Varmints!

Varmints!

By Donna HumeScienceKids & FamilyNatural SciencesPets & Animals
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Varmints! episodes

  • Goats

    Goats! The Varmints! podcast is down on the farm hanging out with the goats this week! Join Paul Csomo and Paul Wilk as they talk [...]

    40 min
  • Goats – Varmints! – 4
    Goats!

    The Varmints! podcast is down on the farm hanging out with the goats this week! Join Paul Csomo and Paul Wilk as they talk about the Chicago Cubs, Goat Simulator, sordid tales from a Florida farm and you might just learn something about everyone’s favorite petting zoo citizen!

    Here’s some stuff we referenced on the show:

    You’ve heard of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. How about the American Dairy Goat Association National Show? Yeah, that’s a thing! We had no idea either!

    Here’s last year’s winner! Hell of a nice goat you got there, ma’am.

    Every animal should have a website as comprehensive and awesome as GOATWORLD.COM!
    Why do goats have such freaky-deaky eyeballs? Read about it here!
    Just going to leave this one here. Courtesy of YouTube user Weird Guy Green:

    Read about The Curse of the Billy Goat! (a.k.a. the reason Chicago Cubs fans keep saying “maybe next year…”)
    UPDATE: “Maybe next year” is THIS YEAR. THE DROUGHT IS OVER! CUBS WIN! HOLY COW! THE CUBS WIN!

    Here’s some entertaining gameplay footage from Goat Simulator 2014 courtesy of YouTube user DavincstyleGames:

    From the Goat Simulator website: “Goat Simulator is the latest in goat simulation technology, bringing next-gen goat simulation to YOU. You no longer have to fantasize about being a goat, your dreams have finally come true! WASD to write history!”

    Not entertaining enough you say?

    How about some screaming <

    0 min
  • Elephants – Varmints! – 3
    Elephants!

    On this episode of Varmints! your clueless safari guides Paul Csomo and Paul Wilk learn about the Earth’s largest land mammal, elephants!

    Here’s some stuff we referenced on the show:
    Here’s the Washington Post article we referenced about the very recent ban on ivory sales in the United States.
    How good is an elephant’s memory? Here is the fascinating article from Scientific American that Paul Wilk mentioned.
    This public domain photo depicts war elephants used in the Battle of Zama. Especially noteworthy are the couple of soldiers who appear to be saying, “Sweet tap dancing Jesus where the hell do we keep the white flags?!?”.
    Elephants + Mud = Happiness

    Video courtesy of YouTube user elephantnews

    There were SO many resources on elephants this week. We could have talked about them for another hour!

     We just didn’t have the time to talk about how elephants use their ears to cool down, how they communicate with each other by vibrating the earth or how the “elephant” is a unit of measure in meteorology. So take a few minutes to read these! They’re fascinating!

    It’s just a dude in an elephant suit. With orange underwear. Real elephants are scarier. You’ve done better, Marvel.
    Again, I’m not one to tempt Disney’s squad of copyright lawyers, so feel free to look for Dumbo videos and Operation Dumbo Drop videos on YouTube yourself.
    Holy elephant crap nothing will make
    0 min
  • Beetles
    Beetles!
    It’s a brand new episode of Varmints! In this episode, animal novices Paul Csomo and Paul Wilk talk about the military, pop culture, and, oh yeah, the fascinating world of beetles!
    Here’s some stuff we referenced on the show:
    First, an amazing beetle: the firefly! How many fireflies would it take to match the brightness of the sun? Find the answer here!
    Here’s a video of fireflies in Tennessee synchronizing their little butt lights. A special thanks to Radim Schreiber for letting us use this beautiful video. See more of his work at his website.
    Another beetle: the Tiger Beetle. Fast! Deadly! Not all that bright.
    Here’s an article about farmers in the Midwest using dung beetles to prevent flies and parasites
    And a video of those poop lovin’ little buggers in action!
    Giger’s dung beetle sculpture at the London Zoo
    Hey, we don’t really get Beetle Bailey. But you might! Read up!
    Seems like we should have done a little extra research into how the Volkswagen Beetle got its name. Here is the real story!
    Here’s some public domain old-time radio featuring the Blue Beetle! The audio is extra crispy. Enjoy!
    The American Beetles. An ill-conceived plan to make everyone forget about that OTHER band…
    Finally, this delightful video. Want to serve beetle larvae at your next dinner party? Need a recipe? Well look no further!
    Note: Blazing Caribou Studios is not responsible for any vomiting or the resultant dry cleaning bills that may ensue from watching this video. Proceed at your own risk.
    Thanks for listening!
    What’s your beetle story? Have you eaten mealworms? Or do you just have comments and questions about the show? Why not drop us a line? We’d love to hear from you!
    Connect with your Varmints! hosts| Paul Csomo| Paul Wilk
    Yes. We are professional podcasters. Need proof? Here you go:
    #Beetles #Varmints #larvae
    0 min
  • Beetles

    Beetles! It’s a brand new episode of Varmints! In this episode, animal novices Paul Csomo and Paul Wilk talk about the military, pop culture, and, oh yeah, [...]

    36 min
  • Beetles

    Beetles! It’s a brand new episode of Varmints! In this episode, animal novices Paul Csomo and Paul Wilk talk about the military, pop culture, and, oh yeah, [...]

