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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss the deadly anaconda. Join our intrepid hosts as they make obvious cultural references and recount the plot of Anaconda (1997) in remarkable detail. Oh, and they spend a little bit of time talking about the actual animal. Tune in to find whether it’s great, or just okay.
Episode 018: Making the Tardigrade
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss the breakout star of Ant-Man and the Wasp: the tardigrade. Also known as “water bears,” tardigrades are a phylum of microscopic animal. That’s right–our hosts are really testing the “all creatures” part of the title.
Show Notes
Tardigrades are a microscopic animal, maxing out at .4mm in length. They were originally discovered by Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773; he gave the animal the delightful name “kleiner wasserbär” (little water bear). True to their name, tardigrades 1) live in water and 2) kinda look like bears if you squint a little. Join Randi and Nathaniel as they marvel over this creature, and find out if it’s great or just okay.
Episode 017: Dromedary Queens
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss camels. Like, all of them. Not just dromedaries.
Episode 016: The Black Bear Necessities
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss the American icon that is the black bear. The two wonder over this food-stealing creature, and a special guest drops by the studio.
Episode 015: Unfriendly Neighborhood-less Wandering Spiders
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss Brazilian wandering spiders. Brazilian wandering spiders have almost a six inch leg span, a knack for hiding in produce, and a bite that causes boners.
Show Notes
Let’s not beat around the bush: the venom of Brazilian wandering spiders causes priapism in its victim. As a result, our worldly co-hosts spend most of the episode dragging that fact out as long as possible. Randi also gives a spider anatomy lesson, and describes sultry spider mating habits in alarming detail. Nathaniel demonstrates his astounding knowledge of the god Priapus, while Randi misinterprets logical positivism. Tune in to find out if Brazilian wandering spiders are great, or just okay.
Episode 014: Toucan Keep A Secret
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In this episode, Randi regains control of the podcast and Nathaniel returns to his lowly co-hosting duties. Oh, and also they talk about toucans.
Show Notes
Toucans! Can’t live with them (they’re terrible pets) and can’t live without them (their poop builds forests!). They are also one of the more delightful animals Randi and Nathaniel have talked about to date: they playfight with their bills, they grace the boxes of some of our favorite cereal, and they have feather-esque tongues. Tune in to find out if toucans are great, or just okay.
Episode 013: Aye-Aye Carumba
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In this episode, Nathaniel and Randi discuss the adorable aye-aye. Nathaniel takes over hosting duties, so you know what? No show notes this week. ‘Cause Randi ain’t gonna write nothin’ if she ain’t in charge.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Nathaniel has a natural phobia of microphones. When called upon to host this episode, he agreed to do so only on condition that he be allowed to perform his lines from an adjoining room, with the result that portions of his performance are nearly inaudible, while Randi’s voice remains a model of crystalline perfection throughout. Please consider this a blessing in disguise rather than the unfortunate technical error it technically is.
Episode 012: This Man…This Mongoose!!!
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss the mighty mongoose. You know, like Rikki-Tikki-Tavi!
Show Notes
Let’s just get to the good part: mongooses are resistant to the neurotoxins in snake venom. That means if they were a comic book character, they would be Anti-Venom (or possessed by the Anti-Venom symbiote, if you’re a pedant). Like all delightful animals, mongooses have an anal scent gland. They use this gland to mark territory and indicate receptiveness to mating. Mating must be fun, since mongooses giggle during it. Mongooses also feature prominently in some folklore and mythology–for instance, the Egyptian god Ra would transform into a giant mongoose in order to fight the evil god Apopis (why wasn’t that in Gods of Egypt?!). Many ancient cultures also revered mongooses as protectors due to their resistance to snake venom. Tune in to find out if mongooses are great, or just okay.
Episode 011: Sea Wasp. Sea Wasp Run.
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss the peerless sea wasp. Sea wasps have been described as “the most lethal jellyfish in the world,” which seems super-duper fun.
Show Notes
Sea wasps are a type of box jellyfish. They are also incredibly venomous, and have been responsible for about 63 deaths in Australia since 1884. Adult jellies are known as medusas, which is pretty rad. Join us for a romp of an episode in which Nathaniel has a hard time feigning enthusiasm and Randi has a hard time justifying the existence of such a beast. We also take the houseboat out from the Thames for the day, and interview two sea creatures with privileged upbringings and noticeably inconsistent accents. Tune in to find out if sea wasps are great, or just okay.
Episode 010: What a Load of Bull Shark
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss the mighty bull shark. The bull sharks are unique since they can survive–and thrive–in both freshwater and saltwater. Tune in to find out if bull sharks are great, or just okay.
