[The Scientific Wonders of Animal Horns: A 'Two Whats and a Wow' Exploration]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Honk Your Horns (4/7/23)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2023-04-07

📋 Summary

Unlocking the Science of Animal Horns

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz dive into the fascinating world of animal appendages through their signature game show, "Two Whats and a Wow." While the episode begins with a humorous misunderstanding involving musical horns—ranging from French horns to a sousaphone—the focus quickly shifts to the biological marvels of animal horns and how they function in the natural world.

Round 1: The Composition of Rhino Horns

The first scientific challenge highlights the surprising similarity between human anatomy and rhinoceros physiology. The "winning wow" reveals that a rhino's horn is made of a protein called keratin, the same material found in human fingernails, hair, and tooth enamel. The episode explains that these horns grow continuously, adding layers over time—anywhere from two to seven centimeters annually—with variations in shape and color dictated by the rhino's diet and environmental temperature.

Round 2: Ossicones vs. True Horns

Moving to the African savanna, the second round clarifies a common misconception about giraffes. Many assume giraffes possess horns, but the scientific reality is that they have ossicones. Unlike true horns, which are often keratin-based or permanent bone, ossicones are structures made of cartilage that lie flat against the skull at birth. Over time, these structures harden into bone, covered by skin and fur. While most species possess two, the Rothschild giraffe is noted for having five, demonstrating the diversity of these unique cranial features.

Round 3: Age Determination in Mountain Goats

The final round explores the life cycle of mountain goats. The "winning wow" in this segment is that one can count the rings on mountain goat horns to determine their age, much like examining the rings of a tree. The biological mechanism is precise: a mountain goat’s horns grow longer as it matures, with each ring representing a specific growth period. Interestingly, the horns typically have one less ring than the animal's actual age (e.g., a three-year-old goat will have two rings).

Beyond the Game: Rams and Behavioral Science

Between the rounds, the show features a segment on "Sunday Night Ram Slam," illustrating the intense physical adaptations of bighorn sheep. These animals are evolutionary masters of combat, possessing two layers of skull designed to protect their brains while they engage in head-to-head collisions at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. This highlights that "horns" are not just static features; they are tools for dominance, defense, and survival.

Conclusion: Engaging with Science

The episode concludes with "Operation Fire," a creative challenge encouraging listeners to construct their own paper horns, reinforcing the show's mission to make science interactive. By distinguishing between facts and common myths, Wow in the World successfully highlights the complexity of animal biology, reminding listeners that nature is full of wonders waiting to be discovered.

🎯Key Sentences

I gotta let you know that

We think this one is going to be music to your ears.

Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.

We might have a problem.

Well, look at this bin of props

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📝Key Phrases

music to your ears

get on with the show

I owe you one

refresh our contestants

made up

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📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.

Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.

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.

Or study on the web version →