Angie talks with Dr. Arik Kershenbaum, a renowned zoologist and lecturer at the University of Cambridge, about the fascinating topic of animal communication. They explore the insights from his new book, 'Why Animals Talk: The New Science of Animal Communication,' discussing why and how animals communicate, the complexity of their signals, and whether animals have language. Dr. Kirschenbaum shares his field experiences, his inspirations, and the importance of understanding animal communication for conservation efforts. They also touch upon Dr. Kirschenbaum's previous book, 'The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy,' which applies principles of evolution to theorize about life on other planets. The episode offers an engaging blend of scientific knowledge and storytelling.  You can learn more about Why Animals Talk HERE You can learn more about Dr. Kershenbaum HERE Podcast Timeline 00:00 Introduction to Animal Communication 00:11 Meet Dr. Arik Kirschenbaum 01:02 Diving into 'Why Animals Talk' 01:44 The Journey to Becoming a Zoologist 03:11 Exploring Animal Behavior and Communication 05:05 The Importance of Popular Science Writing 08:49 Understanding Animal Communication 11:27 The Role of Sound in Animal Language 15:28 Syntax and Animal Communication 19:03 Field Work and Memorable Experiences 23:29 Empathy and Communication in Animals 23:59 Evolutionary Roots of Human Language 24:44 Complex Social Interactions and Communication 26:39 Animal Communication and Conservation 28:43 Field Research and Conservation Challenges 30:03 The Importance of Disseminating Research 31:02 Respecting Animal Sophistication 35:04 Anthropomorphism and Evolutionary Behavior 36:31 The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy 39:33 Future of Animal Communication Research 43:31 Advice for Aspiring Zoologists 45:17 Conclusion and Book Promotion ------------------------------------------------------------- Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices