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Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.
On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of Wow in the World with all of you.
We think this one is going to be music to your ears.
Literally.
Did I mention it's a musical?
And if you're a member of the World Organization of Wowzers...
Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.
You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7pm Eastern.
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
Join us as we dance along to our new songs.
React to the episode with other members in the chat and more.
Grownups.
If you want your wowzer to join this members-only listening party, you can sign up to become a member today at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
Already a member?
Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign in at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
That's it.
It's going to be a November to remember.
But for now, let's get on with the show.
Woo! place.
Physics, biology, and outer space.
Science Explorers with our headquarters.
Oh, Dennis.
Here at camp we wow.
Okay, that's enough.
And welcome back to another week of Camp WeWOW, the invisible summer camp for science explorers everywhere.
I'm your camp counselor, Mindy.
And I'm camp counselor, Guy Raz.
And because this is an invisible summer camp, you can join us from wherever you are right now.
It's like the camp that comes to you.
It's our final week here at Camp WeWow and we've decided to go out with a little bit of scientific magic for the summer.
That's right.
It's magic week, which means we've got some surprise Prizes in store as we think tinker, experiment and explore over the next few days.
And if you stick with us each day, by the end of the week you will have earned your magnificent magician wowzer badge.
But before we do all that, we first have to practice the magic of listening.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy one of our favorite Wow in the World episodes.
Eyes on the Behind.
The Science of Optical Illusions and Ambush Predators.
Oh, is this the one where we painted all the googly eyes on the cow butts?
Shh, no spoilers, Mindy.
I love that one.
Proceeded.
Three, two, one.
Detention.
Detention for an emergency.
Get to everyone.
Yep, just line up right there.
Thank you.
Next.
And your name is?
OK, I'm going to go with Mauricio.
OK, now, if you'll just head on over to Dennis.
He's waiting for you by the gingerbread mansion.
Yes, hello, Mr. Cow.
Over here.
He will paint some eyes on your butt for you.
Have fun.
Come on over.
Okay, I'm thinking maybe a smoky eye kind of thing.
Maybe with jewel tones?
Next!
Mindy?
Guy Razzi?
Mindy, what are you doing?
Where did all these cows come from?
Oh, well, uh, mostly farms and one zoo, Grandma G-Force's basement.
Oh, and that one over there, she escaped from the vet.
Escaped from the vet?
Well, I mean, to be fair, I helped her.
I'm a cow gal now.
Mindy, there must be 100 cows out here.
I know.
Isn't it exciting?
But this is a residential neighborhood.
You need to get them back to where they belong.
Hey, who let these cows out?
Who?
Who?
Who?
Who?
Who?
Thomas Fingerling!
What?
Who?
Were you able to get all the googly eyes I needed?
Oh, there you are, young lady.
Googly eyes?
You bet I did.
Here.
Got you a whole box of them.
Uh, that looks like a box of macaroni.
What?
Macaroni?
Dang it.
You telling me I ate googly eyes and cheese for lunch?
Can someone please explain to me what is going on here?
Hey, don't have a cow, man.
Huh?
Guy Raz?
Isn't it obvious?
Whoa, easy there, Bessie.
Stay still.
I need to affix these eyelashes to your patootie.
Mindy, where's the eyelash curler?
We're painting eyes on the butts of all these cows.
Yeah, I can see that with my own eyes, but why?
We're saving lives here, Guy.
That's why.
Although now they could get conjunctivitis of the butt.
Huh?
Guy Raz.
I just read the most fascinating new scientific study in the journal Communications Biology.
Wait a minute, is that what happened to my copy?
Oh yeah, I emptied your mailbox for you.
What?
And don't worry, I got rid of all the junk mail and anything labeled Bill.
What?
Because obviously you're not Bill.
Bill lives three doors down.
Wait, what?
Anywho, the study was led by this ecologist named Neil Jordan from the University of New South Wales in Australia.
And just to be clear, an ecologist is a scientist who studies how creatures interact with their environment and with other creatures, right?
Exactoritos.
And in this case the creatures interacting with each other were livestock and big cats in the wild delta of northwest Botswana.
Botswana?
You mean that triangular-shaped country right in the center of southern Africa?
That's the one.
And a delta is a wetland area that forms as river waters empty into a larger body of water like a sea or an ocean.
Well, in most cases, yes.
But this particular delta, the Okavango Delta, it's one of the few that do not flow into a sea or an ocean.
Hi, Mindy.
I finished painting eyes on Mariah Carey.
Do you think she could use some sassy leopard spots too?
Just the eyes, Dennis.
Oh, fine.
What?
But speaking of leopards, there are plenty of them in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
In fact, it's home to some of the world's most endangered species of big cats.
Leopards, cheetahs, lions.
All ambush predators.
Say what?
Ambush predators.
Big cats like lions, leopards and cheetahs are known for being very stealthy and strategic when it comes to capturing their prey.
Ooh, I'm listening.
An ambush predator will find a good sneaky hiding spot where it will sit very still and wait for its prey to come around.
And when it does...
With a laser-like precision, the ambush predator will leap out and launch a surprise attack.
They're sneak attackers.
Huh?
What's a sneaker taker?
Some rascal who runs around taking sneakers?
No, the ambush predators.
The big cats.
You know, leopards, cheetahs, lions.
Oh, I gotcha.
The big cats take the sneakers Use them to attack other animals.
Uh... Now, what kinds of animals are they sneaker-taking?
Well, depending on where they are, they want deer or boar or wild pigs or rabbits or antelopes or cows.
And, of course, other forms of livestock, but definitely a lot of cows.
Check it out.
I gave this one a dramatic cat eye.
Oh, good one, fella.
Now, let me show you how to do a floating liner in metallic rose gold.
Hand me that there.
So all of this talk about ambush predators leads me back to this study I started telling you about earlier.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
So farmers in Botswana have had a major problem with losing their cows to ambush predators, particularly to hungry lions.
Lions launching surprise attacks on unsuspecting cows?
You know it.
And from a conservation standpoint, this is a big problem worldwide.
And by conservation, you mean protecting things found in nature.
Yeah.
And in this case, cows.
Huh.
So in many rural parts of the world, farmers losing their cows and other livestock puts themselves, as farmers, at risk.
Right, right, because farmers earn money by selling the milk from their cows.
Yeah, when you're a small farmer, losing your livestock even one cow could mean losing your entire livelihood.
Huh.
No cows, no milk, no moolah.
Did somebody say milk grows on cows?
No.
Grandma G-Force!
What?
Grandma G-Force, over here.
We're painting eyes on cows' butts.
So, I got an eye on my butt.
You do?
A bullseye?
It's a tattoo.
Look here.
No, no, we do not pull our pants down.
Please, we'll take your word for it.
Well, suit yourselves.
G-Force, get over here and help us.
This cow won't sit still.
Ah!
Its butt is moving all over and smearing the mascara.
Well, that's what I call a rump shaker if I never saw one.
Sorry, Guy Raz.
Where was I?
Uh, something about the importance of protecting farmers' cows?
Oh, yeah.
But what I'd really like to know is, why are you all painting eyes on cows' behinds?
I'm getting to that.
Huh?
Do I look like I know what I'm doing here?
No.
You're scaring her.
I thought you said you were done.
Oh, nice.
I said I'm not done.
Well, how was I supposed to know?
Ahem.
So back to protecting cows from predators.
Boop.
Sorry, baby.
See, farmers have tried all sorts of things to keep predators away from their livestock.
And I'm guessing things like fences or...
Barricades of thorny trees or wild barking dogs.
I think I've even heard of humans trying to get rid of the predators completely.
Yes, all of those things.
But what if there was a better way?
A less expensive way?
A super easy and safe way that wouldn't harm the prey or the already endangered predator?
A way that involved mascara.
Huh, go on.
Okay, story time.
Ooh.
I said story time!
Oh, a story?
Well, I guess I could take a little break.
Come on, Moo Moo.
I love stories.
Well, go on then.
We're listening.
Once upon a time, there was an ecologist named Dr. Neil Jordan.
And Dr. Jordan went on a little field trip to a wild delta in Botswana.
And on that field trip, his eyes witnessed something amazing.
A lion stalking an unsuspecting antelope for a whopping 30 minutes.
The lion just watching, and waiting, and watching, and waiting.
And just When that lion was about to launch into a sneak attack, the antelope turned around.
Well, big whoop, I turn around all the time.
Oh, sorry.
The antelope, locked eyes with the lion and then Oh, you don't even want to know what happened next.
