00:00:00 Speaker 1: So here's some gear I've tested and really loved. It's an electric cooler from Dometic, the CFX five. With it, you don't have to think about melting ice or soggy food. It keeps food cold at camp and ice stays frozen for your harvest. It's got upgraded insulation and a quieter compressor. Just load it up, plug it in, and focus on your hunt. Head to Dometic dot com to learn more about Dometic electric coolers. 00:00:44 Speaker 2: It's time for why It's the Way it is? 00:00:50 Speaker 3: Hey, kids, my name is Clay Nukem, and today we are going to talk about one of the most mysterious animals on planet Earth, an animal that we know so little about it's almost astonishing. The animal that we're going to talk about is the nar wall whale that lives in the Arctic Ocean of Canada Greenland in Russia. The Arctic is the northern latitudes of planet Earth, where there's massive sheets of ice and much of the winter, the entire surface of the water is covered in ice, and the narwalal whale lives in the Arctic Ocean. They're known to migrate hundreds and hundreds of miles searching for openings in the sea ice and searching for their prey, which nar walls they eat, fish, shrimp, and squid. Nar Walls are some of the deepest diving animals known to live in the ocean. They can dive over a mile deep and hold their breath for over twenty five minutes. But I have not told you yet the question that we're going to answer that remains one of the great mische of planet Earth, and that is why does a narwal have a tusk? That's right, you heard it here first, right here on the mediat Kids podcast, that narwalls have a tusk like a horn that sticks out of the front of their face, right up out of their head, and it can be over ten foot long, and it's spiraled like a corkscrew and looks like the horn of a unicorn. Now, me and you both know that a unicorn is not real. 00:02:32 Speaker 4: It's a fictitious creature. 00:02:34 Speaker 3: A narwal is very real, and I want to know why they have a tusk. Narwalls travel in what they call pods, and usually they're segregated by age and whether they're males and females. And these pods can be anywhere between five animals to twenty, and oftentimes there's multiple multiple pods that are separate but kind of together, creating big swaths of thousands of animals that migrate together. The narwhale is what they call a toothed whale. The name narwhale came from the Norse languages, which is languages coming out of northern Europe, and it means corpse whale. You can ask your mom and dad about that if you want to. But these animals are modeled black and gray, and they are big suckers. When they're traveling in their pods, they use a series of clicks, whistles, and other unique calls to communicate with each other underwater. Did you know that whales are mammals, which means that they feed their young milk, and a mammal is like us. A mammal is but else live in the ocean, which is pretty wild to me. I once read a book by a man named Barry Lopez about the Arctic, this region of the world where these narwals live. The Arctic is where there's polar bears and seals, and he said that we know more about the rings of Jupiter than we know about narwallls and it's partly because of where they live. They're very hard to study, and no one, no scientists, has ever seen a narwalll eat or mate to make babies. They've never seen it because they do it so deep under the ocean, under the cover of ice, and that is why they remain to be this very, very difficult animal to understand. There are believed to be one hundred and seventy thousand narwalals on planet Earth today. But we've got to talk about this tusk. Many people in the past have called it a horn, but it's actually a tusk, and it grows out of the left front tooth of the narwalll through its skin and straight out, just like the horn. 00:05:11 Speaker 4: Of a unicorn. 00:05:13 Speaker 3: It's the only straight tusk in the world. And it's spiraled, it's corkscrewed, and it spins counterclockwise, and it's flexible and can bend a foot in any direction. But what is so unique about the narwalll's tusk is that it is like an inside out tooth because the nerves are on the outside of the trunk, so on your teeth, the nerves are on the inside, and there's a hard casing of enamel on the outside of the tooth protecting the nerve. 