Rewind Ep. 18 - Giant Rodents | SciShow Tangents Podcast

Original airdate: March 12, 2019
When can you start calling a rodent “giant?” When it’s twice the average size of its species? When you’re not grossed out by it? When it could be a mascot for a family fun center? We don’t really have a precise answer to that… but this week, we’re exploring the science of big ol’ rodents! Turns out, giant rodents have shaped the environment in lots of ways, from ancient megafauna stomping through South American wetlands to beavers affecting the climate. And even though they sound kind of scary, giant rats might be able to save human lives. But the real question is: what’s up with capybara anal pouches?
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Sources:
[Truth or Fail]
news.northwest...
www.sci-news.co...
www.apopo.info...
www.treatmentac...
www.theguardia...
news.nationalg...
[Fact Off]
Hippos & biggest rodent:
Beavers & carbon emissions:
www.eurekalert...
www.sciencemag...
link.springer....
[Ask the Science Couch]
Gigantism:
www.smithsonia...
www.nature.com...
news.nationalg...
zslpublication...
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
[Butt One More Thing]
Capybara anal pouches:
zslpublication...
#scishow #podcast #comedy #science #education #scishowtangents

[@hollyslaski2217]

Beaver ponds also soak the surrounding ground and wildfires cannot burn 🔥 the surrounding vegetation. They end up being islands of biodiversity among the burn zone.

[@DominikJaniec]

there is a great game about leading beavers' colony - very nice city-builder ;)

[@internetfox]

Lagomorph teeth ALL grow continuously, whereas for rodents ONLY their incisors grow continuously.

[@chillsahoy2640]

A friend of mine loves beavers, definitely going to share this with them!

[@theperfectbotsteve4916]

i like the old videos with Stefan

[@gamesman0118]

The ROUS in the Fire Swamp.

[@mx.noname4710]

✨tuberculosis mention✨

[@buggybin]

haven’t finished watching yet, wild timing though- yesterday my friends asked who would win in a fight: capybara vs wombat? and today a capybara kind of conversation! :) I love the show always!!

[@ivytarablair]

Sam! You are modeling the Magically Oversized Hoodie/blanket/thing for Pizzmas - love it! :D

[@user-sw9iu7gp7v]

I miss Scishow quiz show

[@HouseHooligan]

I needed this right now! Yesss

[@patriciaaturner289]

Are we going to discuss the Fabled Giant Rat of Sumatra? Or ROUS?

[@TheOnyxFlame]

@14:45 When they had to decide who is sneakier, why did I expect them to reveal the answer? Like, "Nope, sorry guys. Stefan is actually objectively sneakier."