Creature Comforts

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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Green tree frog picture sent by email:

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.