00:05:47 Speaker 4: The narwalll tusk. 00:05:49 Speaker 3: The nerves are on the outside. But you might think if you saw it that they use those tusks for fighting, because the males and the females have tusks, but no body has ever seen them use them for getting food, for fighting, or even for defending themselves. There's many great mysteries around the narwal's tusk. At one time they were actually worth more than gold. Literally they were worth ten times the amount of gold because whalers were going out into the ocean during the medieval times a long long time ago, and they would kill a narwhal and they would use the meat and they would render the oil from the whale, but they would cut off the tusk and they would bring it back, and people actually thought that it was the horn of a unicorn. So the narwall's tusk became very valuable. People grounded up into medicine and there were many folk remedies around the narwal's tusks that they could cure all kinds of sickness, which caused it to be incredibly valuable, but also caused it to be incredibly bad for the narwhal because people wanted to kill them to get the oil from their fat and to get their tusks. Something that's very interesting is that one time there was a shipwreck, a very prominent shipwreck, and when the ship washed ashore, there were Narwal tusks in the ship, and it became known as bad luck to have Narwal tusks in your boat, and it put this stigma on the narwals, and it was very interesting. It became almost like a fantastical creature, almost like a unicorn, except they were real and unicorns aren't real. But here we've come to the climax of our story. Kids, male narwhals are the only ones with the big, long, potentially ten foot long tusks. Some females have short tusks, but not all of them. But there's a great mystery around what the tusk is for. You saw it, you might think it was for fighting. You might think they would duel like two swordsmen that were fighting each other, but we've never seen them do that. Used to they thought that narwhales use their tusk to break ice because they live in the Arctic and they need to travel through icy water. But no one has ever seen them use it for breaking ice. Some scientists at one time believe that it was used to communicate with other whales about the metrics of the water that they just traveled through. 00:08:31 Speaker 4: But they don't think that's the case today. 00:08:34 Speaker 3: All they know is that they think it has to do with mail courtship, and the bigger the tusk, the more dominant the mail is. 00:08:44 Speaker 4: But not because he fights. It's just aesthetic. It's just this. 00:08:47 Speaker 3: Long, big, huge thing that is important to them. And that is why it's still such a great mystery, even today when we can fly to the moon, even when we know about electricity, and we know how to fly a plane, and we know how to travel across the Earth, and we know how to sell ships across the ocean, but we really don't know why a narwhal has a tusk. And that, my friends, is very exciting. 00:09:21 Speaker 5: What time is it when a bear walks into the room. 00:09:26 Speaker 6: Time to leave? 00:09:30 Speaker 2: It's time for guests, that critter where we play animal sounds and critter calls, and you've got to guess what creature is making those sounds. Don't worry, it ain't too hard. We're gonna throw in some clues. Now open up your years. 00:09:53 Speaker 7: That eerie sound is known as a whale. These critters use this sound like a location. Scientists believe it is often used by mates to find one another or parents to find their young. These critters live all across North America. When they're breeding, they're mostly in Canada. Then they migrate across the US and spend their non breeding time during the winter along the ocean coasts of Canada, the US, and Mexico. That's a hoot. Mates hoot at each other and parents hoot at their kids to get their attention, like when your parents tell you, hey, it's dinner time. These animal parents are also known for letting their young hitch a ride on their backs. These critters are carnivorous, meaning they eat only meat and feast on fish and other aquatic animals like crayfish, frogs, snails, and insects. They have a really neat adaptation of sharp rearroad pointing projections on the roof of their mouth and tongue to help keep a firm hold on their slippery prey. That sound is called a tremolo. These critters make that noise when they feel threatened to alert others of any nearby danger. These animals have a black back with some white spots and stripes and bright red eyes. 00:11:34 Speaker 4: This vocal critter also yodles. 00:11:44 Speaker 7: Only the males of this species make this noise when an intruder has entered his territory. Each male has a signature yodel, and if they move territories, they change their yodel as well. 00:11:58 Speaker 4: Now try to guess. 