We don't.
Well, I do.
The lion walked away.
The end.
What kind of story time was that?
Oh, maybe it was like a joke or something.
Like the lion turned away and it was the end.
Like the lion's rear end.
Get it?
Say what?
Oh, no, no, no.
That can't be right.
Wait, wait.
I know exactly why the lion walked away from its prey.
You do?
You do?
Yes, yes, Mindy and I were just talking about ambush predators.
And when ambush predators stalk their prey, they rely on the element of surprise, which means that even being seen by their prey might cause them to abandon the hunt.
It lost the thrill of the chase.
Exactly.
And it was in that moment that Dr. Jordan hatched an idea.
Which was?
If making eye contact with the lion ultimately saved that antelope's life, then maybe, just maybe, painting eyes on its butt could save it from behind too.
He wanted to trick the lion with a booty face?
Yeah, pretty much.
Well, huh.
So let me get this straight, Mindy.
If the predator gave up the hunt when it made eye contact with its prey.
Then perhaps the predator would give up the hunt if it made eye contact with its prey's uh butt.
Well, yeah, as long as there were eyes on the prey's butt.
Huh.
So, in the spirit of anything for science, And knowing that this was a redonkulous idea, Dr Jordan and his team set out on a four-year science experiment to see if this idea was so redonkulous that it just might work.
Huh.
Oh.
Wow.
Well, thanks for the story, Mindy, but I need to get back to work.
These false eyelashes aren't going to glue themselves to cows' patooties.
Come on, Tommy.
OK, I'm a-coming, I'm a-coming.
Well, I guess I'll get in line for a pair of peepers on my keister.
So Mindy, what did Dr. Jordan and his team do for the experiment?
OK, so first, they gathered cows.
2,061 cows from 14 herds over the four-year experiment.
And each cow was divided into one of three groups.
Okay.
For the first group, they painted detailed eyes on their big cow butts.
Anything for science.
For the second group, they painted two simple X's on the cow's butts.
One X for each cheek.
And for the third group?
For the third group, the researchers did nothing.
They just let the cow butts be cow butts.
No I's, no X's, no paint at all.
Just bare butts.
And then I'm assuming they set the cows free to roam the wild delta?
You know it.
But first, they gave each cow a tracking collar so that they could, you know, keep track.
And so they did this for four years, and what did they discover?
Well, Dr Jordan and his team found that over time, 15 of the cows in the all-natural no-paint-on-the-butt group were attacked by ambush predators.
Ooh!
He also found that of the cows in the X's on the butt group, only four of them were attacked by ambush predators.
Huh, so quite a few less than the bear butt group.
But of the cows in the eyes painted on their butts group, not a single one was attacked by an ambush predator.
Wow, suggesting that his ridiculous idea to paint eyes on the cows' behinds worked.
Pretty bonker balls, huh?
Mindy, where did we land on aviator sunglasses?
You said they were cool, right?
Because I think they go nice with the tail.
What?
No, Dennis, we talked about this.
It only works with realistic looking eyes.
No sunglasses.
Well, phooey.
So Mindy, is this the solution then?
Protecting livestock by painting eyes on their behinds?
Well, it could be one solution, but it's going to take some more experimenting to know for sure, because I'm guessing there are still some questions left to be answered.
You know it.
Questions like will lions and other ambush predators outsmart the scientists and discover that the eyes they're seeing are just fake eyes painted on butts?
Or what would happen if there was a whole bunch of cows in a herd with eyes on their butts?
Would it work then?
But it does seem to be a good step toward a potential solution.
I'd say so.
I mean, it takes both predator and prey coexisting or living together to keep an ecosystem healthy.
And if one were to be wiped out completely, either by humans or each other, that could spell some big trouble for all of the natural wildlife in that ecosystem.
Exact Doritos.
So, Mindy, you still haven't answered my question.
Which was?
Why are you painting eyes on the buttocks of all of these cows?
Well, obviously to save them from ambush predators, Guy Raz.
But we live in a residential neighborhood.
A neighborhood full of natural wildlife.
Give me that finger.
You don't know what you're doing.
I'm the one I'm pointing at.
You don't know how to do it.
What?
And also because I accidentally helped a lion escape from the zoo last week.
What?
No.
It was an accident.
And don't worry, Guy Raz.
As usual, I've got everything out of control.
