1 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:10,119 Speaker 1: Welcome to Creature feature production of iHeartRadio. I'm your host 2 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 1: of Many Parasites, Katie Golden. I studied psychology and evolutionary biology, 3 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:18,159 Speaker 1: and today on the show, we are talking about some 4 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:21,239 Speaker 1: listener questions, and by we I mean me. Hello, it's 5 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: me Katie. You send me your questions about evolutionary biology, 6 00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: about animals, about your pets, about things you want to 7 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: be your pets, and I try to do my best 8 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: and answer them. So let's get right into these listener 9 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:43,240 Speaker 1: questions all about animals and evolutionary biology. Hey, Katie saw 10 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: this on TikTok and thought, if there's an answer, you'd 11 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:47,640 Speaker 1: be the one to know. Well, thank you Bush. Some 12 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: people were saying turtles go in the red circle, and okay, guys, 13 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:53,160 Speaker 1: I'm gonna explain this. There's a visual that goes along 14 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 1: with it. But let me read the email first and 15 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 1: then you'll understand Once I explained the visual. Some people 16 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: were saying turtles go in the red circle and tortoise 17 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: goes on the end. But I think turtles are only 18 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,440 Speaker 1: wet because they're in water. Then I wondered if that's 19 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 1: true for frogs too. I'm thinking there's no definitive answer 20 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:10,200 Speaker 1: that has all three criteria. But I thought you'd think 21 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 1: it's fun. This is from Robert. So this is a 22 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 1: grid with the axes of legs, house, and slime. So 23 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 1: basically you can have from zero to one house. I 24 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 1: guess you can have a half house. I don't know 25 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:27,760 Speaker 1: how that works, maybe a half halfway house, I don't know. 26 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:32,759 Speaker 1: For slime, it goes from no, probably not, maybe probably yes, 27 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: and legs from zero to four in units of one leg. 28 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:42,920 Speaker 1: So yeah, it's a grid. And so the person who 29 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: made this grid put snake with zero legs, no slime 30 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 1: and no house. Slug has slime, no house, zero legs. 31 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 1: Snail has one house, slime and no legs. Frogs have 32 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: four legs, slime and no Lizards have four legs, no 33 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: slime and no house. Turtles have four legs, a house 34 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: and no slime. I hope you get the idea. So 35 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: the question is essentially, what has four legs, a house 36 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:22,959 Speaker 1: and is slimy? So let me give some possible answers. So, yeah, 37 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 1: let's talk about this idea that turtles are they slimy? 38 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: And I agree with you that in general I would 39 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:33,680 Speaker 1: not say turtles are slimy just because they're wet like 40 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:38,600 Speaker 1: in the water. But let us talk about actual slime 41 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:43,079 Speaker 1: found on turtles. Some turtles can be slimy, such as 42 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 1: fresh water turtles, who often accumulate large amounts of algae 43 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:52,239 Speaker 1: that grows on their skin and shell. So any species 44 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 1: who lives in fresh water, particularly more stagnant water like ponds, 45 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 1: can get algae growth on their bodies. It's often harmless, 46 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,239 Speaker 1: but too much algae can get into crevices in their 47 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:08,519 Speaker 1: shells and risk infections or block them from receiving sunlight 48 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: that they need to synthesize vitamins. So this algae is 49 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: very interesting looking on these turtles, but it also makes 50 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:20,119 Speaker 1: for a very slimy turtle. If you've ever felt algae, 51 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:22,639 Speaker 1: you know what I'm talking about. It's slippery, it's slimy. 52 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: Let's also discuss the idea of frogs. Are they slimy 53 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 1: just because they're white? Well? No, Actually, frogs do produce mucus. 54 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 1: Toads also produce some mucus, but they are tend to 55 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 1: be a little more dry, be able to tolerate dry 56 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 1: terrestrial life a bit better. But yeah, frogs do produce 57 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: mucus on their skin. In fact, sometimes there are frogs 58 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: or even toads who will burrow down and when it 59 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 1: gets really dry, they will excrete mucus to cover themselves 60 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 1: in order to help in their hibernation. And so you 61 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 1: could say that's something that has a home because it's 62 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: made a burrow is slimy because it's basically created a 63 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: protective coating of mucus and has four legs, so that 64 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 1: I would think would fit in that circle. But even 65 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 1: if it's not in this burrow situation, there's lots of 66 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: