EPISODE · Jan 23, 2023 · 20 MIN
THE CANDIRU & THE CLOACA: Tales From the Bottom Up
from Strange Scapes · host Adam and Ronna
This week, we’re going deep—literally. From the murky waters of the Amazon to the dusty remains of the Cretaceous period, we’re exploring the stories that make you want to cross your legs and cover your eyes.In the dark waters of the rainforest, there lives a tiny fish that has terrified Natives for centuries. We’re talking about the Candiru, a parasitic catfish with a very specific, very painful reputation. Legend says it prays on the human anatomy, following the scent of urea to swim up... well, somewhere you definitely don't want a fish. We dive into the tribal fears, the medical mysteries, and whether this "penis fish" is a real-life monster or just a legendary Aquatic Nightmare Under Scrutiny.Then, we shift from the terrifying to the Tail-end of history. Scientists have discovered a fossilized butt hole belonging to a Psittacosaurus, and it’s providing more light than you’d think. This perfectly preserved cloaca is shedding new info on how dinosaurs mated, signaled each other, and handled their "business." It’s a prehistoric breakthrough that proves even the most butt-of-the-joke discoveries can be a scientific goldmine.
What this episode covers
This week, we’re going deep—literally. From the murky waters of the Amazon to the dusty remains of the Cretaceous period, we’re exploring the stories that make you want to cross your legs and cover your eyes.In the dark waters of the rainforest, there lives a tiny fish that has terrified Natives for centuries. We’re talking about the Candiru, a parasitic catfish with a very specific, very painful reputation. Legend says it prays on the human anatomy, following the scent of urea to swim up... well, somewhere you definitely don't want a fish. We dive into the tribal fears, the medical mysteries, and whether this "penis fish" is a real-life monster or just a legendary Aquatic Nightmare Under Scrutiny.Then, we shift from the terrifying to the Tail-end of history. Scientists have discovered a fossilized butt hole belonging to a Psittacosaurus, and it’s providing more light than you’d think. This perfectly preserved cloaca is shedding new info on how dinosaurs mated, signaled each other, and handled their "business." It’s a prehistoric breakthrough that proves even the most butt-of-the-joke discoveries can be a scientific goldmine.
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THE CANDIRU & THE CLOACA: Tales From the Bottom Up
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