Weird But True (2016–…): Season 1, Episode 8 - Alaska's Animals - full transcript
CHARLIE: Hey guys!
KIRBY: Hey!
CHARLIE: Today we're
hanging out in Alaska!
We took a plane, a car,
and now we're taking a
helicopter to meet some
animal all-stars!
It's time for
Weird but True !
Hey guys Charlie here.
You know my sister Kirby.
KIRBY: Hey!
CHARLIE: We're so psyched
that you're here cause today
we're tackling an issue.
So, we live in Chicago, right?
KIRBY: Great city.
CHARLIE: It's a lovely city.
Except the winters here
are absolutely terrible.
KIRBY: So cold. We
can never stay warm.
CHARLIE: But we think we
finally found something
that might help us out.
KIRBY: Have you seen
that commercial?
CHARLIE: The one with
the weird looking dude.
KIRBY: They're always
on, I bet we can find it.
CHARLIE: Hi human! Are you cold?
Does nothing seem
to warm you up?
Well we've got the
perfect product to heat up
those chilly little bones!
Bo Patrevia's Cold
Encyclopedias!
Our encyclopedias perfectly
outline the tried and tested
strategies that animals
use to deal with
the cold weather.
Written by the animals
themselves and edited by famed
animal expert Bo Patrevia.
BO: Howdy!
CHARLIE: These books are
specifically designed
to help you deal with
the cold weather.
Customers love our product!
I used to be cold, but
then I read Bo Patrevia's
Cold Encyclopedias.
And now I'm not so cold.
Thanks Bo!
Woo I'm Bo Patrevia.
Stay warm out there.
We're doing it guys!
KIRBY: We're making the call!
CHARLIE: Today we're
learning from the pros.
The best of the best.
We're ordering
some encyclopedias and
unraveling the world of...
Cold Weather Animals!
KIRBY: Charles!
We've gotta order!
CHARLIE: Already on it!
Get this to Bo Patrevia stat!
I wonder when it'll.
BOB: Package!
-Whoa!
BOB: Sign here!
KIRBY: Thanks!
CHARLIE: That was quick.
Let's check 'em out!
Hmm. Ahh yeah Oh of course!
Interesting.
KIRBY: Alright guys,
so we've been hitting the
encyclopedias pretty hard.
CHARLIE: And we found out
that there are so many
animals in the world
that are really well
adapted to the cold.
KIRBY: So many!
CHARLIE: And today we gotta
figure out how do they do it.
KIRBY: Alright, according
to Bo Patrevia and his
team of animal experts.
CHARLIE: We can separate
the strategies that animals
use to deal with the cold,
into four basic groups.
Migration, going dormant,
behavioral adaptations,
and anatomical adaptations.
First up, Migration.
To avoid the cold, some
animals simply travel to
warmer areas in the winter.
All sorts of animals do this,
birds, mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, and even insects.
Yep! Insects!
Check it out, the monarch
butterfly lives as far north
as Canada in the summer.
Where the winters gets way
too cold for them to survive.
So, every winter millions of
monarch butterflies migrate
up to 3,000 miles to Mexico,
where it's nice and warm.
How crazy it that?
So, migration, that's one
strategy we could try out.
KIRBY: Let's
check out another.
Ooh, going dormant.
Hmm, so this is kind
of like sleeping.
Some animals just kind of lay
low and wait out the cold.
CHARLIE: One version
of this is hibernation!
For bears it's called
torpor and lasts up to
seven and a half months!
During this period their
metabolism, heart rate,
and body temperature
are all reduced.
They actually go seven
and a half months without
eating, drinking water,
or going to the bathroom!
That's like holding it from
July 1st 'till about February.
Insane!
KIRBY: So, going
dormant and waking up in
the spring might work.
CHARLIE: How about this
one, behavioral adaptation.
Some animals spend time
prepping for the cold weather
or they change their behavior.
For example, the Saw-Whet owl.
In the winter, this owl
stocks up on extra prey,
and lets them freeze.
When the owl is hungry, it
defrosts one of these frozen
meals by sitting on it.
Kind of like heating up
some frozen leftovers.
Yum! I could go for a
frozen meal or two.
KIRBY: And finally,
anatomical adaptation.
So, this seems to be
explaining the idea that some
animals have adaptations
that simply allow them
to dwell in the cold.
CHARLIE: It's kind of like
they were born with it.
Take Bowhead whales, they
swim in arctic waters all
year, where it's freezing!
The only reason they
can do this is because they're
surrounded in a thick layer
of blubber that's up to
half a meter thick.
That's so much blubber!
Bowhead whales don't have to
migrate to warmer waters,
or change their behavior
at all in the winter.
They are perfectly
built for the cold.
So, we've got migrating,
going dormant,
adapting our behaviors,
and adapting our anatomies.
I feel like we got
some good ideas here!
KIRBY: It's a good
start for sure.
CHARLIE: But I feel
like we need some more
examples from the pros.
KIRBY: Yeah! I'd like to find
a few more specific ways we
could make this happen.
CHARLIE: If I'm right, I
think the games should be
starting sometime soon.
KIRBY: The games?
CHARLIE: Yeah.
You guys are gonna love this.
Hello pikas and penguins,
hares, and bears, whales
and snails welcome all you
wonderful animals to
the Cold Weather Games!
I'm Chip Shivers broadcasting
alongside cold weather
commentator Bob Frost.
KIRBY: Pleasure
to be here Chip.
CHARLIE: Pleasure
to have you Bob.
We're so excited for today's
festivities but first.
KIRBY: Oh, come on!
CHARLIE: We were just tuning
into the Cold Weather Games.
When we lost our signal!
KIRBY: I got it!
CHARLIE: Perfect!
We're back in action!
Welcome back cold weather
fanatics this is Chip Shivers,
broadcasting
alongside Bob Frost.
KIRBY: It's a pleasure
to be here, Chip.
CHARLIE: Again, it's a
pleasure to have you Bob.
We're bringing you all
the action from today's
Cold Weather Games.