frogs that have homes. So there are tropical frogs that 67 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 1: live in bromeliad plants. These are plants that actually are 68 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 1: like kind of parasites to trees. They don't usually hurt 69 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 1: the trees too much, but they grow attached to the 70 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 1: tree and they form these little cups, these little basins 71 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 1: that water can collect in, kind of like a wall 72 00:04:35,960 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: sconce but it's a plant and rainwater collects in these 73 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 1: and little frogs make their homes in them, and it's 74 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 1: very very cute. So yeah, I do suspect though that 75 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:52,359 Speaker 1: the creator of this grid would have it seems like 76 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: they are counting a home as something that is like 77 00:04:55,240 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 1: attached to the animal, because all the examples of it 78 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:02,920 Speaker 1: are like turtle, snail. So let's try to be even 79 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 1: more strict and talk about a slimy animal that has 80 00:05:06,040 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 1: a home that it actually is actually like attached to 81 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 1: its body like the turtle. So I would propose, and 82 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:16,119 Speaker 1: this is going to sound a little strange, but hanging 83 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:19,719 Speaker 1: with me, Stay with me, the pangolin. So this is 84 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: a mammal that lives in Africa and Asia with those 85 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:27,160 Speaker 1: really lovely scales that look like a dragon. These are 86 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: keratin enforced armored scales that it can roll itself up in. 87 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:35,480 Speaker 1: So I definitely think that counts as a house. And 88 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 1: you might be saying, like, Katie, what are you talking about. 89 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: Penguins are mammals, they aren't slimy. So actually they produce 90 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:49,599 Speaker 1: an extremely slimy and sticky saliva which coats this really 91 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,159 Speaker 1: long tongue that they have. Their tongues can sometimes be 92 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: over a foot long, which they stick in ant hills 93 00:05:55,960 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: or termite mounds, and it essentially works like this really slimy, 94 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: sticky piece of fly paper and all the ants will 95 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 1: stick to the panglung tongue, so it can just kind 96 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 1: of slurp it back in like a nerds rope. Unfortunately, 97 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: I do have another candidate, but I don't think it 98 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 1: fits on the grid, but I'm gonna tell you about it. Anyways. 99 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: The grid only goes up to four legs. If you 100 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: extend it to six legs, I could introduce the cattisfly larva. 101 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 1: So these are the juvenile forms of cattisflies and they 102 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 1: live in freshwater aquatic environments. They build themselves these really 103 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: interesting little homes. They build a case around themselves, attaching 104 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 1: it to this kind of sticky, gooey silk, and the 105 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 1: cases are made from whatever they found in their environment, 106 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 1: like bits of gravel or aquatic plants, as a form 107 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 1: of camouflage to avoid predation. And in species of carnivorous 108 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: cattisfly larva such as Polycinchopodidae, they actually use their cases 109 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 1: to sneak up on prey. And it's really really cool. 110 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: And I would argue they either they probably belong somewhere 111 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: in the quadrant of like they have six legs, they 112 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 1: have a home, and they're maybe slimy. They're not absolutely 113 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: always slimy. And if we just want to keep adding 114 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:21,560 Speaker 1: in legs because who doesn't, we could introduce the nautilus. 115 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: This is a family of mollusks with many, many, many 116 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:29,600 Speaker 1: legs and a shell. They are cephalopods. They're related to 117 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: squid and octopuses, though they are far more ancient. So 118 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: they have all sorts of tentacles, and the number of 119 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:41,679 Speaker 1: tentacles varies depending on the species, the age, the sex. 120 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 1: They can have up to like a hundred of these tentacles. 121 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 1: Many are small, they're not really visible outside the shell, 122 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: though they do tend to have around forty visible tentacles 123 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 1: that they use for movement and capturing prey. And this 124 00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 1: is acephalopod that has a sh shell, so I would 125 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 1: count that as it's home, and I would say that 126 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 1: they're relatively slimy. In fact, the ancestors of squid and 127 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: octopuses used to have shells before ditching them in favor 128 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 1: of greater maneuverability. But whatever added protection the cell the 129 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 1: shells had was not enough to make up for the 130 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,720 Speaker 1: hindrance of prey hiding in little nooks or the power 131 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 1: of other predators. So a squishy, but more maneuverable body 132 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: that we see in squid and in octopuses turned out 133 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 1: to be more beneficial to them than having this giant shell, 134 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:39,280 Speaker 1: even though it was really cool. But the nautilus still 135 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: has that shell and it still finds it beneficial. So 136 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:45,400 Speaker 1: just different strokes for different folks. Except the folks are 137 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 1: cephalopods and I love them. I love octopuses. I love 138 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: all cephalopods, but especially octopuses. They're so cute and squishy. 