# articles

feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48855920841
title: Evolution likes worms that look like tiny disembodied floating...
uri: Evolution-likes-worms-that-look-like-tiny-disembodied-floating
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48855920841
content:
<img src="media/65310917.tumblr_mlsc8eVAm51s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a20370b212c1ec4bbe3a08d02a26e4ef/tumblr_mlsc8eVAm51s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution likes worms that look like tiny disembodied floating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigbutt_worm" target="_blank">butts</a>, and it cannot lie. </p>

<p> </p>

<p><small>(via <a href="http://deepseafauna.tumblr.com/">Deep Sea Fauna… with Googly Eyes</a>)</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48632403674
title: Everyone occasionally worries that they’re getting a...
uri: Everyone-occasionally-worries-that-they-re-getting-a
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48632403674
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KurTiX4FDuQ?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Everyone occasionally worries that they’re getting a little predictable. Most of us deal with it by changing our hairstyle, having an ill-advised fling, or buying a new instrument we’ll never actually learn to play. Evolution makes weird lumpy fish that breathe air, puke mud and flop around like deranged garden hoses. Same difference. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48278468978
title: Seems like everyone could use a hug this week. Good thing...
uri: Seems-like-everyone-could-use-a-hug-this-week-Good-thing
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48278468978
content:
<img src="media/41cc3fe6.tumblr_mlg86eQ4Ww1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/772342a70df0f12422c87cb01b463a33/tumblr_mlg86eQ4Ww1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><p class="p1">Seems like everyone could use a hug this week. Good thing evolution gave the blue-ringed octopus all those arms. </p>
<p class="p1"><em><small>(Disclaimer: The blue-ringed octopus is venomous. Please do not actually attempt to hug one.)</small></em></p></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48041573468
title: You know that game where you draw the first part of something,...
uri: You-know-that-game-where-you-draw-the-first-part-of-something
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48041573468
content:
<img src="media/7b026a2f.tumblr_mlaoh5QyEC1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ddbe88b1bfbdd8b018cfd9006fc3a729/tumblr_mlaoh5QyEC1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>You know that game where you draw the first part of something, fold the paper over, then hand it to someone else, who has to add the next part without seeing what you did? That’s basically how evolution made the marabou stork.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47701885160
title: "Hey, evolution, remember when you tried making that fish with...
uri: Hey-evolution-remember-when-you-tried-making-that-fish
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47701885160
content:
<img src="media/35580991.tumblr_ml3ashue1g1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/a7cc88d60fbf078ccf0c85470712d228/tumblr_ml3ashue1g1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Hey, evolution, remember when you tried making that <a href="http://www.livescience.com/28590-bizarre-fish-sported-anal-fins.html" target="_blank">fish with paired butt fins</a>?”</p>
<p><span>"I don’t want to talk about that."</span></p>
<p>"Why not? I thought it was an <em>awesome</em> idea.”</p>
<p><span>"Shut up."</span></p>
<p>"No, seriously. I think you should bring those back. Call them ‘feathery buttfish’ or something."</p>
<p><span>"It’s been 370 million years, okay? Cut me a break."</span></p>
<p>"‘<em>Magnificent ass-flappers.</em>’”</p>
<p><span>"I hate you."</span></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47460115192
title: So evolution made a blue-tongued skink. What are you going to...
uri: So-evolution-made-a-blue-tongued-skink-What-are-you-going-to
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47460115192
content:
<img src="media/3eb27514.tumblr_mky04k0Ivm1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/f1fe4756b12eddae783d7903941a3544/tumblr_mky04k0Ivm1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>So evolution made a blue-tongued skink. What are you going to do, fire it? Yeah, good luck finding anyone else with 170 million years of skink-management experience, assholes. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47192626409
title: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, evolution. There’s no way that’s...
uri: Whoa-whoa-whoa-evolution-There-s-no-way
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47192626409
content:
<img src="media/d9f05f34.tumblr_mkrfzpfi1C1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/59f3048f257361047313bfda62a3efd3/tumblr_mkrfzpfi1C1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Whoa, whoa, whoa, evolution. There’s no way that’s going to fit."</p>
<p>"It’ll fit."</p>
<p>"No, it won’t."</p>
<p>"Yes, it will!"</p>
<p>"No, it won’t! You need to give the great blue heron some teeth or something if you expect it to eat fish bigger than its head."</p>
<p>"Teeth on a bird? That’s ridiculous. It’s fine, it’ll fit."</p>
<p>"It won’t. Don’t force it! What if the heron <a href="http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=6752">chokes to death</a>?"</p>
<p>"Oh, come on. I made its throat a little stretchy; I’m sure it can deal."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47025047395
title: Hey, evolution. It’s really cool that you made starfish so...
uri: Hey-evolution-It-s-really-cool-that-you-made-starfish-so
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47025047395
content:
<img src="media/707fadfe.tumblr_mkopgbmGQu1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/6fe6792f85818054b79f8027a4409a0a/tumblr_mkopgbmGQu1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Hey, evolution. It’s really cool that you made starfish so they can regenerate their arms if they lose them. That was a pretty smart move. And it’s especially awesome that you worked it out so that the detached limb can regrow a whole new animal. Excellent thinking there, really. It’s just that while it’s doing it, uh… it looks a little… gosh, how do I put this delicately?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46848685047
title: Dear Evolution: Letters of Gripe and Gratitude
uri: Dear-Evolution-Letters-of-Gripe-and-Gratitude
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46848685047
content:
<a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/brainwaves/2013/04/01/dear-evolution-letters-of-gripe-and-gratitude/">Dear Evolution: Letters of Gripe and Gratitude</a>: <p>In which <em>WTF, Evolution?</em> collaborates with the esteemed nerds over at Scientific American. Featuring clumsy penguins, gangly giraffes, and the sexiest birds on Earth. Check it out, weirdos.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46602575945
title: Ctenophores. ‘Cause sometimes evolution only feels like...
uri: Ctenophores-Cause-sometimes-evolution-only-feels-like
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46602575945
content:
<img src="media/bf7a62bc.tumblr_mkfld2RMPp1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/404e09a36e6b12320f1ca9b7d0feb7c5/tumblr_mkfld2RMPp1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Ctenophores. ‘Cause sometimes evolution only feels like making the mouth. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46422510081
title: Look, evolution, everyone has trouble staying motivated...
uri: Look-evolution-everyone-has-trouble-staying-motivated
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46422510081
content:
<img src="media/7e9d46af.tumblr_mkbpvwRILT1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/6c74c7c37ce80b12f27247ea1923f57c/tumblr_mkbpvwRILT1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Look, evolution, everyone has trouble staying motivated sometimes. But when that happens you should probably just take a walk or something; don’t force yourself to make softshell turtles when your heart obviously isn’t in it. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46259607321
title: “Tee hee.” “What now,...
uri: Tee-hee-What-now
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46259607321
content:
<img src="media/e432bada.tumblr_mk871gvM1d1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e4217a39038a1d389ee7690a4b077985/tumblr_mk871gvM1d1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Tee hee.”</p>
<p>“What now, evolution?”</p>
<p>“It’s a ‘tapir.’ Get it?”</p>
<p>“No.”</p>
<p>“‘Tapir!’ C’mon.”</p>
<p>“No.”</p>
<p>“It’s a <em>tapir</em>! It has a <em>tapired</em> nose!”</p>
<p>“You’re the worst.”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45999932407
title: You know what’s awesome? Teeth! Teeth are great. You can...
uri: You-know-what-s-awesome-Teeth-Teeth-are-great-You-can
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45999932407
content:
<img src="media/736157e1.tumblr_mk2o3hbVxJ1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/8b8273434501f8e80c1b40f45e847f74/tumblr_mk2o3hbVxJ1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>You know what’s awesome? Teeth! Teeth are great. You can use teeth to chew things up, grind things down, bite things that are annoying you or kill things that you want to eat. Teeth are just so helpful. The more teeth the better, as far as evolution is concerned. The sheepshead fish must be so pleased.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45845540009
title: Ever have one of those days where you’re supposed to...
uri: Ever-have-one-of-those-days-where-you-re-supposed-to
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45845540009
content:
<img src="media/9dfeef3c.tumblr_mjz0g6yIMc1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/7c2617a4b436559f310360857ecba5ec/tumblr_mjz0g6yIMc1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Ever have one of those days where you’re supposed to concentrate on making orchids but just can’t stop thinking about monkeys? Because evolution does. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80042791@N06/8382975973/">All the time</a>. Like, it thinks about monkeys <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/linjohnpics/4395097078/"><em>a lot</em></a>. That’s normal, right?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45674709276
title: “Hey, remember the gastric brooding...
uri: Hey-remember-the-gastric-brooding
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45674709276
content:
<img src="media/f0395f35.tumblr_mjv1zcY98z1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/5dad811fde435b0073aa98db9311a3c9/tumblr_mjv1zcY98z1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Hey, remember the gastric brooding frog?”</p>
<p>“Which one was that again?”</p>
<p>“You know, the cute little one where I cleverly arranged for it to incubate its eggs inside its stomach and then regurgitate the hatchlings through its mouth.”</p>
<p>“Ugh, right. What is it with you and <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/42584095456/from-an-evolutionary-standpoint-reproducing-is">frog hatching</a>, evolution? Anyway, didn’t the baby-vomiting one go extinct?”</p>
<p>“Yeah, it did. But now <a href="http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/03/15/resurrecting-the-extinct-frog-with-a-stomach-for-a-womb/">the humans are trying to resurrect it</a>!”</p>
<p>“What? Why?”</p>
<p>“Because everything deserves a second chance.”</p>
<p>“Really? Everything?”</p>
<p>“Man, I knew I was keeping those big-brained weirdos around for something.”<br/><br/></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45420741570
title: “Oh, man. I just had the best...
uri: Oh-man-I-just-had-the-best
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45420741570
content:
<img src="media/ea66fc50.tumblr_mjoaoaRDad1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/599fe9e06beadde5f341796d6597e403/tumblr_mjoaoaRDad1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Oh, man. I just had the <em>best</em> idea.”</p>
<p>“Let’s hear it, evolution.”</p>
<p>“You know how everything is better deep-fried?”</p>
<p>“Wait, what?”</p>
<p>“That <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/41950296999/come-on-evolution-you-cannot-be-serious-with">other batfish</a> was nothing. Look: <em>pancake</em> batfish. Pancake batfish! I’m a genius.”</p>
<p>“God, you’re weird.”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45271096114
title: There’s no particular explanation for this nudibranch....
uri: There-s-no-particular-explanation-for-this-nudibranch
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45271096114
content:
<img src="media/8ead9161.tumblr_mjlvsbVgid1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/6d16769a331f6c22c3cd1dbff60549a6/tumblr_mjlvsbVgid1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>There’s no particular explanation for this nudibranch. Sometimes evolution is just having a good day, okay? Just… a really good day. For once. Please don’t screw this up with a mass extinction or anything.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45111235656
title: Sometimes evolution produces ridiculous creatures like the...
uri: Sometimes-evolution-produces-ridiculous-creatures-like-the
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45111235656
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KRV961d0TP4?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Sometimes evolution produces ridiculous creatures like the sarcastic fringehead just to watch them fight. Immature? Possibly. But <em>you</em> try keeping yourself amused for 3.8 billion years.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/44872252782
title: “I am such an idiot.” “What do you mean,...