Watch your butts, everyone.
There's a lion on the loose.
Be right back.
Grown-ups, this message is for you.
Hey grown-ups, it's mindy and guy ross here from wow in the world.
Mindy and i have some brand new wow in the world toys out in the world just in time for the holidays, made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't.
Yet, from our 100 experiments that wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit, Our Wow in the World toys help your wowzer learn about their world through play.
Plus, you can hear exclusive audio content from me and Guy Raz to help your wowzer discover even more wows.
Grownups.
Give the gift of wow and wonder this holiday season with our latest Wow in the World toys designed with your curious wowzer in mind.
You can shop our Wow in the World toys at Tinkercast.com slash toys.
That's Tinkercast.com slash toys.
Hi, thanks for calling Wow in the World.
After the beep, get ready to record.
Hi, Mindy and Guy Roz.
My name's Helena.
And my name's Levi.
We live in Charlotte, North Carolina.
And my wow in the world is that instead of laying eggs, some snakes can give live birth.
My wow in the world is that some turtles can breathe through their butts.
Say hi to Reggie and Dennis for us.
Hi!
Mindy, how many inventions have you even made?
Hi, wow in the world.
My name is Sage and I live in Durango Colorado, and my wow is trees can talk underground with their roots.
Say hi to Graham, Z-Force, and Reggie for me and Dennis.
Well, hum.
Ahoy there.
Hi, my name is Jonah, and I live in Massachusetts.
My wow in the world is that Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all have rings.
Isn't that crazy?
Say hi to Reggie for me.
Hi, my name is Penelope, and I live in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
My wow in the world is that the left side of your brain controls the right side of your body and the right side of your brain controls the left side of your body.
Say hi to Reggie for me.
Bye.
Hi, my name is Morgan from Sandpoint, Idaho.
And my wow in the world is that armpit sweat is not actually stinky.
It is the bacteria that is mixed with it.
Say hi to the slikities for me. and Guy Raz.
My name is Harper and I am seven years old and I live in Napa Vine, Washington.
My wow in the world is that the average rain cloud weighs as much as 100 elephants.
Isn't that bonker-ble?
Thanks, I love your show.
Say hi to Dennis and Grandma G for me.
Oh, snap!
Howdy.
Bye.
Good morning.
My name is Forrest.
I am nine and a half years old and I live in Fremont, California.
My wow in the world is that the sperm whale's brain is the largest in the animal kingdom.
Hi, my name is Emma.
I'm from Clifton Park, New York.
I'm in fifth grade.
And my wow in the world is that gelatin is actually made from bones and skins of certain animals.
Isn't that crazy?
But they do make vegan jello.
Say hi to Grandma G-Force.
Dennis and Reggie?
Oh, yeah.
Hello?
Hey, Dennis, what's your favorite kind of giraffe?
What's my favorite kind of giraffe?
There's different kinds?
Reggie!
How come you didn't tell me there were different kinds of giraffes?
End of messages.
Hey, everyone.
Thank you so much for hanging out with us this week on Wow in the World.
And to keep the wow rolling, check out this week's scientific conversation starters at our website wowintheworldcom.
And grownups.
There you can find more info on how your kids can become members of the World Organization of Wowzers shop, our wow shop.
Upload photos and videos to us and check dates for our upcoming live events.
That's wowintheworld.com.
Our show is produced by Jed Anderson.
Who provides the bells, whistles, and silly characters.
Say hello, Jed.
Hello.
Our show is written by me, Guy Raz, and Thomas Van Kalken, who also provides silly characters.
Tom?
Hello there.
Thanks also to Jessica Bode, Anna Zagorski, Rebecca Caban, Kit Ballinger, and Alex Curley.
Meredith Halpern-Ranzer powers the wow at Tinkercast.
Our theme song was composed and performed by The Pop-Ups.
For more on their three-time Grammy-nominated all-ages music, find them at thepopups.com.
And grown-ups, you can follow Wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at wowintheworld.
And our email address is hello at wowintheworld.com.
And if you're a kid with a big wow to share with us...
Call us at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW for a chance to be featured at the end of the show.
Also, if you haven't already done so, please subscribe to Wow in the World on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Yeah, leave us a few stars, a review, or just tell a friend about the show.
Thanks again for listening, and until next time, keep on wowing.
Jinx!
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