WAMU 88.5 : The Animal House

"The Bug Guy" -- Halloween Edition

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

Tarantulas, millipedes and camel crickets would probably be critters that many of us would shy away from. But not Mike Raupp, the "bug guy" and professor of entomology at the University of Maryland. He brings several of these species into the studio for a Halloween-themed show-and-tell and a discussion about why certain animals scare us -- even if they're not dangerous.

Dr. Gary Weitzman Answers Your Pet Questions

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

It's Halloween -- tips for taking dogs out for trick or treating, and do's and don't about pet costumes. Then, we'll have an update on a pet chicken that poops all over the house.

Saving the World's Coral Reefs

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

Scientists say the world's coral reefs are dying at an alarming rate, imperiling the health of many of the world's marine species. Now, scientists are using human fertility techniques – including cryogenically-frozen coral sperm – to try to rescue the reefs. We learn more about this cutting-edge area of research and why coral is so important to the health of the oceans.

Dr. Gary Weitzman Answers Your Pet Questions

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

Whether there are any good treats for diabetic dogs -- and what to do about a parakeet that doesn't want to come out of the cage. Plus, information on canine flu.

The Hidden Life of Deer

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

We see them on the side of the road or nibbling on our neighbor's azaleas. But what do we know about how deer live when they're not in our presence? Author Elizabeth Marshall Thomas spent a winter studying the deer that grazed in her yard, and found their social structure is a lot more complex than we might think. She joins us with a look at the little-known world of one of our most ubiquitous species.

Dr. Gary Weitzman Answers Your Pet Questions

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

A man talks about his Golden Retriever who has one kidney; two feral cats, adopted in Morocco, continue to prefer middle eastern food; and, the role of corn in a dog's diet.

Inside the Smithsonian's Feather Identification Lab

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

At the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History, scientists have amassed a huge collection of 620,000 bird specimens. The specimens -- along with high-tech DNA technology -- are used to help researchers better understand how to prevent collisions between birds and airplanes. We learn more about this potentially life-saving research and how it's being used to investigate January's dramatic jet landing in the Hudson River.

Dr. Gary Weitzman Answers Your Pet Questions

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

How to give cats their medicine; a chocolate lab loves to jump and lick; and, one cat insists on upsetting her water bowl regularly.

Dogs in the Workplace

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

Many workers would love to have their pooch curled up at their feet as they work on a spreadsheet or meet with colleagues. But is it possible to create an office policy that works for both animal lovers and those who may not love four-legged co-workers? We go inside several companies that have created such policies and learn more about the benefits and obstacles to dogs in the workplace.

Dr. Gary Weitzman Answers Your Pet Questions

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

We re-visit some of our favorite call-in questions: A father and son want to know if their chicken can be house trained. One woman’s gold retriever, named “Galactic Destroyer of Worlds”, is afraid of the water. And 12 year old Lexie learns about a reading program for dogs.

Conservationist and Explorer Jeff Corwin

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

Jeff Corwin was a small boy when he met his first reptile: a garter snake at a relative's home in Massachusetts. Since then, he's gone on to encounter some of the most exotic and dangerous snakes in the world, along with a wide range of other unusual species. Corwin joins us to talk about his love of wildlife and his role lobbying for the preservation of endangered animals.

Dr. Gary Weitzman Answers Your Pet Questions

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0400

Dr. Gary talks about working with hippos; one women worries that her dog might not like her; a dog's leg and hip problems are addressed; and, an English coon hound has some urinary troubles.

Presidential Pets