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Peregrine Falcons are the clear winner to the question what is the fastest animal on the planet. Their top speed is double that of the world's fastest land animal, the cheetah. Peregrine falcons, also called duck hawks, are one of the most common falcons and birds of prey on this planet. They can be found on almost every continent, and they’ll happily live in a city or the countryside. You can thank them for helping keep the pigeon population in check in many cities.  “Peregrine” means “Wanderer” in Latin and peregrine falcons have been used in falconry for thousands of years. Peregrine falcons have evolved to be speed machines. They have specialized eyes that provide them excellent vision that is 8x better than a human’s vision. They also have specialized bones and muscles that allow them to fly faster than any other animal. They almost went extinct after WWII due to stupid humans, but removing certain pesticides and targeted breeding has allowed them to rebound and they’re currently doing better than ever.  Listen now to learn about how peregrine falcons showcase evolution at its finest. Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast or Email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

The Chinese zodiac stated that rats are creative, intelligent, honest, ambitious and generous hundreds of years before scientific studies proved all of these traits to actually be true. Except for, perhaps, honesty.  Rats are among the most used research subjects and were the third animal, after humans and mice, to have their entire genome sequenced. Their genome proved that rats have accelerated evolutionary adaptation, meaning they evolve faster than most mammals.  The fact that two brown rats can produce 15,000 rats in only 1 year provides plenty of opportunities for rapid evolution. Past research has also proven that rats are intelligent and quick learners, but recent studies have also show that rats empathize with other rats suggest that morality and empathy were hardwired into animal brains long before humans evolved. Rats also laugh and dream and can form bonds with humans.  These are just a few reasons why rats are better than human.  Listen now to learn more about this tiny mammal that has conquered the world. Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast or Email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

This week's episode is a re-run that is all about rats, the long-tailed rodents that tend to be looked down upon within our society. Rats, however, are intelligent, clean, social, and resourceful animals that can survive almost anywhere. Listen as we delve into the history of rats. What makes a rat, a rat? How are rats used in scientific research? (Spoiler alert, rats are used for a lot of research that impacts your daily life without you probably even realizing it.) How are rats perceived in culture? Listen to our latest episode to find out more. Note: The movie Jennifer referenced is Sinister 2. The website of the zodiac origin that Amber mentioned can be found at the following link: https://depts.washington.edu/triolive/quest/2007/TTQ07030/mythology.html Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast Email us at [email protected] or check out our website betterthanhumanpodcast.com We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness! #betterthanhuman #cultofweirdness

Algae. It's one of the greatest things on the planet and it's responsible for all life on Earth, including your life. But how much do you really know about this incredible species? Is it a plant? Why is it green? Can you eat it? Can we make it into fuel? What's up with algae blooms?  Learn more in our newest episode where we talk about the benefits of algae and how it is better than human.  Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast Or email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness. 

This episode on the Villisca Axe Murder House, was recorded live inside the Villisca House, back in September of 2021. And guess what? Host Amber knew nothing about the history of the Villisca house before we started recording.  Listen as Jennifer tells Amber the history of the house, from inside the house's living room.  And, not only did Amber and Jennifer record an episode in the house, we spent the night there, recording the next morning and documented if anything occurred during the night.  The Villisca axe murders occurred between June 9, 1912, and June 10, 1912, in the town of Villisca, Iowa. All six members of the Moore family and the two Stillinger sisters were found murdered in the house. All eight victims, (including six children), were bludgeoned with an axe. The reason for the murders and the murder(s) were never found. We start the episode discussing if visiting places where people were murdered is in bad taste. You can make an argument for both sides. Tune in as we discuss suspects in this unsolved case, if the house itself is haunted, and if so, who is haunting the house. Want to learn about the Villisca house and our creepy night? Listen now! For more information on us, visit our website at betterthanhumanpodcast.com Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast or Email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness! #betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes

Caffeine is the most consumed stimulant on the planet. In fact, 90% of humans consume caffeine on a daily basis. Most people do not even think about this tiny molecule as they drink their morning coffee, or sip on their afternoon tea, or as their children chug soda at a birthday party. We’ve gone so far as to claim that it’s the sugar affecting the children, not the psychoactive drug they just consumed. And, humans aren’t the only animal addicted to caffeine. Bees prefer nectar with caffeine over nectar without to a detriment to their own health. So how did we get to the point where most humans need caffeine to make it through their day? Well, the history of caffeine cannot be told without the history of Coffee and Tea, and this is because until 1819, we had not isolated the molecule known as 1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine.  Tea was discovered before coffee, and shaped nations through its trade. The British East India Company is an example of this, and for Americans, the Boston Tea Party.  Coffee probably influenced the West first, though, and helped the world switch from beer and wine as the staple drink to coffee. Remember water wasn’t very safe in the past, so beer and wine were often consumed instead of water. When we switched to coffee/tea, we started drinking something that wakes you up instead of slowing you down, which increased human production, both physically and mentally.  Was the spread of Coffee and Tea, hence caffeine, a good thing for humanity? Well, like all things, it is complicated. What we do know is that caffeine is a drug that you can become addicted to and that does affect your behavior. This molecule changed the known world as humans spread it across the globe.  Listen now to learn about how caffeine shaped the past, and affects your present. Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast or Email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

Humanity might be the worst thing in the known universe, so why not take a break from that and learn about the non-mythical Unicorn of the Ocean, aka Narwhals. The first thing that comes up when you Google search Narwhals is “Do Narwhals still exist?” proving Amber isn’t the only one that thought they were a made up animal, and that there is a lot of confusion when it comes to this whale. Narwhals are not technically endangered. However, narwhals are especially threatened by climate change. Like most arctic predators they need sea ice to survive, and as we all know, sea ice is quickly disappearing. Narwhals do not survive in captivity, and any attempt to introduce them into aquariums has ended disastrously. Narwhals’ are best known for their tusks, which are actually an elongated tooth. Humans used to trade these teeth as magical unicorn horns, which was believed to neutralize poison. (For more info on this, listen to our Unicorn episode). Why do male narwhals and a few female narwhals grow these tusks?  That’s still up for debate.  Not a lot is known about Narwhal behavior, because they’re surprisingly good at staying hidden and the location they live in is dark most of the year, cold, and covered in ice. Listen now to learn about the only Unicorn that will probably ever exist on this planet. In the News Pod of beluga whales adopts a lone narwhal male, and scientists are interested to see if a Narluga (beluga-narwhal hybrid) will be born within this pod. This something we’ve never seen in the wild, but we know can happen. Husband sues CA hospital for their culture of racism, which lead to the death of his wife during labor. Black women are 5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related cardiomyopathy, blood pressure disorders than white women. Flying space jellyfish seen over Georgia skies, which actually turns out to be physics and perfect timing. If you were lucky you might have seen this exhaust leaving the Falcon 9's rocket engine nozzle creating an amazing pattern in the sky. 

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a cat-sized mammal native to the Himalayas and China. Despite being protected in all countries it has ranges in, the red pandas’ populations continue to decline. Red pandas are the original pandas; they were 'discovered' by Europeans first and their discovery gave rise to the name panda, and giant pandas were later named after them. However, we now know that red pandas and giant pandas are not related. So which species is the "true" panda? Depends on who you ask. But, since the word Panda actually means bamboo eater, are they not both true pandas?  There are two subspecies of Red Pandas: the Chinese red panda and the Himalayan red panda.  There are fewer than 10,000 Red Pandas left in the wild, and with its populations scattered in small pockets it could easily be wiped out.  Red pandas are mostly-vegetarian carnivores, which seems counterintuitive. However, the carnivore classification doesn't necessarily coincide with an animal's dietary preference. So while a majority of their red panda diet is bamboo, which they luckily digest slightly better than the Giant Panda, they are still classified as carnivores because of their evolutionary history.   The red panda diet isn't the only trait they share with giant pandas. Both animals also independently evolved a pseudo-thumb, which they both use to help them eat bamboo. Red Pandas evolved these false thumbs before they started eating bamboo, though, and this false thumb might be why Red Pandas started eating bamboo in the first place.  Listen now to find out more about the red panda and why it was once described as 'the most beautiful animal.'  In The Good The Bad The News Pixar’s newest movie 'Turning Red' is considered a controversial movie by some, all for stupid reason. Yes, there was 13 year old girl cringe, but that’s not what the controversy is about.  Cat One-eyed Joe (Dexter) has returned home after a 5 year journey that included a luxury stay at a prison and being spoiled on an oil rig.  Also, dog breed has little effect on dog behavior. 

