Better Than Human

Wolverines are solitary animals that have a reputation for being ferocious and containing a strength out of proportion to their size. For example, though wolverines are the size of a medium dog, they have no problem taking on much larger animals, like a moose. Yes, Logan, from the X-Men is named after this animal, and if you know anything about this character, this is a good super hero name for him.  (Well, Jennifer, that's because he was specifically designed with a wolverine animal in mind.) 

Known as a trickster God in various Native American tribes, the wolverine is a long animal with short limbs and teeth strong enough to bite through frozen bones. The wolverine population has steadily declined since the 19th century due to range reduction, habitat fragmentation and human hunting.

Wolverines are primarily scavengers and have often been called gluttons because of how quickly and how much they eat. The range of a wolverine is large and radio tracking suggests an animal can travel hundreds of miles in a few months. Traveling wolverines are even known to use human roads to travel!

In The Good The Bad The News
The Bad
Asian-American actress Karen Fukuhara attacked by a coward who attacked her, threw racial slurs at her, and then walked away like the scum that he is. #stopasianhate 
The Good
A cute adorable, endangered Baby Rhino was born in a Czech Zoo.
Brazil scientists at São Paulo State University have designed a completely biodegradable plastic for use as food packaging, partly made from a gelatin-based biofilm.

Listen now to learn about Wolverines, the large Mustelids of the North.

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

In celebration of #InverteButtWeek on Twitter, this week's episode is all about those butts. And guess what? There are a lot of weirdass butts in the animal kingdom. How and why did we evolve butts?  Scientists still are not exactly sure how anuses evolved. What we do know, though, is that for those animals lucky enough to have an anus, they have been rewarded with the ability to digest food more efficiently. Here are some examples of weird invertebrate butts in this episode. 

Comb Jellies are one of the largest animals to swim using cilia. Comb Jellies probably have one of the weirdest butts, considering they have transient anus that comes and goes as they please. These animals might help explain how anuses evolved to begin with. 

Scorpions, specifically Ananteris scorpions, can literally lose their butts and survive. These scorpions detach their tails to escape predators. However, when they sacrifice their tails they lose not only their stingers but also their ability to poop. Yes, scorpions poop from their tail, and yes, they can live for months after losing their butt.

Sea cucumbers have been described as the earth worms of the ocean. But why are their butts interesting? Did you know they breathe through their butts? Or that they can use their butts as a defense mechanism? Or that they can spit their organs out of their butt? 

Diving Beetles are aquatic insects found in lakes, ponds and streams. These beetles breathe air, cannot “hold” their breath like sea mammals, and they don’t have gills. So how do they spend most of their lives under water? With their butts, kind of. 

Beaded Lacewing are winged soft body insects. These basic bugs will lay their eggs next to a termite mound because termites are their only source of food. Guess how they kill these termites? With deadly farts. 

Bombardier beetles are a group of ground beetles that eat mostly insects. What makes these beetle’s butts interesting is they eject a boiling hot quinonoid spray from their butts to protect themselves. This toxic spray can kill bugs and burn humans. Reminds us of our Dragon episode ...

Listen now to learn more about weird invertebrate butts, and help celebrate butt week. 

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

Marine Iguanas are the only lizards currently on Earth that go into the ocean. Known as sea iguana or saltwater iguana, they are a species found only on the Galápagos Islands. These unique lizards forage for algae, which make up almost all of its diet, when not sunbathing on the shore. How and why did Marine Iguanas evolve only on these tiny islands in the middle of the ocean? Well, it’s complicated and exclusive to these islands loved by Charles Darwin. 

In The Good The Bad The News
A box of human heads was stolen in Denver. The heads were being transported for medical research, and no leads on who took them, or why. 
EPA enforcement of environmental laws has seriously declined, because that’s what happens when we cut their budget, and this is bad news for the environment. 
Break through discovery allows for plastic to be recycled at room temperature indefinitely. 
International plastic treaty in the works. This treaty would tackle production and packaging design .

Marine Iguanas were described as ugly when first ‘discovered’ by Europeans. This was mostly due to their dark colors that they evolved to more efficiently warm up after leaving the cool ocean water. Their special organ that allows them to expel sea salt leaving a crust of salt on their heads probably didn’t help their case either. 
Marine Iguanas have evolved to fill a very specific niche that is found nowhere else on this planet. Any changes to this environment, specifically those caused by humans, could cause this remarkable species to disappear.

