The animal kingdom is full of devoted parents, whose child rearing skills are incredible, shocking, and gross! Some parents, like our guest Steph Williams, would give you the shirts off their backs, and others would give you the skin off their backs... literally. Footnotes: Horned marsupial frog Horned marsupial frog with eggs (warning, yucky) Blue poison dart frog with tadpole on his back Suriname toads (warning, trypophobia trigger) Killdeer mating Killdeer faking injury Rhea dad with babies O...
Jul 29, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 62
What happens when you stick two different animals together and let nature take its course? Some whacky evolutionary mixups! We’re talking scientists who accidentally created a hybrid, how hybridization works in the first place, and the mysteries of animals like the narulga and pizzly. Discover this and more as we and guest Kayla Maria answer the age-old question: how come scientists tried to make a Jesus fish? Footnotes: Sturddlefish!!! Geep! The Narluga The Leopon Pizzly!! Learn more about your...
Jul 22, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Today on the show we’re talking about D-D-D-DANK ANIMAL MEMES, KIDS with Alex Schmidt! Did you know humans aren’t the only ones spreading sweet memes? That’s right, we’re talking about viral birdsong that’s getting retweeted like crazy, otter tupperware parties, and dolphins engaging in the hottest new trend, “shelling.” Footnotes: Otter tupperware parties Dolphins shelling! Tandem recruitment in ants Viral birdsong Sperm whale dialects Baby meerkat eating scorpion Orangutan building nests Learn...
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Summary: This week we're talking about something very important. We’re going to cover the use of dogs in cases of police brutality, the history of how dogs have been used as weapons, and the harm this does to people as well as to the dogs themselves. And at the end, we'll cover some of the positive jobs that dogs can do that are better for people and better for dogs. Guests: Pallavi Gunalan, Joelle Monique Footnotes: Police dog bite study Cancer sniffing dogs Little "fairy" penguin Oddball the s...
Jul 08, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Catch some Z’s with nap-time transformers, contortionists, animals who barely need a wink, and animals who slept in past their alarm by a few years. Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: how do you sleep floating in the middle of the sea? You’ll be otter-ly surprised with guest Alexis Torres! Footnotes: Dead leaf butterfly More of the dead leaf butterfly Malachite sunbird Malachite sunbird asleep Sea otter use kelp to babysit Giraffe sleeping with its head on its butt Sperm w...
Jul 01, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Today on the show, we’ll be talking about a BRIEF HISTORY OF BIRDS. Are there secretly still dinosaurs still lurking among us? How did birds learn how to fly? Why did some birds decide to be so small? Discover this and more as we answer the age old question, is birds dinosaurs? Footnotes: Birds is dinosaurs? Archaeopteryx WONDERCHICKEN Sandhill crane Baby blue heron Baby southern ground hornbill Adult southern ground hornbill The hoatzin Inca tern mustache! Inca tern calls Indohyus (whale ancest...
Jun 24, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Today, we’re going to be playing a little game: see if you can guess which one of these animals we’re about to discuss is more likely to kill you than to cuddle you with Joey Cliff? Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: can you trim your hedges with a crocodile? Footnotes: Striped Eel Catfish The Gharial Crocodile The Basking Shark Blue-Ringed Octopus (if you see this RUN AWAY) Be Wary of the Cassowary The Shoebill Stork is not a Stork (but is kinda a dork) Learn more about y...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 56
We’re talking about animals who are all about the presentation with Katie Cullen! Sequined spiders, mantises with deadly cosplay, fish who prove the devil really does wear Prada, a bird who literally slays on the runway, and the cutest little Billie Eilish loving hyena on the planet. Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: have you ever watched a crab swim? I mean, really watched it? Footnotes: Sequined mirror spiders These spiders look like jewels Pine processionary caterpilla...
Jun 10, 2020•54 min
Today we’re talking about PETS with Dr. Lisa Lippman and Richie Redding! When did humans decide to own pets? Do we own pets, or do pets own us? We’re also going to go into depth on animals, coronavirus, and zoonotic diseases, and how you can protect yourself and your pet. Discover this and more as we answer the age old question, should we be making dog arcades? Footnotes: History of pet ownership Domestication of dogs Farmers brought their dogs with them when migrating The evolution of domestica...
Jun 03, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Today I'm joined by particle physicist Daniel Whiteson to talk about RADIATION! What does it do to humans? How have animals adapted to radioactive contamination? Also: killer bananas!?! Footnotes: Birds Adapting to Chernoby l Study on Chernobyl's Birds Chernobyl Wildlife 30 Years Later Tardigrades Have Radiation Shields! How Tardigrades Might Help Human Cells Conan the Bacterium Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...
