logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
34m 11s

Are horseshoe crabs…crabs?

Vermont Public
About this episode
How did horseshoe crabs get their names? Are they even crabs? And did they really exist before the dinosaurs? Early spring presents a unique opportunity to see these living fossils up close as they scuttle up to the shoreline along the Atlantic coast of the United States to mate and spawn. But Why traveled to Cape Cod to see horseshoe crabs up close. There we met up with horseshoe crab expert Sara Grady, who works for Mass Audubon. We learn all about these arthropods and answer questions like: Can humans eat horseshoe crabs? What’s with the pointy tails? Do they pinch? How long do they live? And what’s so special about their blood?  Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
Up next
Mar 6
How do we know life is not a dream?
Some questions are so big they’re existential, meaning that they get right to the heart of human existence. These are also sometimes called philosophical questions, so for this episode we called up a professor of philosophy, Scott Hershovitz, who teaches at the University of Mich ... Show More
32m 6s
Feb 20
How did bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
Why did the dinosaurs go extinct? Many of you have learned about the meteorite that scientists say hit the earth 66 million years ago and killed off many dinosaur species. But some dinosaurs survived, and the birds you see flying around today are their direct descendants! In this ... Show More
29m 36s
Feb 6
Why are brothers and sisters so annoying?
Why are brothers and sisters so annoying? Why do siblings often look a lot alike? Why do siblings fight? Can your sister be your best friend? Why do we fight with our siblings even if we love them? But Why takes a look at the sibling relationship with Susan Dominus, author of The ... Show More
18m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
The Horseshoe Crab Saved Us. Can We Save the Horseshoe Crab? (REDUX)
The horseshoe crab has endured for over 450 million years. It has survived several mass extinctions including the one that killed off the dinosaurs. One reason for their incredible resiliency is their ability to fend off bacterial infection. Their blood contains cells that clot a ... Show More
28m 2s
Jul 2025
Selects: How Coelacanths Work
Coelacanths are incredibly interesting as far as fish go. For one, they were thought to have gone the way of the dinosaur, along with the dinosaur. They also give birth to live fish and tend to dwell more than 800 feet below the ocean's surface. And this is just the tip of the ic ... Show More
40m 24s
Nov 2022
Hermit Crab (11/17/22)
<p>Flip and Mozi are back with brand new episodes! This week, Flip has outgrown her sleeping pod and can't seem to get an ounce of shut eye! Looks like she could use some inspiration from an earthling who has its own habitat on its back... the hermit crab! Learn about how hermit ... Show More
27m 20s
Jun 2024
How are alligators and crocodiles different?
People think alligators and crocodiles are really scary - and lots of people don’t understand the difference between them. But wildlife biologist Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez says they are very cool and helps us get to the bottom of their distinctive qualities!Got a Moment of Um quest ... Show More
4m 38s
Jun 2023
Exploring Under the Sea
In order to protect the planet, we have to care about it. And pop culture can sometimes help make nature more relatable and accessible. With that in mind, Sara and our amazing new guest co-host, Kristen, have some fun discussing the real-world counterparts to the sidekicks in the ... Show More
52m 25s
May 2025
Are birds dinosaurs?
Brains On is a non-profit public radio program. There are lots of ways to support the show:Support the podcast with donation | Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free episodes and bonus content | Buy our book and merch | Come to our live shows | Get the newsletter for parents | Find ... Show More
37m 49s
Jan 2024
Dinosaurs (1/10/24)
<p>What exactly DID happen to the dinosaurs? How and why did they go extinct? Nibbles, Carly and Lewis go WAY back in time to tackle this one, and they see it all: Volcanos, meteors, and a new “friend” named “Rex”...</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" ... Show More
22m 1s
Jul 2024
What are rocks made of?
<p>Rocks are all around us… they’re in the garden, on the road, in the bush and all our waterways... But how did they all get there? And what are they made of? Nij and the kids meet Dr Heather Handley in her subterranean submarine 'Velma' and venture into a volcano for answers….  ... Show More
14m 7s
Jun 2017
A Hermit Crab Housing Crisis And The Great Human Vs. Rabbit Race
What motivates hermit crabs to fight for the ultimate dream shell? How would the fastest runner in the universe fare in a running race with a rabbit? Join Mindy and Guy Raz for hermit crab wrestlemania and a race through history to find out why we humans walk differently than oth ... Show More
23m 53s
Nov 2024
CORALS with Shayle Matsuda
<p>What IS a coral? Where do they grow and what do they eat and why are they so pretty? What kind of tools do coral scientists use? Why are they so many colors? And what is bleaching? Will changing your sunscreen save coral reefs? The wonderful and charming Cnidariologist Dr. Sha ... Show More
22m 4s