139 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: All right, on to the next listener question. Hi, Katie. 140 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 1: My black cat was raised as a single kitten, and 141 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 1: I believe because of that, he never really learned how 142 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 1: to properly mew. Instead, he squeaks or chirps, just like 143 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 1: a bird. But recently I've seen many posts online about 144 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 1: how other people's black cats don't yell either. Is this 145 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 1: actually a more common occurrence with black cats or just 146 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: a coincidence. I thought, with Halloween just around the corner, 147 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:26,600 Speaker 1: it would be fun to do an episode all about 148 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 1: black kitties. You could talk about how they came to 149 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 1: be unlucky, and maybe even bring up how black panthers 150 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:35,920 Speaker 1: are really leopards and jack or jaguars I can't recall which, 151 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 1: And please mention how wonderful black kitties really are attached 152 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 1: is a picture of my boy Ajax. Thanks so much 153 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 1: for all the work you do on the wonderful podcast. 154 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 1: Thank you. And this is from Melissa. And also she 155 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: included this wonderful photo of her kitty Ajax in a 156 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 1: plush coffin that says lazy bones on it. That's incredible 157 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:00,880 Speaker 1: the best cat bet I think think I've ever seen. 158 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:04,520 Speaker 1: So this is a fascinating question, Melissa. I also love 159 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 1: the photo of your little kiddie resting in his very 160 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: spooky coffin. So it is not at all a bad theory. 161 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:18,560 Speaker 1: Coat color can be tied to genetic variances and cats. 162 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: So for an example, probably a famous one is that 163 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:25,840 Speaker 1: white cats with blue eyes are much more prone to 164 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 1: deafness than the general cat population. Not blindness, I know, 165 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,079 Speaker 1: it's like an eye color thing with the blue eyes, 166 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:36,439 Speaker 1: but really actually deafness. So this is due to a 167 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: deficiency that causes an organ within the cochlea to degenerate. 168 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:46,600 Speaker 1: It is actually incredible how strong this association is. Around 169 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:50,640 Speaker 1: eighty percent of blue eyed white cats heard deaf. It 170 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:53,559 Speaker 1: just made me think of you, blue eyed I play 171 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:56,200 Speaker 1: my blue eyed white cat. Sorry, okay, moving on, So 172 00:10:56,280 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 1: about eighty percent of blue eyed white cats are deaf. 173 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 1: If only one eye is blue, there's a better chance 174 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 1: that the ear corresponding to the non blue eye will 175 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 1: be functional, and the ear corresponding to the blue eye 176 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 1: is the one that will have that deficiency. Very very weird, 177 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: you know. This is probably due to the fact that 178 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 1: the genetic mutation that gives these cats their blue eyes 179 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 1: and their white fur somehow also helps control for the 180 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: development of this organ in the cochlea and that kind 181 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: of tissue, and maybe it makes it more weak and 182 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:40,080 Speaker 1: so it degenerates over time. So that being said, I 183 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:43,160 Speaker 1: don't actually know of any research to indicate that black 184 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 1: cats are less vocal. In general, cats vary in how 185 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 1: much they meow pretty much based on their personality, the 186 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:55,080 Speaker 1: environment they grew up in, male, female, a lot of factors. 187 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: So they can maiw very little, they can mow a lot. 188 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 1: I am currently babysitting three cats, and they are all 189 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 1: very different in terms of how vocal they are. One 190 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 1: barely meals, one meals like all the time, one only 191 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 1: meals like in weird hours of the night. Anyways, they're 192 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: all unique, and there are a few factors though that 193 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 1: can kind of push your cat in certain directions in 194 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:26,160 Speaker 1: terms of how vocal it is. So, for example, if 195 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:31,520 Speaker 1: your cat is neutered, male neutered cats will make less 196 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: noise than non neutered cats and they will have higher 197 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:39,439 Speaker 1: pitched meals, So basically he'll be less annoying if he's neutered. 