uri: I-am-such-an-idiot-What-do-you-mean
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/44872252782
content:
<img src="media/53ee8650.tumblr_mjcu9xrOiY1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/9494f87b78a75aeb52056c4540d87514/tumblr_mjcu9xrOiY1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“I am such an idiot.”</p>
<p>“What do you mean, evolution?”</p>
<p>“I made animals that court each other, and <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/43079498396/evolution-wishes-you-a-very-happy-valentines-day">make beautiful love</a>; I made animals that protect each other and raise their offspring together and mate for life. But apparently I was just being naive. <em>Apparently</em> none of those things actually matter to anyone.”</p>
<p>“Whoo boy. Did genetic drift stop calling you back again?”</p>
<p>“Maybe, instead of cuddling after they mate, one of these praying mantises should just <em>eat the other one’s head off</em> and put it out of its misery.”</p>
<p>“You seem a little angry.”</p>
<p>“Love is dead.”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/44710082384
title: Oh, that? That’s a fungus. Just a plain old...
uri: Oh-that-That-s-a-fungus-Just-a-plain-old
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/44710082384
content:
<img src="media/18ca6437.tumblr_mj7y1z6Esl1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/3a250b1691b44cbd0285790a6053ec30/tumblr_mj7y1z6Esl1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Oh, that? That’s a fungus. Just a plain old forest-growing, spore-forming, tree-helping Devil’s tooth fungus. Evolution <em>may</em> have been daydreaming about jelly doughnuts when it made it, though.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/49260659693
title: Evolution is not sure why you’re so obsessed with finding...
uri: Evolution-is-not-sure-why-you-re-so-obsessed-with-finding
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/49260659693
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DNgeaiEuFc0?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0#t=5s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Evolution is not sure why you’re so obsessed with finding “aliens.” I mean, it already made the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalk-eyed_fly">stalk-eyed fly</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/49514401611
title: To trigger the nurturing instincts that compel their parents to...
uri: To-trigger-the-nurturing-instincts-that-compel-their-parents-to
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/49514401611
content:
<img src="media/60161a37.tumblr_mm899os7Ml1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/31ff90d165bdb5a20bc69afe7b93efc7/tumblr_mm899os7Ml1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>To trigger the nurturing instincts that compel their parents to feed them, newborn animals often appear sweet, helpless and overwhelmingly adorable. </span><span>Evolution apparently wishes baby birds would starve.</span></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/49936800494
title: "I’m getting tired of making insects that just hatch, eat,...
uri: I-m-getting-tired-of-making-insects-that-just
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/49936800494
content:
<img src="media/29adcb7a.tumblr_mmhjy848D51s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/7370ab546f568ad7213e5dcb600583d9/tumblr_mmhjy848D51s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"I’m getting tired of making insects that just hatch, eat, mate, and die."</p>
<p>"Well, what else are they supposed to do? Seems like you’ve hit all the major requirements there, evolution."</p>
<p>"I don’t know, something more interesting."</p>
<p>"Like what?"</p>
<p>"Like maybe hatch underground, putter around down there for 17 years, emerge in <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/03/130329-cicadas-coming-sky-locust-swarm-animal-science/" target="_blank">massive swarms</a> that tear through the countryside and <a href="http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/05/how-many-weddings-will-the-cicadas-ruin-this-summer/" target="_blank">dive-bomb weddings</a> and generally freak everyone the hell out for a while, and <em>then</em> eat, mate, and die.”</p>
<p>"Hm. ‘Interesting’ is one word for that."</p>
<p>"I can see it now. <em>The 17-year cicadas: Just when you thought you could forget.”</em></p>
<p>"That’s ridiculous. You watch too many movies."</p>
<p>“<em>BZZZ, motherf—ers! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.</em>”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/50257370670
title: A female kangaroo is always pregnant. While one joey grows in...
uri: A-female-kangaroo-is-always-pregnant-While-one-joey-grows-in
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/50257370670
content:
<img src="media/034dab35.tumblr_mmnr6yRbY51s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/6019353c02b0087591148fbaad093bb0/tumblr_mmnr6yRbY51s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>A female kangaroo is always pregnant. While one joey grows in her pouch, another one gestates in one of her two uteruses. As soon as the developed joey leaves the pouch, the next one is ready to come down the pipe—of which, by the way, she has <a href="http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2012/04/17/kangaroos-have-three-vaginas/#.UY7FdiuFRoB" target="_blank">three</a>. Happy Mother’s Day. </span></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/50579229222
title: “Check out this awesome dance move I invented.” “Oh god,...
uri: Check-out-this-awesome-dance-move-I-invented-Oh-god
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/50579229222
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jMIiB9DnRXg?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0#t=42s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>“Check out this awesome dance move I invented.”</p>
<p>“Oh god, evolution, please stop doing that.”</p>
<p>“What? It’s called ‘pronking.’ All the springbok are into it.”</p>
<p>“I can’t take you anywhere.”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/51150845666
title: One night evolution had a vision of a world where things were...
uri: One-night-evolution-had-a-vision-of-a-world-where-things-were
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/51150845666
content:
<img src="media/268bf8d5.tumblr_mn9bdg5B6T1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/fa1eea6ae965314764f1d8cbd7985af1/tumblr_mn9bdg5B6T1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>One night evolution had a vision of a world where things were perfect. Life coexisted peacefully with other life; nobody <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/43727169408/the-horned-lizard-fends-off-predatory-coyotes-by" target="_blank">fought</a> or died or ate each other’s entrails. There were no <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/43569496023/dont-even-ask-about-the-goblin-shark-okay" target="_blank">monsters</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/41789850179/a-parasitic-louse-that-crawls-into-your-mouth" target="_blank">in</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/43648601887/everyones-making-fun-of-that-fiddler-crab-i" target="_blank">the</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/42846366575/dark-thoughts-keep-evolution-awake-some-nights-it" target="_blank">ocean</a>, only leafy sea dragons, fluttering calmly back and forth to keep everyone safe. It was a world of serenity, a world of quiet splendor, where everything was beautiful and nothing hurt. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/51730497599
title: "Hmm. This slug came out a little funny.” "Whoa,...
uri: Hmm-This-slug-came-out-a-little
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/51730497599
content:
<img src="media/d49bd593.tumblr_mnmd0u679d1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/392c0a0947724220354dd5eda6da5deb/tumblr_mnmd0u679d1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Hmm. This <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/giant-pink-cannibal-slug-discovered-australia.html" target="_blank">slug</a> came out a little funny.”</p>
<p>"Whoa, evolution, what the hell?"</p>
<p>"I don’t know. I think I may have mixed something up on the camouflage gene."</p>
<p>"You think?"</p>
<p>"I was distracted."</p>
<p>"Well, you can’t just put that in the undergrowth, it’ll get eaten in like two seconds."</p>
<p>"What should I do with it, then?"</p>
<p>"I don’t know. Throw it in Australia with the rest of the <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/42509185179/i-really-dont-want-anyone-to-eat-this-wattle-cup" target="_blank">unspeakably</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/50257370670/a-female-kangaroo-is-always-pregnant-while-one" target="_blank">bizarre</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/47460115192/so-evolution-made-a-blue-tongued-skink-what-are" target="_blank">stuff</a>, I guess.”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/52377759607
title: Damn it, evolution, how many times have I told you? If...
uri: Damn-it-evolution-how-many-times-have-I-told-you-If
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/52377759607
content:
<img src="media/baf260a4.tumblr_mo0yxfQNKF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/250eda21a822dd06758aa46491469040/tumblr_mo0yxfQNKF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Damn it, evolution, how many times have I told you? If you’re going to leave your pufferfish lying around on the beach like that, you need to give them a better way to deal with it than… whatever the hell this is. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/52961029580
title: "Hey, I just realized something!" "What’s that?" "Well, I...
uri: Hey-I-just-realized
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/52961029580
content:
<img src="media/1e8fd4ce.tumblr_moeb3s61lK1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/9f55a6a2dea17d98bef224e08a02084e/tumblr_moeb3s61lK1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Hey, I just realized something!"</p>
<p>"What’s that?"</p>
<p>"Well, I made these Amazonian frogs so they spawn, right?"</p>
<p>"Right…"</p>
<p>"So the females just lay their eggs out in the water, and the males fertilize them out in the water, and then everyone leaves the eggs alone and they grow."</p>
<p>"Yeah, <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/45674709276/hey-remember-the-gastric-brooding-frog-which" target="_blank">generally</a>.”</p>
<p>"No parental care necessary."</p>
<p>"That’s the idea."</p>
<p>"So it doesn’t really matter what happens to the parents, so long as the eggs get fertilized."</p>
<p>"Technically. Where are you going with this? "</p>
<p>"Well, I gave the females this handy reflex to release their eggs when males squeeze them."</p>
<p>"Right…"</p>
<p>"But sometimes all the males trying to mate with them crush them to death."</p>
<p>"So it goes."</p>
<p>"But reflexes still work a bit after you’re dead, right?"</p>
<p>"Oh god."</p>
<p>"So, like, as long as the eggs still come out of their bodies, and no one needs to be around to take care of those eggs, the males can just <a href="http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/35675/title/Croakus-Interruptus/" target="_blank">keep on mating with the dead females</a> and still successfully reproduce!”</p>
<p>"Jesus, evolution. That’s pretty grim."</p>
<p>"I prefer ‘efficient.’"</p>
<p>"You’re messed up."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/53517963545
title: "Okay, evolution, what the hell is that?" "A marvelous...
uri: Okay-evolution-what-the-hell-is-that-A
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/53517963545
content:
<iframe width="400" height="299" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Df8jhng3xgQ?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0#t=11s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>"Okay, evolution, what the hell is that?"</p>
<p>"A marvelous spatuletail hummingbird. Obviously."</p>
<p>"And what the hell is he doing?<em>”</em></p>
<p>"A sexy mating dance. <em>Obviously.”</em></p>
<p>"Don’t those big dangly tail feathers make it hard for him to fly?"</p>
<p>"Oh, yeah, he can’t fly for more than a few seconds. Total pain in the ass."</p>
<p>"Then why put them there?"</p>
<p>"For the sexy mating dance. Are you even paying attention?"</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/54118414876
title: Molting is a beautiful thing. When your insides start feeling a...
uri: Molting-is-a-beautiful-thing-When-your-insides-start-feeling-a
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/54118414876
content:
<img src="media/cf69809e.tumblr_mp4axa0kbt1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/5a28bcf6947bfbccbab595a2b7b4b97e/tumblr_mp4axa0kbt1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Molting is a beautiful thing. When your insides start feeling a little too big for their case, you can just crack open your exoskeleton, head capsule and all, and emerge a whole new invertebrate. You get to leave your shed body behind and walk away, freed from all the trappings of your former, smaller life. </p>
<p>… unless, that is, you’re a <a href="http://membracid.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/the-mad-hatterpillar/" target="_blank">gum-leaf skeletoniser caterpillar</a>. In that case evolution actually stacks all your old heads on top of your new one and makes you wear them around forever like a macabre stovepipe hat. I don’t know, just go with it, okay?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/55087151000
title: "I’m worried this vervet monkey’s testicles...