00:11:59 Speaker 7: That okay, it's time for the reveal. It's a common loon. Loons are large diving birds known for the unique noises they make. In fact, some Native American tales give credit to the loon's voice for the creation of flutes. Loons have legs located way far back on their bodies, so they can't walk very well on land, but it makes them excellent swimmers and divers. They are also particularly good at flying, but are kind of like airplanes and need a runway to take off into the air. They flap their wings and run on the surface of the water for about ninety feet that's almost three school buses lined up before they take off into the air, where they can reach speeds of seventy miles an hour. So if you're out on a lake this summer, keep your ears open for the interesting sounds of loons and are you sure to tune in next time? Or guess that critter? 00:13:10 Speaker 4: Where do fish go to look for a job? 00:13:14 Speaker 6: The KELP Wanted section. 00:13:20 Speaker 2: It's time for everyone's favorite game show, Trivia. Let's all join you. 00:13:28 Speaker 6: I'm joined by Matthew, Mabel Sage, Amelia Addison, and Marshall. Each player will learn ten dollars for conservation with every question they get right today. There's a potential for this room to earn up to one hundred and eighty dollars this week. That donation is going to the National Wildlife Federation, who publishes the kids magazine Ranger Rick. Let's see how much money our players can raise. Question one, how many legs does a scorpion have? Is it six? 00:13:55 Speaker 2: Eight or twelve? 00:13:59 Speaker 6: How many legs does a scorpion have? 00:14:01 Speaker 7: Six? 00:14:03 Speaker 2: Eight or twelve? 00:14:05 Speaker 5: Okay, I'm going I'm going I do not. 00:14:09 Speaker 8: It's kind of like different than the others, but I still think it's eight. 00:14:14 Speaker 6: Okay, there's a little hint from Marshall. I think it's you think I'm trying to give. 00:14:20 Speaker 5: I think, well, if you just is it six legs? 00:14:24 Speaker 7: Eight? 00:14:27 Speaker 6: I said them all different? Now which one? 00:14:29 Speaker 1: Wait? 00:14:29 Speaker 8: Hold on, I'm guessing it's still okay. 00:14:34 Speaker 6: Erect does a scorpion half six, eight or twelve? 00:14:37 Speaker 8: I'm so I'm kind of confident the only legs because I have like this book called Like Scorpion Versus to Lancelot. 00:14:46 Speaker 6: Oh, but I can't give us the. 00:14:48 Speaker 8: Answer counted today. But I think I've probably. 00:14:51 Speaker 6: Forgot you counted their legs today. 00:14:54 Speaker 8: Yeah, I have to do. I have to read a book and then I get it go. 00:14:57 Speaker 7: On my head. 00:14:58 Speaker 6: Oh heck yeah, same for me. Is everybody ready? Yes, go ahead and reveal your answers? Mabel Amelia eight, Marshall eight, Sage six, Addison Matthew. The correct answer is eight. That was a tricky one. Scorpions are an iraqnid, like Sage said, meaning they have eight legs, unlike insects, which have six legs. Eraknids use that extra set of legs for feeding, defense, and movement. Can you guys name some other animals that have eight legs? 00:15:34 Speaker 9: Spiders, spiders those have eight legs, mit ticks, and daddy long legs. 00:15:45 Speaker 6: Question two, Which of these animals is fastest? A grizzly bear, a squirrel or a monarch butterfly, a squirtle, a squirrel, no Pokemon in this episode, Phil, Which of these animals is fastest a grizzly bear, a squirrel, or a monarch butterfly? 00:16:09 Speaker 8: I'm guessing over to White. 00:16:11 Speaker 6: Now, how fast do you think a squirtle is? 00:16:13 Speaker 8: Marshall, Well, I have like that is a Pokemon kilto. 00:16:17 Speaker 6: But do you think a squirrel or a squirtle is faster? 00:16:21 Speaker 8: Probably a squirtle because like it has how fast they would be if they're all alive and it's like eighty eight. 00:16:29 Speaker 6: Okay, squirtle is not a choice for this question. Which of these animals is fastest a grizzly bear, a squirrel, or a monarch butterfly? Is everybody ready? 00:16:40 Speaker 3: Yeah? 00:16:40 Speaker 8: No, not me? 00:16:41 Speaker 6: Okay, Marshall's still thinking about the pokeman's down there. Which of these animals is fastest? Grizzly bear, squirrel or monas what Dad calls it. 00:16:50 Speaker 5: I usual to be a Pokemon collector and you would say, like, are you looking at your Pokemon? 