In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders learn about some of the ocean’s most specialised and least understood reptiles - sea snakes.

They are joined by Dr Jenna Crowe-Riddell, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Adelaide, whose research explores how sea snake brains and sensory systems have evolved for life underwater. Jenna unpacks the remarkable sensory “toolkit” that allows sea snakes to navigate, hunt, and survive in the marine environment, from their unique adaptations to their often misunderstood behaviours.

The conversation also touches on why sea snakes are so frequently overlooked in discussions of marine wildlife, the ecological roles they play, and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing ocean.

Plus, in this week’s Tide Talk, Nina and Bronwyn chat about what’s been making waves in ocean science recently.

Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpod

Get in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders dive into a fun and science-backed ocean myth-busting session, unpacking some of the most common “facts” we’ve all heard growing up by the sea. Using scientific evidence and real-world examples, they separate fact from fiction and explain why these myths persist.

This episode highlights how misinformation about the ocean can shape the way we understand marine life and ocean processes - and why getting the science right matters for ocean literacy and conservation.

Some key resources from this weeks episode include:

• Professor Cullum Brown talking about goldfish memories - https://www.livescience.com/goldfish-memory.html
• Mark Rober's YouTube testing if sharks can smell blood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugRc5jx80yg
• Journal of Biological Rhythms study talking about different shark species rhythms - 10.1177/0748730420932066

Plus, in this week’s Tide Talk, Nina and Bronwyn discuss what’s been making waves in ocean science. Bronwyn talks about how the Great Australian Bight might soon become a UNESCO world heritage site, and Nina talked about Narwhals behaviour changing from noise pollution. Read more here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/25/shipping-noise-arctic-whales-narwhals-sound-quieter-vessels

Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpod

Get in touch: Nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders are joined by Dr Brianna le Busque, an Environmental Psychology Scientist whose research looks into how humans perceive and interact with the ocean’s most misunderstood predators - sharks.

Bri explores how human behaviour and fear shape our relationship with sharks, from how children develop curiosity or concern to how media portrayals influence public attitudes. Her research challenges common misconceptions and highlights why understanding human psychology is essential for effective marine conservation.

In this episode Brianna also recommends a few shark documentaries. These include Blue Planet (a classic!), as well as Sharkwater Extinction on Amazon/Apple TV and Super Shark Highway on ABC iview.

Plus, in this week’s Tide Talk, Nina and Bronwyn discuss what’s been making waves in the world of ocean science - from fish kills to citizen science.

Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpod

Get in touch: Nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au