uri: I-m-worried-this-vervet-monkey-s-testicles
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/55087151000
content:
<img src="media/313341cc.tumblr_mpq5saeJcg1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/f392b63bed810e5c3f6b341d5bfd64b6/tumblr_mpq5saeJcg1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"I’m worried this vervet monkey’s testicles aren’t noticeable enough."</p>
<p>"Are you serious? They’re <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/07/are_testicles_external_for_cooling_galloping_display_or_something_else.html" target="_blank">testicles</a>, evolution. They’re obscenely noticeable.”</p>
<p>"I don’t know… let me just try one more thing."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/55692422888
title: Why so gloomy, babirusas? Is it because evolution gave you some...
uri: Why-so-gloomy-babirusas-Is-it-because-evolution-gave-you-some
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/55692422888
content:
<img src="media/a9f2ff5c.tumblr_mq326sMjDn1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/3622b9274b45a474ff6bdb02616e359e/tumblr_mq326sMjDn1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Why so gloomy, babirusas? Is it because evolution gave you some weird extra tusks that are awkward, brittle, mostly useless for fighting, and may eventually grow so long that they curve around and fatally <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/03/08/babirusa-impales-own-head" target="_blank">puncture your skull</a>? Could that be it?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/56335903467
title: The emperor tamarin: Because somebody told evolution mustaches...
uri: The-emperor-tamarin-Because-somebody-told-evolution-mustaches
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/56335903467
content:
<img src="media/5ca7dbc1.tumblr_mqg0abbNAQ1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4ea5cc0620382a034db96cc523d09341/tumblr_mqg0abbNAQ1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The emperor tamarin: Because somebody told evolution mustaches are “in.”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/56973856562
title: Sure, it may seem like evolution made the male kangaroo...
uri: Sure-it-may-seem-like-evolution-made-the-male-kangaroo
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/56973856562
content:
<img src="media/38821736.tumblr_mqt1hyyJZc1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/1fff545db0b907159aee3a3235a34c30/tumblr_mqt1hyyJZc1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Sure, it may seem like evolution made the male kangaroo ridiculously—even grotesquely—muscular. But you have to do something to <a href="http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/07/its-not-just-men-who-flex-their-biceps-at-women-kangaroos-do-too/" target="_blank">impress the ladies</a> if you’re going to keep them <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/50257370670/a-female-kangaroo-is-always-pregnant-while-one" target="_blank">pregnant all the time</a>, and they just don’t fall for kangaroo poetry anymore.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/57795414254
title: "Hey, evolution, what are you working on?" "Nothing." "Come on,...
uri: Hey-evolution-what-are-you-working-on-Nothing-Come-on
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/57795414254
content:
<img src="media/204800e6.tumblr_mr8y60tLKr1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/165dcdd5ce162aa897e179ed77c590ba/tumblr_mr8y60tLKr1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Hey, evolution, what are you working on?"</p>
<p>"Nothing."</p>
<p>"Come on, show me."</p>
<p>"I don’t want to."</p>
<p>"Aw, why not?"</p>
<p>"Because you’re going to think it looks stupid."</p>
<p>"What? No I’m not."</p>
<p>"Yes you are. You always do."</p>
<p>"Don’t be ridiculous. Aren’t we friends?"</p>
<p>"Fine. Here. It’s called a crested guineafowl."</p>
<p>"Oh my god, what happened to its head? It looks like you transplanted it from a smaller, uglier animal."</p>
<p>"I hate you."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/58421996995
title: Man, that guineafowl you made before sure was ridic— Whoa....
uri: Man-that-guineafowl-you-made-before-sure-was-ridic-Whoa
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/58421996995
content:
<img src="media/d635b7b0.tumblr_mrlv27Qfa41s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/fe2229f50815cef716e4aabf45f3d1ba/tumblr_mrlv27Qfa41s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Man, that <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/57795414254/hey-evolution-what-are-you-working-on" target="_blank">guineafowl you made before</a> sure was ridic— </p>
<p>Whoa. Whoa, hey, what is that? It looks a little bit—</p>
<p>I’m not sure that’s really—</p>
<p>Oh god, evolution, what did you—</p>
<p>You didn’t have to go and—ow!</p>
<p>Wait, no, what is it—ow!—o<span>h, Jesus. I’m so sorry I made fun of your other bird, okay? Please just call off the </span><span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxj9YO4Qtx0" target="_blank">bone-crunching vulture</a><span> and let’s talk about this.</span></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/59107360212
title: "What do you think of this peacock spider mating display?...
uri: What-do-you-think-of-this-peacock-spider-mating-display
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/59107360212
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z-_abWX65a8?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>"What do you think of this <a href="http://www.livescience.com/39052-peacock-spider-mating-dance.html" target="_blank">peacock spider</a> mating display? I’m going for seductive, yet elegant.”</p>
<p>"Nailed it."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/59683198578
title: Evolution keeps all its weirdest experiments way down in the...
uri: Evolution-keeps-all-its-weirdest-experiments-way-down-in-the
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/59683198578
content:
<iframe src="http://www.tumblr.com/video/wtfevolution/59683198578/400" id="tumblr_video_iframe_59683198578" class="tumblr_video_iframe" width="400" height="225" style="display:block;background-color:transparent;overflow:hidden;" allowTransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Evolution keeps all its weirdest experiments way down in the ocean’s depths. But secretly, they’re its very favorite ones.</p>
<p><em><small><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinochimaera" target="_blank">Rhinochimaera</a> video courtesy of <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/" target="_blank">NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program</a>.</small></em></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/60452912502
title: Evolution accidentally ran the secretary bird through the...
uri: Evolution-accidentally-ran-the-secretary-bird-through-the
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/60452912502
content:
<img src="media/c6d0ba1a.tumblr_mspe0s2usQ1s3yrubo1_500.png" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/54ce4079bacba560180803e752371096/tumblr_mspe0s2usQ1s3yrubo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution accidentally ran the secretary bird through the washing machine. It did not turn out well.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/61138257921
title: "New idea!" "What now, evolution?" "Well, I had such good luck...
uri: New-idea-What-now-evolution-Well-I-had-such-good-luck
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/61138257921
content:
<img src="media/726c351c.tumblr_mt2f1cXXY81s3yrubo1_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/3608367d74544df070a5a8c3acf2d4af/tumblr_mt2f1cXXY81s3yrubo1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"New idea!"</p>
<p>"What now, evolution?"</p>
<p>"Well, I had such good luck with the <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/40848390062/this-one-time-evolution-got-kind-of-wasted-at-a" target="_blank">handfish</a>—what if I made a handlobster?”</p>
<p>"Hand<em>lobster</em>? That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard.”</p>
<p>"Come on! It just takes a <a href="http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/09/12/how-did-odd-lobster-get-six-claws/" target="_blank">few little mutations</a>. Look, I’ll do one now.”</p>
<p>"That’s hideous."</p>
<p>"I think I like it."</p>
<p>-</p>
<p><em><small>Image credit: Richard Figueiredo, F/V Leah; courtesy Maine State Aquarium</small></em></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/61760718820
title: Camouflage is one of evolution’s neatest tricks. To keep...
uri: Camouflage-is-one-of-evolution-s-neatest-tricks-To-keep
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/61760718820
content:
<img src="media/a385dab9.tumblr_mtfj0o5XnO1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/0e54b60ba563df54045aa54b606e2f0f/tumblr_mtfj0o5XnO1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Camouflage is one of evolution’s neatest tricks. To keep you safe, it might disguise you as an elegant <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylliidae" target="_blank">leaf</a>, an inconspicuous <a href="http://www.sciencefriday.com/video/08/05/2011/raw-footage-octopus-in-hiding.html" target="_blank">rock</a>, or a pristine field of freshly fallen <a href="http://www.natgeocreative.com/photography/759820" target="_blank">snow</a>. Or maybe it might disguise you as a hot, wet pile of bird poo. This is for your own good, <a href="http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/citrus/giantswallowtail.htm" target="_blank">giant swallowtail caterpillar</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/62337231055
title: Evolution had not had enough coffee yet when it made the ornate...
uri: Evolution-had-not-had-enough-coffee-yet-when-it-made-the-ornate
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/62337231055
content:
<img src="media/b422ba8d.tumblr_mtqpwx5fFT1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/7c8225331b59f05fc31ebdc54633578b/tumblr_mtqpwx5fFT1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution had not had enough coffee yet when it made the ornate horned frog.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/63085495113
title: If there’s one thing evolution has gotten down to an art,...
uri: If-there-s-one-thing-evolution-has-gotten-down-to-an-art
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/63085495113
content:
<iframe width="400" height="299" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_sMFN69l_ZY?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>If there’s one thing evolution has gotten <span>down to an art, it’s</span><span> the act of mating. Just ask the giant tortoise.</span></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/63734708314
title: The planthopper nymph: Business in the front, party in the back.
uri: The-planthopper-nymph-Business-in-the-front-party-in-the-back
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/63734708314
content:
<img src="media/981305bf.tumblr_muiffa5MXx1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/71dd22cfaf8e22a5c3e6183e2c26c119/tumblr_muiffa5MXx1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The planthopper nymph: Business in the front, <a href="http://www.thefeaturedcreature.com/2013/02/planthopper-nymphs-have-fireworks-shooting-out-of-their-butts.html">party in the back</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/64394102429
title: Come on, evolution. There’s no way this “deep-sea...
uri: Come-on-evolution-There-s-no-way-this-deep-sea
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/64394102429
content:
<img src="media/6f06a40a.tumblr_muvgv8XWhE1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/93f207126efa58a5a94bd17fb40fc8b1/tumblr_muvgv8XWhE1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Come on, evolution. There’s no way this “<a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1304/logs/aug16/media/jelly-0811.html">deep-sea jelly</a>" is a real animal. You’ve been reading science fiction again, haven’t you? </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/65049867831
title: Evolution produced the Visayan warty pig during an angsty...
uri: Evolution-produced-the-Visayan-warty-pig-during-an-angsty
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/65049867831
content:
<img src="media/1ef0d95f.tumblr_mv8ejjA3fi1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/d95cd79ace0fbe21c16d034b62e468cd/tumblr_mv8ejjA3fi1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution produced the <a href="http://www.zoo.org/page.aspx?pid=2183#.UmqQzKXV0tw">Visayan warty pig</a> during an angsty adolescent phase. Don’t ask. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/65615554571
title: "Hey, evolution, what are you doing for Halloween?" "Well, I...
uri: Hey-evolution-what-are-you-doing-for-Halloween-Well-I
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/65615554571
content:
<img src="media/d33264fd.tumblr_mvgjexke391s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/9770ce0696c526e098e3d689c8a7d7d5/tumblr_mvgjexke391s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Hey, evolution, what are you doing for Halloween?"</p>
<p>"Well, I made this moth, and then I dressed it up like two flies feeding on a big wet pile of bird crap."</p>
<p>"Um."</p>
<p>"I even made it <em><a href="http://www.myrmecos.net/2011/08/30/a-mural-on-moth-wings/">smell</a></em> like bird crap.”</p>
<p>"I see."</p>
<p>"Isn’t it awesome?"</p>
<p>"Why couldn’t you just do ‘sexy cat’ like everyone else?"</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/66390015447
title: Honestly, evolution, the trumpeter hornbill looks more like a...
uri: Honestly-evolution-the-trumpeter-hornbill-looks-more-like-a
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/66390015447
content:
<img src="media/1b8eec98.tumblr_mvylysskPx1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/fac8a4cd42cea5096f9e84fd9020c80c/tumblr_mvylysskPx1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Honestly, evolution, the trumpeter hornbill looks more like a Photoshop accident than a proper bird. How stupid do you think we are?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/67072940892
title: Evolution obviously did the mola mola on a Friday afternoon.
uri: Evolution-obviously-did-the-mola-mola-on-a-Friday-afternoon
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/67072940892
content:
<img src="media/b1e03502.tumblr_mwbg4rWJQi1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/0c09833c4b5cd72717c2ad6426b5b383/tumblr_mwbg4rWJQi1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution obviously did the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_sunfish">mola mola</a> on a Friday afternoon.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/67664126247
title: Why is the cape rain frog mad? I don’t know, evolution,...
uri: Why-is-the-cape-rain-frog-mad-I-don-t-know-evolution
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/67664126247
content:
<img src="media/f193923f.tumblr_mwm9v7HkoZ1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://25.media.tumblr.com/f28d481ea680da6f6ac2cb3e153ec6a3/tumblr_mwm9v7HkoZ1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Why is the cape rain frog mad? I don’t know, evolution, maybe because you made it look like a bloated alien rock with arms?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/68269994302
title: Happy Thanksgiving from evolution! Enjoy your roast ugly...
uri: Happy-Thanksgiving-from-evolution-Enjoy-your-roast-ugly
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/68269994302
content:
<img src="media/c1019c5b.tumblr_mwxkbaD0xj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/cd1b54c5fa5a19281a0faccc7d1bee77/tumblr_mwxkbaD0xj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Happy Thanksgiving from evolution! Enjoy your roast ugly dinosaur.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/69175949567
title: "Look at this psychedelic frogfish I made! Isn’t it rad?” “Wow,...
uri: Look-at-this-psychedelic-frogfish-I-made-Isn-t-it-rad-Wow
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/69175949567
content:
<iframe width="400" height="246" allowfullsecreen="true" frameborder="0" id="ngplayer" src="http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/embedded/psychedelic-fish-video-vin/src/"></iframe><br/><br/><p class="p1">"Look at this psychedelic frogfish I made! Isn’t it rad?”</p>
<p class="p1">“Wow, that’s a pretty cool pattern. Wait, what is it doing?”</p>
<p class="p1">“Don’t you think it’s pretty?”</p>
<p class="p1">“Yeah, but why can’t it swim right?”</p>
<p class="p1">“What do you mean?”</p>
<p class="p1">“Its tail isn’t straight and it’s hurling itself against rocks, evolution.”</p>
<p class="p1">“Oh. Right. That.”</p>
<p class="p1">“Yeah, that.”</p>
<p class="p1">“Well, I spent so long doing the pretty lines, I sort of… ran out of time to work on locomotion.”</p>
<p class="p1">“Ran out of time? You had literally millions of years.”</p>
<p class="p1">“There are a lot of lines, okay?”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/69792387304
title: Evolution couldn’t decide which color to make this tiger...
uri: Evolution-couldn-t-decide-which-color-to-make-this-tiger
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/69792387304
content:
<img src="media/5a33c982.tumblr_mxo6eadvUn1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://37.media.tumblr.com/f9f4b8683c5c2f21a2c5c59add88dc18/tumblr_mxo6eadvUn1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution couldn’t decide which color to make this tiger moth, so it went with all of them.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/70494314003
title: Look, evolution, the ’80s are over. Tell the red-crested...
uri: Look-evolution-the-80s-are-over-Tell-the-red-crested
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/70494314003
content:
<img src="media/57250413.tumblr_mxo65yS73v1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/74e1d87355c3d12ae756e077bb0c2f94/tumblr_mxo65yS73v1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Look, evolution, the ’80s are over. Tell the red-crested pochard it’s time to move on.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/71014461627
title: "Look at all my pretty Christmas trees!" "Christmas...
uri: Look-at-all-my-pretty-Christmas-trees-Christmas
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/71014461627
content:
<img src="media/fc35beb0.tumblr_mybchlVOOL1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/eb9b49bc05443102de6ae725e9852f33/tumblr_mybchlVOOL1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Look at all my pretty Christmas trees!"</p>
<p>"Christmas trees?"</p>
<p>"Yeah, Christmas trees."</p>
<p>"Evolution, those are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirobranchus_giganteus">worms</a>.”</p>
<p>"Shhhhhhhh! Don’t spoil the magic."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/71852234867
title: "Happy new year, evolution! Do you have any resolutions?" "Yeah....
uri: Happy-new-year-evolution-Do-you-have-any-resolutions-Yeah
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/71852234867
content:
<img src="media/5586488d.tumblr_myoxa0KLEE1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/9cb6f5002e33ebe699422db543045860/tumblr_myoxa0KLEE1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Happy new year, evolution! Do you have any resolutions?"</p>
<p>"Yeah. I decided that everything I make is going to look completely normal from now on."</p>
<p>"Wow, really? You mean like this <a href="http://www.farallones.org/e_newsletter/2007-01/Fulmar.htm">northern fulmar</a> bird here? He seems lovely.”</p>
<p><span>"Yeah. Hey, just don’t get within like ten feet of that guy, okay, or he might <a href="http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/northern-fulmar-fulmarus-glacialis/oil-spitting-defense">projectile vomit</a> neon orange half-digested fish oil in your face.”</span></p>
<p>"Never change."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/72773247555
title: Sometimes you fight with teeth and claws; sometimes you fight...
uri: Sometimes-you-fight-with-teeth-and-claws-sometimes-you-fight
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/72773247555
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zuiDNgF283U?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Sometimes you fight with teeth and claws; sometimes you fight with venom. And sometimes you <a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/running-ponies/2013/12/10/so-skinny-so-bright-how-colour-change-predicts-the-odds-of-a-chameleon-battle/">fight</a> by taking a deep breath, looking your opponent straight in the beady eye, and proceeding to dazzle the hell out of him.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/73415607549
title: A quick note
uri: A-quick-note
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/73415607549
content:
<p>Today, coincidentally, marks both the 100th post on &#8220;WTF, Evolution?&#8221; and the one-year anniversary of the very first one. I honestly cannot thank everyone enough for reading, sharing, sending in suggestions, and generally being so enthusiastic about my weird little project this past year. It warms my four-chambered blood-pumping chest organ to know you&#8217;re out there.</p>
<p>Some exciting things are in the works, upon which I will elaborate soon. In the meantime, keep being awesome, Internet.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/73415540030
title: Evolution heard you’re into grumpy cats, so it put one on...
uri: Evolution-heard-you-re-into-grumpy-cats-so-it-put-one-on
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/73415540030
content:
<img src="media/f94ed46b.tumblr_mzb8izi2bb1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://24.media.tumblr.com/25ab0ae116f26c6cd08c6cbc1d2f2149/tumblr_mzb8izi2bb1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution heard you’re into grumpy cats, so it put one on this mandrill’s butt. That’s what you wanted, right?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/74177009266
title: "Hey! I bet you can’t tell what this is." "It’s a slug." "You...
uri: Hey-I-bet-you-can-t-tell-what-this-is-It-s-a-slug-You
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/74177009266
content:
<img src="media/81ec1bbd.tumblr_mynjsv2NRf1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://37.media.tumblr.com/a87bca54620bc6b29458bd98f66e024a/tumblr_mynjsv2NRf1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Hey! I bet you can’t tell what this is."</p>
<p>"It’s a slug."</p>
<p>"You can’t tell because I’ve cleverly disguised it."</p>
<p>"It’s a slug."</p>
<p>"Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘Could it be some kind of cow?’"</p>
<p>"It’s definitely a slug."</p>
<p>"But no! It doesn’t even have a backbone!"</p>
<p>"Evolution, it’s a white <a href="http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/banana%20slug.htm">banana slug</a>.”</p>
<p>"Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. It’s a slug. Good trick, though, huh?"</p>
<p>"Please stop pretending that random mutations were brilliant ideas you had."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/74947826641
title: Look, evolution, I don’t want to tell you how to do your job or...
uri: Look-evolution-I-don-t-want-to-tell-you-how-to-do-your-job-or
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/74947826641
content:
<img src="media/2567f6e2.tumblr_n056hj42JR1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://38.media.tumblr.com/94c9a9a8a1f11d3f5ef48779e8e1db6c/tumblr_n056hj42JR1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p class="p1">Look, evolution, I don’t want to tell you how to do your job or anything, but the proportions on these <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerenuk" target="_blank">gerenuks</a> just seem a little… off. Are you sure you didn’t mess up a unit conversion somewhere?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/75697195087
title: Congratulations, evolution, I think “inflatable left...
uri: Congratulations-evolution-I-think-inflatable-left
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/75697195087
content:
<iframe width="400" height="299" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3xZKLzwZY9Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Congratulations, evolution, I think “inflatable left nostril” may be your least attractive mating move so far. The hooded seal must be so proud.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/76640712707
title: Valentine’s Day Tips From a Tragopan Trying to catch the...
uri: Valentine-s-Day-Tips-From-a-Tragopan-Trying-to-catch-the
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/76640712707
content:
<iframe width="400" height="299" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7l79rgG9bDk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><em>Valentine’s Day Tips From a Tragopan</em></p>
<p>Trying to catch the eye of that special someone? Then you need these moves, custom-evolved to win them over fast. </p>
<p>First, get your crush’s attention by pecking around on the ground. This will make them curious. But then, immediately hide behind a log. You’re putting on a show here—you don’t want to give everything away!</p>
<p>Next, inflate your rubbery blue horns and unfurl your flappy bib. Bob up and down a bunch of times to make sure that they’re fully deployed. You need to look your best!</p>
<p>Then start with the frenetic clicking. This will signal to your love interest that you’re ready to take things further. (Honest communication is the key to any successful romantic pursuit.)</p>
<p>When you feel ready, rear up and rush forward, displaying yourself in all your naked glory to the object of your affection. Remember: You are confident. You are fabulous. You have inflatable rubbery horns. You’ve got this.</p>
<p>If it doesn’t work the first time, try again. Try flapping harder. Click some more. You’ll have a valentine in no time, guaranteed.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/77287386420
title: Evolution sent the tortoise beetle from the future. And the...
uri: Evolution-sent-the-tortoise-beetle-from-the-future-And-the
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/77287386420
content:
<img src="media/42379586.tumblr_n1b0nqdr2b1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://38.media.tumblr.com/7782ae1ac0a218b9f60b39e47b182122/tumblr_n1b0nqdr2b1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution sent the tortoise beetle from the future. And the future is <em>shiny as hell.</em></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/77715752857
title: Announcements!
