Be Smart
The Surprising Power of Sex in Evolution
New ReviewWe all know Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, right? Natural selection? But what about his lesser-know theory of evolution: sexual selection. Let’s talk about how animals like peacocks, whose eye-catching physical traits make them...
SciShow
Help, I’ve Lost My Butt!
It feels like for an animal, having one's butt fall off would be pretty bad. But apparently that's not always the worst thing to happen, at least not for these specific animals.
SciShow
Female Cockroaches Hate Romance (And It’s Our Fault)
Most people don't love cockroaches. And thanks to that lack of love, the females of one species of cockroach might not love their males looking for love. But lucky for both of them, evolution might be finding a way around it.
PBS
How Dinosaurs Coupled Up
Dinosaur mating behavior has been the subject of a lot of speculation, but what can we actually say about it from the fossil record?
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: What happens when you fall into piranha-infested waters? | Antonio Machado-Allison
You're peering into the Amazon River when, suddenly, you lose your footing and fall. Piranhas dart about in the rapidly approaching water. So, are you doomed? Will your fall trigger a feeding frenzy that will skeletonize your body within...
SciShow
Even Locusts Hate Plagues of Locusts
Plagues of locusts have been documented since ancient times, and they affect the food supply of one in ten people today. How can we stop them? Well, computer models of locusts swarms tell us every locust is scared to death of its neighbors.
MinuteEarth
The Weird Sex Lives of Bluegills
When it comes to the mating game, fish have some of the strangest ways of thwarting the competition.
SciShow
The Biggest Volcano and Small Testes
Hank reviews the latest in science news, including the discovery of Element 115, the biggest volcano on Earth, and new insights into what it might mean to have small testicles.
SciShow
Monogamy
Hank examines the zoological definition of monogamy, as well as some other breeding strategies that animals use.
SciShow
Butt Chat? Why These Primates Communicate With Their Rear Ends
Have you ever wondered why some primates have such a red, prominent rear end? Turns out that many monkeys use their bums for communication! Learn all about this butt chat in this episode of SciShow!
SciShow
When Sex is Hard
When it comes to sex things can be complicated, but for the three species we are looking at today, sex is really hard.
SciShow
More on Mating & Monogamy
Hank clarifies the misconceptions about Chagus disease, discusses a couple of interesting celestial events - one that happened in the past and one that will happen in the distant future, and sheds more light on the benefits of sexual...
SciShow
9 Extreme Bug Mating Rituals
Welcome to the romantic, violent, treacherous, and murderous mating lives of bugs.
SciShow
3 Freaky Things Explained: Bug Sex, Polar Vortex and Chain Fountain!
Hank shares the latest developments in science, this week demystifying three freaky things in nature: the polar vortex, why some bugs are infertile, and how a chain can appear to defy gravity. You're welcome!
SciShow
Why Don't Humans Have a Mating Season?
Unlike lots of other animals, there’s no such thing as the “mating season” for humans, and it might have to do with how we raise our kids.
PBS
Does a basic guaranteed income decrease the need for social services?
The idea of a basic guaranteed income is getting a trial run in a Canadian province for three years. Four thousand randomly selected Ontario residents will get thousands of dollars a year, and in exchange, they give up some social...
SciShow
3 Freaky Things Explained: Bug Sex, Polar Vortex and Chain Fountain!
Hank shares the latest developments in science, this week demystifying three freaky things in nature: the polar vortex, why some bugs are infertile, and how a chain can appear to defy gravity. You're welcome!
MinuteEarth
Males vs. Females - Sexual Conflict
In the animal kingdom, sex often involves more conflict than cooperation. The struggle between males and females leads to a host of weird adaptations, from chastity belts to anti-aphrodisiacs. Want to learn more about the topic in this...
PBS
Life, Sex & Death Among the Dire Wolves
This is not a Game of Thrones fan fiction episode. Dire wolves were real! And thousands of them died in the same spot in California. Their remains have taught us volumes about how they lived, hunted, died and way more about any animal's...
SciShow
Finally, A Male Pill?
Hank briefs us on the news that a team of biologists has developed the first contraceptive for males that is totally effective, easily reversible and doesn't mess with your hormones!
SciShow
5 Gross Gifts Animals Give Their Mates
We humans might think that flowers are pretty good gifts for a first date, but many insects have their own nuptial gifts, and well, flowers they ain't. Chapters SIX SPOT BURNET MOTHS 0:52 RED VELVET MITE 2:21 GROUND CRICKET 3:45 SCORPION...
SciShow
Why Don't Humans Have a Mating Season?
Unlike lots of other animals, there’s no such thing as the “mating season” for humans, and it might have to do with how we raise our kids.
MinuteEarth
Are Any Animals Truly Monogamous?
In the animal kingdom, monogamy is rare and cheating is common, even among seemingly faithful species like the superb fairy wrens. This video explores the biological reasons behind infidelity in birds, highlighting how mating strategies...