This broadcast is the one
we've all been waiting
for, the awards ceremony!
We've already awarded
one gold medal, in the
migration competition,
where the Arctic Tern
took home the top prize.
KIRBY: The total round-trip
distance of the Arctic Tern's
migration is 25,000 miles.
That's equal to the
circumference of
the entire world,
and these birds
do it every year.
A deserving winner.
CHARLIE: No doubt
about that Bob.
We now turn our broadcast
to our next medal ceremony,
this one's for the
dormancy competition.
KIRBY: Another hard-fought
competition all around with
some very deserving
athletes in the mix.
CHARLIE: In third place
we have the black bear.
KIRBY: A really
great competitor,
they lose 20% of their
body weight during
their dormancy period.
CHARLIE: In second place,
the arctic ground squirrel.
KIRBY: Incredible stamina
here, Chip, the Arctic Ground
Squirrel's body dips below
freezing during
its hibernation.
CHARLIE: And finally,
our winner the wood frog.
KIRBY: It's great to see an
amphibian win a medal here,
and you won't find a more
deserving amphibian
than the wood frog.
CHARLIE: The Wood Frog is a
truly incredible competitor
that survives the winter
by nearly freezing solid.
70% of the frog's body
water becomes solid ice.
These little guys stop
breathing and their hearts
stop beating for weeks at
a time until warmer temperatures
defrost their organs
and they come back to life
as if nothing happened.
KIRBY: Turning into a
frog popsicle every year?
Now that's some commitment.
CHARLIE: Without a doubt Bob.
Next, we move onto the
behavioral competition.
KIRBY: Animals that qualify
to compete in this event
use strategic behaviors,
like storing food, to
last through the winter.
And let me tell ya,
the animals really
brought it this year.
CHARLIE: Third place is
awarded to the Saw-Whet owl.
(owl hooting)
CHARLIE: Second place
is no surprise, going
to the Chickadee.
KIRBY: Chickadees have
to gain 10% of their body
weight in fat each day.
Then they burn it all
at night to stay warm.
CHARLIE: But the gold
medal goes to, the Pika.
KIRBY: I had a feeling
we'd see a rodent take
a medal this year!
CHARLIE: Fantastic
athlete the Pika.
Small rodent-like animal
that spends entire
summer months gathering
and stockpiling enormous
caches of food for the winter.
But there's a little
controversy with this winner.
Pika's engage in
kleptoparasitism.
That means they're
constantly stealing food
from other Pika's caches.
KIRBY: But a little friendly
competition never really
hurt anyone now did it Chip.
CHARLIE: Indeed, not Bob.
And now we move onto our
final medal ceremony.
The anatomical competition,
which showcases animals
whose bodies have physically
evolved to best survive
extreme cold temperatures.
KIRBY: One of the most
competitive events this year.
CHARLIE: In third place,
we have the Bowhead Whale!
KIRBY: A crowd
favorite for sure.
CHARLIE: Coming in second
place, the Arctic Fox!
KIRBY: This fox goes through
an entire coat transformation,
turning white in the
winter to help blend in
with its surroundings.
CHARLIE: And coming in
first place, the Musk Ox!
KIRBY: The Musk Ox!
I wasn't expecting this one!
CHARLIE: It's all
about that coat, Bob.
Their coats are
composed of two layers.
A thick outer coat, and
an even thicker undercoat
that grows as the
winter approaches.
Congrats to the Musk
Ox and congrats to all our
competitors at today's events
at the Cold Weather Games.
KIRBY: Special thanks to
our sponsor Bo Patrevia.
CHARLIE: Bo Patrevia's
the official encyclopedia
of the Winter Games.
Stay warm you animals.
We'll see you tomorrow.
Awesome, you know what
I've been thinking?
KIRBY: What's up?
CHARLIE: Where's the
one place where all
of these animals live?
KIRBY: Earth.
CHARLIE: Think smaller.
KIRBY: I don't know,
let's check it out.
CHARLIE: Alright,
uh humpback whales?
KIRBY: Hawaii, and... Alaska.
CHARLIE: Alright, uh Pikas?
KIRBY: Western US and... Alaska.
CHARLIE: Arctic fox?
KIRBY: Alaska.
CHARLIE: Wood frog?
KIRBY: Alaska.
CHARLIE: Where do you
think we're going?
KIRBY: I think we're
going to Alaska!
CHARLIE: Alright guys!
We gotta pack up a few
things, but when we get back,
we're gonna head to
Alaska, sounds good?
Alright, we'll
see you in a bit.
KIRBY: We're gonna need
to pack some hot cocoa.
CHARLIE: Probably a
lot of hot cocoa.
KIRBY: Like a
lot of hot cocoa.
Weird but true,
Some Arctic fox dens
are 300 years old.
CHARLIE: Hey guys!
KIRBY: Hey!
CHARLIE: We just
finished packing up.
KIRBY: So, today we're
learning about cold weather
animals and their adaptations.
CHARLIE: And right now,
we're heading over to Alaska.
Where we can see some
of these cold weather
animals in real life!
Let's go!
We're heading to
Alaska! The chilliest
state in the US!
With over 600 officially named
glaciers, a solid chunk of its
land within the Arctic Circle.
This is where we'll
definitely find some true
cold weather all-stars!
We made it guys!
KIRBY: Check it out!
CHARLIE: We're outside
Portage at the
Alaska Wildlife
Conservation Center.
It's a cool like would
you say like 55 degrees?
KIRBY: It's not bad at all.
CHARLIE: Yeah not too bad at
all, but we're here to get
an up-close look at
an animal who's got it going on
when it comes to braving
extreme frigid temperatures.
Check it out it's a caribou.
Also known as a reindeer.
You'll have a hard time
finding an animal better
adapted for life on ice
and snow and where it's
just absolutely freezing.
Let's go get a closer look.
KIRBY: Check out this
nose, inside there,
there's something called
the nasal concha.
CHARLIE: Fun science
word nasal concha.