uri: Announcements
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/77715752857
content:
<p>Hey, friends. I have a few announcements!<br/><br/><strong><u>Announcement 1</u></strong><br/><br/><strong>I am working on a WTF, Evolution? book</strong>! I’ve been working on it for a while now, in fact. It’ll be out in fall 2014 and will include some familiar weird faces, many strange new beasts, and a whole lot of extra goodies. Want to know where the <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48855920841/evolution-likes-worms-that-look-like" target="_blank">pigbutt worm</a> lives, whether the <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/44300689667/do-you-ever-think-that-maybe-theres-something" target="_blank">sage grouse</a> is endangered, or what additional elongated appendages the <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/46259607321/tee-hee-what-now-evolution-its-a" target="_blank">tapir</a> has? I will tell you. Possibly more than you wanted to know.<br/><br/>Never fear—blog service will continue uninterrupted in the meantime. And I will keep you all updated as things progress. I’m pretty excited about this, and I hope you will be too—and needless to say, none it would have happened if I didn’t have an audience, so thank you all immensely for that. <br/><br/><strong><u>Announcement 2</u></strong> (related to Announcement 1)<br/><br/><strong>I’m looking for scientists to help me fact-check the book!</strong> It&#8217;s because I love you all, and I want the things I tell you to be true (except for the things that I have obviously completely made up).<br/><br/>If you’re a biologist/zoologist/taxonomist/weirdanimalologist and WTF, Evolution? fan, I would love to run some pages by you and have you double-check my species identifications, descriptions, and basic facts. I’ve done my research—a <em>lot</em> of it—but I’m not a specialist. I’ve been so grateful to have the support and following of people in the scientific community so far, and with your help I can make sure that this book is as accurate and informative as it is (hopefully) entertaining. <br/><br/>I’m looking for scientists who specialize in: fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects, spiders, marine invertebrates, parasites, plants, evolutionary theory, or probably just about anything else that falls under the umbrella of “life.” If you’re interested, drop me a line at <a href="mailto:wtfevolution@gmail.com" target="_blank">wtfevolution@gmail.com</a>, tell me what you study, and I’ll see if there might be some pages for you. If we do end up working together, I’ll acknowledge you in the book and send you a signed copy in thanks when it comes out. Which is, again, this fall.</p>
<p>Stay tuned!</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/78013475943
title: "Oh, what a cute little mouse!" "It’s not a mouse!...
uri: Oh-what-a-cute-little-mouse-It-s-not-a-mouse
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/78013475943
content:
<img src="media/0ec67147.tumblr_n1nrx7yiA61s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://33.media.tumblr.com/65a44323e418377d95c806cb99fcebbf/tumblr_n1nrx7yiA61s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Oh, what a cute little mouse!"</p>
<p>"It’s not a mouse! It’s a marsupial called an antechinus."</p>
<p>"Sorry, evolution, my mistake. Still cute, though."</p>
<p>"Isn’t he? And he’s excited, because he’s almost eleven months old, and that means he finally gets to start mating."</p>
<p>"Aw, that’s nice."</p>
<p>"He’s going to run around getting it on with as many females as he can for the next two or three weeks."</p>
<p>"That’s… nice."</p>
<p>"And he’ll have sex with each of them for up to 14 hours at a stretch."</p>
<p>"That’s… um…"</p>
<p>"And he’ll get so exhausted from all the frantic mating that his fur starts falling off, and he contracts gangrene."</p>
<p>"What? Jesus. Then does he take a break, at least?"</p>
<p>"Nah, not really. He basically keeps doing it until he gets so sick and stressed out that he dies. ‘<a href="http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/07/why-a-little-mammal-has-so-much-sex-that-it-disintegrates/" target="_blank">Suicidal reproduction</a>,’ I’m calling it.”</p>
<p>"Are you serious? He’s going to <em>mate himself to death</em>?”</p>
<p>"Yeah, but he doesn’t know it yet. Happy coming-of-age, antechinus!"</p>
<p>"You’re sick, you know that?"</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/78754351608
title: Oh, dear—it looks like evolution got into the nail polish again....
uri: Oh-dear-it-looks-like-evolution-got-into-the-nail-polish-again
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/78754351608
content:
<img src="media/07cd5e69.tumblr_n20ouepEbe1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://33.media.tumblr.com/e02ac43a8d9ea2a27696c013812fff43/tumblr_n20ouepEbe1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Oh, dear—it looks like evolution got into the nail polish again. Sorry about that, variegated grasshopper. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/79462799946
title: Okay, I take back what I said about the hooded seal, evolution....
uri: Okay-I-take-back-what-I-said-about-the-hooded-seal-evolution
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/79462799946
content:
<iframe width="400" height="224" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WdnPQrqniIE?start=70&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Okay, I take back what I said about the <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/75697195087/congratulations-evolution-i-think-inflatable" target="_blank">hooded seal</a>, evolution. Camel breeding behavior is quite possibly the most repulsive thing you’ve ever done. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/80264742955
title: Evolution tried to start a sports league once, but it turned out...
uri: Evolution-tried-to-start-a-sports-league-once-but-it-turned-out
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/80264742955
content:
<img src="media/4bc93c45.tumblr_n2slbf2Opb1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://37.media.tumblr.com/d46da600a753f3c25fb415c20f9f8d6f/tumblr_n2slbf2Opb1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution tried to start a sports league once, but it turned out competitive leaf-eating just wasn’t all that interesting to watch. Nice jerseys on the saddleback caterpillars, though.</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38514062@N03/9410316517/in/photolist-fkykfv-fkyk58-fpYfpv">Flickr / Mary Keim</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/80985445590
title: "How should I decorate this nyala? I’m thinking maybe...
uri: How-should-I-decorate-this-nyala-I-m-thinking-maybe
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/80985445590
content:
<img src="media/eeea5559.tumblr_n34ktbcrAF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/382b2d3a12d8a04ce02e52a1785eaa3e/tumblr_n34ktbcrAF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"How should I decorate this nyala? I’m thinking maybe spiral horns."</p>
<p>"Sure, evolution, spiral horns are pretty cool."</p>
<p>"And orange legs."</p>
<p>"Bold choice, but all right…"</p>
<p>"And maybe some facial markings. And fringy hair!"</p>
<p>"Hey, don’t get too carried away, okay? It’s just an antelope."</p>
<p>"Ooh, how about some stripes? Stripes are majestic."</p>
<p>"Hmm. It kind of just looks like a bird pooped all over it."</p>
<p>"No. It looks <em>majestic</em>.”</p>
<p>"Whatever you say."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/81587745997
title: Look, evolution, we’ve talked about this. You can’t...
uri: Look-evolution-we-ve-talked-about-this-You-can-t
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/81587745997
content:
<img src="media/353de084.tumblr_mxo6yjT9fi1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://31.media.tumblr.com/bf9cc3b554168f6e00aa6b8d0126be4f/tumblr_mxo6yjT9fi1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Look, evolution, we’ve talked about this. You can’t just slap some makeup on an ostrich and then pretend like it’s a totally different bird. Call it a “<a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Birds/Facts/fact-redlegseriema.cfm" target="_blank">seriema</a>" if you want to, but come on; we know.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/82392005699
title: "So I’m thinking of trying live birth in the tsetse...
uri: So-I-m-thinking-of-trying-live-birth-in-the-tsetse
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/82392005699
content:
<iframe width="400" height="224" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pj4zkqrWf3E?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>"So I’m thinking of trying live birth in the <a href="http://www.raywilsonbirdphotography.co.uk/Galleries/Invertebrates/vectors/Tsetse_Fly.html" target="_blank">tsetse fly</a>.”</p>
<p>"What? Why? What’s wrong with laying eggs like all the other insects?"</p>
<p>"I don’t know, it just seems so inefficient. You go to all the trouble of making eggs, and then most of them just get squished or frozen or eaten for dinner before they can even develop. Why not just pop out a whole larva once a week and then be done with it?"</p>
<p>"Once a <em>week</em>?”</p>
<p>"Well, yeah, they’ve got to keep up with the egg-layers somehow."</p>
<p>"Gross, evolution."</p>
<p>"Miraculous, you mean."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/83100985460
title: "Don’t touch this king crab." "Sure,...
uri: Don-t-touch-this-king-crab-Sure
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/83100985460
content:
<img src="media/846c58ae.tumblr_n4893iyEt81s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://38.media.tumblr.com/38fe7cd397810c9bd3843b2d9bcdf3b4/tumblr_n4893iyEt81s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Don’t touch this king crab."</p>
<p>"Sure, evolution."</p>
<p>"Seriously, don’t touch it."</p>
<p>"Yeah, okay, fine."</p>
<p>"I mean it this time."</p>
<p>"Yeah, I can see that."</p>
<p>"No, really<em>. Don’t.</em>”</p>
<p>"I think you’ve made your point."</p>
<p><small>Photo courtesy of <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/media/exstream/exstream.html" target="_blank">NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program</a>, 2013 Northeast U.S. Canyons Expedition.</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/83407890815
title: Psst!
uri: Psst
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/83407890815
content:
<p>Do you like WTF, Evolution? Do you like stacks of bound-together paper with lots of words and pictures printed on them? Good news: You can now <a href="http://www.amazon.com/WTF-Evolution-Theory-Unintelligible-Design/dp/0761180346/ref=sr_1_1" target="_blank">pre-order the WTF, Evolution book</a>!</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/83822948579
title: Oh, evolution. You were doing so well with the lynx. You made it...
uri: Oh-evolution-You-were-doing-so-well-with-the-lynx-You-made-it
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/83822948579
content:
<img src="media/766c655a.tumblr_n4lfst30xY1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://38.media.tumblr.com/056b20ee0d386cc49c8d886879004489/tumblr_n4lfst30xY1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Oh, evolution. You were doing so well with the lynx. You made it a fierce and graceful hunter, you gave it a luxurious spotted coat, you gave it pretty yellow eyes and tufted ears—and then you went and made it sound <a href="media/01309d6e.Felis_lynx2_articulation.wav" data-original-source="http://www.bioacoustica.org/gallery/sounds/Felis_lynx2_articulation.wav" target="_blank">like this</a>.</p>

<p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tambako/10399983493/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Flickr/tambako</a> (photo); <a href="http://www.bioacoustica.org/gallery/mammals_eng.html" target="_blank">Volodins Bioacoustic Group</a> (sound)</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/84535525353
title: Evolution produced the goosefish on very little sleep. Look,...
uri: Evolution-produced-the-goosefish-on-very-little-sleep-Look
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/84535525353
content:
<img src="media/d3334044.tumblr_n4ykm4oExc1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://33.media.tumblr.com/40f0b6ee6bb625b3c05c124bbd9d6171/tumblr_n4ykm4oExc1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>Evolution produced the goosefish on very little sleep. Look, evolution, just go home and get some rest, okay? This isn’t helping anyone.</span></p>
<p><small>Credit: <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov" target="_blank">NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program</a>, INDEX-SATAL 2010</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/85238542543
title: "Hey, evolution, what’s that you’re working...
uri: Hey-evolution-what-s-that-you-re-working
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/85238542543
content:
<iframe width="400" height="224" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IJhTrPDUoxs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>"Hey, evolution, what’s that you’re working on?"</p>
<p>"Wheeee!"</p>
<p>"Is it a spider?"</p>
<p>"Wheeee!"</p>
<p>"Wait, is it… <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/06/science/a-desert-spider-with-astonishing-moves.html?_r=0">doing cartwheels across the desert?</a>”</p>
<p>"Wheeeeee!"</p>
<p>"What? Why? What’s wrong with just running really fast like all the other spiders?"</p>
<p>"Wheeeeeeee!!"</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/85917173703
title: Evolution made the male ruff bird after watching one too many...
