Episode 183 – Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko: The Devil’s Disguises
“…and today we’re talking about a gecko that just does what it wilsts. But more on that later.” The 80s spawned a lot of things: Reaganomics, Terminator, Steve Perry. But it also gave rise to the Satanic Panic. And one of the most prominent kinds of Satanists that the decade produced was an evil race […]
Episode 182 – Toucan: A Cool Snoot for Fruit
“…we’re talking about a colorful jungle bird that follows his nose for froot… I mean fruit. But more on that later.” The jungle is a paradise of delectable nectar and fantastic fruit. For those that can reach these delights, the jungle provides everything you need. But it takes some special equipment to take advantage of […]
Episode 181 – Saiga Antelope: The Nose Knows
“…and today we’re talking about the tibetan fox of antelopes. By that I mean it looks like a child’s drawing of the antelope that isn’t quite right. But more on that later.” On the steppes of the stans in Central Asia, a goofy-looking antelope grazes around the countryside, using its odd snout to sniff the […]
Episode 180 – Eastern Screech Owl: Snakes in the Nest
“…and today we’re talking about an owl with an eye for allies. But more on that later.” Small things slithering across the woodlands know to watch the skies. A killer approaches silently as it glides from high perches. For most small mammals and invertebrates that meet this aerial doom, it’s time to say goodbye to […]
Episode 179 – Brown-Throated Sloth: The Slowest Mammal
“…and today we’re talking about the sloooowest mammal in the world. But more on that later.” The Amazon jungle is home to a wide variety of animals both fast and slow, with one of the slowest being the brown-throated sloth. But with so many fierce predators on the jungle floor, it helps to spend all […]
Episode 178 – Spiny Leaf Insect: Egg Mimicry
“…and today we’re talking about a bug that looks like a deep fried praying mantis. But more on that later.” The forest is a dangerous place for an egg. They are packed with proteins and fats in order to grow the new creature inside, but those qualities also make them tasty morsels for foragers. Moms […]
Episode 177 – Sea Pen: A Perfect Plume
“…and today we’re talking about the plume in the room. But more on that later.” At the bottom of the deepest oceanic trench, you’ll find an animal that’s worth writing home about. The sea pen is a feathery friend with multiple personalities and penchant for puffing itself up when the coast is clear. But when […]
Episode 176 – Pronghorn: Fastest in the New World
“And today we’re talking about one of the fastest ungulates west of the Mississippi. But more on that later.” North America has a few big animals, but it’s mostly dominated by smaller fauna that have learned to thrive in the amber waves of grain. However, America was once a continent like Africa, home to great […]
Episode 175 – Honeypot Ant: Living Honey Chandeliers
“…and today we’re talking about an insect that’s part ant and part dump truck. But more on that later.” For most animals, storing food for later is for jive squares. It’s all about getting as much food as you can stomach right now and letting tomorrow take care of itself. For the more prudent, however, […]
Episode 174 – Shield-Tailed Agama: The Aegis Posterior
“…and today we’re talking about a spike-covered tush that lives out in the bush. But more on that later.” The subterranean lifestyle has it’s benefits and many small animals make their beds below the earth. From the sleeping cicada to the idle fox, the shelter of a sand and soil roof provides protection from predatory […]