That's the area of the
nasal passage that heats
up the air we breathe in.
KIRBY: Yeah so basically
caribous have these, but
they're super huge and
warms the arctic air that
they breathe in before
it gets to their lungs.
So, their internal
body temperature
stays nice and warm.
CHARLIE: You see those hooves?
They're huge and spread
out over a wide area.
So, they almost act like
snowshoes so caribou can walk
right on top of the snow.
They're also scooped so
they're kind of like shovels
and the caribous use them to
scoop away the snow, so they
can eat food underneath.
They have a sharp edge,
so they can walk on
ice so they're perfect!
Caribou hair is perfectly
adapted for the cold weather.
There are two layers, one
smaller layer that's kind
of like a wool sweater and
another thicker layer
that's longer, that's
like a nice jacket.
So, it's like they're
double layered.
Sweater, jacket, perfectly
adapted for the cold weather.
Weird but true, that outer
layer, the hairs are hollow,
and they actually help
'em float in the water.
And the ultimate weapon in
their cold weather fighting
arsenal can't be seen.
I think we need a little
bit more explanation.
So, let's toss it
over to HQ real quick.
It's all in their
legs, and it's called the
Countercurrent Heat Exchange.
Fancy stuff.
So, arteries carrying warm
blood from the heart are
squeezed right up next to
veins carrying cold,
cold blood from the feet!
The hot blood in
the arteries, warms the
cold blood in the veins.
That way, the blood is
warmer when it makes its
way to the Caribou's core,
so it doesn't lower the
caribou's core temperature.
And cooled as it makes
its way to the hooves
reducing heat loss.
Boom, the Countercurrent
Heat Exchange.
Back to Alaska.
Alright guys, fur,
hooves, nasal concha,
caribou are finely crafted
cold-busting machines.
KIRBY: But we got a little
surprise in store for you.
CHARLIE: Alright so some
animals hibernate to
get through the winter,
other animals migrate
to warmer places,
but only a select few were
absolutely built for it.
KIRBY: They tackle
the winter head on.
CHARLIE: So right now,
we're gonna go visit an animal
that's so well-tuned in to the
cold here in Alaska that
without its help humans
would have never been able
to settle here in
the first place.
KIRBY: But that
animal's not here.
CHARLIE: We gotta
take a quick trip.
KIRBY: And there's only
one way to get there.
CHARLIE: A nice Alaskan
helicopter ride!
Let's go guys!
PILOT (over radio): Next step,
the helicopter's taking off.
to (inaudible) river
lodge, eastbound.
You guys are going
flying in Alaska.
CHARLIE (over radio): Yeah!
KIRBY (over radio):
Not bad at all.
CHARLIE: It's time to check
out our next animal all-stars.
KIRBY: And you're never gonna
believe where they live.
CHARLIE: Right here
on the glacier.
They really love the cold.
Let's go check 'em out.
We're here to find
the toughest cold weather
animals there are: sled dogs!
From the early days, Alaskans
have relied on sled dogs to
survive their brutal climate.
They've depended on them
to transport people,
supplies, and mail.
And sled dogs even get
credit for stopping
a deadly epidemic,
it's called the
Great Race of Mercy.
Check it out.
1925, Nome, Alaska.
A diphtheria outbreak was
ripping through the area.
KIRBY: Diphtheria is
a bacterial disease
that can kill you.
CHARLIE: 1400 people's
lives were threatened.
The problem was, there
wasn't any medicine in Nome!
But there was some in
Nenana, nearly 675 miles
away, with only one way
to get between Nenana
and Nome, Sled dogs.
Man, and dog had to work
together to save the city.
They formed 20 teams,
with around 150 dogs,
and relayed the medicine
towards Nome in shifts.
They pushed through the snow,
the ice, and the frigid temps,
but one day the final team
made its way into Nome.
They made it!
The medicine had arrived, and
hundreds of lives were saved.
Thanks to the sled
dogs of Alaska.
Guys, we're going
to take a quick break,
but when we come back,
we're gonna hang out with
these all-stars and learn how
they beat the cold weather.
KIRBY: Weird but true,
The South Pole is colder
than the North Pole.
CHARLIE: Guys it's raining
right now, we're on a glacier,
there's snow everywhere,
I'm wearing like ten layers.
All I wanna do is get inside,
but these Alaskan huskies,
they're in their element.
This is what they were built
for and they're ready to run.
Look how excited they are!
There must be someone around
here that can introduce us to
these cold weather all-stars.
Guys that's Justin!
KIRBY: He finished the
Iditarod six times!
CHARLIE: If there's anyone
who can tell us about
sled dogs it's this guy!
Let's go say hi!
KIRBY: Justin Savidis,
professional dog sledder,
he started with two
dogs and now has 54.
His favorite Weird
but true fact is
CHARLIE: So, we wanna
learn all about sled dogs.
Can you help us out?
JUSTIN: Absolutely, but first
let's get out of the rain.
KIRBY: Awesome.
CHARLIE: Sounds good to me.
Let's go guys!
This is a little better
and a little warmer.
Thanks for bringing
us in here.
Where are we right now?
JUSTIN: Colony
Glacier in Alaska.
CHARLIE: Oh, very nice.
And who's this?
JUSTIN: This is Harris.
She's my two-year-old leader.
CHARLIE: Hey Harris.
KIRBY: Hey Harris.
CHARLIE: How's it going?
JUSTIN: She actually finished
her first Iditarod this year.
CHARLIE: Holy cow.
KIRBY: Nice job.
CHARLIE: With you?
JUSTIN: With me.
CHARLIE: Guys, the Iditarod
Trail dog sled race is an
annual long-distance race
in Alaska that runs with
a team of 21 dogs.
JUSTIN: You're out
there anywhere between
ten to 14 days.
It's 1,000 miles.
You're gonna see everything
from minus 65 to you have
to cross down Yukon River,
you have to go across the
ocean, you're gonna be in
wind storms, snow storms.
Some of my dogs have
traveled about 23,000
miles in their life.
