Show Notes
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. www.team-acquatic-virus.com www.furrealpodcast.com ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle fb@ Markakyle tiktok @ The Fur Real Podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
More from The Fur Real Podcast with Mark A Kyle
What has a suit of armor, powerful claws, and comes in everything from a tiny pink fairy to a giant weighing more than 100 pounds? An armadillo, of course! Here in Texas, we proudly claim the nine-banded armadillo as our official state small mammal, but there's a whole world of these wonderfully weird creatures beyond the Lone Star State! This week, we're joined by world-renowned armadillo expert Dr. Mariella Superina to explore the fascinating world of one of nature's most unusual mammals. From the mysterious pink fairy armadillo, small enough to fit in your hand, to the enormous giant armadillo with its massive claws, these incredible creatures are full of surprises. Why do they wear armor? Can they really roll into a ball? How do they dig so well? And what makes the Texas armadillo so special? We'll uncover their remarkable adaptations, surprising behaviors, and the challenges threatening their survival. Along the way, Dr. Superina shares why these often-overlooked animals deserve far more attention and protection. From the backroads of Texas to the wilds of South America, armadillos prove that Mother Nature has one wild imagination! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
They've got venomous fangs, a fearsome reputation, and a name that sends shivers down your spine. But are water moccasins, also known as cottonmouths, really the aggressive, dangerous snakes we've been led to believe? This week, zoologist and snake venom researcher Dr. Ryan McCleary joins us to separate fact from fiction about one of America's most feared and misunderstood snakes. Do water moccasins really chase people? How dangerous is their venom? Why do they flash that unmistakable cotton-white mouth? And are they actually looking for a fight, or just trying to defend themselves? From their fascinating behavior and surprising hunting abilities to the myths that have fueled their frightening reputation, Dr. McCleary reveals a side of these remarkable reptiles that most people never get to see. www.furrealpodcast.com ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle fb@Mark A Kyle tik tok@ thefurrealpodcast Links https://www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/academics/faculty-listing/dr-ryan-mccleary.aspx https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/gopher-tortoise-reclassified-as-critically-endangered-researchers-say/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Your pet may look healthy today—but what can you do to keep them that way? About 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer during their lifetime, and by age 10, the risk climbs to roughly 1 in 2. Cats face cancer and chronic disease too. So instead of waiting until something goes wrong, what if we started thinking about our pets’ health before they get sick? This week, Mark talks with Dr. Kendra Pope, a board-certified veterinary oncologist and leading voice in integrative veterinary medicine. She combines conventional medicine with nutrition, lifestyle, and complementary therapies to help pets live longer, healthier lives—and to give pet parents practical ways to be proactive about their health. They talk about cancer and chronic disease, what pet parents should be watching for, the role of diet and lifestyle, and the things you can start doing now to support your pet’s long-term health. Dr. Pope also shares how her educational courses are helping pet parents better understand their animals’ health and become more informed advocates for their care. Because the best time to think about your pet’s health isn’t when they get sick. It’s while they’re healthy. Links: https://prismpets.krtra.com/t/QLJCxIwYEAlF https://prismpets.krtra.com/t/AhIM4vPV9joQ www.drkenrdapope.com www.furrealpodcast.com ig@drkendrapope ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle fb@ Dr. Kendra Pope fb@ Mark A Kyle tik tok@thefurrealpodcast you tube @dr.kendrapope See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
For 100 years, Winnie-the-Pooh has brought a little magic into all of our lives. But behind the stories, the Hundred Acre Wood and the bear we all know and love was a real bear named Winnie—and she was a girl. As Winnie-the-Pooh celebrates his 100th anniversary on October 14, Mark sits down with author Lindsay Mattick, the great-granddaughter of Harry Colebourn, the Canadian soldier and veterinarian who rescued a female black bear cub during World War I and named her Winnie after his hometown of Winnipeg. Winnie eventually found a home at the London Zoo, where she became the favorite bear of a little boy named Christopher Robin Milne—and the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh. Lindsay shares her family’s remarkable connection to Winnie and the true story of the little bear who inspired a character that, a century later, still brings friendship, wonder and a little magic into all of our lives. www.furrealpodcast.com ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle fb@mark a kyle tik tok@thefurrealpodcast www.canva.com/design/DAG2WGZRqB0/qzZ_VdKzS-4J-Wc9lN_F6A/edit
They’re tiny, ridiculously cute, incredibly social—and they have a lot to say. Marmosets may be some of the smallest monkeys around, but behind those expressive faces is a surprisingly complex world of communication, family life, cooperation and intelligence. This week, Mark talks with Dr. Cory Miller, a professor and researcher at the University of California, San Diego, whose work explores how marmosets communicate and interact with one another. Cory and his team are studying their vocal behavior and the brain systems behind it, using these highly social little primates to better understand how communication works—and what it can tell us about our own brains and behavior. From their constant chatter and family dynamics to the remarkable ways they listen, respond and learn from one another, marmosets prove there’s a whole lot going on inside those very cute little heads. Cute? Absolutely. Chatty? Definitely. Clever? You bet. www.furrealpodcast.com ig@thefurrealpodcast ig@markakyle fb@Mark A Kyle tiktok@thefurrealpodcast https://millerlab.ucsd.edu/ www.https://mcc.ohsu.edu/ https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-future-of-ai-lies-in-monkeys-not-microchips-c855aad6?st=Rvkig8&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink__;!!Mih3wA!EMfVKy5TJ-aQJl-EtiQObPSKXpvlVC4EhoEtUkDb7IkVhwDDKTJuekLjVKdKH93LBZUpuUUOq9N1K2NK9Lg$ https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/12/americas-risky-retreat-in-biomedical-leadership/__;!!Mih3wA!EMfVKy5TJ-aQJl-EtiQObPSKXpvlVC4EhoEtUkDb7IkVhwDDKTJuekLjVKdKH93LBZUpuUUOq9N1RuCxQT4$ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.