Humans have visited space more often than the depths of the ocean. And that's because the deeper we go, the more dangerous the water pressure becomes for us. At about 1,000 feet, the pressure could crush us! But lurking 3,000 feet underwater, in the mysterious Twilight Zone, is the Baird's beaked whale, a torpedo-shaped giant with a bird like beak!

When one of these incredible creatures washes ashore in Washington, scientists at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture get to crack some deep sea mysteries. Get ready to head to the Twilight Zone (metaphorically!) as we track down the Baird’s Beaked Whale and find out how these elusive creatures withstand the crushing pressures of the deep ocean.

Psssst! Get in on the fun:

• Grab our free activity book: https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/Spectacular-Specimens
  
• Text ‘spectacular’ to 206-926-9955 to join our Spectacular Text Club
• And you can share your Big Think, drawings, and thoughts with us at spectacular@kuow.org
  
  

Spectacular Specimens is made possible by KUOW Public Radio in Seattle in collaboration with the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Support more episodes at https://www.kuow.org/donate/spectacularspecimens/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do spiders and astronauts have in common? No... not freeze dried ice cream. Both spiders and astronauts boldly launch into the unknown! In the air above us, spiders use the air like a highway - floating around like astronauts in zero gravity.

When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, arachnid experts at the Burke Museum made incredible calculations about some super special spider species. Leap in to meet the tiny spider adventurers who proved they could overcome tremendous odds.

Psssst! Get in on the fun:

• Grab our free activity book: https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/Spectacular-Specimens
• Text ‘spectacular’ to 206-926-9955 to join our Spectacular Text Club
• And you can share your Big Think, drawings, and thoughts with us at spectacular@kuow.org
  
  

Spectacular Specimens is made possible by KUOW Public Radio in Seattle in collaboration with the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Support more episodes at https://www.kuow.org/donate/spectacularspecimens/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sensational! Shocking! City coyotes aren't urban legends--they are legends in the city! Paige and Brandi are getting the specimen (poop) scoop on these city slickers. The Burke Museum’s top coyote investigator is dishing the dirt, separating the scandalous rumors from cold, hard facts. Join us for a juicy, exclusive, behind-the-scenes specimen study. And... watch out for the paw-parazzi!

Psssst! Get in on the fun:

• Grab our free activity book: https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/Spectacular-Specimens
• Text ‘spectacular’ to 206-926-9955 to join our Text Club
• And you can share your Big Think, drawings, and thoughts with us at spectacular@kuow.org
  
  

Spectacular Specimens is made possible by KUOW Public Radio in Seattle in collaboration with the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Support more episodes at https://www.kuow.org/donate/spectacularspecimens/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.