Why do we stare at fire and other existential questions

It’s that time again when we open our mailbag to answer your (oh-so-delightful) questions. This time, we deliberate over what seagulls are doing so far from the sea, the reason that staring at fire is so compelling, why dogs kick up dirt after they poo, and other timeless inquiries.Submit your own question (the weirder the better) on Instagram, via email at [email protected], or by calling our Outside/Inbox hotline: 1-844-GO-OTTER.  Question 1: Would ice age humans still think of ice as ‘cold?’ Question 2: Why do we like to stare at fire? Question 3: Why do dogs scratch the ground after pooping? Question 4: Shouldn’t seagulls be at sea?  Question 5: Do animals get seasonal allergies?    SUPPORT Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In.  Subscribe to our FREE newsletter. Follow Outside/In on Instagram or Twitter, or join our private discussion group on Facebook   CREDITS Host: Nate Hegyi Reported and produced by: Taylor Quimby & Felix Poon Mixers: Taylor Quimby & Felix Poon Editing by Taylor Quimby, Justine Paradis, and Rebecca Lavoie Rebecca Lavoie is our Executive Producer Music for this episode by Blue Dot Sessions, Felix Johansson Carne, Stationary Sign, Jules Gaia, Yomoti, and Flouw.  Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices