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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 The Lice is Right, it's Two What's and the Wow!
With your hosts!
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
And the category for today is rodents.
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 rodents.
But, and this is a big bonus, But only one of those statements will be a true wow.
The other two, just a couple of made-up what's.
Now, in each round, if you guess correctly, 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?
Great, then let's do it.
Okay, round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, the largest rodent in the world is the capybara?
Or is it B, bats are the only true flying rodents in the world?
Or is it C, mice are actually not rodents?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, oh no, you rodents!
Hey, Reggie, cue the thinking music.
And time is up.
Let's now reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, it's Emerson from Washington.
Emerson from Washington, tell us.
What's the winning wow?
My wow in the world is that the biggest rodent in the world is called the capybara.
Winner, winner, capybara for dinner.
Thank you, Emerson.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer A, that the largest rodent in the world is the capybara well congratulations, you found the winning wow.
The average capybara is about 4.6 feet long and weighs between 77 and 143 pounds.
Capybaras are closely related to guinea pigs and, with small ears and no tail, they look like their relatives, except about six times as big and about 55 times as heavy.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and put a foot behind your ear.
Okay, round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, flying squirrels are a mix between regular squirrels and sparrows?
Or is it B, chinchillas can run faster than cheetahs?
Or B, Is it C, the naked mole rat is the longest living rodent?
When you think you have the correct answer, say it in squeaks.
Hey, Reg, thinking music.
And time is up.
And joining us by phone, it's Mac from New Jersey.
Mac, please reveal the winning wow.
My wow is that the naked mole rat is the longest living rodent.
It can live up to 32 years.
Winner, winner, naked mole ratatouille for dinner.
Thank you, Mac.
Contestants, if you guessed the answer C, that the naked mole rat is the longest living rodent, well, congratulations, you found the winning wow.
Naked mole rats can live for over 30 years, which far surpasses similar animals to their size.
Not only that, but they barely age, meaning that a mole rat in its later years of adulthood can be just as healthy, strong and energetic as it was in its early adulthood.
If you did not get that answer correct, you must stop drop and burrow underground with your fellow naked mole rats.
Okay, round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, prehistoric guinea pigs were as big as cows?
Or is it B, shrews were considered royalty in ancient Rome?
Or is it C, Abraham Lincoln's log cabin was built by beavers?
When you think you have the correct answer, write it with your rat tail.
Hey, Reg, we need some thinking music.
And time is up.
And joining us by phone to reveal the answer, it's Leighton from Arkansas.
Leighton, what's the winning wow?
My wow in the world is that prehistoric guinea pigs were as big as a cow and their bite was as strong as a tiger.
Winner, winner, giant food pellets for dinner.
Thank you, Leighton.
Wowzers, if you guessed A that prehistoric guinea pigs were as big as cows well congratulations, you found the winning wow.
If you think capybaras are big, get a load of the Fiberomys, the prehistoric cousins of modern guinea pigs.
Scientists believe that these creatures were about nine feet long and weighed about 1,540 pounds.
Scientists discovered Fiberomys fossils in Venezuela, Argentina, and Brazil.
They believe these giant rodents lived roughly 8 million years ago.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop drop and roar like an ancient guinea pig.
And now... it's time to thank our sponsors.
Today's show is brought to you in part by Grinding Your Teeth.
Does this ever happen to you?
You're trying to eat lunch, but your teeth just won't stop growing?
Well, keep your incisors in check by grinding those choppers against each other.
Grinding your teeth, keep them short and sharp.
For rodent use only, not intended for humans.
That's right.
Please do not grind your teeth if you're a human.
Why don't we Take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grown-ups.
To What's in the Wow, we'll be right back.
Grown-ups, this 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.
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 curiosity.
That's it.
Now back to the show.
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. was that?
And that sound can mean only one thing.
There's a traffic jam somewhere in the studio?
That sound means it's time for today's Bonker Balls bonus round.
Now, if you listened to our Wow in the World episode titled Invasion of the Zombie Ants, you'll know the answer to this one.
And the Bonker Balls bonus question is... A liver fluke is... A. An inside-out liver...
Or is it B, a parasitic flatworm that needs the liver of another living body to survive?
Or is it C, a liver that just keeps making mistakes?
And joining us with today's answer, it's Reggie.
Reggie, tell us, what's the winning wow?
That's right, Reggie.
The correct answer is B.
A liver fluke is a parasitic flatworm that needs the liver of another living body to survive.
And you can find out all you've never wanted to know about this strange little creature by listening to our Wow in the World episode titled Invasion of the Zombie Ants.
Check it out.
Well, congratulations to all of our winning Wowzers.
Mindy, what's today's prize?
Oh, Guy Raz, today's prize is...
What?
Ready the prize cannon, Reggie.
Maybe it's dangerous to shoot bottles of ketchup into the audience.
Who said anything about bottles, Sky Ross?
Uh... Fire the ketchup, Reg!
No, don't!
Yeah!
Ketchup for everyone!
Enjoy the prize with burgers and fries!
Huh?
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.
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 Thuy Mac, Erica Medina, Henry Moskal, Jodi Nussbaum, Ali Paksima, 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 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.
Grownups, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at WowInTheWorld.
And our email address is hello at Tinkercast.com.
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 1-888-7WOW-WOW.
Thanks again for listening and playing along.
Meet us back here next Friday or every Monday for Wow in the World.
The world was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