May 27, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Today we’re talking about introverts! Fish who want to stay inside all day and play Fintendo, an animal who doesn’t want to see anybody right now, in fact, it’s completely ditched its eyeballs, and spiders who should be called shy-ders, because, well, they’re very shy. Footnotes: Aquarium in Tokyo needs your help to socialize eels! Garden eels getting facetimed European conger That's a moray! The electric eel (which is not an eel) The golden mole (which is not a mole) The wrap around spider (whi...
May 20, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Today on the show: INVASION OF THE MURDER HORNETS! I’ll also be talking with Alex Schmidt about two of the world’s other most notorious invasive species, a big toad with a bad attitude, and an adorable little fuzzy noodle who just loves to kill things! Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: how many decapitations a minute can the murder hornet do? Footnotes: Murder hornet! Japanese Honeybees Roasting Murder Hornets to Death Alien Cane Toad Call Via the Western Australia Museum...
May 13, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Today we're admiring some particularly devilish animals, like the Dracula parrot, a very gothic gastropod, a satanic gecko, bleeding plants, exploding trees, and a beetle with a biblical reputation. Discover this and more while we, and out guest Megan Salinas, answer the age-old question: can humans and birds unite over our love of fashion? Footnotes : The Dracula Parrot is a Gothic Icon Dracula Parrot Call Sounds Like a Creaky Door on a Cold Stormy Night Goth Snail Long Wattled Umbrella Bird Um...
May 06, 2020•2 hr 35 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Today we’re gonna CREATURECISE! We’re gonna see some of the most impressive animal athletic feats! Woodcocks love to boogie! Dung beetles are gymnasts! Bats do crunches every time they pee! Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: Are dolphins jerks? Footnotes : Woodcock dancing : Chameleon video to soothing classical music : Dance of the dung beetle : Baby bat learning to backflip and pee! Klipspringer jumping around : Copepods swimming : Impressive copepod jump : Spinner dolph...
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Today on the show, we review the Animal Crossing game from a scientific perspective. We’ll be fact-checking some Blathers facts about evolutionary biology! Can goldfish grow bigger than a foot? Do they have teeth in their throats? Can tarantulas shoot butt hair at you? Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: what is Blathers the owl hiding? We attempt to answer all these questions with our guests Maggie Mae Fisher and Adam Ganser. Footnotes : GIANT GOLDFISH Pharyngeal/Throat Te...
Apr 22, 2020•1 hr 25 min
We’re gonna talk about some goat invaders, macaque riots, and what pandas are up to with some added...privacy. Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: when you let penguins take over an aquarium, what’s next? The world?? Footnotes: The Vaquita The Sea Shepherds Mission to Protect the Vaquita in Danger Goats Taking Over Welsh Resort! Macaques Brawling in Lopburi, Thailand Sika Deer Painting the Town Red Some Zoo Animals Miss Us! Pandas Finally Got It On The Tiger who got Covid K...
Apr 15, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Right now, dating is difficult amidst this pandemic. So let's check in on some animals and how their romantic lives are going. Will you be wooed by throbbing red face balloons, pufferfish art, and sea slug conga lines? Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: if your date is 30 times your size, how do you make sure you don’t end up as her appetizer? Footnotes: Hooded seals doing sock 'em boppers Pufferfish's romantic art The argonaut octopus Banana slugs (don't put 'em in your m...
Apr 08, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Today it's an auditory journey as we listen to some ANIMAL SOUNDS! Listen to lyrical lynxes, possessive porcupines, chirping cheetahs, whistling walruses, and other very vocal critters! Discover this and more a we answer the age old question, are horses mocking us? Our guest this week is David Bell. Footnotes: Lynx argument Lynxes REALLY love to argue Grey go-away bird The ballad of Mr. McBouncy Pants Porcupine throwing a tantrum over corn Cheetah chirping It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a cheet...
Apr 01, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Check out theses weird adaptations! We’ll look at some incredible immunities from critters we think of as “dirty” or “dangerous,” some animals who are hardcore to the bone, and some insects who are getting pretty creative with this whole adaptation thing. Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: are birds real? Footnotes: Creature Feature shirts! Opossums help fight against lyme disease Opossum vs Possum Compound found in dogfish shark has antiviral properties Spanish ribbed new...
Mar 25, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Today I want to talk to you about animal homes! We’ll discover animals who built their homes out of straw, built their homes out of sticks, and built their homes out of bricks and… poop… and… mucus? Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: what the heck is that ant doing with that larva’s butt??? Footnotes : Baya Weaver Nest Sociable Weaver Nest Weaver Ant Nest Weaver Ant Using Baby Butt Glue Bagworm Log Cabin African Bullfrog and "teeth" Red Ovenbird Nests Hornbill Nests Incred...
