Varmints!

Varmints!

By Donna HumeScienceKids & FamilyNatural SciencesPets & Animals
Download on the App Store

Varmints! episodes

  • Parrots

    Parrots! The Varmints! podcast and Rugrat Parker are crazy about parrots and now you can be too! Let’s fly off and talk about these colorful [...]

    54 min
  • Beavers Revisited – Varmints! – 64
    Beavers!
    Varmints! podcast is proud to rerun this dam-tastic episode, Beavers! This critter was chosen by a friend of Varmints! podcast and fellow podcaster, Josh Hallmark, of Our Americana and The Karen and Ellen Letters. You can check his deets out here.  We had a great time recording this one and we learned a lot!
    But first, the news!
    Rogue beaver “trashes” Maryland store. Read about it here!
    He wields daggers. Pwns faces for sure. Hey, Donna only had about a half an hour to do this, so.
    Also, we’d like to announce the winner of our chicken recipe contest! The winner is (fanfare!) Bridget Carrie! Here’s a copy of the picture she’s won, along with the recipe she submitted. Congratulations Bridget Carrie and you should expect to hear from us soon about shipping you your super sweet pic! Thanks so much!
    “Chick” back with us soon for more contests and fun prizes!
    Now, back to the Beavers! Beavers are the arguably one of the finest engineers on the planet.
    Check out this video hosted by David Attenborough to learn some more dam-ing information about them! Courtesy of YouTube user BBC Earth.
    Hey, you could have a much worse landlord.
    Oh by the way, how big is the biggest beaver dam in the world?
    Well, you can see it from SPACE. Read about it here, courtesy of shared.com.
    From SPACE.
    Don’t make a beaver mad. They will slap their tail in the water at you.
    Okay, maybe it’s not super scary if you’re a human but it probably works with other animals. Courtesy of YouTube user bearinmybackyard.
    Go away or I shall tail-slap you a second time!
    Remember the Beaver? You can watch him on YouTube now.
    Check out this cool 50s show with it’s busy-as-a-beaver kidlet and his idealized suburban family.
    Here’s a clip of the show’s theme song, courtesy of YouTube user Brenda Kaye.
    If you liked 90s Nickelodeon cartoons, the Angry Beavers will bring back a lot of great memories.
    This funny little series was a blast. Check it out here courtesy of YouTube user The Splat.
    How bizarre, and poo poo! Not poo-poo, but POO POO.
    BABY BEAVERS. Don’t think we need to say any more about that.
    Courtesy of YouTube user Billings Gazette.
    D’awwwwwww!
     If you want to read the story of castoreum, Snopes has a really good summary right here. Courtesy of snopes.com.
    Beaver teeth are orange. Look at this little guy smile for the camera!
    Say Trees!
    Now you know a bit about beavers! What’s your opinion on them? We want to hear from you! Send us your suggestions for animals you’d like to hear us talk about, or just drop us a line about anything at [email protected]! We might even read your fascinating email on the show.
    Your feedback is always welcome!
    Connect with your Varmints! hosts| Paul Csomo| Donna Hume| The Show
    And a very special welcome to the more than 1,100 of you that gave us a like on our Facebook page. Holy cow! Thank you! We hope you like what you hear and we look forward to hearing from you soon!
    Music used:
    “Dubakupado”
    “News Theme”
    “Sneaky Adventure”
    “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys”
    “Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
    0 min
  • Tarantulas Revisited – Varmints! – 63
    Tarantulas!
    In this week’s rerun the Varmints! podcast examines the creepy, crawly, charming eight legged critters known as tarantulas! We also have a wonderful guest in fellow podcaster Elle Stewart from the Quid Pro Quo podcast, who has what sounds like about a thousand tarantulas crawling around her house.
    Just kidding, she only has ten (only) and they are all in little spidey cages. Beware, arachnaphobes, this show is not for you unless you want to face that fear directly in its eight weird little eyes and say “I AM NOT AFRAID!” If that’s you, keep listening! Otherwise, time to go listen to Otters again. Let’s get this spidey party started!
    First, a bit about our guest!
    Elle Stewart is a “non-expert” who has a lot of experience with tarantulas. She runs the Quid Pro Quo podcast, but for pets, she has cats, and, a zillion tarantulas.
    Elle Stewart has a Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology. She is a self-described “True Crime Obsessed Weirdo”.
    She also likes spiders. A lot. 
     Wanna see picture’s of Elle’s tarantulas? Of course you do! Take a peek around the Fabulous Spiders of Elle Stewart’s Creepy Menagerie of Fangy Goodness!
    Don’t forget the babies!
    Eeeeeeee!
    Ninja Throwing Star Your Butt Hairs. Do it now. Read about it here. Courtesy of Arthropoda.WordPress.com.
    You can tell by the bald spot she’s been doing just that.
    Watch a fascinating video of a tarantula completing a successful molt! Video courtesy of YouTube user Vida Sangrea Fria.
    Watch it! You know you want to!
     
    How do tarantulas eat? Read about it here courtesy of animals.mom.me.
    Bugs are nature’s sippy cup for the tarantula.
    Does your tarantula have boxing gloves? Then it’s a boy and he’s looking for love!
     The above photo is a preserved specimen of an adult male Aphonopelma hentzi.
    Picture courtesy of Mile High Bug Club.
    No tarantulas were hurt in these scenes. Video courtesy of YouTube user Gordon Freeman.
    Spirited Away – Bou, Yubaba’s familiar and Kamajii’s soots playing around, courtesy of YouTube user Jaryl Ghng.
    Time to hit the road with Colorado tarantulas! Read about it here, courtesy of Only in Your State.
    Cross the road again! I just can’t wait to get across the road again!
    Silk-Oozing Feet Give Tarantulas a Gravity-Defying Grip! Read all about that amazingness right here, courtesy of Wired.com.
    A demonstration of why physics is cool.
    Now you know a bit more about tarantulas than you did this morning! What’s your opinion on them? We want to hear from you! Send us your suggestions for animals you’d like to hear us talk about, volunteer your rugrat to say something on our podcast, or just drop us a line about anything at [email protected]! We might even read your fascinating email on the show.
    Your feedback is always welcome!
    Connect with your Varmints! hosts| Paul Csomo| Donna Hume| The Show | Pinterest
    And a very special welcome to the more than 1,236 of you that gave us a like on our Facebook page. Holy cow! Thank you! We hope you like what you hear and we look forward to hearing from you soon!
    Music used:
    “Dubakupado”, “Quirky Dog”, “Sneaky Adventure”, “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys”
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
    “Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Pictures used:
    Featured image: Tarântula by Moisés Silva Lima,  Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)
     
    0 min
  • Otters Revisited – Varmints! – 62
    Otters Revisited!
    In this week’s Varmints podcast we’ll rerun our discussion about otters! Otters were suggested by Varmints listener, Andrea. Thanks Andrea! Go check out her blog! Everyone knows otters are cute, but did you know they can juggle? You’ll hear more about that and a lot of other fun otter facts. You “otter” Join Paul and his new co-host, Donna, and learn about these amazing critters! Come on in, the water’s adorable!
    Here’s some stuff we referenced on the show:
    We like fart humor and we know you do, too. Turns out farts are serious business, and there’s some serious science happening with them too. Here’s an article about a database of animal farts and why it’s important to know about them. Check it out, it’s a hoot, or is that a toot?
    Toot!
    Take a Break From Everything Else and Check Out This Database of Farting Animals
    If you were a kiddo in the 90’s or perhaps a parent of kiddos in the 90’s, you’ll remember PB&J Otter. Here is the cheerful “Noodle Dance” just for you! Use your noodle! Courtesy of YouTube user The90stvfan.
    Now for the 70’s and early 80’s kiddos, take a look at this video and relive fond memories of Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas. It’s a bunch of Muppet otters playing bluegrass. What’s not to love? Courtesy of YouTube user Mark Trammell.
    Well you may be poor with a wolf at your door
    But money isn’t everything
    You still got the sun and a river full of fun
    And you’ll always have a song to sing
    And here’s the link to the full show, courtesy of YouTube user JonMon1219.
    No otter show would be complete without looking at some videos of otters being cute and silly. They love to play and some of them even juggle! Courtesy of YouTube users Flippers & Feathers and John Workman.
    What’s a group of otters called? Well, if they’re marine otters, it’s called a “raft”, and he’s a super cute pic of one in action. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
    And finally, the pièce de résistance, a clip of baby otters eating cereal. Well, it’s kibble in formula but still. You’ll never be the same. Courtesy of YouTube user FRANK CUESTA – CANAL YOUTUBE.
    Squee! Aaaagh! Killer cute, killer cute!
    Now you know a little bit about otters! What’s your opinion on them? We want to hear from you! Send us your suggestions for animals you’d like to hear us talk about, or just drop us a line about anything at [email protected]! We might even read your fascinating email on the show.
    Your feedback is always welcome!
    Connect with your Varmints! hosts| Paul Csomo| Donna Hume| The Show
    And a very special welcome to the more than 1,100 of you that gave us a like on our Facebook page. Holy cow! Thank you! We hope you like what you hear and we look forward to hearing from you soon!
    Music used:
    “Dubakupado”, “Quirky Dog”, “Sneaky Adventure”, “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys”
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
    “Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    0 min
  • Chickens Revisited – Varmints! – 61
    Chickens!
    The Varmints podcast decided to tackle good ol’ chickens for our rerun show this week. Chickens are tough little birds that are smarter than you probably think they are, plus they are entertaining and gregarious with a vital and storied history. They are also delicious! So come and join us, don’t be such a chicken!
    Bok!
    In the news: In the dead of night last weekend in North Carolina’s Alexander County, a massive concrete statue of a rooster disappeared from its perch in front of a poultry farm. Courtesy of NPR.
     
    The thief has run “afoul” of the law.
    Late breaking news: While we were preparing the show notes it was discovered that that chicken in your Subway sandwich might not be totally chicken. Here’s the article on NPR.
    Hey are you gonna finish that Oven Roasted Mystery Meat sub?
    Chickens make great backyard pets and bonus! They lay eggs! Here are some of the best breeds to be your chickeny buddies. Courtesy of HGTV.
    We know you’re not satisfied until you’ve seen some of the WEIRDEST chickens, so here’s a link and here’s a sample! Courtesy of All Day.
    This chicken is way more goth than you. WAY more.
    Want to talk to a chicken? Well, you can try, if you can learn their language! Good luck but here’s a great article about it. Courtesy of the Flip Flop Ranch.
    Want ten hours of chicken sounds? You know you do. Put it in the background while you work and you’ll swear you had your own farmyard outside your office window. Courtesy of YouTube user SoundEffects (10 Hours)
     
    Think your toddler is smart? Well, they can’t out perform baby chickens when it comes to math. “Chick” out this BBC News article and learn all about it!
    Now, another exciting episode in the life of the most fantastic crime fighter the world has ever known … Chicken Man! (He’s everywhere, he’s everywhere!) Courtesy of YouTube user walbergstudios, and Courtesy of This American Life and YouTube user courtneydjames.
    Did you know that the Chicken Man radio show is in the public domain? You can listen to the entire series right here at Archive.org!
    What do you suppose the most dangerous creature in the entire Legend of Zelda video game franchise could be? How about chickens? Or, Cuccos, as they say in the game. Do not mess with these fluttery badasses! Courtesy of YouTube user xPAINx.
    There are dozens of ways that chicken idioms have made their way into the English language. Check out this list!
    The earliest ancestor of the chicken is none other than the Red Jungle Fowl. You got it, there are JUNGLE CHICKENS, and they are amazing! Check out the article about them on Wikipedia. Bok!
    Don’t forget this week on Varmints, we’re having our first contest ever! Send us your chicken recipes, and we will try them out. The winner will receive the original drawing of a chicken, from Blazing Caribou staff artist Phil Rood! Get those recipes to us at [email protected]!
    Now you’re an expert on chickens! What’s your opinion on them? We want to hear from you! Send us your suggestions for animals you’d like to hear us talk about, or just drop us a line about anything at [email protected]! We might even read your fascinating email on the show.
    Your feedback is always welcome!
    Connect with your Varmints! hosts| Paul Csomo| Donna Hume| The Show
    And a very special welcome to the more than 1,100 of you that gave us a like on our Facebook page. Holy cow! Thank you! We hope you like what you hear and we look forward to hearing from you soon!
    Music used:
    “Dubakupado”
    “News Theme”
    “Sneaky Adventure”
    “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys”
    “Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
    Intro music for today’s episode, “Chick Chick” by Wang Rang Rollin. Google it. You will not be disappointed.
    LISTEN TO THE SHOW BELOW
    0 min
  • Walruses

    Walruses! This week on Varmints! we look at the wonderful, whopping, winsome walruses! Flop on over for a splashy adventure. Doodly doodly doodly hi hi [...]

    42 min
  • Walruses

    Walruses! This week on Varmints! we look at the wonderful, whopping, winsome walruses! Flop on over for a splashy adventure. Doodly doodly doodly hi hi [...]

    42 min
  • Walruses

    Walruses! This week on Varmints! we look at the wonderful, whopping, winsome walruses! Flop on over for a splashy adventure. Doodly doodly doodly hi hi [...]

    42 min
  • Wolves

    Wolves! Summon up a howl for us, Critter Crew! We are off on an adventure to discover the facts behind the beautiful, mysterious, carnivores, wolves! [...]

    1 hr 2 min
  • Wolves

    Wolves! Summon up a howl for us, Critter Crew! We are off on an adventure to discover the facts behind the beautiful, mysterious, carnivores, wolves! [...]

    1 hr 2 min

About Varmints!

From the publisher's feed

The Varmints! podcast is an education/comedy podcast that’s all about animals! Every week a bunch of nerds a do a whole bunch of reading to bring you a mix of science, education, pop culture and…