Weird But True! Season 1 Episode 11 Sense-Abilities

In this episode of Weird But True!, titled "Sense-Abilities," hosts Charlie and Kirby explore the fascinating world of the senses. They dive into the science behind how our bodies interpret and experience different sensations. Viewers will get to see and learn about some truly unique examples of animals and even humans who have developed extraordinary abilities in specific senses.

The hosts start off by investigating the sense of touch. They talk about how our skin has different receptors that are sensitive to different types of touch and pressure. They introduce viewers to some animals that have evolved unique ways of sensing their environments, like the star-nosed mole, which has 22 tiny tentacles on its nose that it uses to detect food and navigate in the dark. They also meet a group of people who have learned to use their sense of touch in incredible ways, such as Braille readers, who use their fingertips to read and interpret raised dots on a page, and martial artists, who train to develop heightened sensitivity to touch and learn to read their opponents’ movements.

Next up is the sense of taste. Charlie and Kirby explore how our tongues and taste buds work, and how they detect different flavors. They introduce viewers to some animals that have very different taste preferences than humans, like goats, who will eat just about anything, and pandas, who are very particular about the type of bamboo they consume. They also highlight some interesting taste-related inventions, like flavor-changing gum and candy that changes color and taste as you eat it.

The hosts then move on to the sense of smell. They explain how our noses detect different odors and how those smells can trigger memories and emotions. They meet some animals with extremely sensitive noses, like dogs that can sniff out bombs and drugs, and rats that are trained to detect land mines. They also talk to a perfumer, who creates unique scents for perfumes and other products, and learn how he uses his sense of smell to blend different fragrances together.

The episode then takes a turn towards the sense of vision. Charlie and Kirby examine how our eyes work and how different animals have adapted to see in different ways. They meet animals with incredibly sharp eyesight, like eagles that can spot prey from miles away, and ultraviolet-sensitive bees, who can see things that humans can’t. They also learn about some examples of optical illusions and how our brains can be tricked into seeing things that aren’t really there.

Finally, the hosts explore the sense of hearing. They discuss how our ears pick up different frequencies and how they are responsible for our ability to hear sound. They meet some animals with very specialized ears, like bats that use echolocation to navigate and hunt, and elephants that can communicate with each other in low-frequency sounds that travel long distances. They also talk to a musician who is deaf and learn how he creates music using vibrations instead of hearing.

Throughout the episode, Charlie and Kirby engage viewers with fun facts and experiments that help illustrate the different concepts they’re discussing. For example, they demonstrate how different textures feel using a "touch box," and they taste-test different flavored jellies to see if they can identify all the flavors just by taste.

Overall, "Sense-Abilities" is a fascinating and educational episode that highlights just how incredible and complex our senses can be. It’s sure to leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for the way we experience the world around us.