    36 min
  • Beetles – Varmints! – 2
    Beetles!

    It’s a brand new episode of Varmints! In this episode, animal novices Paul Csomo and Paul Wilk talk about the military, pop culture, and, oh yeah, the fascinating world of beetles!

    Here’s some stuff we referenced on the show:
    First, an amazing beetle: the firefly! How many fireflies would it take to match the brightness of the sun? Find the answer here!
    Here’s a video of fireflies in Tennessee synchronizing their little butt lights. A special thanks to Radim Schreiber for letting us use this beautiful video. See more of his work at his website.

    Another beetle: the Tiger Beetle. Fast! Deadly! Not all that bright.

    Here’s an article about farmers in the Midwest using dung beetles to prevent flies and parasites
    And a video of those poop lovin’ little buggers in action!

    Giger’s dung beetle sculpture at the London Zoo
    Hey, we don’t really get Beetle Bailey. But you might! Read up!
    Seems like we should have done a little extra research into how the Volkswagen Beetle got its name. Here is the real story!
    Here’s some public domain old-time radio featuring the Blue Beetle! The audio is extra crispy. Enjoy!

    The American Beetles. An ill-conceived plan to make everyone forget about that OTHER band…

    Finally, this delightful video. Want to serve beetle larvae at your next dinner party? Need a recipe? Well look no further!

    Note: Blazing Caribou Studios is not responsible for any vomiting or the resultant dry cleaning bills that may ensue from watching this video. Proceed at your own risk.

    Thanks for listening!

    What’s your beetle story? Have you eaten mealworms? Or do you just have comments and questions about the show? Why not drop us a line? We’d love to hear from you!

    Connect with your Varmints! hosts| Paul Csomo| Paul Wilk

    Yes. We are professional podcasters. Need proof? Here you go:

    #Beetles #Varmints #larvae

    0 min
  • Raccoons
    Raccoons!
    While Paul Csomo coughs and sneezes and curses the allergen tree across the street, it’s another episode of Varmints! where Paul Csomo and Paul Wilk discuss the interesting lives of Raccoons!
    In this pilot episode, the two non-animal experts discuss interesting facts about our common furry friends and their place in pop culture.
    Here’s some stuff we referenced on the show:
    So which one of these raccoons do you want on your kickball team? Either the sad little Torch Key variety or the more robust Eastern variety? Images courtesy of Wikipedia.
    Eastern raccoons in a tree
    One of the many little Torch Key raccoons that inhabit extreme southern Florida.
    And here’s the video Paul Wilk talked about. You can see the raccoon dowsing its stolen cat food in the water dish before running off on its hind legs. Courtesy of YouTube user Rigoberto Gonzalez
    Seems like we should have mentioned how dangerous raccoon poop actually is. If you have a raccoons in or around your house, you should read this.
    So you want to eat some raccoon?
    First of all you should consult  your particular state’s fish and wildlife department. Here’s Florida’s FWC webpage as an example. In addition you should use all the proper safety equipment, respect the hunting grounds and the animals you hunt, always hunt sober, have the proper licenses and registrations, know how to…
    Yeah yeah yeah. While you were talking I killed some raccoons. What do I do with them?
    The 1975 edition of the Joy of Cooking has some ideas! Maybe you could try this recipe:
    Joy of Cooking, 1964, Irma S. Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker, posted with permission of the Becker family.
    It’s PLUG time! Special thanks to the Becker family for giving me permission to show you the actual recipe from my personal copy of “The Joy Of Cooking”! “The Joy Of Cooking” cookbook has served me and my family well for over 20 years. You should own one too. Please visit their website to read about the history of the cookbook and the family behind it, get recipes and apps, and find out where to buy this American treasure for your kitchen.
     
    Okay enough with the plugs. So I have this leftover fur from all these dead raccoons. What do I do with it?
    How about a coonskin cap? Still stylish in West Virginia!
    Or impress your friends with this incredible raccoon fur driving coat!
    Many raccoons died for this man to look this ridiculous.
    Raccoons in pop culture!
    You are cordially invited to search for your own darn Rocket Raccoon video on YouTube and watch it because if you think I’m going to get this website in some hot water with a copyright lawyer that works for Disney or The Beatles, your name is Wrongy McWrongpants. Same thing goes for “Rocky Raccoon” by the Beatles.
    Finally here’s the raccoon skull that sits on my computer desk:
    In addition, if you find skulls or bones out in the wild and you want to clean and keep them, this website should be most helpful.
    Thanks for listening!
    Do you have an interesting or funny raccoon tale to tell? Have you eaten raccoon? Or do you just have comments and questions about the show? Why not drop us a line? We’d love to hear from you!
    Connect with your Varmints! hosts| Paul Csomo| Paul Wilk
    #Raccoons #Raccoon #Varmints!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    23 min
  • Raccoons

    Raccoons! While Paul Csomo coughs and sneezes and curses the allergen tree across the street, it’s another episode of Varmints! where Paul Csomo and Paul [...]

    23 min
  • Raccoons

    Raccoons! While Paul Csomo coughs and sneezes and curses the allergen tree across the street, it’s another episode of Varmints! where Paul Csomo and Paul [...]

    23 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…