Best Paleontology Podcasts (2025)

1
Leaf it to Us - Before We Leaf 30:27

1h ago30:27

30:27

After you’ve listened to the Leaf it to Us pilot episode, enjoy this follow-up discussion where Nora, Aly, and David share their thoughts about that first episode and the upcoming season of the new podcast. You can contact us – and find more from Common Descent – here: https://linktr.ee/common_descent The Intro and Outro music is “Late Bloomer” by …

1
Leaf it to Us - Pilot Episode 32:54

38m ago32:54

32:54

Enjoy this special preview of the upcoming podcast Leaf it to Us, hosted by Nora Spurling and Dr. Aly Baumgartner. In this pilot episode, they discuss the fascinating phenomenon of sex-changing trees! The first season of Leaf it to Us is in the works, and we’re excited to hear your feedback for this pilot episode. Please reach out to us and let us …

1
Podcast 303 - When Is It The Crown 1:41:28

20h ago1:41:28

1:41:28

The gang discusses two papers that look into the timing of evolution of the “crown group”. The first paper looks at fossil glass sponges, and the second paper looks at the phylogeny of lampreys. Meanwhile, James gives some sound advice, Amanda has ambitious hobby plans, and Curt imagines the perfect media crossover. Up-Goer Five: (Curt Edition) The…

1
Dino Duels! 49:47

5d ago49:47

49:47

Happy March! We're celebrating with a friendly Dino Duels Competition. Fill out a bracket to predict which dinosaur will win their matchups and you could win a prize! For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Cumnoria, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Cumnoria-Episode-529/ Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino…

1
Dino Duels! 49:47

5d ago49:47

49:47

Happy March! We're celebrating with a friendly Dino Duels Competition. Fill out a bracket to predict which dinosaur will win their matchups and you could win a prize! For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Cumnoria, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Cumnoria-Episode-529/ Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino…

1
Episode 212 - Temnospondyls 1:41:45

9d ago1:41:45

1:41:45

When vertebrates first moved onto land, they gave rise to a variety of amphibious tetrapods. The most diverse and successful of these were temnospondyls, which were some of the most important species in early land and freshwater environments. This episode, we’ll explore temnospondyls’ evolutionary history, their ecological variety, and their myster…

1
How dinosaurs, fungi, and plants evolved together 1:03:08

12d ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Dinosaurs had a complex relationship with fungi and plants. We explore whether dinosaurs ate psychedelics, if they aided plant evolution, and even a carnivorous fungus. For links to the main sources, all of the details we shared about Jeholornis, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Jeholornis-Episode-528/ Join us at www.patreon.com/ikn…

1
How dinosaurs, fungi, and plants evolved together 1:03:08

12d ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Dinosaurs had a complex relationship with fungi and plants. We explore whether dinosaurs ate psychedelics, if they aided plant evolution, and even a carnivorous fungus. For links to the main sources, all of the details we shared about Jeholornis, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Jeholornis-Episode-528/ Join us at www.patreon.com/ikn…

1
TLS11E02 Dinos and Dragons 1:06:31

12d ago1:06:31

1:06:31

This month’s episode is a sort of follow-up to that from the start of the year, looking at some of the more problematic areas of dinosaurs and palaeontology when it comes to online discussions. There is an online fandom of dinosaurs that treats them like monsters or superheroes, and can fixate on what is and isn’t the biggest / strongest / fastest …

1
Podcast 302 - A Rambling Homage to Vrba 1:53:30

15d ago1:53:30

1:53:30

The gang celebrates the research of the late Elisabeth Vrba by talking about two of her papers, as well as her research more broadly. And, despite their best efforts, they get easily distracted on tangentially related side discussions. Up-Goer Five (Curt Edition): The friends talk about two papers from someone who they want to remember the memory o…

1
Episode 163: Ecosystem Engineers 1:23:59

16d ago1:23:59

1:23:59

An ecosystem can be described as all the interactions that occur between organisms and their physical environment. The processes acting within an ecosystem operate on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales and include both biotic and abiotic factors. Ecosystem engineers are those species that have a significant impact on the availability of re…

1
Episode 163: Ecosystem Engineers 1:23:59

16d ago1:23:59

1:23:59

An ecosystem can be described as all the interactions that occur between organisms and their physical environment. The processes acting within an ecosystem operate on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales and include both biotic and abiotic factors. Ecosystem engineers are those species that have a significant impact on the availability of re…

1
Episode 211 - Edward Drinker Cope 2:34:32

23d ago2:34:32

2:34:32

E. D. Cope is one of the most recognizable and notorious names in paleontology history. He did some of the most important early work in vertebrate paleontology, he was one half of the dueling duo in the infamous Bone Wars, he named some of the most famous fossil animals, and he was profoundly irresponsible and unethical with his science. This episo…

