Episode 124 – Giant Moray Eel: The Alien of the Deep
“And today we’re talking about a sci-fi fish with some grumpy gills. But more on that later.” If you were to go diving almost anywhere in the shallows of an Indo-Pacific ocean, there’s a good chance you’ll find a moray eel stationed in some of the porous holes left in the rocky coral reefs. Looking […]
Episode 123 – Dwarf Olive Snail: The Swash Surfer
“Today we’re talking about an aquatic olive garden. But more on that later…” The sun, surf, and gentle sound of waves crashing against the sandy shores may bring to mind a welcome respite from daily life. But as with human surfers, the beach is life for some tidal animals. There’s a whole world of creatures […]
Episode 122 – African Elephant: The Savannah’s Bulldozer
“…and today we’re going to talk about the elephant in the room. More on that for the entire episode…” Striding across the African Savannah in a constant search for food, the African Elephant is the largest land animal in the world. But in spite of its size, the elephant is a master of subtlety. When […]
Episode 121 – Lesser Long-Nosed Bat: A Long Secret
“…And today we’re talking about an animal that has gotten some bad press recently. But hopefully some cool facts will turn it around. More on that later.” A dry barren wasteland seems like the kind of place most creatures would avoid. But the dessert offers rare opportunities to those who have the tools to capitalize […]
Episode 120 – Peacock Spider: The Real Tiny Dancer
“And today we’re talking about an adorable arachnid with as much style as they have charisma. But more on that later.” While John Travolta dances to cope with the stresses of life and Kevin Bacon dances so that the Bomont seniors can go to prom, the peacock spider is a much more dire dancer. When […]
Episode 119 – Least Weasel: The Voracious Forest Noodle
“Today we’re talking about an animal that least but certainly not last. But more on that later.” There are two basic paths of sustenance in the animal kingdom. You can gather and graze or you can eat the grazers. Predators are usually large, powerful, and able to take down prey that are built to resist […]
Episode 118 – Sunflower Sea Star: Limb from Limb
“And today we’re talking about an arms race that moves about three feet per minute, but more on that later…” We all love starfish, cute, slow-moving, harmless little creatures whose desiccated husks make for great souvenirs from your trip to Key Largo. But not all starfish can be as whimsical as Patrick Star, some are […]
Episode 117 – Bolas Spider: The Swinging Moth Muncher
“…and today we’re talking about a spider that’s truly magnificent. But more on that in a few minutes.” Australia is no stranger to animals that do things differently. The denizens of the large island often have to carve their own path. It’s not surprising that the continent’s animals are often as intrepid and undaunted by […]
Episode 116 – Argonaut: The Shelled Sailor
“And today we’re talking about a nautilus that isn’t actually a nautilus at all, but it is a Greek mythological hero. More on some of that later.” You may have heard of Alexander the Great’s famous diving bell, but he was far from the first earthling to explore the depths with trapped air. Putzing around […]
Episode 115 – Baikal Seal: The Seal with a Bubble Buddy
“And today we’re talking about a seal that can play the saxophone! But not really! But not much more on that later.” Lake Baikal stretches across southern Siberia and it contains enough water to exceed all of the Great Lakes combined. It’s so large and deep, it’s said to be a leading candidate for the […]
