How to Smell like a Dog, with Ed Yong

Ever wonder why your dog just loves to sniff your junk? Well, it turns out it’s because other animals perceive the world in wild ways that we’re just beginning to understand. So today, we’re immersing ourselves in their world, talking about the cutting-edge science of how animals perceive with Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer Ed Yong. He’s spinning yarns from his latest book: “An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us.” After this journey, you'll look at your dog in a totally different light, you'll appreciate how eyes have literally painted the world — and you might even feel sorry for the humble cockroach.

Video available on Spotify.

Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVs_EdYong

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Ed Yong’s amazing book on animal perception

(03:58) Magnificent sniffers

(11:20) Every possible degree of eye

(18:15) Hearing in different ways

(25:11) Touch and vibrations

(33:05) Science under threat in the U.S.

(41:10) Oddball questions

This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman, with help from Michelle Dang, Meryl Horn, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, and Rose Rimler. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Video editing and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Emma Munger, So Wylie, Peter Leonard, Bumi Hidaka and Bobby Lord. Thanks to Skyline Studios and Stupid Old Studios.

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