Creature Comforts

The Orleans Audubon Society is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of wildlife and wild places of the southeastern U.S. Today on Creature Comforts we welcome Dr. Jennifer Coulson, President of the Orleans Audubon Society, to talk about the swallow-tailed kite that once had a population that would stretch as far north as Minnesota. This beautiful bird of prey is protected in the state of Mississippi but still has challenges that threaten its numbers. Along with talk of the swallow-tailed kite, Libby Hartfield talks about the first hummingbirds of the season and Dr. Majure answers your pet questions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The newly discovered Rice's whale is named after biologist Dale Rice, who first recognized these whales in the Gulf of Mexico. Thought to be a subspecies of Bryde's whales they were properly identified after one washed up in the Everglades. From Healthy Gulf (HealthyGulf.org) we welcome Christian Wagley to give us details about this newly discovered species and what makes them different from other whales that frequent the gulf. Christian even shares ways we can help these endangered whales, who are affected by the heavy activity around their habitat. Also, Libby gives timely hummingbird feeder tips and Dr. Majure answers your pet questions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today on Creature Comforts we dedicate the show to your pets and the animals around your home. As we share our space with creatures big and small there are times when everyone needs a place to call their own. Throughout the show, Libby Hartfield, Dr. Troy Majure, and guest host Java Chatman talk with listeners about their pet problems, help keep bird feeders for the birds, and even talk about the latest in animal cloning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Now that all the snow and ice have melted it is time to check and see how our Mississippi wildlife was affected by the sudden arctic blast. After catching up with Libby and Dr. Majure about their unique experiences during the winter weather, we welcome back to the show biologist Joe McGee. Always observant about all things Mississippi wildlife, Joe talks about how the cold affected the birds around his feeder and what to look for when raptors are targeting smaller birds in your yard.Show Links:Allaboutbirds.orgPartners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Mississippi Frog Sounds See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pet days are a great time here on Creature Comforts. It is an opportunity to hear about what is happening with your furry friends. Often if there is a problem with a pet, listeners call in and share what worked for them and their pet. Also, Dr. Majure has a brand of veterinary advice that is all his own. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Around Mississippi, eagles are nesting, and now is a great time for eagle sightings. In this edition of Creature Comforts, Debbie Crum from Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation joins the show to talk about where these eagles are being spotted and what to do if you come across injured animals. Recently Debbie was called to help an injured bald eagle that was struck by a car and needed serious medical attention. Also, Dr. Majure and Libby are on hand for pet and wildlife questions about curious cats and attracting wildlife with native plants. Show LinksWinter Crappie – Hot Fishing on Cold Days (Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries & Parks) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The blue crab is a highly sought-after shellfish but derelict traps can be a major strain on the coast and cause more than environmental problems. Today we welcome Eric Sparks and Alyssa Rodolfich from the Mississippi State University, Coastal Research & Extension Center to talk about the blue crab and how the Derelict Trap Reward Program is helping the coast with this unique problem. Also, Libby talks about the yellow-bellied sapsuckers she is seeing and Dr. Mjaure answers a few pet questions to start the show.Show LinksDerelict Crab Trap CleanupMississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this edition of Creature Comforts, we welcome our first guest of 2021, Emma Rhodes, an avian biologist from the Banding Coalition of the Americas. Since a young age, Emma has been banding birds to help understand their behaviors and relationship to the world. She talks about the winter hummingbirds that can be seen at bird feeders this time of year and the mechanics of choosing which birds to band.  Also, Dr. Majure shares tips for fighting your dog's bad breath, while Libby talks about the very visible bald eagles and where to see them. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Creature Comforts is an MPB Think Radio staple and has been speaking to pet owners and nature enthusiasts for years. Dr. Troy Majure, Libby Hartfield, and Kevin Ferrall are ready to get 2021 off to a great start and continue this legacy. To start the year off it is an all pet edition of the show. What does a pet annual exam consist of? Why is my cat obsessed with my shoes? These questions are answered along with Libby talking about her cross country trip to the upper northwest part of the country. Happy New Year! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Winter birding in Mississippi really is special. With the robust number of birds making their migration to warmer temperatures, mingling with the fowl that call Mississippi home year-round, it is a sight to see. On this edition of Creature Comforts, Dr. Janet Wright joins the show to talk about different ways to see these wonderful winter birds. Either at home or in the wild there are tips that can make your next bird outing worthwhile. Also, Dr. Majure talks about how to keep our pets healthy and safe during this holiday season, while Libby gives another update from Oregon. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pet days are especially enjoyable on Creature Comforts because we get to hear from you and what is happening with your furry friends. Dr. Majure is always ready to point you in the right direction with advice and Libby Hartfield is on hand to explain your latest brush with nature. On this all pet edition of Creature Comforts we hear about a cat that is long overdue for a doctor visit, the best calming practices for dogs, and proper litter box ettique. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The black bear and Mississippi have a storied history together, dating back to the days of President Theodore Roosevelt. Today on the show we welcome Becky Rosamond from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to talk about the black bear and the Black Bear Program. She shares that the black bear population in Mississippi is around 200 bears but they very hard to spot in the wild. With an emphasis on the slogan "Keep Wild Bears Wild", Becky shares tips about what to do if you become face to face with one of these mighty creatures. Show Links:Black Bears in MississippiBearWise.org   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Firearm season for deer opens this weekend in Mississippi and William McKinley, Deer Program Coordinator for Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, wants all hunters to be safe. He joins the show to update Creature Comforts about the deer population of the state and provide an update about the chronic wasting disease. For the most update information about hunting in Mississippi visit:https://www.mdwfp.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Woodrey has been looking toward the sky since the days of outdoor trips with his granddad. Those outings began his fascination with birds and now as a research associate at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center he focuses on the scientific understanding and conservation of coastal ecosystems. This includes the migrating birds that call Mississippi home throughout the year. Mark joins the show to talk about how these birds impact Mississippi and how studying them provide a glimpse into conservation of our natural landscape. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tom Mann, from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, spends many rainy winter nights in the elements. He and a group of volunteers are apart of the Bucket Brigade, a group that expediates passage of salamanders across the road in their direction of movement. This minimizes mortality caused by passing vehicles and keeps their ecosystem in tact. With plenty of knowledge about this small creatures Tom updates us on salamanders found around Mississippi and how you can be a part of this dedicated group. Also Libby Hartfield is back on the program and Dr. Majure answers another round of pet questions. Show Links See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One of the best things about Halloween season is seeing all our furry friends in their costumes. Social media is flooded with these cute photos, yet is your four legged buddy a fan of your choice of attire? We may never know but Dr. Majure has a few tips when choosing an outfit for your dog or cat. Then he answers your pet questions about bark collars, lost dogs, and cats that love marking their territory. It's an all pet edition of Creature Comforts! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University has a collection of over two million pinned specimens and is ready to show anyone all two million if they have the time. Today Matt Thorn and Brady Dunaway take time from their duties at the museum to talk about pollinators and other insects around the state with Kevin, Libby, and Dr. Majure. More than just bees and butterflies there are plenty of pollinators that help grow our Mississippi crops and wildflowers. Matt and Brady discuss these bugs and answer calls from listeners about swarms, rare bug sightings, and how Bug Camp crystallized their passion for insects. Show LinksMississippi Entomological Museum See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For this special "Drive Time" edition of Creature Comforts we call on our good friend, biologist Joe Magee to let us know what to look for this fall season. A few frogs are still jumping around but the insects and migrating birds are the main attractions.To show your support for Creature Comforts and MPB Think Radio visit our website, MPBonline.org or call 1-888-372-4483. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Gopher Tortoise Head Start Program has released over 400 endangered gopher tortoises into the wild. Becky Stowe, Director of Forest for the Nature Conservancy joins the show today to talk about this program and more specifically the work happening at Camp Shelby. Recently 94 gopher tortoises were released into the wild of the Longleaf pine system at Camp Shelby. Also Dr. Majure talks about pet safety during severe weather as yet another hurricane enters the gulf and Libby helps a listener identity an insect that has a particular set of skills. Show Links:Gopher Tortoises in Mississippi See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Started in 1998 the Quapow Canoe Company has been exploring the lower Mississippi River with whoever needed a guide. Chief Visionary Officer, John Ruskey has been at the helm of Quapow since the beginning and believes traveling the big river can be as much enlightening as it is educational. In this edition of Creature Comforts John shares about his journey from Colorado to Clarkdale, Libby talks about the abundance of hummingbirds in her yard, and Dr.Majure gives advice for pet owners as we enter the fall summer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.