Podcast: Life, Death, and Taxonomy

“…and today we’re talking about a little king that is named after the king of kings. But more on that later.”

We usually use the term “walk on water” to refer to someone above reproach. But when we say that the aggressive and belligerent basilisk lizard walks on water, we don’t mean that it can do no wrong. Getting away from enemies as a little lizard can be tough, but not if you’ve got a miracle or two up your sleeve. But it’s all about staying ahead of the danger in style here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

“…and today we’re talking about a hole in the bottom of the sea. More on that later.”

When you’re under a lot of pressure, you may get a headache. But you’ve never been under as much pressure as the Mariana snailfish. Most things at the bottom of the ocean are invertebrates. They live the squishy life. But our friends the snailfish is boney, and they need some interesting genes to survive in the deepest parts of the ocean. It just goes to show that those who thrive under pressure are right for the job in Life, Death, and Taxonomy. 

“…today we’re talking about this little fish of mine. But more on that later.”

When twilight comes, it’s time to light your lantern. But sometimes human technology isn’t enough to get past nature’s barriers. That was the case when early sonar came up against the lanternfish, which congregates in the millions. This tiny mesopelagic creature bioluminates the twilight zone, following the gray haze up and down with the turning of the earth. But following the light is one way to find food in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.  

“…and today we’re talking about a flat slimy menace that will not go gently into the night. But more on that later.”

Have you ever felt that you just don’t fit in. Struggling to make connections with a social group can be difficult, but what if you’re clashing with an entire ecosystem. Such is the plight of an invasive species. The hammerhead flatworm comes from lands far off, but it may be making a home in your backyard, eating something that you might take for granted. But sometimes the most resilient creatures overstay their welcome in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

“…and today we’re talking about a Casanova with a posse. But more on that later.”

If John Travolta has taught us anything, it’s that the ladies can’t resist a man who can dance. Well, at least that’s true for one species of colorful bird known as the blue manakin. But there are tons of birds out there that dance to get attention, what makes this guy so special? It all comes down to rehearsing with your crew here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

“…and today we’re talking about a deer whose bark is worse than its bite. But more on that later.”

The forests of India are beautiful places to forage for nutritious greenery. Though the fantastic foliage looks tasty, it may be concealing a predator that’s equally appetized by you. If you’re a deer that’s detected a dastardly ne’er-do-well, what can you do to protect yourself? Such is the plight of the Indian Muntjac. But sometimes a borrowed tactic is the right one for the job in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

“…and today we’re talking about a little lizard that does more than leap! But more on that later.”

Man’s imagination has run wild with the idea of magical flying lizards for almost a thousand years. Dragons are a part of the mythos of cultures all over the world, but they never thought that true flying lizards would be quite this small. The Draco lizard isn’t bound by petty morality or gravity. This scaly critter takes what it wants, and what it wants to take is flight. Find out how this lizard is able to fall with style here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

“…And today we’re talking about a bird that wears t-shirts and stays on the bleachers. But more on that later.”

Bird life is about taking to the skies, but it’s also about finding a place to rest, nest, and make more birds. But where do you nest when a tree branch is just too uncomfortable for you to sit on? Such is the challenge for a certain kind of swift, that lives life in the air until they find a nice safe place to glue their nests to the side of a flat surface. But sometimes you have to compete with humans for the best places to make your home in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.