The Great American Interchange, also called Great American Biotic  Interchange (GABI), is the epic geological event that occurred when the South American continent, which had been isolated for 50 million years,  connected with the North American continent. The Great American Interchange is one of the most important events in the history of land mammals in the Americas. The landmass that is South American used to be home to many unique animals, like Australia is today. However, when the volcanic Isthmus of Panama came up from the ocean floor resulting in the formation of a connected Americas, animals could now migrate back and forth. This immigration of animals should have been uniform, but (spoiler alert) North American animals ultimately won out over their South American counterparts. Scientists are still trying to figure out why, though fossil evidence has shed light on the event.  So check our newest episode where we dive into the animals of South America before the interchange and why these native animals were at a disadvantage when the continents connected. In the Good the Bad the News Litter of red wolf pups born for the first time in four years, which is good news for this critically endangered animal. Also, Pokemon Go might help young people with depression.  Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast or Email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

Axolotl. You’ve probably seen a picture of this cute, meme-worthy animal, but what do you really know about this captivating animal? Do you know the one place on earth where they're natively found? Do you know how few are left in the wild and what hinders conservation efforts?  Why some consider them the fruit flies of amphibians? Or, perhaps the most important question, why are they so darn cute? The axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, is  a close relative to the tiger salamander. Native to one small region of Mexico, Axolotls are weird even among amphibians due to the fact that instead of living on the land in their adult form, they  remain aquatic and retain their juvenile characteristics, such as their gills, throughout their life. This natural phenomenon is called neoteny. What was once an evolutionary advantage before human interference, axolotl neoteny  allows them to regenerate not only limbs, but their organs and even parts of their brain; an ability that is not possible for most vertebrates. It also makes them rather photogenic and a popular pet. Axolotl are an important animal in both the wild and in scientist’s laboratories for medical research.  Though they are common in captivity, it is imperative we save wild axolotl from extinction. Listen now to learn more about this fascinating creature.  In the News: #WrongAsian If you're going to post a photo of someone, make sure it is the right person.  And, sadly, there are only approximately 10 vaquita porpoises left in the wild.  Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast or Email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

The platypus is one of (or is) the weirdest animals on this planet. With its beaver-like tail, otter-like fur, and duck-like bill, the platypus looks like someone took leftover animal parts and sewed them together to make a hoax. When the first platypus arrived in England European scientists thought they were looking at a hoax, and we don’t blame them. If someone handed us a platypus with no context, we’d probably assume it was the jackalope of Australia.  This Monotreme (a special group of mammals that were made just for the platypus and echidnas), is an egg-laying, venomous, lizard-walking,  stomach-less, nipple-less and toothless animal with biofluorescent fur. It also spends twelve hours a day hunting in murky water using electroreception.  We told you it was weird. This bizarre animal's DNA reflects the animal; primitive and unchanged, a strange mix of bird, reptile, and mammalian genes.  The platypus is an odd in-between mammal, and its genome is a bridge to our own evolutionary past. Listen now to learn more.  In the Good The Bad The News Itchy eye in a gardener turns out to be maggot larvae infestation. Because, apparently, that’s a gross thing that can happen.  Zoos are bringing their birds indoors due to the avian flu that is going around. And, no, America is not the happiest place on earth, we didn’t even make it to the top 10.  Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast or Email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness!

Fruit Flies, Drosophila melanogaster, are easily the best understood multicellular organism on the planet. Why do we know so much about Drosophila? Who decided to start studying this fly? And why do we keep investing time and money to fruit fly studies? Drosophila and humans share over 60% of our DNA, and about 75% of known human disease genes have a match in the DNA of fruit flies. Meaning, most human diseases can be studied using fruit flies. Drosophila is currently being used as a genetic model for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease, aging, oxidative stress, immunity, diabetes, and cancer, as well as drug abuse. Yes, we study all that (and a lot more) in this tiny (under 3 millimeter long) fruit fly.  To look at why biologists started studying Drosophila we have to go back over 100 years ago to the Fly Room at Columbia University, and the experiments of Thomas Hunt Morgan. To see how we study Fruit Flies, you just need to look at all the Nobel Prizes awarded to scientists who made it their life's work to study with this fly.  You probably studied fruit flies in biology at some point in your life, but most likely are not sure why biologists make such a big deal out of this tiny little insect. Listen now to find out why we know so much about Drosophila and why we keep studying the fruit fly.  Follow us on Twitter @betterthanhuma1 on Facebook @betterthanhumanpodcast on Instagram @betterthanhumanpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@betterthanhumanpodcast or Email us at [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you, and we look forward to you joining our cult of weirdness! #betterthanhuman #cultofweirdnes