KIRBY: Whoa.
CHARLIE: That's a lot.
And does it wear them out?
Or do they enjoy it?
JUSTIN: They love it.
If you had to force these guys
to do it, it would never work.
Iditarod is not a sport that
you just show up and win.
It takes time, it
takes endurance, it
takes not giving up.
They're always looking
to you too, to give them
guidance and direction.
CHARLIE: Mhm.
JUSTIN: So, if you wanted
them to go a little bit right
you just say "gee",
if you want them to go
left, you just say "haw".
CHARLIE: Gee is
right, haw is left?
JUSTIN: Yup.
CHARLIE: What's go?
JUSTIN: Let's go.
CHARLIE: Let's go.
JUSTIN: We never say.
CHARLIE: Let's go!
JUSTIN: We never say mush.
I'm sorry to tell you that.
Typically, I'll put coats on
'em if it's about minus 20,
especially if it's really windy.
I've had dogs out
as cold as minus 65.
KIRBY: Whoa.
CHARLIE: Oh my gosh.
JUSTIN: And they do just fine.
What helps keep them really
warm though is how much food
you're putting in 'em.
CHARLIE: Uh huh.
JUSTIN: We put 12,000
calories a day into each dog.
CHARLIE: Mhm.
KIRBY: Wow.
JUSTIN: That'd be like
you guys eating 70,
80 cheese burgers a day.
KIRBY: Yikes.
CHARLIE: Oh!
JUSTIN: For ten days.
You have to keep
their furnace going.
CHARLIE: Weird but true,
the first Iditarod winner
finished in over 20 days.
Justin's best time is ten
days and the record is eight.
Super quick.
KIRBY: So, what makes
Alaskan huskies so
equipped for the cold?
JUSTIN: They have, what's
called, a double coat.
You've got guard hairs
on top and that's a
little bit like gortex.
KIRBY: Mhm.
CHARLIE: Mm.
JUSTIN: And then they have
basically a goose down
underneath for their undercoat.
KIRBY: Oh yeah.
JUSTIN: That's what
keeps them warm.
CHARLIE: It's super thick.
JUSTIN: Yeah.
CHARLIE: Like you can't even
really get to the bottom of it
when you're petting her.
JUSTIN: This is her
summer coat right now.
CHARLIE: Oh my gosh.
KIRBY: Just wait
for the winter.
CHARLIE: Just wait until
the winter comes out.
JUSTIN: Yup.
CHARLIE: It's gonna
be even thicker.
JUSTIN: This is just a
breed that's evolved in
Alaska and evolved in the
Northern climates, like
anything, it just is
build for this country.
CHARLIE: It's
freezing outside.
It's raining, and you
just got 'em tied up
to their little huts,
and they seem just
happy as can be.
KIRBY: Yeah.
JUSTIN: There's
several that will sleep
outside all the time.
CHARLIE: Yeah?
JUSTIN: I had a dog who would
sleep outside at minus 40.
CHARLIE: Oh my gosh.
JUSTIN: I'd try and
put him in his house,
and he'd put his paws
against the door like,
"Nope. I'm not going in."
CHARLIE: I wanna be in the cold.
Alright guys quick
recap, Alaskan Huskies in
negative 60-degree weather,
all they need is a
nice thin dog coat,
a pair of booties,
and about 12,000 calories
worth of dog food.
That's it.
So, Justin do you think
we can go for a ride?
JUSTIN: Let's go.
CHARLIE: Alright
let's go guys.
JUSTIN: Alright let's go.
CHARLIE: Yeah!
KIRBY: Yeah!
CHARLIE: Oh man.
KIRBY: This is sick.
CHARLIE: Woo!
KIRBY: They're in their
element right now.
JUSTIN: How are
you guys doing?
CHARLIE: I'm cold but.
KIRBY: Pretty good!
CHARLIE: Feeling great.
JUSTIN: Pretty cool isn't it?
KIRBY: Pretty amazing.
CHARLIE: This is awesome.
JUSTIN: Gee, Gee.
KIRBY: Nice!
CHARLIE: Woo!
JUSTIN: Easy, easy guys.
CHARLIE: I'm absolutely
freezing right now.
I can barely feel my face
and my hands are so numb.
So, we're going to go back
to HQ, but we'll see you
there in a few minutes.
Awesome!
KIRBY: Weird but true,
CHARLIE: Hey guys!
How's it going?
KIRBY: We just got
back from Alaska!
CHARLIE: There were sled dogs!
KIRBY: And a helicopter!
CHARLIE: I pet a caribou!
KIRBY: It was amazing.
CHARLIE: We learned
so much today.
We definitely have some
strategies that we can use to
stay warm during the winter.
We can, migrate to warmer
areas like monarchs.
Or, kind of sleep through
the winter, like wood frogs.
Or, if we're feeling
like it, we can do some major
cold weather prep like Pikas.
It's just too bad we're
not more built for the cold,
like Bowhead whales you know?
That would be nice.
What else did we learn today?
There were so many
weird but true facts!
KIRBY: Countercurrent
heat exchange is a fancy cold
weather adaptation in caribou
legs to minimize heat loss.
The coat of an Arctic Fox
changes color in the winter.
Some of Justin's sled
dogs have traveled
nearly 23,000 miles.
CHARLIE: Kirb, do people even
listen to the radio anymore?
KIRBY: Of course,
Charles, it's an integral
part of modern-day media.
And besides it's just
kind of fun to listen to.
(radio static)
CHARLIE: Betty
Clarey's Dictionaries.
Are you siblings?
Do you live in Chicago?
Betty Clarey's Dictionaries
are the dictionaries for you!
Order your set today!
KIRBY: We got to order now!
CHARLIE: I guess so!
KIRBY: I'll get the envelope.
CHARLIE: Alright guys,
I guess we got some
dictionaries to order!
KIRBY: Oh man,
where's the pen!
CHARLIE: But thanks so
much for stopping by!
Come by again when we discover
more things that are weird.
KIRBY: But true!