198 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: So get your cats neutered. It is possible. I'm not 199 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: saying that there's no way that there's an association between 200 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: vocality and for color and black cats, but I don't 201 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:57,079 Speaker 1: know that it's well documented. But here's maybe some speculation 202 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: of why this could occur if it really is a pattern. 203 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,680 Speaker 1: So it's possible that more black cats get passed through 204 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 1: the shelter system because they're seen as less desirable. Sadly, So, 205 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 1: say you have a litter of kittens and someone's giving 206 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: it out to people in the neighborhood or putting them 207 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:18,199 Speaker 1: on sale on Craigslist, and there's a black kitten there. Unfortunately, 208 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,680 Speaker 1: that black kitten is less likely to be selected, either 209 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:26,600 Speaker 1: because of superstition or esthetic reasons, which is really sad. 210 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 1: Black cats are just normal cats, sweet little kitties. But 211 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,680 Speaker 1: if they do go through the shelter system more, it's 212 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 1: more likely that they would get neutered, and so maybe 213 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 1: that makes them a little more quiet. I don't have 214 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:46,319 Speaker 1: any evidence for this. This is just a theory in 215 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:50,199 Speaker 1: terms of how this could potentially happen. There's also a 216 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 1: possibility that your cat was separated from his mother early, 217 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,320 Speaker 1: meaning that he didn't have time to learn how to 218 00:13:56,320 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 1: do cat stuff like nowing. Like you said in your email, 219 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: you suspect that the lack of other cats around made 220 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:06,360 Speaker 1: it harder for him to learn, and I think that's 221 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:11,680 Speaker 1: absolutely probably the main reason that your cat is more quiet. Yeah, 222 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,120 Speaker 1: I mean I think that if there is a pattern 223 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 1: of black cats mewing, I really don't know of any 224 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 1: sort of genetic reasons that would be. It seems much 225 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: more likely that this would be a cultural thing, like 226 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 1: our own sort of human preferences or these superstitions we 227 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 1: have about black cats affecting how we treat them or 228 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:35,000 Speaker 1: where they end up right in the shelter system, and 229 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: not having some effect on their pattern of behavior. So, 230 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 1: but regardless, it sounds like Ajax has a fantastic life. 231 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: I don't want you to worry that because he's more quiet, 232 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 1: that somehow he's less happy or he wasn't raised. Well, no, Like, 233 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 1: I think that a quiet cat there's nothing wrong with that, 234 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 1: unless it's like a sudden shift in behavior. Like if 235 00:14:57,560 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 1: this is just how he is. He likes to be 236 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: kind of quiet to do his cute little chirps, that's 237 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: totally fine. He sounds and looks like a very very 238 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: happy cat. I'm sure he has a fantastic life. And 239 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 1: he's also very spooky and scary and has a scary coffin, 240 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 1: and I love that. I do think it's a great 241 00:15:14,160 --> 00:15:18,640 Speaker 1: idea to talk about our superstitions about black cats. There 242 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: is an episode if you want to check it out. 243 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 1: It's called Superstition. I published that back in October twenty nineteen. 244 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 1: Maybe I'll drag that back up and do like a 245 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 1: rebroadcast of it, but it's been a while, so yeah, 246 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 1: maybe I will in the future talk more about our 247 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 1: weird human beliefs when it comes to black cats. And also, yeah, 248 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 1: you're your note is absolutely right. So black panthers are 249 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 1: melanistic variations of both leopards who are found in Africa 250 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:53,840 Speaker 1: or jaguars found in South America, So two different species 251 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: leopards and jaguars, but black panthers are not their own 252 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:02,000 Speaker 1: distinct species. Black panthers are just either a melanistic leopard 253 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 1: or a melanistic jaguar. You can even spot the rosette 254 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 1: pattern through their fur, so they're not entirely black. These 255 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 1: are cats who are genuinely bad luck. Not because they're 256 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: black cats, not because they're cats, but because they are 257 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 1: large wildcats and they can use their incredible jaw strength 258 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:26,960 Speaker 1: to crush your skull, particularly jaguars, although honestly, I don't 259 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 1: think jaguars or leopards tend to bother humans much. But 260 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 1: if you're like a a deer or a gazelle, you're 261 00:16:36,680 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: in trouble if you spot one of these cats. Next 262 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 1: listener question, Hi, Katie, I want to feed the crows 263 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 1: and any other corvids who want to join them. I've 264 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:49,720 Speaker 1: been putting out peanuts, but is there something like a 265 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 1: complete feed for them? Or should I add more variety 266 00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:55,000 Speaker 1: to the peanuts or should I just leave it at peanuts. 