, amorous amphibians.Produced by Red Hare MediaPresented by Collie E...2019-02-2544 minThe Critter ShedParasite PuppeteersSo, you think you have free will, right? Well, have we got news for you! As it turns out, many of our actions - from what we wear, to how we drive, or even to our business skills - may be controlled by microscopic parasites.Today in the shed Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella chat with passionate parasitologist Maureen Williams of Trinity College Dublin about fungi that control their hosts like puppets on a string, crustaceans that bite off and replace their hosts' tongues, and parasitic wasps that feast on the fresh meat of their still-living...2019-02-1223 minThe Critter ShedNipples No NipplesA milky session in the critter shed where Colette and Collie find out how some animals nourish their young without nipples - from lactating spiders and frogs who feed their tadpoles in the treetops, to sharks whose young fight to the death in utero.You’d be a right tit to miss this one.The Critter Shed. A podcast with legs… and without nipples.Produced by Red Hare Media.Music:Podington Bear - CuriousPodington Bear - FireflyPodington Bear - Bell Club2019-01-2920 minThe Critter ShedSpider Ridin'"Ridin'" is an Irish colloquial term for "sex".Science research associate Collie Ennis and audio producer Colette Kinsella meet in the critter shed to talk about the saucy (and sad) world of spider sex, where your first act of procreation might be your last. We also find out what it feels like to fall victim to a venom-packing tarantula, and why spiders are your friends (no, really, they are).A podcast with legs. In a shed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2019-01-1525 minThe Critter ShedThe Critter Shed - podcast trailerIf you like learning about the weird and wonderful side of nature - about things like spider sex, venom-toting frogs, mind-controlling parasites, and more - then this is the podcast for you!Coming at you fortnightly from 15th January 2019.Oh, and it's in a shed.With Collie Ennis and Colette Kinsella.Produced by Red Hare Media.http://podcast.thecrittershed.net/Subscribe where you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2019-01-0201 min