Deep Dives

Explore related topics with these Wikipedia articles, rewritten for enjoyable reading:

• Zoopharmacognosy 15 min read

  This is the scientific term for animal self-medication - the core subject of the podcast. Understanding this field provides the theoretical framework for how animals select and use medicinal compounds from their environment.

• Monarch butterfly 15 min read

  Jaap de Roode's primary research focuses on monarch butterflies and how they use milkweed to protect against parasites. The article text was cut off mid-word 'monar-' referring to monarchs, indicating this is a central topic of discussion.

• Ophiocordyceps unilateralis 14 min read

  The 'zombie ant fungus' is a famous example of parasite manipulation that ants have evolved defensive behaviors against, including self-medication. Given the book mentions ants specifically, this parasitic relationship likely features in discussions of ant medicinal behavior.