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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 realizing halfway through the movie you forgot to lock your car.
It's Two What's and a What.
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
And the category or theme for today is platypuses.
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 platypuses.
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?
Great, then let's do it.
Round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, There are over 30 species of platypus.
Or is it B?
Platypuses are mammals that lay eggs.
Or is it C?
Platypuses are actually beavers dressed up as ducks.
When you think you have the correct answer, say it in platypus.
Hey, French, thinking music, please.
And time is up.
Let's now reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, it's Natasha from California.
Natasha from California, tell us, what's the winning wow?
Hello, my wow in the world is that duck-billed platypuses are mammals and they lay eggs.
Winner, winner, mammal eggs for dinner.
Thank you, Natasha.
Contestants, if you guessed the answer B that platypuses are mammals that lay eggs well congratulations, you found the winning, wow.
Most mammals give birth to live babies, but platypuses are mammals that lay eggs.
Egg-laying mammals are called monotremes, and there are only five kinds of monotremes one species of platypus and four species of echidna.
Platypuses usually lay two eggs at a time.
Once their eggs hatch, Platypus mothers secrete milk onto their bellies for their puggles to eat.
Hang on, Guy Raz.
Did you just say that platypus babies are called puggles?
That's right, Mindy.
Oh, that's so cute.
Wowzers, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop drop and say Puggle Party five times fast.
Okay, time for round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, platypuses can climb trees?
Or is it B, platypuses have a secret pouch called a platypus?
Or is it C, platypuses have venomous spurs on their hind legs?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, there's a platypus controlling me!
Uh, thinking music?
And time is up.
And joining us by phone, it's Grady from California.
Grady, please reveal the winning wow.
I'm Indian Guyrod.
Platypuses have venomous spurs on the back of their hind legs.
Winner, winner, spurs for dinner.
Thank you, Grady.
Wowzers, if you guessed C, that platypuses have venomous spurs on their hind legs well, congratulations.
You've found the winning wow.
Male platypuses have a spur on each hind leg that's connected to a venom gland.
And they are one of the few venomous mammals alive today, along with some species of shrew, slow lorises and vampire bats.
We're not exactly sure why platypuses are venomous, but scientists think it may be a way to defend themselves against predators and compete with other males during mating season.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop drop and spread yourself on the floor like a platypus.
Okay, time for round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, There's a type of platypus that doesn't have webbed feet.
Or is it B. Platypuses have a sixth sense called electroreception.
Or is it C. Platypuses eat 12 jars of Vegemite every week.
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, I come from a land down under.
Hey, Reggie, cue the thinking music.
Time is up.
And joining us by phone, it's Sienna from California.
Sienna, what's the winning wow?
Hi, BD and Guy Ross.
My wow of the world is that a duck-billed platypus has a sixth sense called electroreception.
Winner, winner, electroreception for dinner.
That's right, Sienna.
Wowzers, if you guessed B, that platypuses have a sixth sense called electroreception...
Well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Platypuses have cells called electroreceptors on their bills and they use their electroreceptors to hunt for food underwater.
They close their eyes, their ears and nose and rely on the information they can get from their bills.
Through their electroreceptors, platypuses can pick up on electrical signals that other animals put out when they moved.
Their bills can also tell what direction and how far away their prey is.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and play Marco Polo by yourself.
And now it's time to take a moment to thank our sponsors.
Today's show is brought to you in part by making up fake animals.
Some scientists originally thought that the otter beaver ducks that they observed couldn't possibly be real.
But platypuses do exist.
So why not a dogtopus or a pandaroo?
Tell your friends all about the newly discovered rhinocigator, or your favorite animal, the zeolometeo.
So what are you waiting for?
Give it a try.
Fake animals, still not as weird as the platypus.
All right.
Thank you, fake animals.
Why don't we take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grownups?
Once in a while, we'll be right back.
Grownups, this message is for you.
Hey, grownups.
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.
What?
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.
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.
There's a monster truck rally this Sunday, Sunday, Sunday.
No, it's time for today's Bonker Balls bonus round.
If you listen to our Wow in the World episode titled Doggo Graduation, you'll know the answer to this one.
And if not, just go back and listen.
And the Bonker Balls bonus question is... What's that?
A medical breakthrough.
Did you know that...
Dogs are starting to be used in the medical field to sniff out diseases like Parkinson's?
It's because of their super sensitive schnozzes.
A dog's sense of smell is many, many times greater than our own.
But the question is, how much greater?
Is it A, 5 to 10 times greater?
Or is it B, 1,000 to 10,000 times greater?
Or is it C, 1,000? bajillion times greater.
If you answered B, you are correct.
Dogs are able to smell around 100 to 10,000 times better than us humans.
And that's not even where their super sniffing ability's in.
They're also able to breathe in and out of their nose at the same time.
Really makes you wonder how they deal with sneezes.
Well, congratulations to all of our winning Wowzers.
What's today's prize?
Guy Raz, today's winning wowsers will all be receiving their very own platypus-shaped dessert the platypie.
What a great prize, Mindy.
Maybe this time we could just gently hand them out?
Nope.
Oh, Reggie!
Cue the prize cannon!
I was afraid you'd say that.
Fire away!
Woof, woof, woof, woof!
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 in a Wow.
Until then, keep on wowing!
If you like Wow in the World, you can listen early and ad-free right now on Wondery+.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Prime members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music.
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 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 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.
Wow in the World was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