267 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: I've seen cracked corn recommended. Is that better than whole corn? 268 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 1: What about poultry feeds? I can get whatever is best, 269 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 1: although I also want them to like it. I enjoy 270 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:07,640 Speaker 1: them for their own sake. But since they also helped 271 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: deter hawks from stalking my chickens and ducks. I'm willing 272 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,159 Speaker 1: to invest in them. I just don't want to be 273 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 1: the Corvid equivalent to the well meaning folks inadvertently giving 274 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:21,960 Speaker 1: waterfowl angel wing from malnutrition. Let me say that sentence again, 275 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,479 Speaker 1: because it's a mouthful. I don't want to be the 276 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:28,879 Speaker 1: Corvid equivalent to the well meaning folks inadvertently giving waterfowl 277 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:33,120 Speaker 1: angel wing from malnutrition. Also, you're in my head. When 278 00:17:33,160 --> 00:17:35,920 Speaker 1: I listen to the groom Pod and Susie say I'm 279 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:39,639 Speaker 1: your host, my brain adds of many parasites. I'm so 280 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: happy that my words have become a parasite in your brain. 281 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: And then Kelly says, give Cookie a treat from me. 282 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:51,720 Speaker 1: Thanks Kelly, Hey, Kelly, thank you so much for your question. 283 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: Cookie has received a treat in your honor. She's not 284 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,439 Speaker 1: in the room right now, but I can guarantee it 285 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 1: she's received a treat. And I said, hey, Cookie, you 286 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:02,640 Speaker 1: better give your things to Kelly for this one. Otherwise 287 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:04,720 Speaker 1: you wouldn't be getting this tree. All right, let's talk 288 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:08,920 Speaker 1: about it. So the angel wings syndrome Kelly is referring 289 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 1: to is the deformation of wings and ducts, and in 290 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:16,639 Speaker 1: geese where the wing joint bends upwards, making some of 291 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:22,199 Speaker 1: the feathers permanently stuck in an airplane position. Basically, it 292 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:24,360 Speaker 1: looks like there's just a couple of feathers that are 293 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:27,360 Speaker 1: sticking up like this, but they are main feathers, so 294 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 1: they're quite large, so it looks kind of like their 295 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:33,560 Speaker 1: little airplanes. It would be cute if it wasn't so sad. 296 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 1: It is a possible complication of malnutrition and vitamin deficiency. 297 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 1: So there is a theory that people feeding them excessive 298 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 1: amounts of bread could cause it. I don't think it 299 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:49,400 Speaker 1: is proven that that's the case, but I think that's 300 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 1: a pretty good explanation for it. It may at the 301 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: very least be a contributing factor to this disease. So 302 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: Susie or Kelly is concerned that this may be the 303 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:07,399 Speaker 1: case when feeding crows, But let's talk about it, because 304 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 1: I don't think it's quite as dangerous or as a 305 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 1: sort of perilous situation as you think. So feeding crows 306 00:19:18,680 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 1: is really okay. Obviously you don't want to feed them bread, 307 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 1: which it doesn't sound like you're doing. Kelly and my 308 00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 1: main advice for feeding crows is just to do it 309 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 1: in moderation. You should be essentially offering them treats supplements, 310 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 1: not making up the main part of their diets, so 311 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: that they can continue to keep up their normal hunting 312 00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:43,800 Speaker 1: and scavenging practices so they don't become too dependent on you. 313 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:47,120 Speaker 1: But with that caveat, although out of the way, there 314 00:19:47,160 --> 00:19:50,399 Speaker 1: are certainly treats you can feed them and that they 315 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:52,760 Speaker 1: would love and that are nutritious. It sounds like you're 316 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:56,360 Speaker 1: really already doing that. Peanuts and corn are great treats 317 00:19:56,400 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: for crows. The difference between cracked corn and whole corn, 318 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 1: I don't think there's anything in terms of what would 319 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:09,119 Speaker 1: be better for the crow. Cracked corn is easier to digest, 320 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:11,639 Speaker 1: but that doesn't mean it's better than whole corn, because 321 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: if something takes a bit longer to digest, that might 322 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 1: be good for their metabolism. So I don't know. I 323 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:21,200 Speaker 1: don't think there's any nutritional really difference between