Humans have spent thousands of years domesticating animals, studying them, naming them, dressing them up in little outfits, and completely misunderstanding them. And yet somehow we still can’t get enough. So naturally, we’ve done what any reasonable society would do and made a truly staggering number of podcasts about them. Whether you’re a person who cries at nature documentaries, someone who refers to their dog as their “baby,” or just a normal individual who has ever wondered what exactly is going on inside a crow’s head, there is a podcast out there with your name on it. Here are some of the top podcasts about animals:
The Science of Birds
Hosted by Ivan Phillipsen, professional birding guide, passionate naturalist, and PhD in Zoology, The Science of Birds is a lighthearted dive into bird biology and ornithology, perfect for any birder or nature lover looking to deepen their knowledge and maybe even dazzle a few friends along the way.
Grubbing in The Filth: An Invertebrate Podcast
This podcast turns the spotlight on the creatures most of us overlook, or actively avoid. With the help of expert guests, the show digs into the hidden lives of the world’s spineless animals, exploring what makes them remarkable and challenging listeners to rethink their relationship with these endlessly fascinating, much-misunderstood creatures.
BBC Earth Podcast
Hosted by zoologists Rutendo Shackleton and Sebastian Echeverri, the BBC Earth Podcast delivers wild animal stories, surprising sounds, and expert insights from top scientists, naturalists, and special guests, whether you’re a lifelong nature lover or just discovering it for the first time.
30 Animals That Made Us Smarter
What We Learn from Animals explores the remarkable discoveries humans have made by studying the animal kingdom, an inspiring, fascinating, and thoroughly bingeable series.
Future Ecologies
Future Ecologies is a richly crafted podcast for nature lovers and audiophiles alike, exploring the relationship between humans and the natural world through storytelling, science, music, and immersive soundscapes. Each episode takes a different form, from documentary narratives to experimental sound collages, weaving together expert voices and firsthand knowledge into an invitation to see the world anew.
The Wild with Chris Morgan
Hosted by Chris Morgan, THE WILD transports listeners into the heart of the natural world through richly immersive storytelling. Each episode puts listeners alongside wildlife ecologists, researchers, and fascinating characters working on the front lines of conservation in wild places across the globe.
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Hosted by wildlife biologist and animal behavior expert Wes Larson, Tooth and Claw recounts the most extreme wild animal attacks ever documented. Joined by his brother Jeff and their friend Mike, Wes breaks down each encounter in vivid detail, explaining how to stay safe in the wild and offering a deeper appreciation for the creatures that inhabit it.
That’s Just Wild
Adventurer Steve Backshall, wildlife biologist Lizzie Daly, and journalist Sarah Roberts team up for a wildly entertaining dive into the natural world, swapping behind-the-scenes stories, jaw-dropping science, and remarkable tales from the field every Tuesday.
Creature Feature
Critter takes a creature’s-eye view of the animal kingdom, exploring the surprising ways animal behavior mirrors our own. Hosted by comedians with a passion for science, the show gets deep inside the minds of the animals we share the planet with.
The Animal Turn
Hosted by Claudia Hirtenfelder, Animal Turns explores a growing shift in research that treats animals not as supporting characters in human stories, but as beings with their own histories, experiences, and place in the world.
Outside/In
A production of NHPR, Outside/In explores the natural world through boundary-pushing environmental journalism, from disaster zones to backyards, covering policy, pop culture, science, and everything in between.
Wildly Curious
Hosted by wildlife experts Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole, Wildly Curious is a comedy podcast that blends humor with real science, diving into wild animal behavior, bizarre natural phenomena, and unexpected discoveries in a way that’s fun and accessible for everyone.
Animals at Home Network
The Animals at Home Network is a podcast network dedicated to the ethical keeping of reptiles and amphibians through the lens of science and conservation. Its shows, Animals at Home with Dillon Perron, Project Herpetoculture with Phillip Lietz and Roy Arthur Blodgett, Reptiles & Research with Liam Sinclair and Ellie Hills, and Animals Everywhere with Bryce Broom, cover everything from husbandry and breeding to wildlife conservation and beyond.
Ologies with Alie Ward
Humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward sits down with the world’s leading experts and asks them the questions no one else thinks to ask. Ologies delivers charming, bizarre, and genuinely mind-expanding stories from the scientists who can’t stop thinking about them. Discover the best episodes of Ologies.
Animal Radio
Animal Radio® is America’s most-listened-to animal programming, dedicated to educating pet owners, reducing animal surrenders, and helping animals live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Urban Wildlife Podcast
Hosted by Billy and Tony, the Urban Wildlife Podcast challenges the idea that nature and city life don’t mix, exploring the surprising fauna and flora thriving in urban environments around the world.
The Wild Episode
Menagerie is a collection of wonders from the animal kingdom, weaving together zoology, natural history, and the occasional thread of human history into remarkable stories about the world’s most fascinating wildlife.
All Creatures Podcast
All Creatures Podcast is on a mission to educate listeners about the remarkable diversity of life on Earth, at a time when that diversity is under serious threat. Each week, the show spotlights a different species, features conversations with conservation experts from around the world, and covers the latest news from the front lines of wildlife conservation.
Backyard Ecology
Hosted by Shannon Trimboli, Backyard Ecology is a resource for busy homeowners in the eastern U.S. looking to transform their yards into thriving ecosystems. The show sparks curiosity about the natural world right outside the front door, with practical guidance on improving local pollinator and wildlife habitat.
Sharkpedia
Hosted by shark researchers Meghan and Amani, Sharks with Meghan and Amani is a deep dive into the world of sharks and their relatives, featuring conversations with legends in the field every other week.
Just the Zoo of Us
Hosted by Ellen and Christian Weatherford, Animal Rating Podcast takes a playful scientific approach to the animal kingdom, reviewing listener-favorite species and rating them across three categories: effectiveness, ingenuity, and aesthetics.
Nature Guys
Hosted by longtime nature lover Bob, Nature Guys connects listeners to the fascinating natural world hiding in their own neighborhoods, with the belief that a deeper connection to nature can leave us calmer, more grounded, and better equipped to make a positive impact on the world.
Will’s Birdbrain
Hosted by birdnerd Will and featuring guests from the birding community, this podcast dedicates each episode to a single bird, exploring its natural history, its place in the modern world, and the myths and legends it has inspired across cultures.
Do you know of another animal podcast that you think should be on this list? Let me know
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