Creature Feature

Some of today's most fascinating animals had surprising ancestors. From giant sloths to wooly rhinos to enormous… turtle rabbits? Discover all this and more as we answer the age-old question, which animal is best at sphere? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a miracle! A Creaturekringletimes holiday special about miracles in nature, from immaculately conceived condors to the Tiny Tim of parrots! Join us with special guest, Will Poole.Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yn4zFLfJVkTcGI8l4cGnZ1oN9yJbx7Xi6eTSVNHFw_U/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're joined by fan favorite, Alex Schmidt. Today, we're giving those CreatureKringleTimes reindeer a break and hiring some new mystical steeds to carry Kringle Claw's sleigh, and using a bit of Kringletime magic we're bringing some megafauna back from extinction! Discover some unforgettable ungulates as we answer the age-old question, did Santa steal the family dog??? Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ofN2BMRRxu3ITqZZZjcH7LSae9rq2umS0pJ39rHJlRU/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From terrified bee shrieks to lemur airhorn songs, these animals are screaming for your attention. Join Will Poole as we answer the age-old question: what's better home security, Poop Safe or OxPecker Alert? Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uJ2hX52ElPgYMGS8nVpxjDX1ioBmv5lIc1V_zDG9QII/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ellen Weatherford joins us as we visit the world of pocket monsters again and show how real-life animals can be even more incredible than a boring ol' Pikachu. We're talking about the real-life animal inspiration for pokemon, as well as animals that SHOULD be in the next generation of pokemon. Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: who's got the most boopable snoot? Footnotes: Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From adorable penguins to innocent-looking fish, these animals are hiding a mouth straight from your dentist's nightmares. Discover this and more witch, Joey Clift, as we answer the age-old question: which animal do you least want to see with human teeth? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a listener question episode! From cat tails to sperm whales, I'm answering your burning animal questions. Speaking of burning, what's going on near those thermal vents? And why are milkweed butterflies terrifying? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're gonna play some squid games with lucky contestants, Molly Lambert, Lydia Bugg, and Danl Goodman, who definitely know what they signed up for! How will these humans fare against squids? After all, squids are spineless, right?Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1viiby4IDNFerj1S-Jeym6xisXBNV8kI-ANgZ5Ag8r_U/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does your immune system work? And why are some animal's immune systems wildly different? Are fish aliens? Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: you can share your heart, but can you share your circulatory system? I'm joined today by the creator of the extremely popular YouTube series Kurzgesagt! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie's been abducted by brain-eating aliens (or, as she puts it, "I have a cold, it's fine guys seriously") so here's a classic episode she thought you'd enjoy (unless it's just the alien brain parasites talking): Today we’re talking about ALIENS! Right here on earth. Does that sound paradoxical? Well, maybe you should think about whether we were the aliens all along?? Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question, do animals really need to breathe? With special guest Joelle Monique. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From secret societies to secret nighttime powers, to secretly being a living animal in the first place, these critters are NOT letting you in their club unless you know the handshake! Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: if you stab a rock, does it not bleed? Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dfn_6GNkH4x86gqVnUXgi4Zx2XFylqthpWS6sRvPMME/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm joined by Patch, the creator of the amazing biology YouTube channel TierZoo, to discuss how animals might beat some of the toughest, most iconic video game bosses out there! Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EqBX-Pmk6SpmRBxFIO6W_k8tflRskHjyumSu5k70PpM/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes genetic oopsies can be beautiful (and change the course of evolutionary history)! From stretch daisies to puppy eyes, discover some marvelous mutations! Join us with today's guest, Pallavi Gunalan.Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O06A0isbDFHt21m8O7uUSCtKwzoe2KzcbbHw_1ih9nc/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LISTENER QUESTIONS! From why flies fly like they fly, to the mysteries of whale eyes! Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: what are the sparrows plotting? