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    'Terrestrials,' a new kid's show from Radiolab, uncovers the strangeness on Earth

    en-usJanuary 21, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • Exploring the Fascinating Stories of the Natural WorldDiscover the wonders of the natural world through captivating narratives and beautiful sound design in the new Radiolab series Terrestrials.

      There are fascinating and strange stories to be found all around us, even in the natural world, as explored in the new Radiolab series Terrestrials. Whether you're an adult or a child, this show offers captivating narratives and beautiful sound design, making it perfect for long car trips or escaping the winter blues. Imagine being an octopus, a liquid creature with the ability to change colors, shoot ink, and grow to impressive sizes. Cy Montgomery, an author who specializes in animal stories, shares a tale about a clever octopus that outwitted its human captors. This little creature, born as small as a grain of rice, faced numerous challenges in the ocean but managed to grow and survive. The series Terrestrials invites us to dive deep and discover the wonders of the natural world, no singing required.

    • Octopuses are smarter than we thinkOctopuses have large brains, consume diverse prey, can change colors, mimic creatures, sleep, and display complex behaviors.

      Octopuses are more intelligent and capable than we give them credit for. Contrary to popular belief, they have large brains and are able to catch and consume a wide range of prey, including birds, sharks, and even other octopuses. To protect themselves from predators, they have the ability to change colors and texture to blend in with their surroundings, as well as mimic other creatures to confuse potential threats. Octopuses also display complex behaviors, such as sleeping and possibly dreaming. Their intelligence and adaptability make them fascinating and unique creatures in the underwater world.

    • The Incredible Story of Inky the OctopusOctopus Inky thrived in captivity despite injuries and escaped, showcasing their adaptability and resilience

      The octopus named Inky, despite facing attacks and injuries, managed to adapt and thrive in captivity. He was a beloved attraction at the National Aquarium of New Zealand, where he was given toys, puzzles, and even the ability to untie knots. Inky's most impressive feat, however, was his ability to regenerate a lost arm. His escape from the aquarium, while remarkable, is not unheard of for octopuses, as they have been known to escape from various containments. The story of Inky serves as a reminder of the incredible adaptability and resilience of these fascinating creatures.

    • Octopuses' Surprising IntelligenceOctopuses are intelligent creatures, known for escaping aquariums, solving complex problems, creating tools, and even venturing out of water to explore and find food.

      Octopuses are surprisingly intelligent creatures, despite their unique physical characteristics and elusive nature. They have been observed escaping from aquariums, solving complex problems, and even creating tools. Their intelligence is not limited to their underwater environment, as they have been known to venture out of the water to explore and find food. Octopuses' intelligence is a fascinating discovery, as they are vastly different from humans in appearance and senses. Despite their elusive nature and the challenges scientists face in studying them, their intelligence is now widely recognized and celebrated. Octopuses have left people amazed for centuries, and their intelligence adds another layer to this fascination. The discovery of their intelligence challenges our assumptions about what it means to be intelligent and highlights the importance of looking beyond our preconceived notions.

    • A woman shares her encounter with an octopus and describes its reactionOctopus encounters can be relaxing and fascinating, challenging common perceptions, and offer opportunities to learn about their unique behaviors and biology.

      Interacting with an octopus can be a unique and fascinating experience. The narrator shares her encounter with an octopus, describing how she was able to touch it and observe its reaction. She notes that the octopus turned white, indicating relaxation, and its arms coiled around her wrists. Despite initial apprehensions about the sensation of the suckers, she describes it as feeling like 1800 little kisses. This encounter challenges common perceptions of octopuses and highlights the importance of exploration and learning about the natural world. Additionally, the listeners' questions during the credits provide further insight into various aspects of octopus biology, such as their diet, size, and behavior.

    • Octopus's Complexity and AutonomyOctopuses have multiple functioning arms and exhibit distinct personalities among them, challenging our understanding of self and consciousness in complex organisms.

      Fascinating complexity and autonomy of an octopus's body. Octopuses have been compared to having multiple brains, as one arm can continue functioning even after being bitten off. Furthermore, octopuses seem to exhibit different personalities among their arms. These intriguing discoveries leave us wondering about the nature of self and consciousness when an organism has multiple centers of control. Additionally, the podcast "Terrestrials" explores various topics related to science and psychology, inviting listeners to ponder thought-provoking questions. If you're interested in learning more, visit terrestrialspodcast.org for more episodes and engaging activities.

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