Life, Death, and Taxonomy

“…and today we are talking about an ant that is absolutely canceled. But more on that later.” In Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, the ants are the good guys, but studying ants shows that ants aren’t exactly on the right side of history. If you didn’t already know that the bug world was a brutal one, […]

“…and today we are talking about some sleepy mountain rodents, but more on that later.” If your circumstances are difficult, sometimes it helps to sleep on it. When you wake up, you’ll feel renewed and ready to tackle life’s challenges. That’s exactly what the yellow bellied marmot does, and his biggest problem is winter. But […]

“…and today we’re talking about an assertive insertive fish in the sea. But more on that later.” The ocean is full of situations where animals work together toward a common goal. Whether it’s finding food, fighting off predators, or setting up a place to live, it’s important to pick your underwater teammate carefully. However, while […]

“…and today we’re talking about a boss that puts the team on his back. But more on that later.” In everyday life, it’s often necessary to wear many different hats. You’re a student, an employee, a parent, and more. In nature, it’s no different. While it’s rare for animals to wear actual hats, the sponge […]

“…and today we’re talking about an arboreal ignoramus. But more on that later.” Way out in the land down under, a famous little gray puff gremlin spends its days as a literal tree-hugger. Like its equally famous black and white counterpart in China, the Panda, the Koala is a threatened cutie that eats terribly, sleeps […]

“…and today we’re talking about a tiny barrel in the sea. But more on that later.” Humans, like many animals, go through a familiar generational cycle. Your parents made you and their parents made them. But when you look closer, so close you can see the tiny things floating in the sea, things start to […]

“…and today we’re talking about an ice cold krill killer. But more on that later.” The trend of swimming in cold water for health benefits is doggy paddling its way into the public zeitgeist. But what if you absolutely had to live in freezing waters in order to survive? The crocodile icefish lives up to […]

“And today we’re talking about a reptile that’s coming in our state trying to take our rabbits! But more on that later…” A “fish out of water” is someone who feels out of place because their surroundings are not suitable for their designed purpose. The Burmese python is out of place in Florida, but, unfortunately, […]

“…and today we’re talking about the most popular villain of nursery rhymes. But more on that later.” Pack leader. Top dog. Dominant male. Head honcho. Alpha male. It’s a common misconception that wolves fight for dominance within their packs to see who becomes and stays the alpha wolf. But that doesn’t mean packs don’t have […]

“…and today we are talking about an animal whose mind commands the body to roll and it obeys. But more on that later.” Members of the animal kingdom know that survival is the ability to swim in strange water–and sometimes that water is sand. Sand is coarse and rough and gets everywhere, but many animals, […]

“…and today we’re talking about spicy calamari, but not really. More on that later.” When you’re a teeny tiny cerulean cephalopod in a big bad cephalopod’s world, you need to have some tricks up all eight of your sleeves. The blue-ringed octopus’s diminutive form hides a deadly secret to deter predators that may want to […]

“…and today we’re talking about something with a name that sounds like it could be a fish, bird, or flower. But more on that later…” Butterflies are truly one of God’s gifts of nature. A creature that sports brilliant colors, flutters around gracefully, and dines only on the nectar provided by beautiful flowers. But there’s […]

“…and today we’re talking about an Olympic-level bug. But more on that later.” “Jack, be nimble. Jack, be quick. Jack jumps over the candle stick.” Jumping over a whole candle stick might be an easy proposition for a young boy named Jack, but it’s a much different feat for a tiny ant. The Jack jumper […]

“…and today we’re talking about a crustacean that’s coming for your rice crispy treats. But more on that later.”  What if you lived in a place that was sometimes uninhabitable for years? You’d have to prepare for the lean years. In fact, you’d need a bunker. Such is the way of the tadpole shrimp. They […]

“…and today we’re talking about the cousin of an alumni. But more on that later.” Deep in the water where no fish hang out lives a glum, gloomy swimmer with some ever-present clout. The hadal snailfish lives where pretty much nothing else can live – the hadal zone. The pressure and temperature of the water […]

“…and today we’re talking about the wolfpack of the sky. But more on that later.” Now this is the Law of the desert— as blue and as vast as the sky; And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, like the birds that hunt as they fly?  The family that hunts together, eats together. […]

“…and today we’re talking about a sea creature that somebody at some point apparently thought was quite attractive. But more on that later.” The coral reefs of the shallow tropics are home to a wide variety of dazzling displays, but none so alluring as the vibrant dance of the sexy shrimp. From its colorful home […]

“…and today we’re talking about the cold-blooded king of the jungle. But more on that later.” Everyone knows that a true king must wear a crown. In the jungles of Southeast Asia, the kingly crown isn’t a mane but a hood. The King Cobra is an infamous monarch who uses his regal headwear to intimidate […]

“…and today we’re talking about a ghoulish ground bird. But more on that later.” Description Males are black, and females are gray with brown streaks. They have squat bodies like a typical finch.  Their beaks are short, sharp, and curved slightly downward. Some have orange or partially orange beaks. Measure Up Welcome to the beloved […]

“And today we are talking about sea critters with their own clear, plastic-looking straw. But more on that later.” Humans are social creatures, but we aren’t the only ones. Gregarious animals hang out together, especially during mating seasons. But what if you are both sedentary and gregarious, which is another way to say a friendly […]

“…and today we’re talking about a slimy little yellow guy. But more on that later.” So we know how animals make more animals, but how do plants make more plants? With the help of animals, of course! Whether it’s spreading seeds on the ground or getting animals to eat them, plants have a unique way […]

“…and today we’re talking about a master thief who is the king of trash mountain. But more on that later.” A generalist has a general wish To bandit with reckless abandon. Bird eggs, crumb cakes, delicious fried fish… Dining fine? Easier said than done. A cunning mind will help raccoons find The dishes to delight […]

“…and today we were talking about Captain America of the sea with similar headwear. But more on that later.” Description of the Winghead Shark Grey and white hammerhead shark. The shark cuts a thin, torpedo-shaped silhouette with a large dorsal and caudal fin. They have a pronounced hammer with a larger wingspan than your typical […]

“…and today we’re talking about what KJV onliest thinks ancient Hebrews made themselves bald as. But more on that later.” To soar sorely is such a bore. A raptor up high has a real chore. Hunting for prey far down below, Is a bald eagle’s typical M.O. But how can they fly for so long, […]

“…and today we’re talking about the swamp’s angriest stone. But more on that later.” As if you needed another reason not to go traipsing around the swamps of the American South, the alligator snapping turtle brings a few hundred pounds of armored power to the equation. But swamps aren’t really known for having crystal clear […]