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Episode 256 - Predatory Lures

November 8, 2026 · 2 h 3 min

Show notes

Why spend all that effort chasing after prey when you could just convince them to come to you? This episode, we explore the many and varied ways that predators lure their prey, from dangling lights to strategically-placed bait. And we’ll discuss the evolutionary pros and cons of this life strategy, and how all sorts of animals – and plants – make the most of it.

In the news: big Jurassic bugs, big Jurassic belemnites, ocean amphibians, and aquatic anatomy.

Time Markers:
Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00
News: 00:05:35
Main discussion, Part 1: 00:38:50
Main discussion, Part 2: 01:29:25
Patron question: 01:55:20

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Check out our website for this episode’s blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/

Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/

Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent

The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org

Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

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