I answer your animal biology and behavioral questions. Do mosquitos sleep? The mystery of a crocodile with an s-shaped spine. And how do cuckoos know they're cuckoos? 

If you have an evolutionary biology or animal behavior question, you can email me at [email protected] 

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I'm taking a brief summer break, I'll be back soon! In the meantime, I'm hand-selecting some of my favorite episodes to feature. 

They're in the air! There's billions of them! And they're tiny! We're talking about aeroplankton, what they're doing up there, and what happens when they get in your nose. I'm joined by Soren Bowie!

Last week's mystery animal sound source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Phip5U-Wo

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Today on the show, I answer your animal behavior questions! Why do birds sound like robots? What's up with two-headed animals? And do cats like to be meowed at? If you have an animal question you'd like answered, you can email me at [email protected] 

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New episodes starting next week! But here's one of my favorite classics dug up from the dirt! 

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

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Katie's taking a brief break (she'll be back soon!!), so here's a favorite episode! 

Don't worry, these critters haven't been mutilated, but rather through evolution, they've ditch certain appendages. Legs? Don't need 'em. Wings? Forget about it. Tails? Lose 'em. Sometimes efficiency requires sacrifice, and body parts have go to go! 

Guest: Joelle Monique

Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v9AWcvOv1K2ailxCWHMD-LMOWn2DtGcAPD5udVNdNiE/edit?usp=sharing

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LIPS! The lovely luscious lips of living and extinct animals. Who has the best pout? Plus, a talking beluga! Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: if you have a real long tongue, where do you keep it? 

Guest: Anna Hossnieh 

Footnotes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hKwcP67esS0xOVIWmWJI9SXHbOByADpRbRMghZMCZHY/edit?usp=sharing

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Primates have been found to be three times faster than humans at healing, so what's up with that? Plus, there's a mouse out there who can regrow ears and survive 60% of its skin being ripped off—turns out, it's a feature, not a bug! I'm joined by (medical) Dr. Kaveh Hoda to discuss why we're the best (at being the worst) at wound healing! 

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Please enjoy one of my favorite episodes, especially with the new season of that fungus zombie show!

In this interview with infectious diseases expert Professor David Boulware, we discuss the real impact ophiocordyceps  has on ants, and whether we humans should be concerned. 

Guest: Professor David Boulware 

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Nightmare noodles! Terror tubes! We talk about some of the strangest, creepiest, most ghoulish caterpillars and worms in the world! From the dreaded bone collector with a morbid fashion sense, to worms with a mouth full of copper. Discover this and more as we answer the age-old question: who is a squid's midwife? Joining me is friend of the show and comedy writer for American Dad, Soren Bowie! 

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I'm joined by children's writer Brooke Hartman, author of the book Cute Animals That Could Kill You Dead, to discuss the deadliest, most adorable animals out there! The ferocious feline deadlier than a lion and smaller than a house cat, toxic armpits, and more! 

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