Prehistoric Penguins
Summary
Host Tristan Hughes and paleontologist Dr. Steve Brusatte explore the prehistoric history of penguins, revealing they evolved from dinosaurs into apex predators up to six feet tall. The episode details how these massive birds dominated the southern oceans after the asteroid extinction, filling ecological niches left by mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. The discussion also covers the lost continent of Zealandia and other giant flightless birds like terror birds and demon ducks that flourished in the post-dinosaur world.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and introduction
Introduction to prehistoric penguins
Guest welcome and penguin enthusiasm
Penguins as dinosaurs and evolutionary context
Post-asteroid bird evolution and flight loss
Penguin distribution and New Zealand origins
The lost continent of Zealandia
Penguins as top predators in the early Cenozoic
Sponsors: Granola, Citizens Bank, and Kohler
Sponsor: Zocdoc
Waimanu: the oldest known penguin
Ocean ecosystem collapse and new niches
Size evolution: from small to giant penguins
Anatomy and diet of giant penguins
Penguin dominance and eventual replacement
Modern penguin distribution and book promotion
Sponsor: Linen and other big birds
Other giant birds: Moas and Terror Birds
Demon Ducks and human encounters
Gastornis and the mystery of their diet
Giant soaring birds: Pelagornithids
Future niches and closing remarks
Sponsors: Rinse and Kohler
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