1
Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska - "the rarest among the rare" 54:37

26d ago54:37

54:37

Zofia led several expeditions to Mongolia where her team discovered hundreds of mammals and dinosaurs including Deinocheirus and the Fighting Dinosaurs (a velociraptor and Protoceratops who appear to have fossilized in the middle of a fight to the death). For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Deinocheirus (revisited), an…

1
Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska - "the rarest among the rare" 54:37

26d ago54:37

54:37

Zofia led several expeditions to Mongolia where her team discovered hundreds of mammals and dinosaurs including Deinocheirus and the Fighting Dinosaurs (a velociraptor and Protoceratops who appear to have fossilized in the middle of a fight to the death). For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Deinocheirus (revisited), an…

1
Podcast 301 - You Little Punk 1:24:28

29d ago1:24:28

1:24:28

The gang discusses two papers that look at some exceptional soft-tissue preservation during the Silurian. The first paper potentially identifies a unique type of pterobranch, and the second paper looks at some early molluscs. Meanwhile, James has seen some movies, Amanda has a skibidi day, and Curt’s soul dies. Up-Goer Five (Curt Edition): The frie…

1
Episode 210 - Bones 2:25:13

1M ago2:25:13

2:25:13

The evolution of mineralized tissues is responsible not only for the incredible success and diversity of vertebrate animals, but also for their extraordinarily informative fossil record. This episode, we explore the detailed anatomy of bones and their deep evolutionary history, we touch on some of the ways they’re important for paleontology, and we…

1
Why Brontosaurus is the best dinosaur 36:11

1M ago36:11

36:11

The "thunder lizard" may be the most well-known sauropod. It has been regularly featured in movies for over a century and would have been an awesome sight to behold in the Jurassic. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Astrophocaudia, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Astrophocaudia-Episode-526/ Join us a…

1
Why Brontosaurus is the best dinosaur 36:11

1M ago36:11

36:11

The "thunder lizard" may be the most well-known sauropod. It has been regularly featured in movies for over a century and would have been an awesome sight to behold in the Jurassic. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Astrophocaudia, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Astrophocaudia-Episode-526/ Join us a…

1
TLS11E01 Say My Name 52:38

1M ago52:38

52:38

Series 11, eh? We don’t think we, or anyone else reading this, expected that. Nor did we expect issues with Dave’s microphone (apologies)… Still, here we are and with more dinosaur goodness coming. We say ‘coming’ because this episode is far less about dinosaurs and pterosaurs than usual, but more about the mechanisms of science. In this case it’s …

1
Podcast 300 - Shameless Dead Juvenile Specimen Joke 1:29:38

1M ago1:29:38

1:29:38

The gang discusses two papers that look at some exceptionally preserved juvenile fossil specimens and the interesting clues these fossils give to the ontogeny of extinct groups. The first paper is the current oldest preserved tadpole, and the second paper is an exceptionally preserved mummified sabre-toothed cat. Meanwhile, Amanda becomes light, Ja…

1
Episode 209 - Chimaeras 2:27:14

2M ago2:27:14

2:27:14

You might know them as ghost sharks, rat fish, or spook fish. Chimaeras are close cousins of sharks and rays, equipped with distinctive and unusual features in their fins, teeth, and reproductive structures. In today’s oceans, chimaeras are rare and easy to miss, but their extended family includes some of the most diverse and iconic fish of the Pal…

1
Dean Lomax Returns 54:55

2M ago54:55

54:55

Dean Lomax joins to discuss Ichthyotitan, the largest known reptile of all time which he recently described. Plus the Rutland Sea Dragon, Executive Producing Why Dinosaurs?, and more. For a photo of us with Dean Lomax, all of the details we shared about Aristosuchus, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Aristosuchus-Episode-525/ Join us…

1
Dean Lomax Returns 54:55

2M ago54:55

54:55

Dean Lomax joins to discuss Ichthyotitan, the largest known reptile of all time which he recently described. Plus the Rutland Sea Dragon, Executive Producing Why Dinosaurs?, and more. For a photo of us with Dean Lomax, all of the details we shared about Aristosuchus, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Aristosuchus-Episode-525/ Join us…

1
Podcast 299 - Small Green Things 1:14:48

2M ago1:14:48

1:14:48

The gang discusses two papers that look at the evolution of photosynthesis in different groups. The first paper looks at what might be the first fossil evidence of thylakoids, and the second paper finds evidence for photosynthesizing symbiotes in Devonian fossil corals. Meanwhile, Amanda is making a lasagna, James has a lot of opinions about lasagn…

