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We must, we must, we must increase our… Mustelid coverage. Yes, we’re back into the world of stoats, otters, badgers and pals for one of our most ubiquitous beasts, the weasel. Special attention is given to the inaptly named Least Weasel, and Nathaniel takes us on a global tour of weasel-based mythology, if the globe only had nine countries. And we somehow go the whole episode without making an Elie Wiesel pun, which really doesn’t sound like us. Enjoy!
Episode 038: Shrew You, Buddy!
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In honor of shrews – those short, annoying, but adorable animals – we bring you a short, annoying, but adorable episode. Randi finds that the real shrew was inside of her all along, and Nathaniel won’t shut up about that Shakespeare guy, thus putting the savant in idiot savant. Make like a shrew and burrow into this great new installment of All Creatures Great and Okay. (EDITOR’S NOTE: double-check if shrews are burrowing animals).
Episode 033: ¿Como se Llama?
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss the elegant llama. Randi uses this episode as an excuse to complain about pregnancy, and Nathaniel uses this episode as an excuse for socialization.
Episode 032: Hyena, Warrior Princess
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel attempt some image rehabilitation on hyenas, those perennial underdogs. They’re such underdogs, in fact, that they’re technically more closely related to cats. We present a remarkably tight analysis of these remarkably tight mammals. Stick with us, and you’ll never go hangry again!
Episode 030: The Podcast Got Run Over by a Reindeer
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In this special episode, Randi and Nathaniel use their symposium on reindeer as a pretense for visiting the North Pole. You’ll probably believe all of the crazy characters they encounter!
Episode 023: Kooky About Tanuki
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In this episode, Randi and Nathaniel discuss the mighty and mysterious tanuki–both the animal and the folklore figure.
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 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.