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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!
For everyone's second favorite game show, after wondering if horses wear pants on their back legs or all four.
It's Two What's and a.
What a scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
And the category or theme for today is breathing.
Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?
You know it.
Wowsers in each of our three rounds.
Today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about how animals breathe.
But, and this is a big but, only one of those statements will be a true wow.
The other two, just a couple of made up what?
Now, in each round, if you guess correctly, well, congratulations, you win a point.
But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop, and do a ridonkulous physical challenge.
Okay, everyone ready to start the game?
And let's get to it.
Okay, round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, elephants only take one breath every two minutes?
Or is it B, wolves can actually huff and puff and blow houses down?
Or is it C, horses only breathe through their nostrils?
When you think you have the correct answer, say it under your breath.
Hey, Reggie, cue the thinking music.
And time is up.
Let's now reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, it's Sydney from Washington.
Sydney from Washington, tell us, what's the winning wow?
My wow in the world is that horses only breathe through their nostrils.
Winner, winner, horse bread for dinner.
Thank you, Sydney.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer C that horses only breathe through their nostrils well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
We humans are able to breathe out of our nose or our mouth.
Horses are what are called obligate nasal breathers, which means they only breathe through their nose.
Horses have large nasal passageways, which helps them get the air they need to run as fast as they do.
And horses can breathe through their mouths if their noses are blocked.
Now, If you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and gallop away at top speed.
Okay, round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, frogs can breathe through their skin?
Or is it B, lungfish don't actually have any lungs?
Or is it C, Clownfish lungs are helium balloons.
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, I have stinky garlic bread!
Hey, Reggie!
Cue the thinking music!
And time is up!
And joining us by phone, it's Zachary from Maryland.
Zachary, please reveal the winning wow.
My wow is that frogs can breathe and drink through their skin.
Isn't that wrong, couples?
Winner, winner, chocolate frogs for dinner.
Thank you, Zachary.
Wowzers, if you guessed A, that frogs can breathe through their skin, well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Frog startup. as tadpoles and breathe using their gills.
As tadpoles mature into frogs, they lose their gills and grow lungs.
But frogs are amphibians, which means they can live in water and they can live on land.
And when they're in water, they can absorb oxygen through their skin, which is called cutaneous respiration.
This is especially helpful as many frogs hibernate underwater.
If you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and hop like a frog.
Okay, round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, bees breathe through their antenna?
Or is it B, cockroaches can hold their breath for 40 minutes?
Or is it C, Grandma G-Force once inflated a 10-foot wide inner tube with one breath.
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, give me some breathing room!
Uh, thinking music, please!
And time is up!
And joining us by phone with the answer, it's Stefan from Washington.
Stefan, please tell us the winning wow.
Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz.
My wow in the world, that cockroaches can hold their breath for 40 minutes.
Winner, winner, roaches for dinner!
That's right, Stefan.
Wowzers, if you guessed B that cockroaches can hold their breath for 40 minutes well congratulations, you found the winning wow.
Cockroaches have tiny holes on the sides of their bodies, called spiracles, which can let air in and out.
And cockroaches use their muscles to open and close their spiracles.
Cockroaches can keep their spiracles closed, effectively holding their breath for up to 40 minutes.
Scientists think they might do this to regulate how much oxygen they take in and to keep their bodies from losing too much water.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and skitter up the wall.
And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors.
Today's show is brought to you in part by Oxygen.
This incredible gas will power every cell in your body.
It's safe.
Easy and absolutely free.
Just take a breath and see why nearly every animal on the planet can't live without it.
Reach your respiration destination with oxygen.
All right.
Thank you, oxygen.
Now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups.
Two what's in a while will be right back. message is for you.
Hey grown-ups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz 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.
Play?
That's it.
Now, Welcome back to Two What's and a Wow.
Two What's and a Wow.
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
What was that?
Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing.
We're going to the orchestra?
No, it's time for today's bonker balls bonus round.
In our Wow.
In the World episode titled Playing Dead, we learned that the animal kingdom is full of animals who fake their own deaths to ward off, confuse and bore predators.
But no animal does this in a way that's quite as extreme as the dice snake.
The Bonker Balls bonus question for this round is What extreme act does the dice snake perform as it fakes its own death?
Is it... coughing up its own guts?
Or is it B, tying itself in a tight knot?
Or is it C, squirting blood from its mouth and pooping all over itself?
And with today's winning wow, it's Reggie.
Reggie, tell us, what's the winning wow?
If you guessed the answer C, congratulations, you are correct.
When it comes to playing dead, the dice snake is as dramatic as it is convincing.
In an act of anything for survival.
It will ward off predators by spewing blood from its mouth and pooping all over itself.
And if you want to hear more, be sure to check out our Wow in the World episode titled Playing Dead.
Well, congratulations to all of our winning Wowzers.
Mindy, what's today's prize?
Okay, Roz, today's winning Wowzers will all receive a lifetime supply of air.
Reggie, cue the prize cannon!
Uh, Mindy?
Fire away!
So, where is it?
I don't see anything.
You can't see!
You gotta breathe it in, people.
Trust me, it's there.
Well, that's about all the time we have for today.
But if you want to keep the fun going, then become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers and unlock hundreds of activities.
And for any teachers in our listening audience.
Consider joining Tinker Class, our free brand-new learning platform that helps get kids wild about science.
Just visit Tinkercast.com slash membership.
That's Tinkercast.com slash membership.
And be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of Wow in the World.
This weekend for some WeWow in the weekend with Dennis.
And again on Friday for a new episode of Two What's and a Wow.
Until then, keep on wowing.
And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey at wondery.com slash survey.
Two What's in a Wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Mindy Thomas, and me, Guy Raz.
Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski, with collaboration from our head writer, Kenny Curtis.
Sound production and design is by Marion Lozano with help from Jed Anderson and Tyler Thull.
Special thanks to Rebecca Caban, Dr Natasha Crandall, Lizzie Freilich, Kristen Yang Twee Mack, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Linda Rothenberg, Steph Sosa, Joanna Weber, Anna Zagorski and all of the other Tinkerers at Tinkercast HQ.
Our theme song was written and composed by The Pop-Ups.
For more on their three-time Grammy-nominated all-ages music, find them at thepopups.com.
And to keep the wow rolling, add After you finish this episode, you can visit us at Tinkercast.com.
There you can become a member of the World Organization of Wowzers to get year-round mailings and weekly activities.
Shop our Wow Shop, get tickets for upcoming events, find our best-selling books and learn all about the other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.
Grown-ups.
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at WowInTheWorld, and our email address is HelloAtTinkercastcom.
Finally, if you're a kid with a big wow to share, it could be used on an upcoming episode of Two.
What's in a Wow?
Call us at 1-888-7WowWow.
Thanks again for listening and playing along.
Meet us back here next Friday or every Monday for Wow in the World.
Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
