Cool Facts About Animals

Latest Episodes:

Velociraptor - Dinosaur Terrorist of the Cretaceous! Dec 01, 2019

Show notes

On this episode, we go way back in time to learn about the velociraptor! If your knowledge about the velociraptor comes from the movie Jurassic Park (like Jaguar) then you'll be surprised to know that most of what you think is true is false! The velociraptor was only about the size of the turkey, and its hunting game was way different than portrayed. In this episode, you'll learn more about its dangerous claws, a prehistoric battle, and lots more.

We mentioned two videos in the episode. They are:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0qs5oclDkI - Interesting information about what the velociraptor might have sounded like

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2erfy1 - BBC documentary in which they do experiments to discover more about how the velociraptor's claws were used

If you want to answer our creature quiz, riddle, do the kid challenge, or just want to say hi, you can reach us on Twitter at @coolanimalspod or email us at coolfactsaboutanimals@gmail.com

If you'd like to support us financially, and help fund our trip to the Red Woods to study a new habitat, you can support us on our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/coolfactsaboutanimals

Thanks for listening!

Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula Halloween Special Oct 31, 2019

Show notes

You can't get much spookier than this spider, the largest of all spiders. It's legs alone get be up to a foot long, and it's so hairy and creepy and…. I need to stop.

On this episode, you'll learn about this tarantula's defense mechanisms—including its ability to spew barbed hairs at its enemies, the creepy thing female spiders do to their would-be mates, and lots more.

We always love to hear from you! You can reach us at coolfactsaboutanimals@gmail.com or tweet us at @coolanimalspod.

If you're interested in being one of our Patreon sponsors, follow the link here:https://www.patreon.com/coolfactsaboutanimals

Thanks as always to Andrew of Ear Snacks for our theme song!

Orca/Killer Whale Oct 19, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, we talk about new discoveries about orcas (aka killer whales), learn more about how smart they are (learning words!), and Jaguar gets a little jealous.

We've got lots of links in this one:

Here's the link to Orca v. Great White Shark: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orca-versus-great-white-shark/id1334467437?i=1000423748015

Here's the link to the salmon episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/salmon/id1334467437?i=1000417338721

Here's a link to the granola bar recipe I've been using (I love Smitten Kitchen): https://smittenkitchen.com/2010/02/thick-chewy-granola-bars/

And here's a yogurt making primer: https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-homemade-yogurt-step-by-step-article

And thanks again to Maggie for being our Patreon sponsor! If you're interested in supporting our podcast financially, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/coolfactsaboutanimals

If you want to answer the creature quiz, riddle, or tell us how you're doing on this month's kid challenge, send us a note at coolfactsboutanimals@gmail.com or on Twitter at @coolanimalspod.

Thanks as always to Andrew of Ear Snacks for our awesome theme song!

Bonus! Exquisite Creatures Oct 05, 2019

Show notes

The Cool Facts About Animals crew got the opportunity to head to Oregon's science museum (OMSI) to check out the new exhibit, Exquisite Creatures, and interview the artist behind the exhibit, Christopher Marley.

Marley is an Oregon artist who uses animals and insects to create amazing pieces of art. In this episode you'll learn why it's so important to go out and see nature in real life, what kinds of looks you get when you take your pet monitor lizard for a walk, and how you can help to protect animals.

Thanks as always for listening, and we will be back soon with our regularly-scheduled episode!

Many thanks against to Christopher Marley for speaking with us, and for OMSI for giving us this opportunity.

And thank you to Andrew Barkan of Ear Snacks for our theme music!

Whale Shark Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

It's a whale! It's a shark! It's not a whale at all, it's the biggest fish in the sea! It's a whale shark!

On this episode we get way too silly talking about filter feeding, the differences between whales and sharks, and just how big these sharks are. (Hint: super big.)

Thanks to Miles for the suggestion, along with previous suggesters Theo and Nadia.

And many thanks to Lilli and Hazel, two of our newest Patreon sponsors! If you would like to help support us take a road trip to visit in person with a scientist, you can head over to https://www.patreon.com/coolfactsaboutanimals and make a donation. We are narrowing in on a location, and hope to head there this fall!

If you think you know the answer to our creature quiz or riddle, or if you completed our kid challenge, send us an email at coolfactsaboutanimals@gmail.com, or tweet us at @coolanimalspod.

Thanks for listening!

Bonus: Fill in the Blanks with Jaguar and Corduroy Sep 01, 2019

Show notes

Just for fun this long weekend, we're doing filling in the blank word games with Jaguar and Corduroy! We'll be back with more cool animal facts in a week or so - stay tuned!

Thanks so much to Miles and Toby, our Patreon supporters! If you're interested in supporting us financially, you can check out our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/coolfactsaboutanimals

Sea Pigs Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

Another special summer episode, this time featuring Tristan and Quinn. Besides being Sea Pig experts, they are also cousins to Grady, Clara, and Teddy.

We learn lots of cool facts about this very strange looking sea creature. If you want to guess what they might look like (no peeking!) send us a picture at coolfactsaboutanimals@gmail.com, or tweet us at coolanimalspod. If you already know what they look like, send us another picture instead. We will send you a bookmark!

We will be getting back to school and our normal schedules soon. Thanks in advance to our three new Patreon sponsors! We will be doing official thank yous in our next three regular episodes.

If you would like to financially support our podcast, click here: https://www.patreon.com/coolfactsaboutanimals

Tarantula Hawk Wasps with Dr. Justin Schmidt Aug 04, 2019

Show notes

A long, long time ago we got a request from James—who was 5 at the time—to do an episode about tarantula hawk wasps. When we started researching the insect, we kept coming across the name Dr. Justin Schmidt. Grady had already heard of him—you may have too. He invented what's called the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. The index measures just what it sounds like it would—how painful different insects' stings are to humans. Dr. Schmidt is also the author of a book called The Sting of the Wild, which we recommend you all read.

We had the great pleasure of having a Skype conversation from Dr. Schmidt from his office in Tucson, Arizona. We talked about not just the tarantula hawk wasp, but also about other stinging insects, why some insects die after they sting you, how much it hurts to get stung by a bullet ant, and lots more. Check it out.

We will be back with our regular format soon! And once again, we know we have a growing list of folks who we owe bookmarks and replies too. You are on our radar, but summer fun is getting in the way. We will be back on track soon!

Bonus! Luna Moth Jul 18, 2019

Show notes

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon, we are celebrating a moon-themed animal--the Luna Moth! Learn about its fierce defense tactics as a caterpillar, the one important thing its missing as an adult, and a lot of corny moth jokes.

Want to support Jaguar's mantis shrimp habit? Er, rather, our trip to Eastern Oregon to learn about some other cool animals from the experts? You can support us on our Patreon page!https://www.patreon.com/coolfactsaboutanimals

To answer our Creature Quiz, send us an email at coolfactsaboutanimals@gmail.com or Tweet us at @coolanimalspod.

We are behind on sending out our bookmarks, but we are aware! We promise to send soon.

Versus! Oregon Birds of Prey v. Songbirds Jul 04, 2019

Show notes

On this episode, we travel all the way to… Grady's elementary school to do a "versus" episode. This past school year, Grady's third-grade class did a unit on Oregon bird, where each kid in the class chose a different Oregon bird to study. We spoke to nine of these kids to bring you this versus episode! Which type of bird would win in a fashion contest? Which type of bird would win a hotdog eating contest? And which bird reigns superior! Listen to the episode to find out.

Many thanks to the kids who contributed to this episode, and to Mrs. Gassner for making this episode possible!

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