Species

Why do we find some animals so adorable? What is the science behind cuteness? Do pikas have accents? If the American pika dies at room temperature, how the heck are they adapting to global warming? Come learn all about the animal who is somehow simultaneously asocial and cooperative, the adorable American pika. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lXOq75u7BzmTd_NeQq2jK12QT0muYkCN_nkg...

The largest snake in Africa, a terrifying predator, an animal who swallows humans whole... The African rock python. Does this animal have heat vision? Who would win in a fight, an African rock python or a hyena? What about a crocodile? How about a lion? Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VaYjbaX-qe7rADpu-cB2VkYwvoZkbufnWZ2fZFl8smI/edit?usp=shari...

The only flightless parrot, one of the only nocturnal parrots, the heaviest parrot we know and perhaps the longest-living bird on earth... the kakapo! Come learn all about this wonderful animal, and get all your questions answered: What is a lek? Why does each kakapo have a "boom-sac"? Who is Sirocco?  Find out on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F4Gf3cvn...

Who would win, a samurai, or a giant salamander? Is it true that they breathe through their skin? Can the Japanese giant salamander survive getting cut in half? Do they make good dads? Come learn everything about this massive creature on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Az3Ys_jZfCdobqKGuU5pU_4chiiw0Ufg_j4B5Oc_2a4/edit?usp=sharing

Why are they called devils? Do they have the strongest bite on earth? Can they eat people? Will the Tasmanian devil save humanity? Find out on this episode of Species.  Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/111ZryMeUPFqKUF9rSnq_fvUCE35e_bb7wPzdLkPRPsQ/edit?usp=sharing

Snakes live almost everywhere, so why aren't there any snakes in Ireland? Legend has it that St. Patrick got rid of them! Celebrate this St. Patrick's day with knowledge. Did this primate banish the snakes from Ireland? Find out on this bonus episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O8j3AgdyNs15uxqyfXRiYjV0tsF5TsSDqNq7HSewUHQ/edit?usp=sharing  

Why do dung beetles build dung balls? Do dung beetles dance? How do polarized sunglasses work? Why did entomologists dress up dung beetles in cardboard hats and tiny mittens? Learn all about the sacred scarab on this episode of Species. Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HpYHB54kDJ5yMm-ckecuX8Ei9BMQUSxnSPKfBYjvFc8/edit?usp=sharing

Who would win, a great blue heron or a golden eagle? Have chimpanzees invented spears? Are great blue herons mute? Learn the answers to all these questions and more! Learn everything about this fantastic bird on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/17pbZ7hDSDIYLvgGNZFwK_b7avXCgaK0JxfvHmKdzd80/edit?usp=sharing

Why do sunfish sunbathe? Will a sunfish squash my child? Can I use a dead sunfish to pay my taxes? Is that a baby whale? Come learn about the egg-laying champion on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z5YnjyOkKs_kpttWcgSJkHKWKvNW56E9GSZFIxdzoRo/edit?usp=sharing Addendum: Some Japanese biologists believe that a new species of  Mola  should be acknowledged, na...

Did silk hats save beavers from extinction? Which is longer, the Hoover Dam, or the biggest beaver dam ever? Are humans naturally monogamous? Learn all about the North American beaver on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uufPXkcVlmViyoOMwEQYXw5swayShvOeRh-b_TLL01E/edit?usp=sharing

How do snakes slither? How do they climb trees? Heck, how do they "fly"?! Become an expert on the paradise flying snake, and learn all about the physics of snake movement (on the ground, up trees, and through the air!) on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1knCP0V9El3I3CZuY1XmTuJgGAbbYtE9BOBtvpScvats/edit?usp=sharing

Why do we call them "cowbirds," and why are they nicknamed "mafia birds"? Does the mafia still exist? Are cowbirds running an extortion racket in my backyard? Macken answers all on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YkTHau7VoFc5JrdXYl-kYuIwA1XlRATPBxL1djKyEKE/edit?usp=sharing

The Amazon molly is an entirely female species of fish. So how do they reproduce? Why haven't they gone extinct, like biologists once predicted? Is the Greek legend of the Amazons real? Macken answers all on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/10sffWxg1rSj8i2XygMUYUrwxEhtfFffJl6_pjEbYCDU/edit?usp=sharing

How come giant pandas don't eat meat like other bears? Why are they black and white? Do pandas have 6 fingers? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s23JwBXg2Zti-YoRTuCwhgjAAGjwSH6YgfHTCN8Ka74/edit?usp=sharing

Can coconut crabs swim? Is my cat safe from coconut crabs? What happened to Amelia Earhart?  Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. He also spoils the ending of "King Kong," so watch out for that. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BrFIVGxUPKJ-TZmqVGohDgg1YRLkYRxrQhasCUaHnQw/edit?usp=sharing

Which animal is the pound for pound language champion? What is so special about bird brains? Can a budgie lead me to food? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o85CPVShpLtfCFho6IT-JLwtBsODrK4sI1pCTfMjQgI/edit?usp=sharing

Can a Greenland shark live for 500 years? Do Greenland sharks hunt for moose? Why did a Danish physicist need shark eyes? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zdBDlpxQuGJCG5q7Fbzq-gVIo64WkV304rHUGr6pkeM/edit?usp=sharing

Why do opossums get hit by cars? How did the opossum, a marsupial, end up in America? Did an opossum really meet the King and Queen of Spain? Macken answers all and more on this episode of Species. Bibliography:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A1a3jRFD0b4AAsWpE1W2Bb-uwRq2f5IezAYm2Asjm0k/edit?usp=sharing