Top 5 Palaeontology Podcasts for Dinosaur Enthusiasts

I try to stay up to date with the latest fossil discoveries as much as I am able to. I still have a fair few PDFs saved of new dinosaur discoveries that I still have not got around to reading yet. This is an issue for many palaeontologists out there, not just me so I am glad I am not the only one.

There is always palaeontological research being worked on, reviewed, and published globally. So, it can be difficult for many palaeontologists to stay aware about the latest scientific discoveries. Social media has helped a lot with this though, I regularly see Twitter posts of new dinosaur and fossil research with the scientific paper links, enabling access to research that much quicker.

Palaeontology podcasts are an excellent way to stay up to date with the latest fossil discoveries, palaeontological research, and theories. Enabling palaeontologists to share science and communicate it to a much wider audience then just social media.

Most importantly podcasts are fun to listen to! That is not to say reading a palaeontological paper is not fun but sometimes when you have read the twenty-fifth page of a palaeontology paper and there is another twenty to go, you realise reading can be quite time consuming.

I love listening to palaeontological podcasts. The wonderful thing about such podcasts is that the people talking about palaeontology and dinosaurs are just as passionate as you are. Which is why I wanted to detail five podcasts that I think are essential listening for anyone with an interest in palaeontology, dinosaurs, and science.

1. Terrible Lizards Podcast

The Terrible Lizards Podcast is my go-to podcast for laid back palaeontological discussion. Created by Dr. David Hone and Iszi Lawrence in 2020 the podcast features a variety of palaeontological debate with occasional palaeontological guests. With over eighty episodes so far, there is a good variety of palaeontological topics and discoveries to explore and listen to.

Dave’s palaeontological knowledge really shines on this podcast, and everything is discussed in an upbeat, positive manner. Iszi’s slightly bonkers humour really adds to the podcast discussion, making it an enjoyable fun time examining palaeontology, dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and marine reptiles.

TLS09E05 A Sternum talking to – Terrible Lizards

Pterosaurs flew! No big shock there, but obviously flight places major constraints and selective pressures on the skeleton. This should mean all pterosaurs have standard, not-that-varied flight anatomy (in the same way most walking animals have similar leg anatomy).  It turns out an absolutely critical part of the pterosaur is both basically all but unstudied and wildly variable, yes, it's the sternum. Dr Dave Hone (hello!) has just published a huge paper cataloguing and describing basically every sternum for every pterosaur out there and Iszi (hello!) gets to the bottom of why this is important for science and bad for Dave's mental health.  Here is a link to Dave's blog: https://archosaurmusings.wordpress.com/2023/04/20/everything-you-didnt-think-to-ask-about-the-pterosaur-sternum-and-were-afraid-to-ask/?fbclid=IwAR3roJ1M-PgFO-53NZlPEXv–jkTo2xLTbh1okSC03QkeFY4nFnjZ_TELVw As always do consider supporting us on Patreon and unlock extra content: https://www.patreon.com/terriblelizards

2. I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast

The I Know Dino Podcast takes the second spot on this list. Created in 2015 by couple Garrett and Sabrina, the podcast is dedicated to dinosaurs. Garrett and Sabrina’s passion for learning more about dinosaurs and prehistory is palpable, as the podcast delves into the latest dinosaur news along with chatting with palaeontologists.

Garrett and Sabrina also discuss the dinosaur of the day which is an effective way of finding out about new dinosaurs you may not have heard about before. With over four hundred podcast episodes, there’s no shortage of dinosaur discussion here. Making I Know Dino one of the most extensive palaeontology podcasts around.

