Nov 22, 2025
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re revisiting a fan-favorite conversation with wildlife expert, naturalist, and author Stan Tekiela, a flock-level guest whose knowledge always leaves us wide-eyed and amazed. In this encore episode, Stan takes us on a deep dive into the remarkable world of animal adaptations, exploring how species survive, evolve, and thrive through millions of years of change. From the hollow white hair of the polar bear, to the extraordinary echolocation of bats, to the nomadic lifestyle of American Goldfinches, Stan explains how nature’s most surprising traits came to be and why adaptation is the ultimate key to survival.
Listeners will also hear fascinating insights into hibernation (and why bears aren’t true hibernators), the plant-bird “arms race” shaping hummingbird bills and flower corollas, the freeze-solid survival strategy of wood frogs, and the uncanny abilities of monarch butterflies, turtles, and even snakes that can climb walls without limbs. Stan’s stories offer a perfect blend of science, wonder, and humor, reminding us just how ingenious the natural world truly is. Whether you're a backyard birder, a curious learner, or a longtime fan of Stan’s work, this encore episode is packed with discoveries that will change the way you see the creatures around you.