MinuteEarth
Why Don’t Sheep Shrink In The Rain?
Sheep wear their wool through rain, wind, and snow without harm; our sweaters don't share the same fate! Watch the video explanation of the make-up of wool and how the harsh washer and dryer environment affects it. Pupils learn that wool...
MinuteEarth
How Cats Became our Feline Overlords (ft. It's Okay To Be Smart)
The world's population of cats would wrap around the earth six times! Follow the evolution of the cat that began 11 million years ago and discover how their dominance came to be through a quick video lesson.
MinuteEarth
Why Are Snakes So Creepy?
Humans are predisposed to fear snakes. Through evolution, many animals developed a visceral reaction to snakes as a defense mechanism. An engaging video lesson describes the evidence and how scientists came to this conclusion.
MinuteEarth
Why Only Some Monkeys Have Awesome Tails
There will be no monkeying around during this lesson! Pupils learn similar species in different areas evolve differently as they compare the tails of monkeys in South America to those in Asia. The author offers a theory for the...
MinuteEarth
Males vs. Females: Sexual Conflict
The best strategy for a species requires successful breeding, yet males and females often have conflicting goals in the process. The video describes the techniques used by each sex to gain the upper hand in this biological race to...
MinuteEarth
Invasion of the Yellow Crazy Ants!
How much does an invasive species really matter? The video focuses on examples of accidental species spread as well as intentional introductions. It highlights the problems caused by spreading new plants and animals to areas with no...
MinuteEarth
Are any Animals Truly Monogamous?
Known for being one of the few monogamous animals, Diplozoon paradoxum live on fishgills. The video details animals that appear monogamous and the research on their mating habits. From open polygamy to cheating, various species strive...
MinuteEarth
Why Do Animals Eat Their Babies?
Here is a video that gives new meaning to kids' meals. It describes many species that eat their babies and offers a different reason for each behavior presented. Some animal adaptations surprise scholars with their commonness.
MinuteEarth
Are We Really 99% Chimp?
How similar are the genomes of humans and chimps? The video discusses the complicated answer. It details a variety of differences from copying sections of the genome to small mutations. Then it explains how scientists determined the...
MinuteEarth
Why is it Hot Underground?
The deeper the mine shaft, the hotter the inside temperature, but why is that? The video explores different theories about the temperature of the earth through time. The discovery of radiation altered scientists' views, but mysteries...
MinuteEarth
Why Does Earth Have Deserts?
Deserts make up 33 percent of the land surface area on the earth, so why does Earth have them? The video explains the wind and weather patterns that lead to deserts as well as rain forests. It details how this is related to the ocean...
MinuteEarth
Are These Butterflies The Same?
A descriptive video lesson explains the history of the white admiral and red-spotted purple butterfly. As the butterflies' habitats overlap, scientists discovered a specimen with characteristics of both butterflies. The narrator...
MinuteEarth
How to Keep Elephants and Wolves Out of Your Yard
Are animals taking over your garden? Learn how humans tend to approach this problem and investigate new innovative approaches to the dilemma. The lesson includes discussion of both animal and plant invaders.
MinuteEarth
Why Do Some Species Thrive in Cities?
How do wild animals adapt to our urban expansion? An interesting video lesson describes different adaptation strategies of common species. The narrator includes a discussion of the changes in DNA.
MinuteEarth
400 Parts in a Million: The World's Biggest Experiment
Carbon dioxide makes up an incredibly small percentage of our atmosphere, so why is it so important? The video explains that humans passed the 400 parts per million mark in 2013. It highlights the causes of the increase and our...
MinuteEarth
Which Came First—the Rain or the Rainforest?
"Hahai no ka ua i ka ulula'au." In other words, "The rain follows after the forest," but is it actually true? The video discusses the development of the rain forests and their unique water cycle. It also offers advice on what...
MinuteEarth
Is Climate Change Just a Lot of Hot Air?
While scientists seem to agree about global warming, is it just related to increases in air temperature? The video explains that global warming is related to ground temperature, air temperature, and, most of all, ocean temperature. It...
MinuteEarth
Rain's Dirty Little Secret
Rain is just water, right? Not quite! The video explains all of the other things found inside rain. It offers the science behind why rain requires these other item and how without dirt, rain would cease to exist.