CHARLIE: We'll see you soon!
Captioned by
Cotter Captioning Services.
KIRBY: Hey!
CHARLIE: Today we're
hanging out in Alaska!
We took a plane, a car,
and now we're taking a
helicopter to meet some
animal all-stars!
It's time for
Weird but True !
Hey guys Charlie here.
You know my sister Kirby.
KIRBY: Hey!
CHARLIE: We're so psyched
that you're here cause today
we're tackling an issue.
So, we live in Chicago, right?
KIRBY: Great city.
CHARLIE: It's a lovely city.
Except the winters here
are absolutely terrible.
KIRBY: So cold. We
can never stay warm.
CHARLIE: But we think we
finally found something
that might help us out.
KIRBY: Have you seen
that commercial?
CHARLIE: The one with
the weird looking dude.
KIRBY: They're always
on, I bet we can find it.
CHARLIE: Hi human! Are you cold?
Does nothing seem
to warm you up?
Well we've got the
perfect product to heat up
those chilly little bones!
Bo Patrevia's Cold
Encyclopedias!
Our encyclopedias perfectly
outline the tried and tested
strategies that animals
use to deal with
the cold weather.
Written by the animals
themselves and edited by famed
animal expert Bo Patrevia.
BO: Howdy!
CHARLIE: These books are
specifically designed
to help you deal with
the cold weather.
Customers love our product!
I used to be cold, but
then I read Bo Patrevia's
Cold Encyclopedias.
And now I'm not so cold.
Thanks Bo!
Woo I'm Bo Patrevia.
Stay warm out there.
We're doing it guys!
KIRBY: We're making the call!
CHARLIE: Today we're
learning from the pros.
The best of the best.
We're ordering
some encyclopedias and
unraveling the world of...
Cold Weather Animals!
KIRBY: Charles!
We've gotta order!
CHARLIE: Already on it!
Get this to Bo Patrevia stat!
I wonder when it'll.
BOB: Package!
-Whoa!
BOB: Sign here!
KIRBY: Thanks!
CHARLIE: That was quick.
Let's check 'em out!
Hmm. Ahh yeah Oh of course!
Interesting.
KIRBY: Alright guys,
so we've been hitting the
encyclopedias pretty hard.
CHARLIE: And we found out
that there are so many
animals in the world
that are really well
adapted to the cold.
KIRBY: So many!
CHARLIE: And today we gotta
figure out how do they do it.
KIRBY: Alright, according
to Bo Patrevia and his
team of animal experts.
CHARLIE: We can separate
the strategies that animals
use to deal with the cold,
into four basic groups.
Migration, going dormant,
behavioral adaptations,
and anatomical adaptations.
First up, Migration.
To avoid the cold, some
animals simply travel to
warmer areas in the winter.
All sorts of animals do this,
birds, mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, and even insects.
Yep! Insects!
Check it out, the monarch
butterfly lives as far north
as Canada in the summer.
Where the winters gets way
too cold for them to survive.
So, every winter millions of
monarch butterflies migrate
up to 3,000 miles to Mexico,
where it's nice and warm.
How crazy it that?
So, migration, that's one
strategy we could try out.
KIRBY: Let's
check out another.
Ooh, going dormant.
Hmm, so this is kind
of like sleeping.
Some animals just kind of lay
low and wait out the cold.
CHARLIE: One version
of this is hibernation!
For bears it's called
torpor and lasts up to
seven and a half months!
During this period their
metabolism, heart rate,
and body temperature
are all reduced.
They actually go seven
and a half months without
eating, drinking water,
or going to the bathroom!
That's like holding it from
July 1st 'till about February.
Insane!
KIRBY: So, going
dormant and waking up in
the spring might work.
CHARLIE: How about this
one, behavioral adaptation.
Some animals spend time
prepping for the cold weather
or they change their behavior.
For example, the Saw-Whet owl.
In the winter, this owl
stocks up on extra prey,
and lets them freeze.
When the owl is hungry, it
defrosts one of these frozen
meals by sitting on it.
Kind of like heating up
some frozen leftovers.
Yum! I could go for a
frozen meal or two.
KIRBY: And finally,
anatomical adaptation.
So, this seems to be
explaining the idea that some
animals have adaptations
that simply allow them
to dwell in the cold.
CHARLIE: It's kind of like
they were born with it.
Take Bowhead whales, they
swim in arctic waters all
year, where it's freezing!
The only reason they
can do this is because they're
surrounded in a thick layer
of blubber that's up to
half a meter thick.
That's so much blubber!
Bowhead whales don't have to
migrate to warmer waters,
or change their behavior
at all in the winter.
They are perfectly
built for the cold.
So, we've got migrating,
going dormant,
adapting our behaviors,
and adapting our anatomies.
I feel like we got
some good ideas here!
KIRBY: It's a good
start for sure.
CHARLIE: But I feel
like we need some more
examples from the pros.
KIRBY: Yeah! I'd like to find
a few more specific ways we
could make this happen.
CHARLIE: If I'm right, I
think the games should be
starting sometime soon.
KIRBY: The games?
CHARLIE: Yeah.
You guys are gonna love this.
Hello pikas and penguins,
hares, and bears, whales
and snails welcome all you
wonderful animals to
the Cold Weather Games!
I'm Chip Shivers broadcasting
alongside cold weather
commentator Bob Frost.
KIRBY: Pleasure
to be here Chip.
CHARLIE: Pleasure
to have you Bob.
We're so excited for today's
festivities but first.
KIRBY: Oh, come on!
CHARLIE: We were just tuning
into the Cold Weather Games.
When we lost our signal!
KIRBY: I got it!
CHARLIE: Perfect!
We're back in action!
Welcome back cold weather
fanatics this is Chip Shivers,
broadcasting
alongside Bob Frost.
KIRBY: It's a pleasure
to be here, Chip.
CHARLIE: Again, it's a
pleasure to have you Bob.
We're bringing you all
the action from today's
Cold Weather Games.
This broadcast is the one
we've all been waiting
for, the awards ceremony!
