Creature Comforts

Steve Peterson has been a Creature Comforts regular every time we want to look toward the skies and learn about the birds of the state. Eagles have been spotted around and Steve is back to let us know about the state of eagles here in Mississippi. All throughout the show listeners called in and talked about their latest brushes with nature and where eagles have been spotted in their area. Also Libby gives an update about various upcoming nature events. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For 41 years the paleontology program at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science has been discovering and recording fossils found around the state. George Phillips the current Curator of Paleontology is here to join the show and talk about the state of fossils around Mississippi. Also he brings in some of the most complete fossils we have ever seen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Freshwater mussels are hard to spot but the role they play in shaping ecosystems is crucial to freshwater life. There numbers are declining but with the help of scientist and researchers these mussels are on the way to a come back. Matt Wagner, Curator of Fishes at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, joins Creature Comforts today to talk about these mighty creatures and how to spot them the next time you are on the water. Also, we hear from an unidentified creature on the coast and Dr. Majure answers your pet questions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

January may not seem like the ideal time to go fishing, but there is no rule saying you can not. Today on Creature Comforts we have Larry Pugh, Chief of Fisheries for MS Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks. Larry joins Libby Hartfield and Dr. Majure to talk about the public waters that are ready to be fished and answers your questions about being legal when on the water. Also Dr. Majure answers some tough questions about lost pets and having to put an animal to sleep. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a holiday break Creature Comforts is back with one of our favorite guest, naturalist Joe Magee. We have had plenty of warm days this winter and the frogs are sounding off. Joe brings in some recordings of several frogs he observed and talks about what to expect if you see these amphibians in your area. Also, Dr. Troy Majure answers your pet questions and Libby Hatfield encourages everyone to enjoy nature during these warm days of winter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our favorite paleontologist George Phillips joins us for our last live show of 2019. As the Paleontology Curator at the Mississippi Museum of Science he is hands on with many of the fossils that come through the museum. And today he even brings in one of the people that inspired him and others to search under the Earth, Gerard Case. He is credited for bringing the fossil hotbed, the Red Hot Truck Stop, to the attention of the masses. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode of Creature Comforts Dr. Troy Majure is out so no pet talk but Libby is back in the studio from her travels. She also brought one of her favorite people to the show, Paul Hartfield, her husband. Paul is an Endangered Species Biologist with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and has been working on the Mississippi River for almost 20 years. We talk about its importance, the lower Mississippi region, and also the least tern who are now increasing in numbers but where once an endangered species. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There was not a live airing of Creature Comforts today, but here is a classic episode of that originally aired on June 6, 2019. Just in time for Thanksgiving we hear about the wild turkey population in Mississippi and how to handle an encounter with these birds.Original Podcast Description:Adam Butler from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks joins this edition of Creature Comforts to chat about the wild turkeys of the state. As the turkey program coordinator, Adam works closely with conservation efforts for wild turkey habitats and the management of wild turkey hunting season. We talk about the health of the Mississippi turkey population and answer listener questions about their recent turkey experiences. Also Dr. Majure answers a few pet questions about keeping pets cool and excessive scratching. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Creature Comforts we cover just about all the animals found in Mississippi and beyond. From bats to bears, salamanders, and even the ones that share our homes. Today is an all pet day and Dr. Troy Majure is helps out with a new round of pet questions. Also Kevin ask if dog owners should continue flea control measures during the winter months. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Winter migratory birds are being seen around the state and with the proper feeding station your backyard could become a bird watching destination. Today on the show from Wild Birds Unlimited is Nathan Weissinger. He along with Dr. Troy Majure and Kevin Farrel talk about birds that you will see this winter in Mississippi, what seeds they enjoy, and how to keep fresh water available for our feathery friends. Also Dr. Majure comments on the cat that made a recent splash at Monday Night Football. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Friend of the show, biologist Joe McGee is back to talk about some of the migrating birds that are making their way through Mississippi. Have you seen any Kinglets yet? How about the Yellow-rumped Warbler? Joe talks about some of his recent bird sightings, also during the hour vultures become the topic of discussion. And at the top of the show Dr. Majure talks a huge mastiff that had to be rescued from a hiking trail in Utah. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The alligator snapping turtle looks like something from a time long ago, but if you are around Luke Pearson you see plenty of these freshwater creatures. Luke Pearson is a herpetologist from the University of Southern Mississippi and spends most of his days locating a studying these turtles that have seen a significant decline in their population. On the show today we talk with him about his work, along with Libby Hatfield and Dr. Troy Majure answering your creature questions. (Cover photo by: Norbert Nagel / Wikimedia Commons)_________Green tree frog picture sent by email: See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During this early fall season the weather has been a hold over from summer, but now cooler temperatures have arrived. How has the fluctuation affected some of the creatures that call Mississippi home. Friend of the show, biologist Joe McGee is back to talk about the frogs and birds during this fall season. What is the activity level of frogs in October? What birds are we seeing this time of year? Also during this show Dr. Majure talks about choosing proper pet food and answers your pet questions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bob Crosby is a US Coast Guard licensed Captain and has been fishing for trophy blue catfish in the Mississippi River for over ten years. Today he is back on Creature Comforts to talk about what is necessary when wanting to go after the big fish and how he preaches staying safe when on the Mighty Mississippi. Also, Dr. Majure answers your pet questions and talks about the importance of keeping bat boxes not so close to your home. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Pearl Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the Pearl River watershed ​through restoration, advocacy and education. Today on the program we welcome board member Billy Mitchell to talk about how he became a "Water Ranger" and the big Pearl River trash pickup, Clean Sweep 2019. Also Dr. Majure talks about the pets that are power chewers and constantly cycling through chew toys.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr. Troy Majure, veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in Jackson, is here ready to answer your pet questions. The doors to the pet hospital are wide open. The outside temperature is still high and heat stroke is a real problem for pets. Dr. Majure talks about keeping pets cool but still having them be active. Also one caller tells the story of his furry friend that only wants to be spoon feed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our favorite entomologist Audrey Harrison joins the show to highlight the beauty of the butterfly. Milkweed plants are critical for the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and can be a great addition to any garden. The miracle that is the butterflies migration is aided by the habitats created and maintained by butterfly lovers around the state, but there are also reasons butterflies may be missing from your area. Throughout the hour Dr. Mjaure also answers a few pet questions, while we get deep into the butterfly effect with Dr. Audrey Harrison. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

All persons born after January 1, 1972 are required to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license. And today on the show Director of Hunter Education for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Megan Fedrick is here to make sure everyone knows this. Either in person or online completing a hunter education course does not have to be a chore. They are designed to be informative and help keep hunters legal. Also on today's show we talk about caring for animals that are not your pets. From stray dogs to raccoons there are certain rules to adhere when dealing with animals that you are not familiar with. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Biologists in Mississippi are using environmental DNA (eDNA) to document the occurrence of alligator snapping turtles throughout the state. Sheena Feist, Conservation Resources Biologist with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, joins the show today ahead of her lecture next Tuesday on the subject. She gives us a preview into her findings and joins in the conversation with callers about their brushes with nature. Also, Dr. Majure discusses things to consider when adopting (or purchasing) at pet. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Enjoying the Mississippi outdoors is encouraged here on Creature Comforts with being safe and legal a top priority. Today on the show we bring in Central Mississippi Boating Coordinator for the Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, Marc McCleskey. We talk about the regulations for boats on the water, who need to be a registered, and how to share the water with fellow boaters. Also Dr. Majure talks about aging dogs and the dangers of interacting with raccoons. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.