Episode 26: Lyrebirds, angelfish and other natural con artists

Episode 26 of Fool Me Twice sees Bradford Oakes and Steve Van Aperen explore deception across the animal kingdom, mixing behavioural observations, personal stories and comedy. They begin by revisiting whether doctors are justified in softening serious medical news, concluding that compassionate “sugarcoating” can sometimes reduce distress and that outsiders should be cautious about judging professionals who deliver devastating information.

The conversation then shifts to animals. Bradford describes research into canine communication, noting that a wagging tail does not simply mean happiness and that dogs and wolves communicate through ears, posture, scent and other nonverbal signals. Wolf cubs’ folded ears are discussed as a possible safeguard against accidentally signalling aggression. The hosts also question whether people wrongly anthropomorphise pets by interpreting canine expressions as human emotions.

They broaden deception to include camouflage, concealment, mimicry and bluffing. Octopuses disguise themselves as rocks, spotted cats blend into their surroundings, chameleons disappear against backgrounds, and frill-necked lizards enlarge their appearance to intimidate threats. Such behaviour is presented less as immoral lying than as an evolutionary strategy for survival, hunting or reproduction. Steve links this to a real case in which a woman escaped abductors by pretending to have an epileptic seizure, showing how deception can protect life.

Further examples include butterflies with eye-like markings, stick insects, orchid mantises that resemble flowers, and cuckoos that place eggs in other birds’ nests, avoiding the work of incubation and feeding. Freshwater angelfish use compressed bodies and vertical stripes to hide in vegetation before ambushing prey, while peacocks use display as a mating signal.

Lyrebirds receive special attention for imitating birds, machinery, human speech and even swearing. Bradford recounts colourful Healesville Sanctuary stories about mimicry and raptors supposedly detecting and stealing toupees. The hosts also joke about cats appearing sociopathic, dogs secretly using forbidden couches, flounders’ unusual eyes, giraffes’ evolutionary adaptation and fish memory.

Throughout, Bradford’s comic exaggeration complements Steve’s investigative perspective. Their central conclusion is that animal deception is usually nonverbal, adaptive and morally neutral. It helps creatures avoid predators, catch food, attract mates and survive, while reminding listeners that humans may misunderstand animal behaviour by forcing it into human categories. The episode ultimately treats deception as a continuum, ranging from harmless pet mischief to sophisticated biological adaptations that shape communication, danger, opportunity and trust itself.

LINKS

Book Steve Van Aperen as your next keynote speaker: Click here

Get coached in stand-up comedy with Brad Oakes: Click here

Learn more about Fool Me Twice by visiting www.foolmetwice.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.