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This one's all about beavers, their weird little bodies, godlike powers, and shocking history with Soren Bowie.Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jNkvYjDL2PFuljk7GJ2P3MKTbydqcDym5pgcNZx3TAg/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From human conspiracies involving animals, to literal conspiracies of lemurs, to a conspiracy of slander against some of the world’s most misunderstood animals, we’re getting out our thumbtacks and cork-boards to connect the dots, and sometimes spots with Ben Bowlin.Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/15xZeziURXFppY97q3P3fG2WVC6urd7CRFtRveP3DElw/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the show, we’re talking about creatures who spit in the face of gravity! These critters laugh at the general concept of physics and take things to an extreme level, defying gravity, shrugging off spaceflight, and being just plain weird. Join us, and special guest Daniel Whiteson!Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ASz8xRJNNHWrpq-i42BIq4Cq4-5FeO7brISt80XsRrw/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Guest: Joelle Monique Footnotes: First-ever animal discovered who doesn't breathe?!? The blanket octopus! Behold the blanket octopus's cape of wonder! Blanket octopus looking like an alien spaceship: The sarcastic fringehead (open mouth for a surprise) The pink fairy armadillo burrowing right into our hearts. Treehoppers are out of control. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TREEHOPPERS? WHAAAAAT?? The King Vulture is the most festive undertaker ever. She colorful. She chic. But most importantly. She eats dead meat. Cock-of-the-rock AKA Mr. Handsome Potoo's are alien ghosts, exhibit A. Potoo's are alien ghosts, exhibit B. Potoo's are alien ghosts, exhibit C. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Blake Wexler Footnotes: Microhylid frog and tarantula best friends: Coyote and badger going on adventures together! Coyote and badger hunting together (WARNING: squirrel carnage): Geladas and wolves have a diplomatic relationship: Birds & people working together to screw over bees: The weird sucker-head of a remora: Shark with pilotfish groupies: Urchin crab giving a piggyback ride to an urchin: Owen the hippo adopted by Mzee the tortoise: Dalmation adopts spotted lamb: Sperm whales seemingly adopt dolphin with spinal deformation: Check out the koala hospital where my daughter Twinkles (the koala) is from: Potoroo Palace in NSW Australia: Animal Tracks Sanctuary in Los Angeles: Wild Haven Ranch in Lake Arrowhead: Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With: Laci Mosley Footnotes: Chinstrap penguin stealing rocks: https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/video/chinstrap-penguin-steals-rocks-from-neighbours-stock-video-footage/3B2FBBE0_0118Gelada male: https://www.instagram.com/p/-AtXWGIVc3/Firefly femme fatale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWdCMFvgFboHawk moth caterpillar mimics viper: https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/untamed/00000162-300f-ddf6-a5eb-712f562a0000Passion flower mimicry: http://plantmimicrybz2820.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-passiflora-genus.htmlAutomimicry: https://naturestories.org/heres-looking-at-you-kid-6eaf9e8b76eConformity elevator experiment: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/01/the-psychology-of-conformity/251371/Jumping spider ant mimics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ant_and_jumping_spider_Gorongosa_National_Park,_Mozambique.jpgJumping spider mimicking one ant carrying another (this is ONE spider): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_mimicry#/media/File:Myrmarachne_plataleoides_male_thailand.jpg Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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With one of our favorite guests, Kristi Yamaguccimane.Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_fTwRx3ZmUCCyVkhXgvgj1n75uuupAV2FYQ4Y8dT0_A/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Today I'm presenting a trio of tiny terrors, and at the end, one humongous horror with Robert Brockway and, Seanbaby! And I’ll let you decide if all the miniature monsters formed a team, could they defeat the largest bear the world's ever seen?Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pNcfxtDGElm10cTKSAc6KIgY-IrBRpZnJe_VVTXmcac/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From discovering the origins of butts, to finding the mystery glitter-pooper at zoos, it turns out that poop can teach us a lot about animals. And later, I’ll be joined by the real-life Batman of Mexico Dr. Rodrigo Medellin, to talk about glowing poop and long-nosed bats!Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UkCm9D4Wc818HkwurBKIYkzIfjlzrimgClDLV7LsQZs/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re taking on scary urban legends about animals, and showing you that there’s nothing to fear! Well… okay, maybe there is, but it's not what you think! Join us with special guest Maggie Mae Fish.Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zPY_hNdmrgUy8GgrctKEBmwielWQNYfv080KVAxzjDo/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm answering listener questions again, from what makes ticks tick, to platypus egg cuisine, to attack of the clones! Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question, how delicious is your sweat? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, these squirrels are NUTS! with Adam Ganser! Giant flying squirrels, rainbow squirrels, and goth squirrels! Dissquirrelver this and more as we answer the age-old question: is that dried squirrel pee you’re using as an aphrodisiac, or are you just happy to see me? Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kh0Q0Wi_dyvRwnbJN7Nlr1urhJr9G6lSMxEVjz767jk/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MEERKATS! What are they? Why do we love them? What are the horrifying, salacious details of meerkat murders? And where’s the love for their kinder cousins, the banded mongoose? Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: war… HUH, what is it good for? Absolutely mating! Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/12ONuZIv1NQKBFQeaTMMMPzjDssHDdDN61RB74j-TAMY/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What the crab are crabs up to? Are crabs building a crab-ciety? What kinds of crabstructions are the crabs crabbing up crab? Discrabber this and more as we answer the age old crustacean, uh I mean question, should we all be crabs? Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/15fGxThb_XQJ3DJBlfJM5HWL8TqTn6-xZ36jcx2I1lrA/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All the animal news that’s fit to paw-print, and a dose of extra science just for you with guest Shereen Lani Younes! Whales caught hugging on camera, Angelina Jolie covered in BEES, and a new glowing toadlet just dropped! Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: can you get sued by a bee for copyright infringement?Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zS50O8TnvmSwQLDnB-bhv7Ahwd18YNscCy6E3RbXFpg/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm reading your emails and questions about how bugs taste, graveyard dogs, juvenile delinquent birds, and existential ponderings about evolution. Discover this and more as we answer the TRULY age old question: zebras, black with white stripes or white with black stripes?Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nUQgscnJ7qOZSadnOGZZRhqjMtpMSLVutKXfXIyPvRw/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are getting to the bottom of some viral animal stories! Are these real animals? Real behaviors? Or hogwash? From deep sea War of the Worlds aliens, to long ducks, to kissing carp, we’re taking on internet rumors and separating fact from fishion with Robert Brockway and Seanbaby.Footnotes:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h9K21PgnglD8PvDZBsoh5e2df6eAxOAGzHAy58MsOVg/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planet’s haunted guys! From ghostly worms, to eight-armed specters, to ghost bats far scarier than any vampire, we’ve got a passion for possession when it comes to these cute hauntings! Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: what are ghost dogs with Bridget Greenberg.Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ikmVakjOrOSpD-9Ge4oRw9s11rIQS6cYOv35SquEXt8/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re talkin' about the world’s most spectacular fliers, from the tiny and nimble hummingbird, to the bird with a wingspan longer than any basketball player. We’ll cover mammalian gliders and murmurating starlings with Anna Hossnieh!Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DBtY8v-AzSXBY7KZdGCIU__QavLFCvXLub1IEputujQ/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're going on a deep dive on three listener questions with Kristi Yamaguccimane! From killer kangaroos to pesky parasites, to evolutionary copycats! Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: Why is Australia? Footnotes:Google doc with all the images for this episode https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I5PQ9z3QffxZAjwudtmSh1ENv7L9W8sl_u9LKBcGiys/edit?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BROOD X has been waiting 17 years to emerge from the ground. What is Brood X? Should we panic? Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: How is it fair that swarms of baby turtles are considered cute, but swarms of bugs are considered “horrifying,” with Mara Wilson. Footnotes: Cicada Cicada tymbal Cicada sounds Holes left by mass cicada emergence (warning for trypophobia) Lots of cicadas! Mass sea turtle hatching! Giant river turtle! Mass river turtle hatching! Soft coral Stony coral Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re talking all things lagomorphs, from hares to rabbits to domesticated bunnies! We’ll learn that rabbits don’t lay colorful eggs, but they DO eat their own poop! Discover this and more as we answer the age old question: could a rabbit fly on those ears with enough thrust? Find out with our special guest Joelle Monique!Footnotes: Pika (but no pikachu)! A black-tailed jackrabbit Another jackrabbit Newborn HARES come out HAIRY Newborn rabbits come out NUDE The rare amani rabbit FLEMISH GIANT RABBIT Pygmy rabbit (juveniles) Netherland dwarf rabbit (haunted version) Netherland dwarf rabbit (with more fluff) English lop Fluffiest angora rabbit Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve got round-trip tickets to crustacean station, and I’m answering all your shrimpy questions. What is shrimp? How big they get? What’s up with that poop vein? Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: are shrimp just tiny lobsters? Join us with guest Danl Goodman on this journey under the sea.Footnotes: Deep sea shrimp?! EYELESS deep sea shrimp?!?! A pistol shrimp's big meaty claw Brine shrimps is aliens Beautiful peacock mantis shrimp GIANT MANTIS SHRIMP THERE'S A DUCK IN YOUR FROG metal cover Check out more of Andrew's music! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're talking about animals who can rebuild themselves like some kind of T-1000 with Dave Schilling! Self-decapitation, magical dolphin healing, and the incredible regeneration that’s happening inside our very own bodies!Footnotes: Self-decapitating sea slug! Salamander limb regeneration! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I answer your questions about everything from penis bones to the origins of life Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From mathematical bee sex, to baby animals who are cute little calculators, to the way math can produce some of the most beautiful living works of art in the natural kingdom, these word problems are no problem at all! Join us as we explore mathanimals with Daniel Whiteson!Footnotes: Bee sex diagram (with the help of pokemon) Zebrafish! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pallavi Gunalan and I are going to check out some animals that you typically would think of as being small, but sometimes get super large and very hunky chunky! From moths to snails to frogs and pollywogs, these animals will give you a HUGE surprise!Footnotes: Hercules moth! Hercules moth caterpillar Atlas moth with snake head wingtips Giant African land snail Black Sea Hare Goliath frog Dart the bullfrog pollywog Dart, a banana, and some beer Sawfish rostrum sword! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re getting to know some of the most fascinating noses in the animal kingdom with Hana Michels and Dave Bell! From a fantastical cryptid, to the real-life incredible noses that you couldn’t make up! Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: why are bats? Footnotes: Nosewalker cryptid! A very "convincing" taxidermy Another interesting "rhinograde" Not quite factual taxidermy! Unicornfish! How handsome Homer J. Simpson fish Sawfish! Cutie vampire bat Horseshoe bat Swordnose bat! Hammerhead bat! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re talking about the biggest daredevils with Alex Schmidt. When it comes to derrieres, the pop stars of posteriors, the analysts of… well, you know. How do you survive a trip through a frog? What are some unconventional uses for a sea cucumber? And do you really need a butt?Footnotes: Water scavenger beetles The daring Houdini act of the water scavenger beetle The pearlfish at home sweet home Your close and personal friend, demodex folliculorum! Gold speckled flatworm A comb jelly! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Today on the show we’re gonna take a BITE out of TROGLOBITES! What happens deep in the cold, dark depths of caves? How does anything stay alive down there? What happens when you don’t need eyes? Find out with guest, Michael Swaim.Footnotes: Mexican blind cavefish! Cave wolf spider! Texas blind salamander! THE OLM! Aka "Human fish..." Cave leeches, oh dear... White cave velvet worm :3 All Yesterdays book! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the shiny and splendiferous scale worms of the deep, to scuba diving lizards, these animals all have one thing in common: they are 100% glam. Join us as we explore these extravagant trend setters with special guest Danl Goodman.Footnotes: Elvis worm! Elvis worms fighting, oh no! Scale worm jaws, extra oh no! Living beetle jewelry Shiny diving lizards, oh my! Shiny diving lizards caught on video! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re talking all things Jurassic, as we fact check Jurassic Park! Was John Hammond in over his head? Could life uuuuuuuuh find a way? And are T-Rexes eyesight REALLY based on movement? We’re digging up dinos and the truth with Kay B!Footnotes: Baby T-Rex was a cutie pie! Yutyrannus was a monstrous chicken More art of yutyrannus Deinocheirus: world's most terrifying muppet? Deinocheirus, like Big Bird and snuffleupagus had a baby Why is this feathery monstrosity not in movies??? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.