1
Episode 208 - The Karoo Supergroup 1:49:03

2M ago1:49:03

1:49:03

Southern Africa is home to an incredible sequence of geologic formations that span more than 100 million years of Earth history. These rocks, collectively called the Karoo Supergroup, are an extraordinary resource for studying evolution and extinction across the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic Eras. This episode, we’ll explore the deep history of…

1
Dinosaur Dancing and Movement 44:26

2M ago44:26

44:26

The current evidence for dinosaur mating displays, reproduction, walking, and running. Featuring chickens with artificial tails! For links about dinosaur dancing, all of the details we shared about Valdosaurus, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Valdosaurus-Episode-524/ Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino for dinosaur requests, bonus…

1
Dinosaur Dancing and Movement 44:26

2M ago44:26

44:26

The current evidence for dinosaur mating displays, reproduction, walking, and running. Featuring chickens with artificial tails! For links about dinosaur dancing, all of the details we shared about Valdosaurus, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Valdosaurus-Episode-524/ Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino for dinosaur requests, bonus…

1
End of the Year Q&A 2024 5:22:32

2M ago5:22:32

5:22:32

Happy New Year! Welcome back to our annual, traditional question-answering marathon! As always, a big thank you to everyone who submitted questions for this Q&A, everyone who has listened and shared and engaged with us throughout the year, and especially to our Patrons, who make this podcast possible. See you in 2025! Check out our website for our …

1
Podcast 298c - Operation Raccoon Part 3: The Big Score 1:22:23

2M ago1:22:23

1:22:23

Sausage, Biscuits, Eggey, and Crankshaft make their way into the big mansion. Will they be able to pull off the heist of the century and deliver a perfect Christmas for the raccoons of the junkyard, or will they all go down in a blaze of glory? "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" and “Silent Night” from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative …

1
TLS10E12 End of Year Megasode! 53:02

3M ago53:02

53:02

Thanks to Kyle, Tom, Ashley, Aurous, Wayne, Paleo Pete, Tyler, Will, Israel, Charles, James and Edward Support us on patreon.com/terriblelizards and be rewarded with extra content! We are planning on going live on isztube at 16:00 GMT on Friday 26th December. (Time may change)By Dr David Hone and Iszi Lawrence

1
Episode 207 - Therizinosaurs 2:09:22

3M ago2:09:22

2:09:22

Most theropod dinosaurs are sleek predators built for speedy movement and efficient hunting. Therizinosaurs are unusual. They’re slow and stocky and, in many ways, more like the famous plant-eating dinosaurs. This episode, we’ll explore the diversity of therizinosaurs, the winding path that paleontologists took to understand them, the many ways the…

1
Top 24 Dinosaur Discoveries of 2024 1:13:56

3M ago1:13:56

1:13:56

A huge year for stegosaurs and theropods! For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Yinlong, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Yinlong-Episode-523/ Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino for dinosaur requests, bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more. Dinosaur of the day Yinlong, one of the earliest known cerat…

1
Top 24 Dinosaur Discoveries of 2024 1:13:56

3M ago1:13:56

1:13:56

A huge year for stegosaurs and theropods! For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Yinlong, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Yinlong-Episode-523/ Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino for dinosaur requests, bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more. Dinosaur of the day Yinlong, one of the earliest known cerat…

1
Podcast 298b - Operation Raccoon Part 2: The Approach 1:14:50

3M ago1:14:50

1:14:50

Sausage, Biscuits, Eggey, and Crankshaft board the Dumpster Fire and prepare for a holiday adventure... despite the wishes of an unsuspecting populace. "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Check out “Raccoon Sky Pirates” on itch,…

1
Episode 206 - Vestigial Structures 2:07:54

3M ago2:07:54

2:07:54

Evolution involves the innovation of new features, but even more reduction of old features. Those reduced features might disappear, develop in a new direction, or just linger as a functionless evidence of deep ancestry. This episode, we explore how we identify vestigial traits, how they help us understand evolutionary history, and the various evolu…

1
Spotlight 2024 - Kallie, Gabriel, and Blake, Eons 1:20:06

3M ago1:20:06

1:20:06

Welcome to Spotlight 2024! In this series, we’re sitting down with our fellow paleo-podcasters to discuss Science Communication. It’s the final episode! And we’re thrilled to be joined by Kallie, Gabriel, and Blake from PBS Eons and their podcast, Eons: Surviving Deep Time! Find Eons here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eons-surviving-deep-t…

