Chris and Angie dive deep into the fascinating world of the beluga sturgeon, a prehistoric fish species that faces critical endangerment. They discuss the startling fact that 17 of the 27 sturgeon species are critically endangered and highlight the efforts being made to save these ancient creatures. They explore the beluga sturgeon's intriguing biology, including their capability to live for over a hundred years, their unique reproductive challenges, and their complicated relationship with the caviar industry. The episode also touches on conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs and artificial reproduction techniques. Through education and awareness, Chris and Angie aim to inspire listeners to take action in preserving these remarkable 'living fossils' and their habitats. Podcast Timeline 00:00 Welcome to the Creatures Podcast 00:11 Introduction to Sturgeon: A Harrowing Story 01:52 The Beluga Sturgeon: Physiology and Conservation 02:56 The Value and Threat of Caviar 05:10 Sturgeon's Unique Reproductive Challenges 07:59 Sturgeon's Ancient Lineage and Physical Characteristics 13:53 Global Distribution and Migration Patterns 22:42 Conservation Efforts and Success Stories 28:36 The Ethics of Farmed Caviar 38:46 Funding Challenges in Conservation 38:58 Types of Caviar and Their Sources 39:49 Understanding Fish Roe and Caviar Labeling 40:27 The Importance of Farmed Caviar 40:44 Introduction to Bony Fishes 41:00 Sturgeon and Paddlefish Characteristics 43:35 Evolutionary History of Sturgeon 46:32 Genetic Complexity of Sturgeon 52:54 Sturgeon's Longevity and Resilience 58:27 Reproduction and Migration Patterns 01:09:13 Conservation Efforts and Challenges 01:14:24 Organizations Supporting Sturgeon Conservation =========================================================== Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.  Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE. We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife. Please contact us at advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast You can also visit our website HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices