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Summary of Transcript:
The video introduces the idea of filming an episode on nocturnal animals at the Nighttime Zoo. One of the individuals suggests the idea, and the other agrees, saying they were born ready. They also joke about the possibility of seeing through their costumes.
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Summary of Description:
The podcast explores nocturnal animals, including those at San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo, discussing reflective eyes, super hearing, and animals living in caves’ darkness. The hosts share their favorite nocturnal species in the sky and on the ground. The podcast can be listened to on Apple Podcasts, and San Diego Zoo can be found on various social media platforms.
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Exploring the World of Nocturnal Animals: San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo
Visitors can witness the world of nocturnal animals at the San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo. From species in the sky to those on the ground, there is a diverse array of creatures to see.
Reflective Eyes: How Nocturnal Animals See in the Dark
Many nocturnal animals have reflective eyes, called tapetum lucidum, which help them see in the dark. This layer of tissue behind the eye’s retina reflects light through the retina, giving the animal a second chance to absorb the light and see. Animals with this feature include lions, tigers, and many nocturnal rodents.
Super Hearing: Essential for Nocturnal Life
In addition to reflective eyes, many nocturnal animals have exceptional hearing. Since they cannot rely on sight alone in the dark, they must use their other senses to navigate and hunt. Some animals, like bats, have evolved a remarkable echolocation ability, emitting high-pitched sounds and listening for echoes to create a “map” of their environment. Owls have also developed great hearing, with tufts on their heads acting like “radar dishes” to capture sound more efficiently.
Ground Dwellers: Nocturnal Animals on the Earth
There are a variety of nocturnal animals that live on the ground. One example is the fossa, a carnivorous mammal only found in Madagascar. With a flexible spine and sharp claws, the fossa is an agile predator that hunts lemurs and other small animals. Another ground-dwelling species is the aardvark, an unusual animal with a long snout that it uses to dig for ants and termites. Aardvarks are found in sub-Saharan Africa, and their nocturnal habits help them avoid the day’s heat.
Cave Dwellers: Surviving in Darkness
Several nocturnal animals have adapted to live in the darkness of caves. The California leaf-nosed bat is one such species, and it can be found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. These bats have large ears and a distinctive leaf-shaped nose, which they use to echolocate and navigate in the dark. Another cave dweller is the olm, or “human fish,” a blind salamander that lives in underground rivers in Europe. The olm has evolved many unique environmental adaptations, including sensitive skin that can detect vibrations in the water.
Nocturnal Animals at San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo
Visitors to the San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo can see many of these nocturnal animals up close. The zoo’s nocturnal house features animals like bats, owls, and anteaters, and there is even a walk-through exhibit called “California Dreaming,” where visitors can see Australian animals like kangaroos and wallabies in a nocturnal setting.
Exploring the world of nocturnal animals offers a unique glimpse into a hidden world of creatures that have adapted to thrive in darkness. From reflective eyes to super hearing and specialized adaptations for living underground, many fascinating nocturnal species exist to discover. And at the San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo, visitors can experience these animals firsthand and see how they live and hunt under cover of darkness.
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Source Description
In this episode, we explore the world of nocturnal animals—including some you may see at San Diego Zoo’s Nighttime Zoo! Join Rick and Marco as they discuss their favorite nocturnal species in the sky and on the ground. Find out about dreamy eyes, super hearing, and animals living in caves’ darkness.
Listen now: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amazing-wildlife-a-san-diego-zoo-podcast/id1593442890
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