1
Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior Book Club 1:17:37

3M ago1:17:37

1:17:37

We share all our thoughts on the most surprising and interesting parts of David Hone's new book: Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior. Plus a tiny dinosaur with a lot of gastroliths and some huge dinosaurs without any. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Gasparinisaura, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Gasparin…

1
Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior Book Club 1:17:37

3M ago1:17:37

1:17:37

We share all our thoughts on the most surprising and interesting parts of David Hone's new book: Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior. Plus a tiny dinosaur with a lot of gastroliths and some huge dinosaurs without any. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Gasparinisaura, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Gasparin…

1
Podcast 298a - Operation Raccoon Part 1: Planning the Heist 1:02:19

3M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

James, Amanda, Curt, and Ants all get together to plan a holiday raccoon heist. What could possibly go wrong? "Sergio's Magic Dustbin" from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Check out “Raccoon Sky Pirates” on itch,io https://hecticelectron.itch.io/raccoon-…

1
TLS10E11 Skiphosoura - the pterosaur of the gaps 56:21

3M ago56:21

56:21

Skiphosoura – the pterosaur of the gaps So last week Dave had a new paper out and this time it’s a new pterosaur, named Skiphosoura bavarica (the sword tail of Bavaria) and it is both really interesting and really important for pterosaur research. It tells us a lot about the key transition of pterosaurs from the early forms through to the derived p…

1
Episode 205 - Parasitic Plants 2:20:32

4M ago2:20:32

2:20:32

Not all plants rely on the sun for their energy. Thousands of species are adapted for stealing nutrients from other plants. This episode, Aly joins us to explore the diversity and evolution of parasitic plants, their varied lifestyles, and their impacts on their hosts. We also examine the surprising nature of the parasitic plant fossil record. In t…

1
Kelsie Abrams from the Burke Museum 56:31

4M ago56:31

56:31

From digging up dinosaur bones to preparing fossils, Kelsie Abrams is involved with fossils from the field to the museum display. She also shares her unique perspective as a paleontologist with a background in archaeology. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Uteodon, links from Kelsie Abrams, and our fun fact check out…

1
Kelsie Abrams from the Burke Museum 56:31

4M ago56:31

56:31

From digging up dinosaur bones to preparing fossils, Kelsie Abrams is involved with fossils from the field to the museum display. She also shares her unique perspective as a paleontologist with a background in archaeology. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Uteodon, links from Kelsie Abrams, and our fun fact check out…

1
Podcast 297 - Amanda Falk is Still a Threat 1:18:27

4M ago1:18:27

1:18:27

The gang discusses two papers that look at patterns of mosaic evolution, one paper looking at cat evolution and the other paper looking at bird ecomorphy. Which means the gang talks about Amanda’s two favorite taxonomic groups. Meanwhile, Curt enjoys some realistic bird calls, Amanda remains a threat, and James provides relevant “facts”. Up-Goer Fi…

1
Bonus: Common Descent featuring I Know Dino 1:15:24

4M ago1:15:24

1:15:24

David Moscato and Will Harris invited us to join them on the Common Descent podcast earlier this year. We had a great discussion ranging from dinosaurs to science communication in general. Connect with Common Descent: https://linktr.ee/common_descent Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino for dinosaur requests, bonus content, ad-free episodes, and mo…

1
Bonus: Common Descent featuring I Know Dino 1:15:24

4M ago1:15:24

1:15:24

David Moscato and Will Harris invited us to join them on the Common Descent podcast earlier this year. We had a great discussion ranging from dinosaurs to science communication in general. Connect with Common Descent: https://linktr.ee/common_descent Join us at www.patreon.com/iknowdino for dinosaur requests, bonus content, ad-free episodes, and mo…

1
Episode 204 - The Messinian Salinity Crisis 2:14:58

4M ago2:14:58

2:14:58

Around six million years ago, the Mediterranean Sea dried up, wreaking havoc with local marine life and leaving a dramatic legacy in the geologic record in the form of massive salt deposits. This episode, we’ll explore the evidence for this event, why it happened, how it ended, and the impact it left in the fossil record. In the news: marine crocs,…

1
100 Years of Velociraptor 48:48

4M ago48:48

48:48

Velociraptor (and Oviraptor & Saurornithoides) were named exactly 100 years ago to the day! We're celebrating Velociraptor's 100 year anniversary by going through what we now know about this awesome little dinosaur. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Velociraptor, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Veloc…

1
100 Years of Velociraptor 48:48

4M ago48:48

48:48

Velociraptor (and Oviraptor & Saurornithoides) were named exactly 100 years ago to the day! We're celebrating Velociraptor's 100 year anniversary by going through what we now know about this awesome little dinosaur. For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Velociraptor, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Veloc…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Paleontology Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide

zproxy.org