We've already awarded
one gold medal, in the
migration competition,
where the Arctic Tern
took home the top prize.
KIRBY: The total round-trip
distance of the Arctic Tern's
migration is 25,000 miles.
That's equal to the
circumference of
the entire world,
and these birds
do it every year.
A deserving winner.
CHARLIE: No doubt
about that Bob.
We now turn our broadcast
to our next medal ceremony,
this one's for the
dormancy competition.
KIRBY: Another hard-fought
competition all around with
some very deserving
athletes in the mix.
CHARLIE: In third place
we have the black bear.
KIRBY: A really
great competitor,
they lose 20% of their
body weight during
their dormancy period.
CHARLIE: In second place,
the arctic ground squirrel.
KIRBY: Incredible stamina
here, Chip, the Arctic Ground
Squirrel's body dips below
freezing during
its hibernation.
CHARLIE: And finally,
our winner the wood frog.
KIRBY: It's great to see an
amphibian win a medal here,
and you won't find a more
deserving amphibian
than the wood frog.
CHARLIE: The Wood Frog is a
truly incredible competitor
that survives the winter
by nearly freezing solid.
70% of the frog's body
water becomes solid ice.
These little guys stop
breathing and their hearts
stop beating for weeks at
a time until warmer temperatures
defrost their organs
and they come back to life
as if nothing happened.
KIRBY: Turning into a
frog popsicle every year?
Now that's some commitment.
CHARLIE: Without a doubt Bob.
Next, we move onto the
behavioral competition.
KIRBY: Animals that qualify
to compete in this event
use strategic behaviors,
like storing food, to
last through the winter.
And let me tell ya,
the animals really
brought it this year.
CHARLIE: Third place is
awarded to the Saw-Whet owl.
(owl hooting)
CHARLIE: Second place
is no surprise, going
to the Chickadee.
KIRBY: Chickadees have
to gain 10% of their body
weight in fat each day.
Then they burn it all
at night to stay warm.
CHARLIE: But the gold
medal goes to, the Pika.
KIRBY: I had a feeling
we'd see a rodent take
a medal this year!
CHARLIE: Fantastic
athlete the Pika.
Small rodent-like animal
that spends entire
summer months gathering
and stockpiling enormous
caches of food for the winter.
But there's a little
controversy with this winner.
Pika's engage in
kleptoparasitism.
That means they're
constantly stealing food
from other Pika's caches.
KIRBY: But a little friendly
competition never really
hurt anyone now did it Chip.
CHARLIE: Indeed, not Bob.
And now we move onto our
final medal ceremony.
The anatomical competition,
which showcases animals
whose bodies have physically
evolved to best survive
extreme cold temperatures.
KIRBY: One of the most
competitive events this year.
CHARLIE: In third place,
we have the Bowhead Whale!
KIRBY: A crowd
favorite for sure.
CHARLIE: Coming in second
place, the Arctic Fox!
KIRBY: This fox goes through
an entire coat transformation,
turning white in the
winter to help blend in
with its surroundings.
CHARLIE: And coming in
first place, the Musk Ox!
KIRBY: The Musk Ox!
I wasn't expecting this one!
CHARLIE: It's all
about that coat, Bob.
Their coats are
composed of two layers.
A thick outer coat, and
an even thicker undercoat
that grows as the
winter approaches.
Congrats to the Musk
Ox and congrats to all our
competitors at today's events
at the Cold Weather Games.
KIRBY: Special thanks to
our sponsor Bo Patrevia.
CHARLIE: Bo Patrevia's
the official encyclopedia
of the Winter Games.
Stay warm you animals.
We'll see you tomorrow.
Awesome, you know what
I've been thinking?
KIRBY: What's up?
CHARLIE: Where's the
one place where all
of these animals live?
KIRBY: Earth.
CHARLIE: Think smaller.
KIRBY: I don't know,
let's check it out.
CHARLIE: Alright,
uh humpback whales?
KIRBY: Hawaii, and... Alaska.
CHARLIE: Alright, uh Pikas?
KIRBY: Western US and... Alaska.
CHARLIE: Arctic fox?
KIRBY: Alaska.
CHARLIE: Wood frog?
KIRBY: Alaska.
CHARLIE: Where do you
think we're going?
KIRBY: I think we're
going to Alaska!
CHARLIE: Alright guys!
We gotta pack up a few
things, but when we get back,
we're gonna head to
Alaska, sounds good?
Alright, we'll
see you in a bit.
KIRBY: We're gonna need
to pack some hot cocoa.
CHARLIE: Probably a
lot of hot cocoa.
KIRBY: Like a
lot of hot cocoa.
Weird but true,
Some Arctic fox dens
are 300 years old.
CHARLIE: Hey guys!
KIRBY: Hey!
CHARLIE: We just
finished packing up.
KIRBY: So, today we're
learning about cold weather
animals and their adaptations.
CHARLIE: And right now,
we're heading over to Alaska.
Where we can see some
of these cold weather
animals in real life!
Let's go!
We're heading to
Alaska! The chilliest
state in the US!
With over 600 officially named
glaciers, a solid chunk of its
land within the Arctic Circle.
This is where we'll
definitely find some true
cold weather all-stars!
We made it guys!
KIRBY: Check it out!
CHARLIE: We're outside
Portage at the
Alaska Wildlife
Conservation Center.
It's a cool like would
you say like 55 degrees?
KIRBY: It's not bad at all.
CHARLIE: Yeah not too bad at
all, but we're here to get
an up-close look at
an animal who's got it going on
when it comes to braving
extreme frigid temperatures.
Check it out it's a caribou.
Also known as a reindeer.
You'll have a hard time
finding an animal better
adapted for life on ice
and snow and where it's
just absolutely freezing.
Let's go get a closer look.
KIRBY: Check out this
nose, inside there,
there's something called
the nasal concha.
CHARLIE: Fun science
word nasal concha.
That's the area of the
nasal passage that heats
up the air we breathe in.