Dinosaurs in North America: Featuring Prehistoric Planet 2 – I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast

Episode 447: Dinosaurs in North America: Featuring Prehistoric Planet 2. 80 ton Alamosaurus, Tyrannosaurus losing to Quetzalcoatlus, and sauropods being killed by lightning (but not for the reason you think)For links to every news story, all of the details we shared about Pectinodon, and our fun fact check out https://iknowdino.com/Pectinodon-Episode-447/Join us at http://www.patreon.com/iknowdino for dinosaur requests, bonus content, ad-free episodes, and more.80 ton Alamosaurus, Tyrannosaurus losing to Quetzalcoatlus, and sauropods being killed by lightning (but not for the reason you think).Dinosaur of the day Pectinodon, a Troodontid that lived in the Late Cretaceous in what is now Wyoming and is featured eating flies and a duck-like dinosaur in Prehistoric Planet 2. Sponsors:This episode is brought to you by Mylio Photos. Organize, Protect, Rediscover a lifetime of photos & videos. Download Mylio Photos for free at mylio.com/dino. Just for our community, get 25% off Mylio Photos+ by going to mylio.com/dino and keep all of your backups perfectly synched and available on all your devices at all times.The PaleoPins Collection: Diversity Expansion Kickstarter expands on The PaleoPins Collection with new prehistoric animal skulls! They have new designs like Dunkleosteus, Mosasaurus, and Diplodocus. Plus, as a perk for backing, you get access to the original line of The PaleoPins Collection with over a dozen dinosaurs (plus even more prehistoric animals). Check them out and get yours at bit.ly/paleopinsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3. Paleo Nerds Podcast

The Palaeo Nerds Podcast is another palaeontology podcast not to miss. Created by David Strassman and Ray Troll in 2020, the podcast covers interviews with palaeontologists and palaeo nerds from across the globe. David and Ray both bounce of each other well with good humour.

You never quite know what each episode will bring, as editing additions of sound effects and music keep listeners on their toes. With sixty-seven episodes of palaeontological discussion and interviews so far, there is plenty of content for fellow palaeo nerds to dig into, pun intended.

Episode #64 Australian Megafauna Fossils and Outback Geology Down Under with Dr. Adam Yates – Paleo Nerds

Dave is Down Under in Alice Springs, the red centre of Australia where he interviews Dr. Adam Yates to discuss the Geology of the Outback and the amazing Australian Megafauna! Dr. Yates is the senior curator of Earth Sciences at the Museum of Central Australia in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.

4. Palaeocast Palaeontology Podcast

Palaeocast takes the fourth spot of this podcast list. The podcast was launched in 2012 and is hosted by a number of palaeontologists such as Dave Marshall, Liz Martin-Silverstone, Elsa Panciroli and Joe Keating, among others.

With a hundred and fifty-five episodes the podcast covers the fossil record and evolution all the way through geological time, making it comprehensive and not just focusing on dinosaurs. If there is an area of palaeontology you do not know much about Palaeocast has got you covered.

Episodes are expertly crafted, comprising scientific interviews of the highest quality with researchers covering a variety of palaeontological research from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic. Alongside the podcast Palaeocast also creates videos, shares research stories and live streams of conferences. If you want to learn about Deep Time in all its glory, Palaeocast is the podcast to listen to.

5. Prehistoric Planet: The Official Podcast

Prehistoric Planet: The Official Podcast is a fantastic addition to the many palaeontological podcasts out there. The podcast delves into the development of the hit Apple TV + series Prehistoric Planet S1 & S2. It takes the fifth spot in my list with only five episodes, it is an extremely easy listen.

Hosted by executive producer Mike Gunton, each episode of the podcast features discussions on the development of the natural history series, along with interviews from executive producer Jon Favreau, producer Tim Walker and lead scientific advisor Darren Naish.

The podcast is a great companion piece to the Prehistoric Planet series and provides insight into the monumental work and craftmanship which went into the ground-breaking series. An excellent listen for anyone wanting to find out more about Prehistoric Planet, dinosaurs, palaeontology, and documentary making.

So, there is it, my Top 5 palaeontology podcasts. Palaeontological podcasts are a great way of keeping up with the latest science. I hope this article has been insightful, especially for those who may not have heard of some of these podcasts before.

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