Wildlife

The Science of the Sloth Microbiome: A Mobile Ecosystem

Discover why the three-toed sloth is not just an animal, but a highly complex, slow-moving ecosystem of algae, fungi, and moths.

The Science of the Snail: Epiphragm and Dormancy

How does a snail survive a three-year drought? Discover the biology of Estivation and the calcium shield known as the Epiphragm.

The Science of the Sperm Whale: The Vertical Sleep Posture

How does a 40-ton mammal sleep in the open ocean? Discover the bizarre, upright sleeping posture of the Sperm Whale.

The Science of the Stonefish: The Venomous Spine

Meet the most venomous fish in the world. Discover the Stonefish and the pressure-sensitive, hypodermic spines hidden in its dorsal fin.

The Science of the Strangler Fig: The Parasitic Climb

Discover the slow-motion assassination of the rainforest. Explore the Strangler Fig and its biological strategy for conquering the canopy from the top down.

The Science of the Tardigrade: Living Without Water

Meet the most indestructible animal on Earth. Discover the Water Bear and the science of 'Cryptobiosis' that allows it to survive in the vacuum of space.

The Science of the Texas Horned Lizard: Blood Squirt

Why does a lizard squirt blood from its eyes? Discover the extreme auto-hemorrhaging defense of the Texas Horned Lizard.

The Science of the Vampire Squid: Bioluminescent Escapes

Meet the deep-sea cephalopod that fights with light instead of ink. Discover the Vampire Squid and its glowing, defensive 'Smoke Screen'.

The Science of the Vomeronasal Organ: Pheromone Detector

Discover the hidden 'Sixth Sense.' Explore the Vomeronasal Organ (Jacobson's Organ) and how animals detect the invisible, odorless chemical signals of fear and mating.

The Science of the Vulture Stomach: Digesting Anthrax

Why vultures don't get sick from rotting meat. Discover the extreme acidic biology of the vulture stomach and its unique, pathogen-filtering microbiome.

The Science of the Wood Frog: Freezing Solid

How does an animal survive being frozen alive? Discover the Wood Frog and its biological anti-freeze made of urea and massive amounts of liver sugar.

The Science of the Woodpecker: The Shock Absorbing Skull

Why doesn't a woodpecker get a concussion? Discover the biomechanics of the woodpecker's skull and the spongy bone that protects its brain.