the two. 324 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:24,399 Speaker 1: The only advantage that whole corn has is that it 325 00:20:24,520 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 1: might last longer outside right like, it might spoil less 326 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:32,439 Speaker 1: quickly because it's not cut in half and sort of 327 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 1: mashed up into little pieces, like if it's sort of 328 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:38,239 Speaker 1: moist out or something, it will spoil less quickly. So 329 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: maybe the whole corn would be better, but I really 330 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 1: can't say. You could also put out different types of 331 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 1: nuts and see what they like best. I have read 332 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:52,320 Speaker 1: that they really love pet food and eggs, but then 333 00:20:52,359 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 1: you might be encouraging other scavengers to come to your yard, 334 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: ones that would be less beneficial to your ducks and 335 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:02,960 Speaker 1: your chickens. So maybe stay away from the more meat 336 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 1: based things or the like. Don't put out cat food, 337 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:08,680 Speaker 1: don't put out eggs, because you're gonna get a lot 338 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 1: of different scavengers and omnivores. Yeah, you're You're really unlikely 339 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:16,680 Speaker 1: to hurt the crows with whatever food you give them, 340 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:20,639 Speaker 1: as long as it's not in too great of a quantity, 341 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:23,680 Speaker 1: and like I said, just you don't want them to 342 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:28,160 Speaker 1: grow too dependent on you. You also, like, uh, giving 343 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:30,760 Speaker 1: them treats. There's really no harm in that. You're feeding 344 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:33,119 Speaker 1: them a lot of food, and you kind of cause 345 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:37,760 Speaker 1: shifts in their population, like make them more successful. That's 346 00:21:37,840 --> 00:21:41,880 Speaker 1: you know, not necessarily great because you there's other birds 347 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: that live there, and you don't want to like kind 348 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:47,120 Speaker 1: of tip the scales too much in the crow's favor. 349 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:50,160 Speaker 1: As much as I love crows, right, it's always good 350 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:53,880 Speaker 1: to have a balance there. But it really, I really 351 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:56,000 Speaker 1: don't think that you have to worry about that. If 352 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:59,959 Speaker 1: you're just putting out some treats for them, that's totally fine. 353 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:03,440 Speaker 1: And you know, honestly, like you may develop some friendship 354 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:06,480 Speaker 1: with these crows, like they may start giving you little 355 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:10,159 Speaker 1: presents like little sticks or bottle caps. Who knows so 356 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:14,720 Speaker 1: they I'm sure they appreciate your efforts in their own 357 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: little crow ways. All right, Hey, I loved the recent 358 00:22:22,200 --> 00:22:26,440 Speaker 1: Crocodilian episode. I myself am from Florida and still live there, 359 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:29,480 Speaker 1: and unlike Bridget she was my guest on the episode, 360 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:31,880 Speaker 1: I grew up right by a huge stretch of river 361 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:35,760 Speaker 1: and swamp, unlike the really industrial city of Miami. I'm 362 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: sure you can still spot gaters there, and it's a 363 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 1: quick cop to the Everglades. But I think it's a 364 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaker 1: little funny comparatively how ubiquitous gaters are in my little 365 00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:47,080 Speaker 1: part of Florida. I can even see a gat on 366 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:50,040 Speaker 1: the daily if I want to, as there's a juvenile 367 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,320 Speaker 1: that lives in my neighborhood's little pond. I only ever 368 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 1: get to see his snout and the eyes above the water, 369 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 1: and there's way too much duckweed to actually see into 370 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:01,520 Speaker 1: the pond and judge his But based on how big 371 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:04,000 Speaker 1: his head is, he's probably three to four feet. Yeah, 372 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:07,440 Speaker 1: that's not bad. They are seriously everywhere in this state, 373 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:10,240 Speaker 1: to the point where the Little Florida Welcome Centers have 374 00:23:10,359 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 1: live baby gators. We've got so many dang gators. Well, 375 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 1: I hope those baby gators are being paid to be there. Anyways, 376 00:23:19,800 --> 00:23:22,239 Speaker 1: back to the listener question, I don't think questions are 377 00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 1: super necessary because I just want to let you know 378 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:29,399 Speaker 1: how ridiculously gator filled Florida can be, and not having 379 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:32,520 Speaker 1: gator safety on the school curriculum does kind of make sense. 