uri: Evolution-made-the-male-ruff-bird-after-watching-one-too-many
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/85917173703
content:
<img src="media/1445a29f.tumblr_n5o3ra8H9x1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://38.media.tumblr.com/6b6307fcde7a7a629ba2d1516b6cf5fe/tumblr_n5o3ra8H9x1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution made the male ruff bird after watching one too many British period dramas. Don’t ever say its taste isn’t refined. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/86600925788
title: “Ahh-choooo!” "Bless you, evolution." "Thanks. Ugh,...
uri: Ahh-choooo-Bless-you-evolution-Thanks-Ugh
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/86600925788
content:
<img src="media/5358437b.tumblr_n61934Ytyh1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/33c90c72689826df82abf5e8a416e5cd/tumblr_n61934Ytyh1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“<em>Ahh-choooo!</em>”</p>
<p>"Bless you, evolution."</p>
<p>"Thanks. Ugh, I wish I could get over this miserable cold."</p>
<p>"Yeah, it sounds bad. Maybe you should just take the day off, huh?"</p>
<p>"I don’t know if I can."</p>
<p>"What do you mean? Of course you can."</p>
<p>"I already took a lot of sick days last ice age. I don’t want to look lazy. <em>Ahh-choooo!</em>”</p>
<p>"Better to rest than do a shoddy job because you’re sick, though, right?"</p>
<p>"It’s okay, I can manage. Besides, I think the cold medicine is starting to kick in. See, I already made this <a href="http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/Rpacifica.php" target="_blank">bobtail squid</a>.”</p>
<p>"Oh. Um…"</p>
<p>"It’s good, right?"</p>
<p>"It’s…"</p>
<p>"I definitely think the medicine is helping."</p>

<p><small>Photo courtesy of <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1304/dailyupdates/media/july15.html" target="_blank">NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program</a>, 2013 Northeast U.S. Canyons Expedition.</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/87302134542
title: Come on, evolution, you can’t be serious. Surely the...
uri: Come-on-evolution-you-can-t-be-serious-Surely-the
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/87302134542
content:
<img src="media/4276aa17.tumblr_n6dzlvQ5bu1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/c5f644e5d9594afe0b2c3b524cf19862/tumblr_n6dzlvQ5bu1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Come on, evolution, you can’t be serious. Surely the sheepshead wrasse was just some kind of manufacturing error. </p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/87991320763
title: "Man, I am really nailing this adaptation thing lately." "Oh...
uri: Man-I-am-really-nailing-this-adaptation-thing-lately-Oh
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/87991320763
content:
<img src="media/1d08377e.tumblr_n6r570NSZl1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/cdde6a2c99563e84095ccd5a6d834bf6/tumblr_n6r570NSZl1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Man, I am really nailing this adaptation thing lately."</p>
<p>"Oh yeah, evolution? How’s that?"</p>
<p>"Well, this fish lives in a cave, right? It’s totally dark. You can’t see anything anyway."</p>
<p>"Yeah…"</p>
<p>"So I just took away its eyes. Bam! Instant energy savings."</p>
<p>"Huh, I guess that makes sense. Won’t its head be kind of boring now, though?"</p>
<p>"What? No, not at all."</p>
<p>"No?"</p>
<p>"I put its <a href="http://www.vice.com/read/hoosier-cave-fish-why-its-anus-is-on-its-head" target="_blank">anus up there</a> instead.”</p>
<p>"You what?"</p>
<p>"I put its anus up there…"</p>
<p>"On its head?"</p>
<p>"Yep. <span>So it’s totally not boring.”</span></p>
<p>"Well, no, but…"</p>
<p>"Bam."</p>

<p></p>
<p><small>Photo: <a href="http://www.pensoft.net/journals/zookeys/article/7245/the-hoosier-cavefish-a-new-and-endangered%C2%A0species-amblyopsidae-amblyopsis-from-the-caves-of%C2%A0southern%C2%A0indiana">M.L. Niemiller, <em>ZooKeys</em></a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/88963998243
title: "What’s going on there, evolution?" "I’m trying to...
uri: What-s-going-on-there-evolution-I-m-trying-to
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/88963998243
content:
<img src="media/41522746.tumblr_n79qbnfTG11s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://36.media.tumblr.com/b2fee8f9418b95e67583ad0985d19236/tumblr_n79qbnfTG11s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"What’s going on there, evolution?"</p>
<p>"I’m trying to come up with some new insect shapes. I’m tired of them all just getting eaten all the time."</p>
<p>"Well, that’s kind of how you made the food chain, isn’t it?"</p>
<p>"I want this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgora_laternaria" target="_blank">planthopper</a> to look fierce. I want it to look formidable. I want any lousy would-be predator to stand back in quietly trembling awe and never even dream trying to swallow it.”</p>
<p>"So… you gave it a peanut for a head?"</p>
<p>"Hey, it’s a work in progress, okay?"</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/b7b45eb6.CategoryFulgora_laternaria" data-original-source="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fulgora_laternaria" target="_blank">Hectonichus</a>/Wikimedia Commons</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/89760988318
title: "Crap. I think the bat extruder’s broken again." "How is...
uri: Crap-I-think-the-bat-extruder-s-broken-again-How-is
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/89760988318
content:
<img src="media/9c4aaf72.tumblr_n7ognxjzcp1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/b79fa10245a870bad77733b9ff70c2dc/tumblr_n7ognxjzcp1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Crap. I think the bat extruder’s broken again."</p>
<p>"How is that possible, evolution? We just fixed it last—oh. Oh, yeah, that’s not right."</p>
<p>"They’re pretty bad, huh?"</p>
<p>"They look like shriveled hairy potatoes"</p>
<p>"Hang on, maybe I can salvage this."</p>
<p>"Nuh-uh. No. No way."</p>
<p>"I mean, it is kind of cool how that one skin flap can <a href="http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Centurio_senex/#behavior" target="_blank">stretch all the way over their faces</a>.”</p>
<p>"Kind of horrifying, you mean."</p>
<p>"Maybe I can spin it as an adaptation."</p>
<p>"For what? Frightening small children?"</p>
<p>“‘Wrinkle-faced bats.’”</p>
<p>"How on Earth has no one fired you yet?"</p>

<p><small><span>Source: </span><a href="media/f68b4e1d.FileCenturio_senex.jpg" data-original-source="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Centurio_senex.jpg" target="_blank">Jplevraud</a><span>/Wikimedia Commons</span></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/90661445363
title: I love a barbecue and some fireworks as much as the next human,...
uri: I-love-a-barbecue-and-some-fireworks-as-much-as-the-next-human
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/90661445363
content:
<img src="media/6c27d96a.tumblr_n7l62lzxjz1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/b5c8290873786bfd47382dec7416bbe4/tumblr_n7l62lzxjz1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I love a barbecue and some fireworks as much as the next human, evolution, but don’t you think decorating the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamington_Crayfish" target="_blank">crayfish</a> is a <em>little </em>bit excessive?</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/91457172257
title: Sometimes evolution makes beautiful animals that move with all...
uri: Sometimes-evolution-makes-beautiful-animals-that-move-with-all
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/91457172257
content:
<img src="media/95903ce8.tumblr_n8jsqrUsKG1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/02757b26160c52ae8a6b07a1fadf3879/tumblr_n8jsqrUsKG1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Sometimes evolution makes beautiful animals that move with all the elegance of a finely-honed ballet. Other times… it makes ducks.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/92052139646
title: "Ew, evolution, what are you doing?" "Making a fruiting body for...
uri: Ew-evolution-what-are-you-doing-Making-a-fruiting-body-for
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/92052139646
content:
<img src="media/84dce682.tumblr_n8kqu5iDh91s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/1118b2af779a08d952faecfe761a2d59/tumblr_n8kqu5iDh91s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Ew, evolution, what are you doing?"</p>
<p>"Making a fruiting body for the stinkhorn fungus. Isn’t it cool?"</p>
<p>"Hmm. I’m not sure that’s the way to go here."</p>
<p>"Why not? It helps the fungus spread its spores."</p>
<p>"It’s just that it looks a little… anatomical."</p>
<p>"What? Nobody’s going to think that."</p>
<p>“<em>Everybody’s</em> going to think that.”</p>
<p>"But I made it smell like <a href="http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/elegant_stinkhorn.htm" target="_blank">hot death</a>!”</p>
<p>"Yeah, that isn’t helping."</p>
<p>"You’re no fun at all."</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/92653188828
title: Hey, look what just showed up! One of the first actually printed...
uri: Hey-look-what-just-showed-up-One-of-the-first-actually-printed
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/92653188828
content:
<img src="media/da36b113.tumblr_n96i2yFUX01s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/b39b116d62281cb26d7583bf1f240abf/tumblr_n96i2yFUX01s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><em>Hey, look what just showed up! One of the first actually printed copies of the WTF, Evolution book! The rest aren’t coming until October, but you can preorder one now from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/WTF-Evolution-Theory-Unintelligible-Design/dp/0761180346" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780761180340-0" target="_blank">Powell’s Books</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum/1119702542?ean=9780761180340" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a>, <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780761180340" target="_blank">IndieBound</a>, or possibly some other places I’m not cool enough to know about.</em></p>
<p><em>I’m really happy with how this came out. Many thanks to all of you for following, enjoying, and sharing—it wouldn’t have happened otherwise. </em></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/93311725557
title: Hippos, evolution? Hippos?!
uri: Hippos-evolution-Hippos
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/93311725557
content:
<img src="media/4b1949ff.tumblr_n9j4isLqIr1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/a3c4fbb9323e4a17c7d1e466a0325662/tumblr_n9j4isLqIr1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Hippos, evolution? <em>Hippos?!</em></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/94162688578
title: "I miss dinosaurs." "Evolution, we’ve talked about...
uri: I-miss-dinosaurs-Evolution-we-ve-talked-about
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/94162688578
content:
<img src="media/6cf5b970.tumblr_n9zue0D4Xy1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/1f14f3026354c45bb1d8c04bfc4290b6/tumblr_n9zue0D4Xy1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"I miss dinosaurs."</p>
<p>"Evolution, we’ve talked about this."</p>
<p>"But I <em>miss</em> them.”</p>
<p>"You <a href="http://time.com/3057743/want-to-see-a-live-dinosaur-set-up-a-bird-feeder/" target="_blank">turned them into birds</a>, remember? It was the best you could do, given the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous%E2%80%93Paleogene_extinction_event" target="_blank">circumstances</a>.”</p>
<p>"It’s not the same."</p>
<p>"I know. I’m sorry."</p>
<p>"Can I at least make these cassowaries 50 feet tall?"</p>
<p>"Come on, you know that size didn’t work out so well before."</p>
<p>"Six feet, then? And over 100 pounds?"</p>
<p>"Yeah, that sounds better."</p>
<p>"And can I put weird prehistoric crests on their heads?"</p>
<p>"I don’t see why not."</p>
<p>"And can they <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1999.tb01206.x/abstract" target="_blank">slash people’s throats</a> with their dagger claws?”</p>
<p>"Sure, pal, if that would make you feel better."</p>
<p>"I think it would. Thanks for understanding."</p>
<p>"You got it, evolution. Anytime."</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/597080d2.Cassowary" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassowary" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons / Bjørn Christian Tørrissen</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/95102478593
title: "Hey, evolution, you seem like you’re feeling better....
