Join Molly Bloom and the co-hosts of Brains On as they test their prehistoric animal knowledge in a game show. From giant dragonflies in the Permian Era to saber-toothed cats in the Ice Age, learn about prehistoric creatures and their extinction. The podcast also features mystery sounds, haikus, and games related to animal and plant evolution. Tune in for educational fun!
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Quick takeaways
During the Permian Era, giant dragonflies with a wingspan the length of a tennis racket buzzed through the skies, showcasing the diverse sizes and shapes of prehistoric creatures.
The Permian mass extinction event, possibly caused by an asteroid impact or climate change, led to the disappearance of approximately 70% of animal species on land, highlighting the devastating impact of environmental changes on Earth's ancient inhabitants.
Deep dives
The Permian Era: An Overview
During the Permian Era, which occurred almost 300 million years ago, the Earth saw the evolution of various creatures before dinosaurs emerged. The continents were connected, glaciers melted gradually, and rainforests began to grow at the equator. Bugs like cockroaches, grasshoppers, and beetles emerged, along with giant dragonflies. The Permian Era ended with a mass extinction event, possibly caused by either an asteroid impact or climate change.
Guessing the Size of Prehistoric Creatures
Through a quiz show game, listeners learn about the sizes of prehistoric creatures in comparison to everyday objects. For example, Meganoropsis Permianna, a dragonfly-like insect, had a wingspan the length of a tennis racket. Arthroplora, a prehistoric millipede, was about the length of a car. Ma's Chops, a plant-eating creature, weighed as much as a refrigerator. Listeners are surprised by the diverse sizes and shapes of these ancient animals.
The Extinction of Prehistoric Creatures
The Permian mass extinction is discussed as the cause for the disappearance of many prehistoric creatures. The extinction event, which happened around 250 million years ago, might have been triggered by either an asteroid impact or climate change. The release of gases, including carbon dioxide, led to warmer ocean temperatures and disrupted the food chains on land and sea. Approximately 70% of the animal species on land went extinct.
Ancient Firsts: Backbones, Seeds, and Scales
Listeners play a game to guess which trait or characteristic appeared first in prehistoric creatures. They learn that animals with backbones evolved before those with lungs, and that plants with seeds appeared before those with flowers. Similarly, animals with scales preceded animals with feathers. This game highlights the evolutionary order of certain features that we now observe in different living organisms.
Prehistoric animals rock! How much do you know about these unusual beasts? Join Brains On! host Molly Bloom as she tests the prehistoric animal knowledge of co-hosts Samaya, Roscoe, Zana, and Arjun! The games begin in the Permian Era, almost 300 million years ago, when giant dragonflies buzzed through the skies. Play along and you’ll wind up in the most recent Ice Age, when saber-toothed cats prowled the California coasts! Plus, you’ll get to hear prehistoric animal haikus and a not-so-prehistoric mystery sound!
This episode was sponsored by:
Indeed (Indeed.com/BRAINS - To claim your SEVENTY FIVE DOLLAR SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post. Terms and conditions apply.)
Greenlight (Greenlight.com - The banking and investing app for kids and teens.)
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