Mar 18, 2020•59 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Today we’re talking about POKEMON ANIMALS! These creatures are even more unbelievable than those fantastic little pocket monsters. I’m talking cute little critters crazier than Pikachu, sea animals that seem too cute to be real, and behavior that you’d think you’d only find in a Pokedex. Footnotes: Check out our new shirts in the shirt store! Lowlandstreaked Tenrec Someone did a fanart of a tenrec as a pokemon! Armadillo Girdled Lizard David Attenborough bothering an armadillo lizard Pangolin SE...
Mar 11, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Today we’re talking about ALIENS! Right here on earth. Does that sound paradoxical? Well, maybe you should think about whether we were the aliens all along??? We’ll be looking for aliens on earth from the bottom up: aliens under the sea, on land, and in the skies. Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question, do animals really need to breathe? With special guest Joelle Monique. FOOTNOTES: FINALLY SHIRTS! First ever animal discovered who doesn't breathe?!? The blanket octopus! Behold ...
Mar 04, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 41
On today’s episode we’re talking about WEREWOLVES! Where are they? What are they? And is there any truth behind the werewolf legends? Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: does your dog want to eat your face? With special guest Nick Turner. FOOTNOTES: The weird origins of the werewolf Dire wolf skulls at the La Brea Tar Pits! Breeding a dire wolf dog? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 26, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 40
I want to take on a trip to Imagination Station for the WHOLE ENTIRE EPISODE! That’s right, we’re exploring the world of imagination. What is imagination? Do animals have imagination? And can your imagination run as wild as nature itself? Discover this as we answer the age old-question: what’s the point of having a broom for a butt! With special guest Kim Winder. FOOTNOTES: Sloth bears are smart! Vividness of visual imagery questionnaire PINK manta ray! Troll haired mystery bug! Another fuzzy-bu...
Feb 19, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Happy Valentines times! Today I thought that we’d look at a different type of love… platonic love between species! That’s right we’re looking at some cross-species cuddles, some dynamic duos, and truly unusual friendships within the animal kingdom! Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: is it fun to suck on a shark? With special guest comedian Blake Wexler. FOOTNOTES: Microhylid frog and tarantula best friends Coyote and badger going on adventures together! Coyote and badger h...
Feb 12, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Let's discover the CUTEST bugs on the planet! Bugs are some of the most populous and diverse animals on the planet, with a fascinating range of behaviors. I think that bugs are often overlooked: everybody loves a cute cuddly panda, but an adorable jumping spider? Who will hug ITS eight fuzzy arms? With special guest Carmen Angelica. FOOTNOTES: Velvet worm in action Velvet worm looking absolutely adorable Another velvet worm looking cute as heck I AM IN LOVE WITH VELVET WORMS Velvet worm cuddle p...
Feb 05, 2020•55 min•Season 2Ep. 37
These avians are some regular Fabios, wooing the ladies with spectacular displays of romance. Why do birds dance? Why do some birds do the moonwalk? Can you walk on water if you love someone enough? Then, we play the popular bird dating show, The MATING GAME! With special guest Kimia Behpoornia. FOOTNOTES: The grebe's beautiful mating dance The grebe's weed dance (heh) The red-capped manakin's moonwalk Lance-tailed manakin wingman dance Blue manakin's boy band dance Snowball the cockatoo's dance...
Jan 29, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Mother nature has whipped up some animals that are even weirder than what you can find in Star Wars. We talk about real life porgs, a monster scarier than a sarlaac pit, and an adorable alien-looking antelope. Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: why does Fluke Skywater have hundreds of lightsabers? With special guest Maggie Mae Fish. FOOTNOTES: Puffin "flying" underwater The horned puffin's fantastic mascara Tufted puffin's weird head doodads Inside a puffin's mouth Japanes...
Jan 22, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 35
As you may know, Australia is facing a human and ecological crisis right now, as fires ravage New South Wales. We’ll talk about the cause of these fires, how it’s affecting humans and animals in the area, and how human activity has influenced this disaster. Then we’ll talk about one of Australia’s most iconic animals, the Koala, as well as a whole bunch of other incredible animals found only in Australia. With special guest David Huntsberger. FOOTNOTES: VOTE on which koala we should adopt for th...
Jan 15, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 2Ep. 34
The Cats movie presents a lot of misinformation about felis catus ! So today we'll be talking cat facts: what are the answers to some of the most common questions about cats? What are some of the wildest wild cats in the world? And finally, what's going on with that Cats movie, huh? With special guest comedian Joey Clift. FOOTNOTES: Cougar purring Cat tongue closeup Cat slo-mo drinking water The rusty-spotted cat, the world's smallest cat! Hercules, the liger The margay climbing a tree! The flat...
Jan 08, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 33