uri: Hey-evolution-you-seem-like-you-re-feeling-better
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/95102478593
content:
<img src="media/145cb6cb.tumblr_naidned7Z91s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/28d664b2944add3a41ffd6c9201cf531/tumblr_naidned7Z91s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Hey, evolution, you seem like you’re <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/94162688578/i-miss-dinosaurs-evolution-weve-talked" target="_blank">feeling better</a>. That’s a pretty red bug you’re making there.”</p>
<p><span>"Oh, thanks. It’s a flatid leaf bug."</span></p>
<p><span></span>"I like the shape. And that’s a lovely shade of red."</p>
<p><span>"I picked it myself."</span></p>
<p><span></span><span>"That’s a weird fuzzy branch it’s crawling on, though, huh?"</span></p>
<p><span></span><span>"What? No. Those are the babies."</span></p>
<p><span></span><span>"I’m sorry?"</span></p>
<p><span></span><span>"Babies. Dozens of creepy, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mineraux-montagne/3238708306/in/photolist-5Mjj1u-8B1iaq-8AXbjF-4n2nyd-gQ9SAj-5Wce9o-5Mf4S6-7AgMGA-6WzXER-4seQSG-7NGBFp-5kmiPM-5juyGN-7Nt7mW-65w7P-jCAyWt-jCz36c" target="_blank">squirmy</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planthopper#Overview" target="_blank">waxy</a>, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/itchydogimages/7270617774/in/photolist-7dUQQf-it51BS-dei9oG-it6wck-oKbMKW-osJdnC-osHVUZ-a2yAm9-3aYiQC-3aTJEg-3aTKqH-3aYhT1-3aYjMs-3aTHBz-3aYfUJ-3aYkuq-bZ1sKE-kdjsDf-99WufF-c5tPmS-nQ6fTs-c9fHW9-eazmrv-k6Pe4y-dyGUe7-ceZgzA-nEo4ex-ee22wm-hbLdtN-cuZxXY-ehfn3m-eb9dVU-dHiD4a-nbT6b4-c2Sdys-eazmoc-dHDziM-nTKbVi-8b3AS6-9G2omn-dzoRim-k6Pdaj-ec9Dzn-KZKP9-eSCZJw-dWZ9pr-dYraEu-fiNdWy-5Mjj1u-eAbZ2f" target="_blank">fringy</a> babies.”</span></p>
<p><span></span><span>"… you are <em>so</em> weird.”</span></p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/23027589@N06/2206984344/" target="_blank">Flickr / christophandre / licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a> (exposure adjusted from original)</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/95827309476
title: Honestly, sometimes evolution just gets a guy to do the noises....
uri: Honestly-sometimes-evolution-just-gets-a-guy-to-do-the-noises
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/95827309476
content:
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<br/><br/><p>Honestly, sometimes evolution just gets a guy to do the noises. It’s reasonably sure no one can tell.</p>

<p> </p>
<p><small>Source: “<a href="http://www.arkive.org/saiga-antelope/saiga-tatarica/video-mo09b.html">Newborn Mongolian saiga antelope with mother</a>,” © BBC Natural History Unit and NHNZ Sounds, via <a href="http://www.arkive.org/saiga-antelope/saiga-tatarica/video-mo09b.html">Wildscreen Arkive</a></small></p>

<p></p>

<p></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/96705844328
title: "Hey, this is basically fish-shaped, right?" "Um… I guess so?...
uri: Hey-this-is-basically-fish-shaped-right-Um-I-guess-so
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/96705844328
content:
<img src="media/6b1231e9.tumblr_nbfio9fdc41s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://36.media.tumblr.com/c9b9f17644e7e94c8394268efe22029a/tumblr_nbfio9fdc41s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"Hey, this is basically fish-shaped, right?"</p>
<p>"Um… I guess so? What’s with the horns?"</p>
<p>"I’m going for kind of a surrealist thing."</p>
<p>"Hm. I don’t know, evolution. It looks weird."</p>
<p>"That’s sort of the point."</p>
<p>"I don’t think anyone’s going to get it."</p>
<p>"Look, if people don’t ‘get’ the longhorn cowfish, so be it. All truly great art is misunderstood, right?"</p>
<p>"Just keep telling yourself that."</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/ba1d8e59.FileLactoria_cornuta_01.JPG" data-original-source="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lactoria_cornuta_01.JPG" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons / H. Zell / licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/97304028613
title: "I just had the best idea." "Oh, great." "You know how most...
uri: I-just-had-the-best-idea-Oh-great-You-know-how-most
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/97304028613
content:
<img src="media/91d93086.tumblr_nbdmfc1QjO1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/1cc0f5f34c9f6bbcc555af8a449007ae/tumblr_nbdmfc1QjO1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"I just had the best idea."</p>
<p>"Oh, great."</p>
<p>"You know how most animals poop out blobs or tubes or little pellets?"</p>
<p>"Um…"</p>
<p>"I’m going to make this wombat poop different."</p>
<p>"Poop… different…?"</p>
<p>"I’m going to make it poop <em><a href="media/aba96ddb.6a00d83451ba8c69e2011570f50673970b.jpg" data-original-source="http://images.innocentdrinks.co.uk/scale/618/618/6a00d83451ba8c69e2011570f50673970b.jpg" target="_blank">cubes</a>!</em>”</p>
<p>"Seriously?"</p>
<p>"That way the <a href="http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/videos/video-blog-cubic-wombat-poo/" target="_blank">poops</a> won’t roll away when the wombat uses them to mark its territory.”</p>
<p>"I think you’ve finally lost it."</p>
<p>"It’s called ‘innovation,’ my friend."</p>
<p><small><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/steven-young/2812985701/" target="_blank">Source: Flickr / steven-young / licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/97567382145
title: Just three more weeks until the book comes out! I can’t...
uri: Just-three-more-weeks-until-the-book-comes-out-I-can-t
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/97567382145
content:
<img src="media/275cd308.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo10_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/647671f5f6303c7094d2aab958fdf242/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo10_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="media/09bea5f7.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo2_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/6b0debe4c21cb2c7ab1a53af39fa41e9/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo2_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="media/901e9b4e.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo6_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/d3287db4be68164db2ddb13d75024cd1/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo6_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="media/2dcbbe2c.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo5_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/bc2861c64f565d14382ba3064eac4fb4/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo5_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="media/2461ac01.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo1_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/5eccf608e23e5a9fd97ed1ffebdb5dd9/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="media/007edf6f.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo7_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/37559c778ebbe1a534803dcb940cbf33/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo7_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="media/9a1233f3.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo8_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/f845e652f183557c5f7c6f7166a1994a/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo8_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="media/4bbddffe.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo3_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/9864106444549e9f6bcd458e8b9c86e2/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo3_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="media/d7077a57.tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo9_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/3a72b6fccbcaf38c8f622e1c5bcf11bb/tumblr_nbwewwys5k1s3yrubo9_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Just three more weeks until the book comes out! I can’t wait. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at some of the fun stuff inside.</p>

<p><small>Preorder: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/WTF-Evolution-Theory-Unintelligible-Design/dp/0761180346">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780761180340-0">Powell’s Books</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum/1119702542?ean=9780761180340">Barnes and Noble</a>, <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780761180340">IndieBound</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/98310098812
title: "So I made some carnivorous mammals.” "Uh huh." "And I...
uri: So-I-made-some-carnivorous-mammals-Uh-huh-And-I
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/98310098812
content:
<img src="media/ad90c436.tumblr_nca97tfOCP1s3yrubo1_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/2f1b85b903c2c5cbd07bb314c1ee6372/tumblr_nca97tfOCP1s3yrubo1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>"So I made some <a href="media/71dc39de.FileMale_Lion_and_Cub_Chitwa_South_Africa_Luca_Galuzzi_2004.JPG" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Male_Lion_and_Cub_Chitwa_South_Africa_Luca_Galuzzi_2004.JPG" target="_blank">carnivorous mammals</a>.”</p>
<p>"Uh huh."</p>
<p>"And I made some <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/42358627919/hey-hey-i-think-i-finally-made-something" target="_blank">carnivorous birds</a>.”</p>
<p>"You did indeed."</p>
<p>"And I made some <a href="http://youtu.be/PdraXh9Jhwc?t=50s" target="_blank">carnivorous fishes</a>, and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/04/snake-eats-crocodile-swallows-croc-australia-photos_n_4896644.html" target="_blank">carnivorous reptiles</a>, and even <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymnLpQNyI6g" target="_blank">carnivorous bog plants</a>.”</p>
<p>"I know, evolution. Those were nice."</p>
<p>"Well, I’ve got a new one."</p>
<p>"Great."</p>
<p>"Carnivorous… <em><a href="http://www.livescience.com/10597-killer-petunias-murderous-potatoes-revealed.html" target="_blank">potatoes</a></em>!”</p>
<p>"I’m sorry?"</p>
<p>"Carnivorous potatoes! They’ll have, like, <a href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_WsDod9bfLMC&pg=PA470#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">tiny, sticky hairs</a> to trap the little mites that crawl by underground. Then the mites die, and the potato can absorb their nutrients.”</p>
<p>"Are you serious?"</p>
<p>"Of course I’m serious." </p>
<p>"Death by potato?" </p>
<p>"That’s the idea." </p>
<p>"I’m… not really sure what to say to that."</p>
<p>"Sometimes inspiration just strikes me, you know?"</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/64fdc873.FileTop_view_of_sprouting_potato.JPG" data-original-source="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Top_view_of_sprouting_potato.JPG" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons / Bmerva</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/98726965887
title: Wait, what is that giant red leech doing? Is it about to—oh, no....
uri: Wait-what-is-that-giant-red-leech-doing-Is-it-about-to-oh-no
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/98726965887
content:
<iframe width="400" height="375" frameborder="0" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/embed/smpEmbed.html?playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fiplayer%2Fplaylist%2Fp027f9q0&title=Wonders%20of%20the%20Monsoon%3A%20Strange%20Castaways%3A%20Monster%20leech%20swallows%20giant%20worm&product=iplayer"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Wait, what is that <a href="http://io9.com/giant-worm-slurping-leech-filmed-for-the-first-time-1639845316" target="_blank">giant red leech</a> doing? Is it about to—oh, no. No, no, no. No, evolution. Not cool. Just because two things are both tube-shaped doesn’t mean you can just… oh, god. No. No.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/99320451031
title: “I think I’m making progress on this whole...