Listen now to learning about Marine Iguanas, the only lizards of the sea. 

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

Have you ever wished upon a dandelion?  Those little puffballs that grow in your front yard, and if you blow away all the seeds you get a wish? By blowing away the seeds, you’ve actually granted the dandelion's wish of seed dispersal and helped one of the earth’s most abundant flowering species. 

Dandelions, also known as blowballs,  are tap-rooted, perennial, herbaceous plants native to temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere. These plants, which many humans often call weeds, are actually an important part of the ecosystem and are incredibly useful to many creatures, including humans. Our ancestors grew dandelions for food and medicine since the beginning of farming.

In The Good, The Bad, The News

Just because it’s called “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good. “Black salves”, used to treat moles and cancer, are dangerous and can be life-threatening. So don't use them.

Mosquitoes learn to avoid pesticides after just one exposure, which means the pesticides we currently use may not be effective forever. Mosquitoes may be one thing that is not Better Than Human. 

Old wind turbine blades are being used for bridge construction after they’re retired, which is good news because the blades are not biodegradable. 

Humpback whales have been removed from the Australian Threatened Species List following an incredible recovery in numbers.

Because Dandelions are one of the first flowers in early spring, their nectar is important for a wide hosts of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. 

Raw dandelion greens are a healthy food for humans, and contain phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are chemicals produced by plants, generally to help them resist infection. The term is used to  used to describe plant compounds that are under research. While many supplement companies make outlandish claims about phytochemicals, like they can cure cancer, phytochemicals may or may not actually be useful to humans when consumed.  Either way, dandelions don't cure cancer. But they may be good in your salad and are great for the environment. So let's all go blow on some blowballs. 

Listen now to learn more about dandelions 

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

Starfish, more accurately called Sea Stars, are star-shaped echinoderms (animals) that can be found in all the world's oceans. There are over 2000 species of Starfish found on every shoreline to the depths of the deepest oceans. Instead of blood, starfish use the water around them in a primitive version of a vascular system  used for locomotion, adhesion, food manipulation and gas exchange. Some starfish’s stomachs can be everted from their body to engulf and digest food.

In The Good, The Bad, The News
Sofía Jirau has become the First Victoria’s Secret Model With Down Syndrome. It took long enough, but congrats Sofía.

Did you know that your vacation photos can help save endangered animals? Scientists use AI to analyze images of wildlife for crucial data.

Kim Potter, the cop convicted in Daunte Wright's death, is sentenced to 2 years, to the justified disappointment and anger of Wright's parents.

Kanye West’s behavior isn’t eccentric nor is it entertaining, it is abusive.

Most starfish have the ability to regenerate lost limbs. In some species, a single arm can regenerate into a whole new individual.  If that isn't cool, the hosts don't know what is.  If there’s enough food around, Starfish might even bud and reproduce asexually. All this means is that under the right conditions, starfish can reproduce rapidly, which may have saved them from a zombie virus off the coast of Western America. 

However, that is just the tip of the iceberg of how cool starfish really are.  Listen now to learn more about Sea Stars, the Starfish you’ll find in all the oceans. 

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

Dung beetles are a large group of Scarabaeinae that almost exclusively feed on dung. Dung Beetles are widely used as an indicator of an ecosystem's health. In some countries, they have even been introduced for the benefit of animal husbandry. The dung beetle, (otherwise known as a scarab), enjoyed a sacred status among the ancient Egyptians. Trust us, you want to learn more about this amazing beetle. 

The Good, The Bad, The News

Climate change is affecting animals in weird ways like increasing divorce rates among albatrosses and polar bear inbreeding. 

Australia's koala is now officially endangered, a decision both long expected and completely preventable

Same-sex penguins hatch their first chick at New York zoo, and parents and baby are doing great.

Gray wolves back on endangered species as federal judge restores protections for gray wolves in much of U.S., reversing Trump's (bad)  policy.

Dung beetles live in many habitats and are found on all continents except Antarctica. Dung beetles do not have to eat or drink anything else, because the dung provides all the necessary nutrients. By burying and consuming dung, dung beetles improve nutrient recycling and soil structure and reduce the number of pests. So you want these bugs around. 

The Egyptians saw the  scarab (dung beetle) as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. The image, conveying ideas of transformation and resurrection, is ubiquitous in ancient Egypt. Dung beetles can navigate using the Milky Way making them the only insects known to orient themselves by the Milky Way. 

Listen now to discover the mysteries of the dung beetle. 

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are rodents belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Who knew groundhogs and woodchucks were the same species? Not the hosts before this episode! Despite their continued use in predicting the weather every mid-winter, groundhogs and their behaviors have not been well-studied by researchers. 

In The Good, The Bad, The News

Fake snow for the Olympics, how bad is it really? 

Once gone from Florida, American Flamingo is being sighted again in Florida's rich wetlands. 

Biologist Tim Wong Dingle-Handedly Repopulates Rare Butterfly Species In His Own Backyard.

What do we actually know about groundhogs? They are excellent burrowers, using their burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. If you see one, its burrow is almost certainly nearby. We know human development near second-growth forests caused a boom in groundhog populations by creating ideal habitats. On the other hand, though, intensive agricultural areas and dairy farms decimated their populations in other areas. But chances are if you live in the Northeast United States or Canada, you've definitely seen one, probably on the side of the road.  We also know no one can agree on whether or not they're a pest. 

Listen now to find out more about this fascinating creature that somehow became a cultural icon of an old winter tradition. 

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

A lemming is a small rodent found in the Arctic tundra. Lemmings are a keystone species that maintain the arctic diversity as prey to large animals and plant grazers. And, NO, they do not periodically leap to their deaths, regardless of what common culture may tell us. However, lemmings do have periodic population booms causing them to disperse in all directions, seeking food and shelter, in patterns not normally seen in rodents. These crazy migrations have led to some weird theories about lemmings, like they rain from the sky or that they commit suicide… 

The Good The Bad The News
You are never on the right side of history if you are banning books. “Books on race, gender pulled from schools amid conservative push against 'radical' literature”. 

Couple arrested after allegedly attending Bills playoff game with fake COVID vaccine cards. How dumb do you have to be to pay for a fake vaccine card when you can get one for free and then post on Facebook that you used a fake vaccine card?

Frogs regrow amputated legs in breakthrough experiments. Frogs like humans do not normally regrow limbs. 

Lemmings are round, fluffy rodents with thick fur. They have a very short tail, short legs, and small ears to help maintain warmth in the freezing climate. Lemmings do not hibernate through the harsh winter, and instead burrow tunnels through the snow. Lemmings can reproduce within less than a month of being born and females can have over 50 babies in their short, two year, life span. 

Why do lemming populations fluctuate with such great variance roughly every couple years, before their numbers drop to near extinction? Well, we don’t know exactly. But what we do know is that they do not behave how the producers of the 1958 Disney “documentary” White Wilderness portrayed them.

Listen now to learn about Lemmings, the Tribbles of the Arctic Tundra

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

Gila Monsters are the only venomous lizards native to the United States. They are found in Southwestern US and Northwestern Mexico. These lizards have a bad reputation that is mostly unfounded. There are no recent incidents of a Gila Monster bite resulting in human fatality. In order to even get bit, one would have to be trying really hard to or making less than intelligent decisions because these creatures are quite slow.  Gila Monsters have a roundish body with black and pink blotches and beadlike scales. They are the largest lizard species native to the US.

The Good the Bad the News
A Michigan judge fines a 72-year-old man with cancer for not being able to mow his lawn and told him “If I could give you jail time on this I would.”
House Bill 0135 allows pharmacists to provide 12 months of hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills, rings and patches without a doctor's prescription starting Jan. 1, 2022.
G95 company has new plant-based biodegradable masks.
Disney’s giant gingerbread houses don’t get sent to the landfill after the holidays, they’re used to feed the bees. 

No, the Gila monster’s breath is not toxic enough to kill humans, and no they do not spit poison. Though that would be cool, they're not dragons, unfortunately. However, they will bite you and inject a painful venom if you get too close. Gila monsters cannot be relocated and will, at their own detriment, attempt to return to wherever they have been removed from. So just leave these not so little monsters alone. 

Gila monsters are not pets, and are most likely solitary animals. They inhabit scrubland, and spend 90% of their time underground. Gila monsters depend on water resources, so if you’re lucky you might get to see some swimming after a summer rain. 

Listen now to learn about the Gila Monster. 

Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1

on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast

on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast

https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast

or Email us at [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

#betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes