From blubber to bone:
How a whale decomposes on land

By: Brandi Fullwood and Paige Browning

February 28, 2025

What is Spectacular Specimens?

A podcast for curious kids (and adults) about a collection of spectacular specimens and the stories they can tell us about life on Earth. Spectacular Specimens is a production of KUOW, part of the NPR Network, in collaboration with the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.

Psst! Adults!

Want to learn more about how staff at the Burke use decomposers?

Check out this story on the beetles that clean up specimens.

Credits

Story: Brandi Fullwood and Paige Browning

Design: Teo Popescu

Editors: Jeannie Yandel, Jim Gates, and Liz Brazile

Specimen Artist: Makenzie Ley

Product Manager: Lisa Wang

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