KIRBY: Yeah so basically
caribous have these, but
they're super huge and
warms the arctic air that
they breathe in before
it gets to their lungs.
So, their internal
body temperature
stays nice and warm.
CHARLIE: You see those hooves?
They're huge and spread
out over a wide area.
So, they almost act like
snowshoes so caribou can walk
right on top of the snow.
They're also scooped so
they're kind of like shovels
and the caribous use them to
scoop away the snow, so they
can eat food underneath.
They have a sharp edge,
so they can walk on
ice so they're perfect!
Caribou hair is perfectly
adapted for the cold weather.
There are two layers, one
smaller layer that's kind
of like a wool sweater and
another thicker layer
that's longer, that's
like a nice jacket.
So, it's like they're
double layered.
Sweater, jacket, perfectly
adapted for the cold weather.
Weird but true, that outer
layer, the hairs are hollow,
and they actually help
'em float in the water.
And the ultimate weapon in
their cold weather fighting
arsenal can't be seen.
I think we need a little
bit more explanation.
So, let's toss it
over to HQ real quick.
It's all in their
legs, and it's called the
Countercurrent Heat Exchange.
Fancy stuff.
So, arteries carrying warm
blood from the heart are
squeezed right up next to
veins carrying cold,
cold blood from the feet!
The hot blood in
the arteries, warms the
cold blood in the veins.
That way, the blood is
warmer when it makes its
way to the Caribou's core,
so it doesn't lower the
caribou's core temperature.
And cooled as it makes
its way to the hooves
reducing heat loss.
Boom, the Countercurrent
Heat Exchange.
Back to Alaska.
Alright guys, fur,
hooves, nasal concha,
caribou are finely crafted
cold-busting machines.
KIRBY: But we got a little
surprise in store for you.
CHARLIE: Alright so some
animals hibernate to
get through the winter,
other animals migrate
to warmer places,
but only a select few were
absolutely built for it.
KIRBY: They tackle
the winter head on.
CHARLIE: So right now,
we're gonna go visit an animal
that's so well-tuned in to the
cold here in Alaska that
without its help humans
would have never been able
to settle here in
the first place.
KIRBY: But that
animal's not here.
CHARLIE: We gotta
take a quick trip.
KIRBY: And there's only
one way to get there.
CHARLIE: A nice Alaskan
helicopter ride!
Let's go guys!
PILOT (over radio): Next step,
the helicopter's taking off.
to (inaudible) river
lodge, eastbound.
You guys are going
flying in Alaska.
CHARLIE (over radio): Yeah!
KIRBY (over radio):
Not bad at all.
CHARLIE: It's time to check
out our next animal all-stars.
KIRBY: And you're never gonna
believe where they live.
CHARLIE: Right here
on the glacier.
They really love the cold.
Let's go check 'em out.
We're here to find
the toughest cold weather
animals there are: sled dogs!
From the early days, Alaskans
have relied on sled dogs to
survive their brutal climate.
They've depended on them
to transport people,
supplies, and mail.
And sled dogs even get
credit for stopping
a deadly epidemic,
it's called the
Great Race of Mercy.
Check it out.
1925, Nome, Alaska.
A diphtheria outbreak was
ripping through the area.
KIRBY: Diphtheria is
a bacterial disease
that can kill you.
CHARLIE: 1400 people's
lives were threatened.
The problem was, there
wasn't any medicine in Nome!
But there was some in
Nenana, nearly 675 miles
away, with only one way
to get between Nenana
and Nome, Sled dogs.
Man, and dog had to work
together to save the city.
They formed 20 teams,
with around 150 dogs,
and relayed the medicine
towards Nome in shifts.
They pushed through the snow,
the ice, and the frigid temps,
but one day the final team
made its way into Nome.
They made it!
The medicine had arrived, and
hundreds of lives were saved.
Thanks to the sled
dogs of Alaska.
Guys, we're going
to take a quick break,
but when we come back,
we're gonna hang out with
these all-stars and learn how
they beat the cold weather.
KIRBY: Weird but true,
The South Pole is colder
than the North Pole.
CHARLIE: Guys it's raining
right now, we're on a glacier,
there's snow everywhere,
I'm wearing like ten layers.
All I wanna do is get inside,
but these Alaskan huskies,
they're in their element.
This is what they were built
for and they're ready to run.
Look how excited they are!
There must be someone around
here that can introduce us to
these cold weather all-stars.
Guys that's Justin!
KIRBY: He finished the
Iditarod six times!
CHARLIE: If there's anyone
who can tell us about
sled dogs it's this guy!
Let's go say hi!
KIRBY: Justin Savidis,
professional dog sledder,
he started with two
dogs and now has 54.
His favorite Weird
but true fact is
CHARLIE: So, we wanna
learn all about sled dogs.
Can you help us out?
JUSTIN: Absolutely, but first
let's get out of the rain.
KIRBY: Awesome.
CHARLIE: Sounds good to me.
Let's go guys!
This is a little better
and a little warmer.
Thanks for bringing
us in here.
Where are we right now?
JUSTIN: Colony
Glacier in Alaska.
CHARLIE: Oh, very nice.
And who's this?
JUSTIN: This is Harris.
She's my two-year-old leader.
CHARLIE: Hey Harris.
KIRBY: Hey Harris.
CHARLIE: How's it going?
JUSTIN: She actually finished
her first Iditarod this year.
CHARLIE: Holy cow.
KIRBY: Nice job.
CHARLIE: With you?
JUSTIN: With me.
CHARLIE: Guys, the Iditarod
Trail dog sled race is an
annual long-distance race
in Alaska that runs with
a team of 21 dogs.
JUSTIN: You're out
there anywhere between
ten to 14 days.
It's 1,000 miles.
You're gonna see everything
from minus 65 to you have
to cross down Yukon River,
you have to go across the
ocean, you're gonna be in
wind storms, snow storms.
Some of my dogs have
traveled about 23,000
miles in their life.
KIRBY: Whoa.
CHARLIE: That's a lot.
