Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Episode 27: Red-Tailed Hawks

If Western movies have taught us anything, it's what an eagle sounds like. But that sound most movies use isn't really an eagle. It's a different American icon: the red-tailed hawk.

The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Episode 26: Mountain Lions

The biggest wildcat in the country may be called the cougar, panther, painter, mountain lion, puma, or catamount. No matter what you call them, they are amazingly efficient predators.

The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Episode 25: When Migration Goes Wrong

Migration routes may be instinctive or they may be learned. What's the difference? What happens if things go wrong? And what if a black vulture shows up in Red Lodge, Montana?

The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Episode 24: Hyperphagic Bears

Hibernation time is approaching, and the bears are eating everything in sight. Join us for a chat about hyperphagia and some news about the Sanctuary's new education exhibits.

The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Episode 23: Quoth the Ravens

Our "Talk Like a Pirate Day" episode discusses some extremely smart birds with some surprising behaviors. Yep. It should have been ravens on the pirates' shoulders.

The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Episode 22: Animals Changing Their Environment

Some animals adapt well to changing ecosystem. Others take things in their own paws and make the changes in their environment all by themselves, intentionally or not.

The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Episode 21: West Nile Virus

The West Nile Virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos, is all over the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Today we talk about what it is, how it spreads, and what to do about it.

The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Episode 20: Animals With the Wrong Names

Jellyfish aren't fish; sea horses aren't horses; flying foxes aren't foxes. We also have some animals here in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem that got the wrong names.

The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Episode 19: Wolverines

They may not have adamantium claws, but this largest terrestrial member of the weasel family is still a fascinating and impressive animal!

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 18: Lagomorphs

Is it a rodent? No, it's a lagomorph! Join us for a discussion about rabbits, hares, picas, and washing your mouth out with soap.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 17: Red Foxes

Red foxes, the smallest wild canines in our ecosystem, are quite different from their larger cousins, the wolves and coyotes.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 16: North American Cheetahs

The predecessor of today's modern cheetah, the fastest land animal, roamed the Montana and Wyoming plains as recently as 12,000 years ago.

Learn more about us on Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 15: Rattlesnakes

There are definitely snakes in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. There's just one that's dangerous to humans, though.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 14: Great Horned Owl Ears

Asymmetrical ears and feathers modified for silent flight are just two of the factors that make great horned owls some of the most fearsome predators of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. 

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 13: Bald Eagles

What better subject for the week of America's Independence Day than the conservation success story of the bald eagle? Our national bird came close to extinction, but concerted efforts have them back, strong and proud.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 12: Training

Animal training in zoos & wildlife sanctuaries isn't about performing tricks for an audience: it's about making the animals' lives healthier, happier, and safer.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 11: Coyotes

Coyotes are amazingly adaptable and resilient, and despite all attempts to wipe them out, they have not only survived, but thrived.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 10: Turkey Vultures

These much-maligned icons of the American West are only part-time residents of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, but they fill a critical ecological niche.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 9: Wildlife Safety

The recent spate of injuries in Yellowstone Park highlights the need to be aware of your surroundings around the big mammals of this ecosystem.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

Episode 8: Behavioral Enrichment

At a wildlife sanctuary, it's important to keep the animals both physically and mentally healthy, and behavioral enrichment is one of our key tools.

Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.