00:16:55 Speaker 6: Oh yeah, I think Dad Steve is just being a goof. He knows better than that, doesn't he does? He does? Man, Yeah, he's just messing with you. No, he's not. 00:17:04 Speaker 9: Okay Tokemon are pointless. 00:17:08 Speaker 5: No, there's some really. 00:17:09 Speaker 6: Expensive ones, but like, why would you buy it? 00:17:12 Speaker 9: What would you do with it? Collect it? 00:17:14 Speaker 6: Maybe you're going to get kicked out of this studio by over there is everybody ready, Go ahead and reveal your answers. Mabel a bear, Amelia squirrel, Marshall mail. 00:17:28 Speaker 9: Sage Addison, monarch butterfly, Matthew grizzly bear. 00:17:34 Speaker 6: You guys picked all three answers. The correct answer is a grizzly bear. 00:17:39 Speaker 5: Let's go. 00:17:40 Speaker 6: The top speed of a squirrel and a monarch butterfly is twenty miles per hour, and the top speed of a grizzly bear is thirty five. 00:17:48 Speaker 5: I know, I knew grizzly bears can run twice as fast as humans, so I definitely I thought, like, well, I know a butterfly is not going to be passed like thirty miles per hour. 00:17:58 Speaker 6: Now, how fast do you think you guys are. 00:18:01 Speaker 3: I'm like, I'm. 00:18:01 Speaker 6: Really like, I'm like twelve twelve, Okay, any other guesses about how fast you guys are, like. 00:18:08 Speaker 9: As yourself or like as. 00:18:13 Speaker 6: One study showed, the average ten year old can run about ten to twelve miles per hour. Now the top speed of any human ever. You say bolt, do you have a guess for that stage? 00:18:24 Speaker 5: I know what is Matthew twenty six. 00:18:27 Speaker 6: Twenty seven miles per hour. So the fastest human isn't even as fast as the average qrizzly bear. Question three, What kind of tree does syrup come from? A maple tree, a pine tree, or a cherry tree? A cherry tree? 00:18:44 Speaker 5: Like, it's basically in the name. 00:18:46 Speaker 6: What kind of tree does syrup come from? Maple tree, pine tree, or cherry tree? 00:18:53 Speaker 1: Guys? 00:18:54 Speaker 9: Please, no one picked cherry tree. 00:18:55 Speaker 8: This is really easy. 00:18:57 Speaker 7: I'm picking pine tree. 00:18:58 Speaker 5: Okay, No, I'm picking pine tree. It depends on what kind of. 00:19:04 Speaker 6: Tree does syrup come f I'm maple tree, pine tree or cherry tree? 00:19:09 Speaker 7: Pine tree. 00:19:10 Speaker 6: I think we got a pokeman. 00:19:11 Speaker 5: Goofer over here? 00:19:13 Speaker 6: Is everybody ready? Yeah, you're a pokeman. 00:19:15 Speaker 5: I'm not pokeon. 00:19:17 Speaker 6: Go ahead and reveal your answers. Mabel map Amelia Marshall, Sage, Addison, Matthew. 00:19:29 Speaker 5: I'm joking, guys, maple tree. 00:19:31 Speaker 6: The correct answer is a maple tree. Everybody got that one right. Maple trees produce a sweet sap which is turned into maple syrup. It takes about forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. The state of Vermont makes about half of the country's maple syrup. Now, if you guys could have a tree in your backyard that made any condiment in the world, what would it be. Maybe a ketchup tree, or a barbecue sauce tree, or how about a mayonnaise tree. What would you get? It's a tree that's not a condiment. How about a pizza sauce tree, like Marinara sauce tree. Is that what you want? 00:20:06 Speaker 4: Washall? 00:20:07 Speaker 6: What do you want? 00:20:08 Speaker 9: I would have a orange juice tree. 00:20:11 Speaker 5: Orange. 00:20:12 Speaker 6: You know, that's the thing that exists. You don't even have to like wish that. 00:20:16 Speaker 5: There's a tree that makes plain orange juice. 00:20:18 Speaker 9: That's the right taste. 00:20:19 Speaker 6: Well, it makes oranges that you turn into the. 00:20:22 Speaker 5: Yeah, but I want to treat that. 00:20:24 Speaker 6: You just want an orange juice tree. Okay, what else do you guys want? I want my good ice cream tree. 00:20:29 Speaker 2: Ice cream tree. 00:20:31 Speaker 9: Ice cream would melt if it's like orange tree. 00:20:34 Speaker 6: Yeah, you got you there. 00:20:35 Speaker 9: It would be a special tree, a cold tree. 00:20:38 Speaker 2: All right. 00:20:38 Speaker 6: That's it for today's round of trivia. Philly Engineer, how much money did we raise. 00:20:42 Speaker 1: They raised one hundred ten dollars, one hundred. 00:20:45 Speaker 6: Ten dollars going to the National Wildlife Federation. Well done, kids. Join us next time for more Meat Eater Kids Trivia, the only other game show where conservation always wins. 00:20:57 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening everyone, See you next week on Meat Eater Kids 00:21:04 Speaker 5: M