And does it wear them out?
Or do they enjoy it?
JUSTIN: They love it.
If you had to force these guys
to do it, it would never work.
Iditarod is not a sport that
you just show up and win.
It takes time, it
takes endurance, it
takes not giving up.
They're always looking
to you too, to give them
guidance and direction.
CHARLIE: Mhm.
JUSTIN: So, if you wanted
them to go a little bit right
you just say "gee",
if you want them to go
left, you just say "haw".
CHARLIE: Gee is
right, haw is left?
JUSTIN: Yup.
CHARLIE: What's go?
JUSTIN: Let's go.
CHARLIE: Let's go.
JUSTIN: We never say.
CHARLIE: Let's go!
JUSTIN: We never say mush.
I'm sorry to tell you that.
Typically, I'll put coats on
'em if it's about minus 20,
especially if it's really windy.
I've had dogs out
as cold as minus 65.
KIRBY: Whoa.
CHARLIE: Oh my gosh.
JUSTIN: And they do just fine.
What helps keep them really
warm though is how much food
you're putting in 'em.
CHARLIE: Uh huh.
JUSTIN: We put 12,000
calories a day into each dog.
CHARLIE: Mhm.
KIRBY: Wow.
JUSTIN: That'd be like
you guys eating 70,
80 cheese burgers a day.
KIRBY: Yikes.
CHARLIE: Oh!
JUSTIN: For ten days.
You have to keep
their furnace going.
CHARLIE: Weird but true,
the first Iditarod winner
finished in over 20 days.
Justin's best time is ten
days and the record is eight.
Super quick.
KIRBY: So, what makes
Alaskan huskies so
equipped for the cold?
JUSTIN: They have, what's
called, a double coat.
You've got guard hairs
on top and that's a
little bit like gortex.
KIRBY: Mhm.
CHARLIE: Mm.
JUSTIN: And then they have
basically a goose down
underneath for their undercoat.
KIRBY: Oh yeah.
JUSTIN: That's what
keeps them warm.
CHARLIE: It's super thick.
JUSTIN: Yeah.
CHARLIE: Like you can't even
really get to the bottom of it
when you're petting her.
JUSTIN: This is her
summer coat right now.
CHARLIE: Oh my gosh.
KIRBY: Just wait
for the winter.
CHARLIE: Just wait until
the winter comes out.
JUSTIN: Yup.
CHARLIE: It's gonna
be even thicker.
JUSTIN: This is just a
breed that's evolved in
Alaska and evolved in the
Northern climates, like
anything, it just is
build for this country.
CHARLIE: It's
freezing outside.
It's raining, and you
just got 'em tied up
to their little huts,
and they seem just
happy as can be.
KIRBY: Yeah.
JUSTIN: There's
several that will sleep
outside all the time.
CHARLIE: Yeah?
JUSTIN: I had a dog who would
sleep outside at minus 40.
CHARLIE: Oh my gosh.
JUSTIN: I'd try and
put him in his house,
and he'd put his paws
against the door like,
"Nope. I'm not going in."
CHARLIE: I wanna be in the cold.
Alright guys quick
recap, Alaskan Huskies in
negative 60-degree weather,
all they need is a
nice thin dog coat,
a pair of booties,
and about 12,000 calories
worth of dog food.
That's it.
So, Justin do you think
we can go for a ride?
JUSTIN: Let's go.
CHARLIE: Alright
let's go guys.
JUSTIN: Alright let's go.
CHARLIE: Yeah!
KIRBY: Yeah!
CHARLIE: Oh man.
KIRBY: This is sick.
CHARLIE: Woo!
KIRBY: They're in their
element right now.
JUSTIN: How are
you guys doing?
CHARLIE: I'm cold but.
KIRBY: Pretty good!
CHARLIE: Feeling great.
JUSTIN: Pretty cool isn't it?
KIRBY: Pretty amazing.
CHARLIE: This is awesome.
JUSTIN: Gee, Gee.
KIRBY: Nice!
CHARLIE: Woo!
JUSTIN: Easy, easy guys.
CHARLIE: I'm absolutely
freezing right now.
I can barely feel my face
and my hands are so numb.
So, we're going to go back
to HQ, but we'll see you
there in a few minutes.
Awesome!
KIRBY: Weird but true,
CHARLIE: Hey guys!
How's it going?
KIRBY: We just got
back from Alaska!
CHARLIE: There were sled dogs!
KIRBY: And a helicopter!
CHARLIE: I pet a caribou!
KIRBY: It was amazing.
CHARLIE: We learned
so much today.
We definitely have some
strategies that we can use to
stay warm during the winter.
We can, migrate to warmer
areas like monarchs.
Or, kind of sleep through
the winter, like wood frogs.
Or, if we're feeling
like it, we can do some major
cold weather prep like Pikas.
It's just too bad we're
not more built for the cold,
like Bowhead whales you know?
That would be nice.
What else did we learn today?
There were so many
weird but true facts!
KIRBY: Countercurrent
heat exchange is a fancy cold
weather adaptation in caribou
legs to minimize heat loss.
The coat of an Arctic Fox
changes color in the winter.
Some of Justin's sled
dogs have traveled
nearly 23,000 miles.
CHARLIE: Kirb, do people even
listen to the radio anymore?
KIRBY: Of course,
Charles, it's an integral
part of modern-day media.
And besides it's just
kind of fun to listen to.
(radio static)
CHARLIE: Betty
Clarey's Dictionaries.
Are you siblings?
Do you live in Chicago?
Betty Clarey's Dictionaries
are the dictionaries for you!
Order your set today!
KIRBY: We got to order now!
CHARLIE: I guess so!
KIRBY: I'll get the envelope.
CHARLIE: Alright guys,
I guess we got some
dictionaries to order!
KIRBY: Oh man,
where's the pen!
CHARLIE: But thanks so
much for stopping by!
Come by again when we discover
more things that are weird.
KIRBY: But true!
CHARLIE: We'll see you soon!
Captioned by
Cotter Captioning Services.