The Fur Real Podcast with Mark A Kyle

Flying fish soar above the ocean. Elephant seals dive to extraordinary depths. At first glance, they couldn't be more different.
This week, we sit down with marine biologists Dr. Eric Lewallen and Dr. Carolina Bonin, two scientists whose research intersects in unexpected ways. Eric shares the remarkable adaptations that allow flying fish to glide hundreds of feet above the ocean, while Carolina reveals what elephant seals can teach us through cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) research—including how tiny traces of DNA left behind in seawater are helping scientists better understand marine ecosystems.
The conversation also explores surprising discoveries about elephant seal genetics, including evidence suggesting there is little to no sign of inbreeding despite their dramatic population bottleneck. Together, Eric and Carolina discuss how their different areas of expertise complement one another, what collaboration looks like in modern marine science, and how new technologies are transforming the way we study and protect wildlife.
From flying fish to elephant seals, this episode is a fascinating look at how two scientists—and two extraordinary species—are connected by a shared passion for understanding our oceans.
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Cute. Fluffy. Nut-obsessed. That's the squirrel story we all know... right?
Not so fast.
This week, we sit down with Dr. Sonja Wild, a behavioral ecologist and postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis, whose work explores how animals adapt and thrive in a changing world. Her recent research helped uncover something that stunned even seasoned scientists: California ground squirrels hunting and eating voles.
In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Wild shares how her team documented this never-before-described behavior, what it reveals about squirrel intelligence and adaptability, and why there's still so much to learn about some of the animals we think we know best.
After this episode, you'll never look at the squirrels in your backyard the same way again.
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What can a sand-swimming lizard, a cockroach sprinting across rough terrain, and a centipede teach us about the next generation of robots?
In this episode,we sit down with physicist and roboticist Daniel Goldman to explore the fascinating world of robophysics—the science of using animals to uncover the fundamental principles of movement. From sandfish lizards that "swim" beneath desert dunes to multi-legged robots designed for search-and-rescue missions, Goldman's research reveals how nature's solutions can inspire machines capable of navigating some of the world's most challenging environments.
Along the way, you'll discover how studying animal locomotion has led to breakthroughs in robotics, why failure is often the key to understanding movement, and how insights from creatures that have evolved over millions of years may help engineers build smarter, more adaptable robots for the future.
Whether you're fascinated by animals, engineering, physics, or the intersection of all three, this conversation offers a remarkable look at how nature continues to shape innovation.
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For decades, starfish were among the most common and recognizable animals along many coastlines. Then, seemingly overnight, millions began to disappear.
In this episode, Dr. Ian Hewson takes us inside one of the largest wildlife disease events ever documented in the ocean: the Great Starfish Die-Off. We explore the mysterious outbreak known as Sea Star Wasting Disease, what scientists have learned about its causes, and why the loss of these remarkable creatures has ripple effects throughout entire marine ecosystems.
From the biology that allows starfish to regenerate lost limbs to their critical role as keystone predators, Dr. Hewson explains why these animals are far more important than most people realize. We also discuss the challenges of studying disease in the ocean, how environmental changes can influence marine health, and what scientists are still trying to uncover about this ongoing mystery.
The conversation also turns to Dr. Hewson's current work investigating disease outbreaks in sea urchins—another group of marine animals facing significant challenges in ecosystems around the world. By studying these events, researchers hope to better understand how diseases spread through ocean environments and what they can tell us about the future health of our seas.
It's a fascinating look at one of the ocean's greatest mysteries—and a reminder that the health of the ocean often depends on creatures we rarely stop to notice.
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What makes the praying mantis one of the most fascinating predators on Earth? In this episode, Lohit Garikipati joins Mark A. Kyle to explore the strange, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying world of praying mantises. From lightning-fast attacks and incredible camouflage to their almost “alien” appearance and ability to track movement with precision, these insects are among nature’s most efficient hunters.
Lohit shares how mantises evolved into masters of ambush, the surprising intelligence and behaviors they display, and why they continue to captivate scientists, photographers, and insect lovers around the world. The conversation also dives into mantis myths, their unique vision, their role in ecosystems, and what most people completely misunderstand about these remarkable creatures.
Tiny, mysterious, and deadly effective, the praying mantis may be one of the closest things we have to an alien life form right here on Earth.
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