The Southern Naturalist

Sep 28 2024 19 ep. 29 mins 4
The Southern Naturalist Podcast artwork

Join the father-daughter biologist duo Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas as they explore wild areas of Louisiana while meeting fellow scientists and naturalists along the way! These episodes will provide budding and well-seasoned naturalists an experience of being out in the field with the experts! Get ready to learn and be inspired by nature and all she has to offer! #SONAT Follow us on all social media platforms @SoNatPodcast

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Bull Sharks are in the Lake!

Sep 28 2024 22 mins  
If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review!!! Follow @SoNatPodcast on ⁠Facebook⁠ and⁠ Instagram⁠! Visit our website at ⁠https://lucec.loyno.edu/so-nat-podcast ⁠ Did you know that bull sharks have been found in rivers 1,800 miles away from the ocean? In this episode we are joined by Dr. Martin O'Connell, a scientist who has extensively researched sharks

Cuban Treefrogs - A New Invasive Species

Aug 05 2024 25 mins  
In this episode we dive into the natural history of Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis), how they compare to our native green treefrog (Hyla cinerea) and how they recently became established in Louisiana. Dr. Bob has been on the pulse of this frog invasion and identified some of the first visitors to Louisiana in the 1980s! Naturally, we compare the cuban treefrog to other

Decoding the Language of Alligators?

May 30 2024 41 mins  
Welcome back to The Southern Naturalist! Today, we explore the intricate communication methods of alligators in the depths of swamps and marshlands. We delve into the world of alligator vocalizations, body language, and chemical signals, unraveling how these ancient reptiles convey messages, establish dominance, and navigate their complex social structures. From the iconic bellows

All About Termites!

May 12 2024 29 mins  
Join hosts Dr. Bob Thomas and Dr. Aimée Thomas on an enthralling exploration of the intricate world of termites in this episode of The Southern Naturalist. Delving into the fascinating natural history of these tiny yet mighty creatures. Yes, they may destroy your house, but after listening to this episode you may gain a newfound appreciation for these often misunderstood insects.

The Invasion of Cat's Claw Vine

Apr 17 2024 21 mins  
In this episode Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas explore the natural history of Dolichandra unguis-cati, otherwise known as cat's claw vine... or that beautiful yellow flower you see all over the roofs of old houses in the spring! If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review!!! Follow @SoNatPodcast on Facebook and Instagram! Do you have any more questions about nature? M

The Southern Naturalist is back!

Apr 09 2024 1 mins  
WELCOME BACK NATURE LOVERS! It's Dr. Bob and Aimée here and we so excited to announce that we are coming back with a second season of the Southern Naturalist! Catch up on all of season 1 and send us your questions and suggestions on social media or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and we will answer you! Please share our episodes with fellow nature lovers and write us

Bayou Sauvage - The Largest Urban National Wildlife Refuge with Pon Dixson

Nov 10 2022 41 mins  
In this episode Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas visit Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge in New Orleans East to meet a longtime friend, Pon Dixson with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We discuss the ecological succession that has taken place since Hurricane Katrina decimated the forest. We also talk about Golden silk orb-weavers, Timber Rattlesnakes, Persimmons, the his

Dragonflies: The Most Voracious Predator!

Sep 28 2022 26 mins  
It’s early fall in the South, and for us, that means DRAGONFLIES! This Nature Note episode is all about the fascinating natural history of the dragonfly, which has been around for about 320 million years and was once up to 3 feet long! We will discuss how dragonflies are one of the most successful and VORACIOUS aerial predators in the world along with their impressive mating and

Hurricanes: Everything You Want to Know with Mark Schleifstein

Aug 31 2022 59 mins  
In the South we know hurricanes all too well… so this hurricane season Dr. Bob and Dr. Aimée Thomas decided to go even deeper. This episode features Mark Schleifstein, a Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental journalist and is a must listen if you want to understand the complexities of hurricanes. Are hurricanes really getting stronger due to climate change? What happens to birds,

A Naturalist Crosses Lake Pontchartrain

Aug 17 2022 64 mins  
If you’re from Louisiana, you certainly know about Lake Pontchartrain. You probably know that it’s technically not even a lake! It is a divider of habitats, home to many unlikely species and has the longest bridge over water in the world! For a naturalist, it is a major spectacle! That is why Dr. Bob is on his 9th version of a 60+ page document which expands upon all that a nat