380 00:23:32,600 --> 00:23:35,879 Speaker 1: But all this gator talk does have me wondering whether 381 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 1: there's any other big predators in America that are not 382 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:42,639 Speaker 1: only so ubiquitous but also easy to spot. I feel 383 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 1: like bears and cougars are fairly elusive, After all, we 384 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:49,200 Speaker 1: have those here in Florida as well. I've only seen 385 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 1: them in captivity or as roadkill, while gators will just 386 00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:55,120 Speaker 1: be chilling out at any old place. I imagine part 387 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:57,360 Speaker 1: of The difference might also be that getter simply need 388 00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 1: to conserve their energy so much more as reptiles, so 389 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:04,399 Speaker 1: they're much less flighty and less a potential risk gets 390 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:07,159 Speaker 1: really close or messes with their babies. Anyway, if you 391 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:10,200 Speaker 1: ever do visit Florida for any reason in the future, 392 00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:13,120 Speaker 1: the whole Tampa Bay area is great for spotting cute 393 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,200 Speaker 1: aquatic creatures, be it gators in the rivers or dolphins 394 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:19,280 Speaker 1: and sharks in the ocean. The clear Water Aquarium in 395 00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:23,320 Speaker 1: Florida Aquarium are both lovely for similar experiences, but with 396 00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:27,520 Speaker 1: added AC. Thanks for all you do, Tommy. Thank you 397 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:32,840 Speaker 1: so much for your email. Tommy, Yeah, I AC is 398 00:24:32,840 --> 00:24:37,960 Speaker 1: always welcome. I'm sure in Florida, living near so many 399 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:43,160 Speaker 1: gators must be so amazing and so cool, a little menacing. 400 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 1: Maybe you are usually safe as long as you keep 401 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 1: your distance and you don't go wading into their waters, 402 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:52,919 Speaker 1: and also keep your tiny edible little dogs on a leash. 403 00:24:53,040 --> 00:24:56,880 Speaker 1: I'm speaking in general, not directly to Tommy, but yeah, 404 00:24:56,880 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 1: it must be really thrilling to see them in the 405 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:03,520 Speaker 1: FLEs and outside of an enclosure, just chilling and thinking 406 00:25:03,600 --> 00:25:06,000 Speaker 1: gator thoughts. I can't say I ever have seen a 407 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:10,240 Speaker 1: gator that is just living its life outside of an enclosure. 408 00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:15,400 Speaker 1: So about there being other big predators that just hang out, 409 00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:19,159 Speaker 1: I mean, one reason obviously that gators are so ubiquitous 410 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:24,280 Speaker 1: in this area is that human settlements, cities, towns, neighborhoods 411 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 1: are basically right where the gator's natural habitat is. And 412 00:25:29,400 --> 00:25:32,560 Speaker 1: the gators, Yeah, like you said, probably them being reptiles 413 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:34,920 Speaker 1: is part of it, right, Like they a lot of 414 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 1: their lifestyle is not moving around. It is sitting, basking, 415 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:44,720 Speaker 1: waiting quietly in sort of covertly for prey to come by. 416 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: So they're a lot less mobile, they don't roam around 417 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:51,679 Speaker 1: as much, and so yeah, if they are relatively unbothered 418 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:54,080 Speaker 1: by people, it's going to be a lot easier to 419 00:25:55,440 --> 00:26:01,040 Speaker 1: spot them. So in terms of other large predators, as 420 00:26:01,080 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 1: you've guessed correctly, yeah, we don't have too many large 421 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:08,280 Speaker 1: predators who are willing to rub elbows with humans. Some 422 00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:11,400 Speaker 1: of our largest predator species in the US are bears, 423 00:26:11,960 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 1: mountain lions, wolves, bobcats, and coyotes, all of whom are 424 00:26:16,119 --> 00:26:18,760 Speaker 1: pretty shy. I mean, coyotes are pretty bold, but they're 425 00:26:18,920 --> 00:26:23,159 Speaker 1: smaller and they are more elusive. They move around a lot, right, 426 00:26:23,160 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: They're so different from gators because they move around, they 427 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:31,040 Speaker 1: hunt in packs. They're very like active hunters. But they 428 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:33,520 Speaker 1: are bold in the sense that they will come into 429 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 1: human neighborhoods, which again, like the human neighborhoods are in 430 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:40,640 Speaker 1: their habitats, it's not really their fault, and they come 431 00:26:40,680 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 1: in and sometimes they steal people's chickens or pets. But 432 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 1: there is I think an interesting story that it could 433 00:26:49,040 --> 00:26:52,000 Speaker 1: be something of an answer to your question and is 434 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:54,680 Speaker 1: also a really important story, which is that one of 435 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:59,200 Speaker 1: the largest predators in North America, polar bears, in fact, 436 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:03,960 Speaker 1: the largest predator or in North America, are becoming less shy. 437 00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:07,760 Speaker 1: They are coming into towns more often due to climate 438 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:11,560 Speaker 1: change and less available prey because they really don't necessarily 439 00:27:11,640 --> 00:27:14,640 Speaker 1: want to come into these human towns, but they are. 440 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 1: As ice flows are more brittle, there's less of this region, 441 00:27:19,320 --> 00:27:22,760 Speaker 1: they will be able to find less of their natural prey, 442 00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:28,480 Speaker 1: like seals, so they come into town. They particularly like 443 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:34,320 Speaker 1: this town called Kaktovic because of a spot where whale 444 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 1: carcasses are left after being hunted by the locals. So 445 00:27:38,920 --> 00:27:41,280 Speaker 1: this is a special case in which the people of 446 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:43,720 Speaker 1: the area are allowed to hunt whales because it is 447 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:47,520 Speaker 1: how they have traditionally survived for many, many many years. 