Episode 173 – Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse: The King of Cleaners
“…and today we’re talking about a fish that enjoys working at the carwash. More on that later.” When you run a lucrative maritime cleaning service, you gotta protect your turf. The dominant bluestreak cleaner wrasse defends its territory, its business, and its family on a daily basis. But when the don disappears, it’s up to […]
Episode 172 – Bighorn Sheep: Nature’s Hard Hats
“…and today we’re talking about the mountain lamb that the Lord provided. Literally, because it’s just a wild sheep.” If you’re in America’s western snow capped regions and you hear a sudden crack that echoes through mountains, it might not be thunder. If that cracking continues at periodic intervals for close to an hour, you […]
Episode 171 – Grey Butcherbird: This Singing Butcher
“…and today we’re talking about Yennefer of Vengerbird, the black and white songbird downunder. But more on that later.” If you’re out for a stroll in the wilds of Australia, Europe, or North America, you might stumble upon a peculiar and gruesome sight: the impaled victims of the butcherbird. Setting its sights on larger prey […]
Episode 170 – Gorilla: Strong of Heart
“…and today we’re talking about the biggest and the strongest primate in the world.” The largest primate in the world is also the strongest. In fact, the eastern lowland gorilla is among the strongest animals pound for pound. Their size and strength has led to their depiction as classic monsters that Superman and Godzilla need […]
Episode 169 – Tuatara: This is Not a Lizard
“…and today we’re talking about something that looks just like an iguana but it’s apparently not a lizard at all.” Scattered along the northern coast of New Zealand’s north island is a living fossil that was thought to be extinct: the tuatara. A laid-back lizard with a lazy lifestyle, the tuatara spends most of its […]
Episode 168 – Meerkat: A Mongoose Most Foul
“…and today we’re talking about a mongoose most foul. But more on that later.” The savannah is a brutal place for the animals that call it home. Between lions, leopards, and hyenas, many of the mammals that populate Africa’s jungles and plains are built with sharp claws and powerful jaws. But when it comes to […]
Episode 167 – Giant Oarfish: Seismic Sensitivity?
“…and today we’re talking about the longest boy in the ocean. But more on that later.” Earthquakes are some of the most destructive events on this planet, snuffing out lives by the thousands and destroying entire cities. The worst part is, we can’t really predict them in advance-or can we? The elusive oarfish is often […]
Episode 166 – Goshawk: The Ghost of The Woodlands
“…and today we’re talking about the ghost of the forest. But more on that later.” A hare grazes in a clearing surrounded by the forest edge. An uneasy feeling comes over him, like he’s being watched. He makes for the tree line, seeking safety among the trees and shrubs. But it does him no good. […]
Episode 165 – Coconut Crab: The Quick Claw Crustacean
“…and today we’re talking about an animal that sounds like a delicious Caribbean dish but looks like it inspired the Witcher’s endrega monsters. But more on that later.” Scattered across the islands of the south Pacific is a population of crabs that are great in a pinch. The coconut crab is the largest land crab […]
Episode 164 – Sailfin Dragon Lizard: The Icarus Iguana
“…and today we’re talking about a modern day dinosaur with a name to match. But more on that later.” Lizards sometimes retain primordial qualities. To look at them, you may see the scaly faces of ages long gone. The sailfin dragon lizard has a look that matches it’s fantastical name. But the dinosaur-esque nature of […]
