A fish can’t talk, but its eyes and ears can. Scientists have discovered that each layer of a fish’s lens reveals a different part of its life history, including what it’s eaten throughout its life. While you’ve probably never heard of fish otoliths, these ear bones tell us not only a fish’s age, but what rivers it has traveled. Understanding this could help wildlife managers know what habitats to protect to help imperiled species. In “Nature Tells Its Story, Part 1,” UC Davis’ podcast Unfold looks at the eyes and ears of fish.   

In this episode: 

• Miranda Bell Tilcock, assistant specialist researcher, UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences 
• Carson Jeffres, senior researcher and fish biologist, UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences

In season 3, Unfold and hosts Amy Quinton and Kat Kerlin bring listeners stories of awe, wonder and discovery as they explore curiosity-driven research at UC Davis.

The award-winning podcast will launch a new episode every Tuesday from now through Nov. 23. Next week’s episode, “Nature Tells Its Story, Part 2,” explores caves and how ancient water found inside them creates an archive that may help us predict the future climate.

Unfold is available free, on demand at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon's TuneIn, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts. It is produced by Cody Drabble. Original music for Unfold comes from UC Davis alumnus Damien Verrett and Curtis Jerome Haynes. Follow Unfold on Twitter at @Unfoldpodcast.