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Rick LeCouteur
Inviting young readers to marvel at the wonder of nature's creatures
Rick's Blog
#bunyipsbooksbeyond
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From Predator to Purse: The truth behind crocodile leather (#271)
Crocodiles have roamed the Earth for over 200 million years, outliving the dinosaurs and surviving mass extinctions. Â As apex predators,...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 125 min read
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Feline Silk Road: How cats arrived in China over 1,400 years ago (#270)
The Silk Road was more than just a network of trade routes. It was a lifeline of cultural exchange, carrying goods, ideas, and even...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 124 min read
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The Mammouse and Genetic Science: From fairytale to lab (#269)
Nature is full of surprises, but sometimes, the most intriguing creatures are the ones that exist only in our imagination. Enter the...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 113 min read
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Biomimicry in Motion: The kingfisher that transformed high-speed rail (#268)
Japan’s Shinkansen , or bullet trains, are an engineering marvel, reaching speeds of over 320 km/h (200 mph) while gliding almost...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 112 min read
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The Nostalgia Effect: How memories shape our well-being (#267)
There’s something about nostalgia that tugs at the heartstrings. A bittersweet feeling that blends joy with longing, and warmth with...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 93 min read
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International Women’s Day: Exploring inclusivity (#266)
For years, I have celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD), honoring the achievements of women in veterinary medicine and beyond. But...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 93 min read
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Forward Bound: Australia's Coat of Arms (#265)
Did you know that the Australian coat of arms holds a hidden message of progress? The design features two iconic native animals - the...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 62 min read
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Hierarchy of Life: How humans rank the natural world (#264)
Anthropocentrism and speciesism are closely related but distinct concepts.  Both involve human attitudes toward other species, but they...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 53 min read
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Failing Forward: A lesson, not a verdict (#263)
Failure is a universal experience, yet it remains one of the most feared aspects of life. Â We are conditioned to avoid it, to view it as...
Rick LeCouteur
Mar 43 min read
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Building America: The immigrant influence (#262)
The United States has long been a nation built by immigrants. Many who arrived on its shores seeking a better life went on to make...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 283 min read
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Dual Citizen, One Heart: My story as a proud immigrant (#261)
An immigrant to the United States is an individual who relocates from another country with the intention of residing permanently. Â Until...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 283 min read
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Dismantling Progress: Climate science under siege (#260)
The United States’ role in global climate leadership has oscillated dramatically in recent years, with each administration shaping policy...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 263 min read
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Veterinarians, Pigeons, and Unsung Heroes: A personal reflection (#259)
I recently watched an episode of All Creatures Great and Small  (Season 5 Episode 7), where Tristan was assigned a special wartime...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 253 min read
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NIH Funding Freeze: A crisis for comparative oncology research (#258)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) , the largest public funder of biomedical research globally, has been forced to halt the...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 253 min read
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The Mars Family Empire: The secretive chocolate empire’s grip on veterinary care (#257)
Few family names are as synonymous with chocolate as Mars . From the iconic M&M’s , Snickers , and Twix  to a diversified empire that...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 208 min read
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The Thinking Clinician: Do AI scribes make us think less? (#256)
When AI Writes the Record: What Happens to Clinical Reasoning? Â Writing and composing patient notes by hand versus proofreading an...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 202 min read
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Mars Veterinary Health’s Sustainability Pledge: Progress or PR spin?(#255)
Mars Incorporated is a global powerhouse in the pet care, confectionery, and food industries, owning brands like Pedigree, Royal Canin,...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 193 min read
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If It Fits, I Sits: The mystery of cats and cardboard boxes (#254)
If you've ever left an empty cardboard box sitting around, chances are your cat has claimed it as their own. Whether it’s a shoebox, a...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 182 min read
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Zwitterions in Action: The science behind hydromorphone’s potency (#253)
Zwitterions are unique molecules that possess both positive and negative charges simultaneously, yet remain overall neutral. Â This dual...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 183 min read
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Humane World for Animals: A new era in global animal protection (#252)
In February 2025 , the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Humane Society International (HSI) unified under a new name:...
Rick LeCouteur
Feb 162 min read
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