“…and today we’re talking about a fig’s friend for real. But more on that later.” Foxes have holes, birds have nests, and wasps have figs? Figs have been a staple of the human diet for thousands of years, but we share that culinary attraction with an unlikely friend: a wasp. The appropriately named fig wasp […]

“…and today we’re talking about the grumpiest cephalopod in the sea. More on that later.” Brains and digestive systems are linked just like all systems in the body are linked. But with the strange tube-like body shape of the giant squid, these two systems need to be a bit closer than they’d like. When you’re […]

“…and today we’re talking about a predator that gives Mouse Dutch Schafer a run for his money. More on that later.” In the heart of the woodlands, across open fields, and even in bustling urban environments, a folkloric presence reigns supreme. The red fox’s fiery coat and wily spirit have earned it a place in […]

“…and today we’re talking about a tiny little steed. But more on that later.” Out here in the wild wild west of… let me check my notes… Yucatan Mexico. That’s not very West. Well, out here in the wild wild… East, you won’t get too far without your trusty saddle as well as your trusty […]

“Today we are talking about a vampire that glitters in the sunlight, as if you could outswim it… But more on that later.” In the shadowy depths of the mighty Amazon River, a tiny monster veiled in murky water searches for its next sanguine feast. The Candiru fish is a creature that has both intrigued […]

“…and today we’re talking about a spider in the last place you’d think to look for one. But more on that later.” In the coldest regions of the Arctic ocean, the depths harbor strange and alien life. Normally, living things take breathing for granted. Lungs, gills, trachea, it’s all about moving that sweet sweet oxygen […]

“…and today we’re talking about a shark that isn’t as smooth as it sounds, but it is hot. But more on that later.” In this housing market, sometimes you find yourself living in some unlikely places. But some silk sharks live in a place that is slightly more challenging than a three-story walk up with […]

Merry Christmas, Taxonomy Titans! Carlos and I are currently enjoying Christmas cheer with our friends and family. If you find yourself driving, baking, or doing a task requiring some interesting animal information, here’s a throwback to our Christmasiest episode ever—about reindeer! If you’d like to give us a Christmas present this year, consider joining our […]

“…And today we are talking about an animal that is perpetually in 3rd grade. But less on that later.” The plains of Africa are home to a lot of pretty strange-looking animals. I mean, have you really thought about how weird a giraffe is? But one chimeric beast would definitely leave you scratching your head […]

“…and today we’re talking about a fashion icon that is more interested in function over form. But more on that later.” Few looks in nature are as iconic as a plains zebra’s stripes. But these savannah equines rarely think about fashion, so these stripes must have a function beyond their form. You may think you […]