448 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:50,040 Speaker 1: So this is not the type of whaling that is 449 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:54,639 Speaker 1: like commercial whaling. This is just an ancient practice that 450 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:57,840 Speaker 1: is legal in this area. So the locals are not 451 00:27:57,880 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 1: doing anything wrong. So the area where the remains of 452 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:05,920 Speaker 1: the carcasses are left has become a hot spot for 453 00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:09,920 Speaker 1: polar bears. It makes sense, right, people will hunt the whales, 454 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:13,240 Speaker 1: they'll leave what is left of the carcass in this area, 455 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 1: and so the polar bears will come and scavenge from 456 00:28:17,800 --> 00:28:22,920 Speaker 1: these carcasses, and that would pretty much be fine, right, 457 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:27,480 Speaker 1: because the locals are pretty well versed in how to 458 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 1: avoid the polar bears, they definitely give them their space. 459 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:33,959 Speaker 1: But it is new, right, the locals said that this 460 00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:38,360 Speaker 1: has not been the case, you know, in the past historically, 461 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:42,200 Speaker 1: like polar bears were not so numerous at these carcass 462 00:28:42,240 --> 00:28:45,600 Speaker 1: sites because the polar bears probably had a preference to 463 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:49,360 Speaker 1: still stay away from this human area and hunt in 464 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 1: their own territory. But now the climate change has driven 465 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:57,560 Speaker 1: them further into this town, and so now these dump 466 00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:00,320 Speaker 1: sites have so many of these polar bears, And a 467 00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 1: problem that's happening is tourists are really interested in seeing 468 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:08,320 Speaker 1: the bears, and that's not a great thing because, first 469 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:11,400 Speaker 1: of all, it's better to just leave these polar bears alone, right, 470 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:16,200 Speaker 1: They have it tough enough. But also, polar bears are massive, 471 00:29:16,520 --> 00:29:22,040 Speaker 1: gosh darn bears. They're so like polar bears genuinely frighten 472 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:27,680 Speaker 1: me in a way that almost no other predator does. 473 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:33,400 Speaker 1: They are so they're such a determination, right, they live 474 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:35,520 Speaker 1: in such a harsh environment, and they have such a 475 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:39,800 Speaker 1: determination to eat food because they need to, and to them, 476 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 1: we look like food unless they learn to avoid us 477 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:48,280 Speaker 1: because they've had bad encounters with people. But like, look, 478 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:51,560 Speaker 1: these are bears that usually have not seen like a 479 00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:54,120 Speaker 1: great meal in a while. If you're a tourist and 480 00:29:54,160 --> 00:29:57,880 Speaker 1: you're going into this area, which is basically bear buffet, 481 00:29:58,760 --> 00:30:02,239 Speaker 1: that doesn't seem like a good idea. I don't know, 482 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:07,200 Speaker 1: it doesn't sound like anyone's been killed yet, but guys, 483 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:11,360 Speaker 1: stay away from the bear buffet. That's my advice as 484 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:15,239 Speaker 1: a professional person who likes to stay alive and not 485 00:30:15,440 --> 00:30:19,440 Speaker 1: be eaten in one of the most horrific ways possible. Anyways, 486 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:21,280 Speaker 1: So that would be my answer. I would say that 487 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:25,240 Speaker 1: polar bears are becoming more bold seen more about town 488 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:29,160 Speaker 1: in these areas, but it's not necessarily a good thing. 489 00:30:29,680 --> 00:30:31,960 Speaker 1: I think that, like in Florida, correct me if I'm wrong, 490 00:30:32,120 --> 00:30:34,720 Speaker 1: that there's a bit of a piece maybe between the 491 00:30:34,760 --> 00:30:39,160 Speaker 1: gators and the people. Maybe not peace, but you know, 492 00:30:39,280 --> 00:30:41,880 Speaker 1: just there's a bit of an equilibrium. The fact that 493 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:44,240 Speaker 1: the bears are coming into town's is not good. This 494 00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:48,960 Speaker 1: is a sign that their habitat is not healthy. So 495 00:30:49,080 --> 00:30:53,880 Speaker 1: it's unfortunate. But hopefully, you know, we can figure out 496 00:30:53,880 --> 00:30:59,840 Speaker 1: a way to stop stop the the ice from completely melting, 497 00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:02,080 Speaker 1: because otherwise we're gonna have to just I think give 498 00:31:02,120 --> 00:31:07,240 Speaker 1: Alaska to the bears. Guys. It's only fair, all right. Well, guys, 499 00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:10,080 Speaker 1: thank you so much for writing to me with your questions. 500 00:31:10,120 --> 00:31:11,920 Speaker 1: If you were listening to this and you're like, I 501 00:31:12,040 --> 00:31:16,320 Speaker 1: have a burning question about animals, you should write to 502 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:21,720 Speaker 1: me at Creature Featurepod at gmail dot com any of 503 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:25,880 Speaker 1: your burning evolutionary biology questions. If you have a burning 504 00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:29,520 Speaker 1: somewhere like a rash, just go to a doctor. That's 505 00:31:29,720 --> 00:31:32,840 Speaker 1: I can't help you with that. Thanks to the Space 506 00:31:32,840 --> 00:31:37,040 Speaker 1: Classics for their super awesome song Exolumina Creature features a 507 00:31:37,040 --> 00:31:41,160 Speaker 1: production of iHeartRadio. For more podcasts like the one you 508 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:44,000 Speaker 1: just heard, visit they are heart Radio app Apple Podcasts 509 00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:46,160 Speaker 1: or thank us. What why of you listen to your 510 00:31:46,160 --> 00:31:48,560 Speaker 1: favorite shows. I'm not your mother. I can't tell you 511 00:31:48,600 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 1: what to do, but I do care enough about you 512 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:54,320 Speaker 1: to say, stay away from the bear buffet. See you 513 00:31:54,400 --> 00:31:57,040 Speaker 1: next Wednesday.