Podcast Summary: "Why do goats sound like humans? A Cozy Critters Collaboration"

Podcast: But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Host: Jane Lindholm (Vermont Public)
Guest: Dougie Pickles (Cozy Critters Podcast)
Air Date: December 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This special bonus episode of But Why is a collaborative adventure with Cozy Critters—another kid-focused podcast known for its magical, animal-themed bedtime stories. Host Jane Lindholm welcomes Dougie Pickles, the energetic and animal-loving host of Cozy Critters, to answer a quirky and compelling question: "Why do goats sound like humans?" Together, they explore how and why some animals produce sounds shockingly similar to human noises, weaving in fascinating biology, evolution, and a few delightfully funny animal facts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meet Dougie Pickles and Cozy Critters

[01:55 – 03:44]

• Dougie introduces himself as a lifelong animal enthusiast and the creator of Cozy Critters, a podcast designed to help kids wind down for bedtime by visiting different animals around the world.
  • Quote (Dougie Pickles, 01:57): “I’m a grown up who never stopped finding amazement in the small, wonderful things like the sound a caterpillar makes when it chews, or the determined little shuffle of a penguin on a mission.”
• Dougie mentions how his voice is different on Cozy Critters (softer for bedtime), but today he gets to be more lively and engaging for But Why listeners.

2. Why Do Animals Sound Like Humans?

[04:01 – 06:03]

• Dougie introduces the main theme: Some animals can growl, giggle, scream, or shout in ways that sound eerily human.
  • Quote (Dougie Pickles, 04:01): "Some animals can sound just like humans. They growl, they giggle, scream, or shout in ways that our ears can recognize. Their voices can be loud, dramatic, and, honestly, pretty spooky sometimes…”
• Jane expands: The reasons animals make these sounds often differ from why humans might (for example: screaming from fear or excitement).
• Doug clarifies animal sound motivations—often territorial, mating calls, or signaling location/danger, not human-like emotions.

3. Examples of Human-like Animal Sounds

[05:15 – 06:03]

• Dougie gives specific animal examples and what their “human-like” sounds mean:
  • Foxes – “Foxes make screams that can sound exactly like humans, maybe shouting across a playground, but they're usually saying, this is my space, or, hello, I'm over here.”
  • Mountain lions – Their screams can be mistaken for humans in distress, but they’re actually calling for mates.
  • Goats and sheep – Their bleats might sound superhuman because their vocal cords are shaped similarly to ours.
  • Koalas – Make a deep, growling noise, described by Dougie as “someone is trying to start a broken motorcycle.”
    • Quote (Dougie Pickles, 05:56): “So sometimes nature actually has a pretty funny sense of humor.”

4. The Science Behind Animal Sounds

[06:03 – 08:23]

• Jane pivots to the biology: Why so many animal sounds remind us of ourselves.
• Dougie explains:
  • Both humans and many animals have vocal cords (vocal folds), throats, lungs, and a mouth or beak to shape sound.
  • The similarity in sound comes from this shared anatomy.
  • Sounds are used by animals for communication: “like long-distance phone calls or text messages or alarms... communicate emotions, identity, danger, even location.”
    • Quote (Dougie Pickles, 06:28): “So when air pushes through those parts, the noises end up sounding kind of similar. But again, the purpose is very different.”
  • Animals shape the sound further with their mouths, cheeks, throats, tongues, or even trunks or beaks.
  • Not all animals have vocal cords—dolphins, for example, use "phonic lips" in their nasal passages.

5. Wrap-up and Encouragement

[08:23 – 09:56]

• Jane thanks Dougie and encourages kids to check out Cozy Critters for more animal stories.
• Reminder: If this episode sparks any more questions, kids are encouraged to send them in to But Why!
• Team credits for both But Why and Cozy Critters.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Why Animal Screams Are So Spooky:
  • Dougie Pickles ([04:01]): "It's like nature's running on its own orchestra… every creature has an instrument it learned to play long before humans ever even existed."
• On Goats and Koalas:
  • Dougie Pickles ([05:23]): "Goats and sheep can bleat in ways that sound superhuman since their vocal cords are shaped a lot like ours. And there's even koalas, which make a deep, bellowing growl that sounds like someone is trying to start a broken motorcycle."
• The Core Science Explanation:
  • Dougie Pickles ([06:28]): “Humans and many animals both have vocal cords of throat, lungs, and a mouth or maybe a beak that helped shape the sound. So when air pushes through those parts, the noises end up sounding kind of similar. But again, the purpose is very different. Animals use sound the way we use long distance phone calls or text messages or alarms.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:55 — Dougie Pickles introduces himself and Cozy Critters
• 04:01 — Why some animals sound like humans: introduction to the topic
• 05:15 — Specific animal examples: foxes, mountain lions, goats, sheep, and koalas
• 06:13 — Biomechanics: Vocal cords and how animals produce sound
• 08:23 — Recap, thanks, and encouragement to submit questions

Tone and Style

The episode is warm, playful, and friendly, staying true to the tone of both podcasts. Dougie's enthusiasm is infectious, and both hosts make potentially complex science accessible and fun for young (and curious older) listeners.

Conclusion

This collaborative episode demystifies why certain animals—especially goats!—can surprise us with noises that sound just like us. It skillfully combines delightful animal stories and straightforward science, leaving listeners not only with answers but eager to learn more, or maybe send in their own curious questions.