Particle *|DATE:l, j F|*

Particle goes underground

It’s dark. It’s damp. It’s dirty. And it’s home.

No, we’re not talking about your last share house.

This week, we’re taking a look at some of the weird and wonderful things that live in WA. Literally, in it – we’re going underground.

The creatures we’re meeting are pale, deeply unusual, and are frequently completely blind.

(No, we’re still not talking about your last share house.)

Let’s dig in!

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Species that live underground have some things in common. They’re often blind and colourless, for example, because there’s no light to see or be seen with.

But how do all these common traits actually evolve?

In-troglo-ductions

We’ve dug up* a couple of the wildest end results of evolution, that could be living right in your backyard – assuming your backyard is in some very specific parts of the South-West or the Pilbara.

* Please do not start literally digging up the rare species, or no scientists will ever talk to us again…

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Meet WA's underground orchids

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After all this excitement, you might be keen to start your own evolutionary journey to the centre of the Earth. Unfortunately, you’ll be waiting at least few generations, because that’s how evolution works.

While you wait for your mole-person genes to kick in, we’ve scoped out some of your short-term options.

Take me to the hole!

Meanwhile, back on the surface ...

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If all this subterranean stuff is getting a bit too dark, we’ve got just the thing to brighten your day to finish up.

This week on the podcast we’re talking to engineer, refugee and teacher Ehsan Warasi. We had a chat about his journey to Australia, misconceptions he’s faced, and his love of learning.

You can listen to Ehsan's story here.