The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week The Piss Current, Mucking Up Space, a Cocky Legend
May 21, 2025
Divya Anantharaman, a professional taxidermist known as Gotham Taxidermy, shares her insights about taxidermy and the intriguing personalities of birds. The hosts dive into the crucial ecological roles of whales, humorously discussing their migration and unique biological quirks. They also explore the cleanliness challenges aboard the International Space Station, highlighting the importance of microbial health for astronauts. Laugh along as they celebrate the eccentric life of Kaki the Cockatoo, a 120-year-old bar favorite with a heartwarming legacy.
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Whale Conveyor Belt Insight
- Great whales transport nutrients vast distances through their migration, acting like ocean nutrient conveyor belts.
- Whale urine, in particular, supplies essential nitrogen, supporting phytoplankton and marine food chains.
Whale Migration Nutrient Transfer
- Great whales fast during migration, losing up to 200 pounds of blubber daily in breeding grounds.
- They concentrate nutrients in nutrient-poor warm waters, enriching these fragile ecosystems significantly.
Whale Urine Nutrient Significance
- Whale urine alone can contribute huge amounts of nitrogen, vital for phytoplankton growth.
- Historical whaling greatly reduced this nutrient transfer, which is still critical for ocean health today.