Life, Death, and Taxonomy

“And today we’re talking about a rat that’s metaphorically faster than a speeding bullet. But more on that later.” In nature, you’re a predator, prey, or both. When you’re small and delicious, you’re probably pretty low on the food chain. But there’s a rodent that lives in Mojave Desert that’s so adapted to dealing with […]

“And today we’re talking about a creature with a clear eyes and a full heart. But more on that later.” When it comes to relationships, one of the best qualities is transparency. When you find that special someone, you can really open up and let that special someone see your heart—as well as your liver […]

“And today we’re talking about a bird that claps for himself. But more on that later.” Dance is the language of love. Or at least, that’s the motto of a variety of birds in rain forests around the world. Some animals fight for their mates, but why do that when you can settle things with […]

“Today we’re talking about a crummy parent and a nasty little child. But more on that later.” Like the social programs that Ayn Rand despises so much, parasites exist to profit off of someone else with no benefit to the host. The cuckoo bird likes making kids, but hates raising them. They’re a lot of […]

“Today we are talking about a river horse whose looks are laughable and unphotographable. Yet they’re my favorite work of art.” The Amazon Rainforest is home to a diverse population of plants and animals. But if you were hiking along the water in the brazil’s Amazon river basin, you might see something you’ve never seen […]

“And today we’re talking about a worm that’s more radiant than a locomotive. But more on that later.” Description The railroad “worm” is actually a beetle that goes through multiple metamorphic stages like a butterfly. They start off as eggs that are laid in groups on the ground and encircled by the momma. They lay […]

“And today we’re talking about a big black buzzard the binges on bear beef but more on that later.” When the arid American West claims a life, it doesn’t go to waste. The clean up crew soars high above the ground looking for new ways to cleanse the earth. This biological catharsis not only fills […]

“And today we are talking about one of the biggest animal celebrities. I’m a little star struck already.” Striding across the blazing Serengeti, the towering, wiry frame of the giraffe moves with surprising grace as it searches-for food. As the tallest mammal in the world, the giraffe makes for an easy target for large African […]

“And today we’re talking about a big blubbery boy with wonderful whiskers with which they wade around in the water.” There may be no harsher environment in the world than arctic. The extreme cold makes it an inhospitable place for most plants and animals. But for a few unique species, it’s an ideal to place […]

“And today we are talking about a slippery sucker pup that has more than 15 ways to get out of danger.” Lots of animals pretend to be other animals. Hiding and visual deception have helped countless butterflies, snakes, and millipedes either eat or avoid being eaten by donning masks and acting their little hearts outs. […]

“And today we are talking about a bird that is a harbinger of doom and destruction. But more on that later.” Fire is a blessing and a curse. It’s constructive potential is rivaled only by its destructive capabilities. It was once thought that humans were the only creature on earth to harness this powerful energy […]

“And today we’re talking about the John Wick of weasels and like John Wick, you just don’t want to get in it’s way. But more on that later.” The plains of sub-Saharan Africa are a dangerous place for mid- to smallish-sized mammals. There are lots of predators that want to make a meal out of […]

“…and today we’re talking about what is called the most dangerous bird in the world. But more on the truth of that later.” We often think of birds as benign, graceful creatures, alighting on the forefingers of princesses and singing songs to one another as the sun crests the horizon. When in danger, these skittish […]

“And today we’re talking about a crustacean whose name sounds like an old-timey insult. ‘Hey, get back here you tongue-eating louse and I’ll give you what for!’” Have you ever loaded your family into a big RV and taken to the open road? One undersea crustacean does something similar with its family. Only instead of […]

“…and today we’re talking about an animal whose name is click bait and what they smell like will shock you! But more on that later.” When traipsing along the Mekong in Southeast Asia, you may smell the delicious scent of almonds wafting on the stagnant, humid air. While this may seem like a decadent oasis […]

“…And today we are talking about a slimy tube that has a vague resemblance to a nasty appendage that might shoot out of an alien at Sigourney Weaver. But more on that whenever you get a chance to look up a picture.” Life in the mud isn’t glamorous, but, like Arnold’s character in Predator, it […]

“…and today we’re talking about a huge reptile that has a Salt Life bumper sticker and really isn’t into the time honored reptilian tradition of basking in the sun.” Just like little kids at the fair, we love turtles. They’re armored, they’re scaly, and they take life slowly. However, the leatherback sea turtle takes turtleness […]

“…and today we’re talking about a pupper who’s not a pupper at all. But more on that in like a minute.” The top dog isn’t always an alpha male. In fact, it isn’t even always a dog. All kinds of animals survive by forming social bonds and working as a team, but sometimes survival requires […]

“…And today we’re talking about a smol sea booger with a nasty sting. But more on that later.” Australia is filled with lots of cute things, and also lots of deadly things. The irukandji jellyfish is that second part, but also a little bit of the first. At about the same size as a match […]

“…And today we are talking about a bird with an impressive wingspan and brutal hunting tactics. I would make a joke, but frankly, I’m scared of it.” A bird who’s at home in the skies needs a body built for aviation. That means a light frame, hollow bones, and a wingspan wide enough to generate […]

“And today we’re talking about a fish with a green fin, a bright personality, and a future with an upward trajectory, but more on that later.” Beneath the sun soaked rivers of Hawaii, there dwells a fascinating fish with tenacious tendencies. After being born, the Stimpson’s Goby is swept out to sea, far from its […]

“…and today we’re talking about Australia’s version of a monkey, which is of course a marsupial. Way to play to the stereotypes, Australia. I guess there’s no improving on a classic.” Imagine you’re high up in the rainforest canopy, munching on some of your favorite foliage when all of a sudden, you hear the rustle […]

“…And today we are talking about the most amazing animal that comes second place in two categories and first place in one!” When your big and cold blooded, maintaining the right temperature can be a challenge, especially when you live on a continent that sees a wide range of temperatures. But for one primordial reptile […]

“…and today were are talking about a little pair of wax lips that scoots around the ocean smooching submerged surfaces.” Molluscs come in all shapes and sizes, but this little dumpling is an armored tank. With eight shell segments and a tongue covered in sharp teeth, the Chiton has a magnetic attraction to certain places […]

“…Y hoy estamos hablando de un animal argentino con patas largas y un método de comunicación único.” Nature is weird, and the Patagonian Mara is weird right alongside it. It’s not enough that it’s a crazy rabbit kangaroo deer, but it also has a form of communication that we can all agree is pretty gross. […]