uri: I-think-I-m-making-progress-on-this-whole
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/99320451031
content:
<img src="media/fe2277bb.tumblr_nd0tylWrQo1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/508f2081dde97df340a1a318b2f5d89b/tumblr_nd0tylWrQo1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>“</span>I think I’m making progress on this whole ‘flight’ thing.<span>”</span></p>
<p><span>“</span>Oh yeah?<span>”</span></p>
<p><span>“</span>Yeah! It seems like if I sort of splay the bones out over here, and then I stretch the skin over, I can make a membrane that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharovipteryx" target="_blank">Sharovipteryx</a> can use to glide from tree to tree.<span>”</span></p>
<p><span>“</span>Hmm. That sounds like the right general idea, evolution, but…<span>”</span></p>
<p><span>“</span>I mean, I’ll probably refine some details <a href="http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/vertebrates/flight/evolve.html" target="_blank">over time</a>, like maybe I’ll let them flap up and down a bit or add some feathers to catch more air. But I think this might be the big break.<span>”</span></p>
<p><span>“</span>I don’t know, evolution. I’m not really sure you’ve <a href="http://abby-howard.tumblr.com/post/94885909683/another-anatomy-post-only-three-vertebrate-groups" target="_blank">got it yet</a>.<span>”</span></p>
<p><span>“</span>Just imagine! If this works out, then in a few hundred million years, there’ll be leg-flappers all over the place.<span>”</span></p>
<p><span>“</span>Imagine that…<span>”</span></p>
<p>“‘Spread your legs and fly,’ they’ll say.<span>”</span></p>
<p><span>“</span>Maybe just sleep on it, okay?<span>”</span></p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/abe06d7d.CategorySharovipteryx" data-original-source="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sharovipteryx" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons / Nobu Tamura</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/" target="_blank">CC BY 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/99402808516
title: Important news, internet: Book release day is here! In addition...
uri: Important-news-internet-Book-release-day-is-here-In-addition
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/99402808516
content:
<img src="media/3d07f8ce.tumblr_ncz868ywuT1s3yrubo1_r1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/c0421b91dc6a73e09d7dd62e49e5af6a/tumblr_ncz868ywuT1s3yrubo1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Important news, internet:</p>
<p><strong><big>Book release day is here!</big></strong></p>
<p><span>In addition to the fine online retailers linked below, you can now find </span><span><strong><big><em>WTF, Evolution?! A Theory of Unintelligible Design</em></big></strong></span><span> at a brick-and-mortar bookselling establishment near you.</span></p>
<p>I’m not much of a salesperson, but here are seven reasons I can think of that you should probably get a copy:</p>
<p><span><big><strong>1.</strong></big><strong> More than half </strong>of the material in the book is<strong> entirely new.</strong> It’s never been on this site before. </span></p>
<p><span><big><strong>2.</strong></big></span><span> <strong>It goes further</strong> than the blog. In addition to the photos and captions you’ve come to expect, the introductory pages, sidebars, family trees and an exclusive interview provide deeper insight into evolution and the <strong>weird-ass ways it works</strong>.</span></p>
<p><big><strong>3.</strong></big><span> It’s “</span><strong>funny</strong><span>,” “</span><strong>educational</strong><span>,” and “</span><strong>actually not as annoying as you might think</strong><span>,” according to the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R1YIHMIIP15DWF/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=N77EN2Q3YSNFQCWD" target="_blank">very first Amazon review</a><span>.</span></p>
<p><span><big><strong>4.</strong></big></span><span> The <strong>photos are amazing</strong>. Working with a publisher gave me the opportunity to license some of the best nature photography in the world. <strong>More than 100 species</strong> appear here in their full-blown, <strong>fearsome, strange-nosed and slimy</strong> glory. </span></p>
<p><big><strong>5.</strong></big> <strong>My grandmother</strong>, who was skeptical about the veiled profanity in the title, is reportedly “<strong>delighted</strong><span>”</span><span> by the contents.</span></p>
<p><span><big><strong>6.</strong></big></span> <strong>It’s scientifically accurate.*</strong> I <a href="http://www.maragrunbaum.com/wtfsources" target="_blank">sourced</a> every fact in the book to scientific literature or reference texts, and experts in the appropriate fields read over everything to confirm it. There are a million unverifiable weird-animal “facts” out there; these ones check out.</p>
<p><big><strong>7</strong>.</big> The phrase “<strong>voluminous rectum</strong><span>”</span><span> is in it somewhere. I won’t tell you where.</span></p>
<p><strong>Order online:</strong><br/><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761180346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761180346&linkCode=as2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=Q52MEJNDJPI7TX3M">Amazon</a><br/><a href="http://www.powells.com/partner/41385/biblio/9780761180340?p_tx" rel="powells-9780761180340" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Powell’s Books</a><br/><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum/1119702542?ean=9780761180340">Barnes and Noble</a><br/><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780761180340?aff=maradg">IndieBound</a></p>
<p>Or <strong>head to your local bookstore</strong>. And, as always, thanks to you, internet audience, for making this all possible in the first place. You are the best and weirdest.</p>
<p>– Mara</p>
<p>___</p>
<p><span><big><strong>*</strong></big></span><span><small>Except for the part where evolution can talk.</small></span></p>
<p><small>Photo: <a href="https://twitter.com/lovetheants" target="_blank">James Waters</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/100079923190
title: “I think I’m kind of over...
uri: I-think-I-m-kind-of-over-heads-You-re
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/100079923190
content:
<img src="media/0dbe4cf1.tumblr_ndgrcp1iKY1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/43ae8d7b63e75b7b7d669c49cf1e86e7/tumblr_ndgrcp1iKY1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“I think I’m kind of over heads.”</p>
<p>“You’re ‘over’ heads?”</p>
<p>“Yeah. Just sort of bored with them.”</p>
<p>“Evolution, you can’t be bored with heads.”</p>
<p>“Why not?”</p>
<p>“They’re one of the best things you’ve got going for you. Complex animals <em>need</em> <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/103013/cephalization" target="_blank">heads</a>.”</p>
<p>“Are you sure, though? Like, what if I just skip it on this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swinhoe's_pheasant" target="_blank">pheasant</a>?”</p>
<p>“You can’t just skip it. <em>It’s the head.</em>”</p>
<p>“But what if—”</p>
<p>“It needs a head.”</p>
<p>“Oh, you’re no fun.”</p>
<p>“Please just give it a head.”</p>
<p>“Ugh, fine, but I’m making it tiny and weird-looking.”</p>
<p>“Fine.”</p>
<p>“<em>Fine.</em>”</p>

<p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ricyu/2706186864/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Flickr / richard2formosa</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/100669847419
title: Look, evolution, just because the crucifix frog lives...
uri: Look-evolution-just-because-the-crucifix-frog-lives
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/100669847419
content:
<img src="media/32e52e80.tumblr_nduiokdmuV1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/dd7b810619b578fe3bae99ef8e22664c/tumblr_nduiokdmuV1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Look, evolution, just because the <a href="http://australianmuseum.net.au/Crucifix-Frog">crucifix frog</a> lives underground doesn’t mean you can quit trying. At least give the poor thing a shape.</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/8942a3d4.FileNotaden_bennettii.JPG" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Notaden_bennettii.JPG" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons / Tnarg 12345</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC-BY-SA-3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/100780980213
title: Seriously, Evolution, What Were You Thinking? The World’s Most Hacked-Together Species.
uri: Seriously-Evolution-What-Were-You-Thinking-The-World-s-Most-Hacke
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/100780980213
content:
<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/10/wtf_evolution_book_and_blog_why_weird_awkward_hacked_together_species_are.html">Seriously, Evolution, What Were You Thinking? The World’s Most Hacked-Together Species. </a>: <blockquote class="link_og_blockquote">I don’t remember now how I first came across the lizard video. Maybe it popped up somewhere in the endless stream of journal articles that, as a freelance science writer, I scroll through on a weekly basis. Maybe someone tweeted it. It doesn’t matter. I remember how I felt. In…</blockquote>
<p>For a bit of background on the blog and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761180346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761180346&linkCode=as2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=Q52MEJNDJPI7TX3M" target="_blank">book</a>, check out <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/10/wtf_evolution_book_and_blog_why_weird_awkward_hacked_together_species_are.html">this piece</a> I wrote for Slate.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/101341657153
title: “What if these barnacle geese could build their nests on...
uri: What-if-these-barnacle-geese-could-build-their-nests-on-cliffs
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/101341657153
content:
<iframe width="400" height="374" frameborder="0" src="http://emp.bbc.co.uk/emp/embed/smpEmbed.html?playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fiplayer%2Fplaylist%2Fp028w8yc&title=Life%20Story%3A%20First%20Steps%3A%20Barnacle%20goose%20freefall&product=iplayer"></iframe><br/><br/><p>“What if these barnacle geese could build their nests on cliffs? Then nobody would bother their chicks.”</p>
<p>“Decent idea, evolution. But what are they going to eat up there?”</p>
<p>“Well, the food is on the ground. Marsh grass and stuff. I mean, they’re <em>geese</em>.”</p>
<p>“Okay, but how are the goslings going to get down to find food before they learn how to fly? They’re like 400 feet up.”</p>
<p>“Oh, I’ll figure <a href="http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141020-chicks-tumble-of-terror-filmed" target="_blank">something</a> out.”</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/101931120373
title: Evolution may have gotten a little too into the detailing on the...
uri: Evolution-may-have-gotten-a-little-too-into-the-detailing-on-the
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/101931120373
content:
<img src="media/833a3c95.tumblr_nbdlvpWwRo1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/23384997d4654ed04279b77313623e2b/tumblr_nbdlvpWwRo1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution may have gotten a <em>little</em> too into the detailing on the Port Jackson shark. It’s a fish, not a Baroque cathedral, okay?</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnwturnbull/9929772356/" target="_blank">Flickr / John Turnbull</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/102618042978
title: “Hey, evolution! What are you—oh. Whoa. What’s,...
uri: Hey-evolution-What-are-you-oh-Whoa-What-s
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/102618042978
content:
<img src="media/6ce4943b.tumblr_nf1g2kCgrh1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/8fbc8c17236db2ba0f11650693eee44d/tumblr_nf1g2kCgrh1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Hey, evolution! What are you—oh. Whoa. What’s, um—what’s the deal with this helmeted friarbird? It looks kind of… well… I guess it looks kind of grim.”</p>
<p>“Hmm.”</p>
<p>“I mean, I’m sure you know what you’re doing and everything, but…”</p>
<p>“Mmm-hmm.”</p>
<p>“But don’t you think it’s a little ominous? Maybe you could add a bit more <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/41119327683/sometimes-evolution-has-terrifying-fever-dreams" target="_blank">color</a>.”</p>
<p>“Hmm.”</p>
<p>“Or some fancy <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/53517963545/okay-evolution-what-the-hell-is-that-a" target="_blank">tail feathers</a>!”</p>
<p>“Mmm.”</p>
<p>“Just something to liven it up a bit, you know?”</p>
<p>“Hmm.”</p>
<p>“Somehow it doesn’t seem like you’re into that idea.”</p>
<p>“<em>Death is coming.</em>”</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/ae70ef20.FileHelmeted_friarbird_cairns09.JPG" data-original-source="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helmeted_friarbird_cairns09.JPG" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons / Aviceda</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/103207500913
title: Sure, evolution could have given the velvet worm fearsome claws...
uri: Sure-evolution-could-have-given-the-velvet-worm-fearsome-claws
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/103207500913
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mrL2A7my1fc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Sure, evolution <em>could</em> have given the velvet worm fearsome claws or deadly venom to catch prey. Instead it gave it multidirectional face-mounted <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/08/absurd-creature-of-the-week-velvet-worm/" target="_blank">slime cannons</a>. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart.</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrL2A7my1fc" target="_blank">Nat Geo WILD</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/103811244443
title: Need a holiday gift for your nerdy best friend, precocious...
uri: Need-a-holiday-gift-for-your-nerdy-best-friend-precocious
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/103811244443
content:
<img src="media/743a896f.tumblr_nfrbu2XLkF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/400f5ec759f3d9bc4b977ab3bb6b622c/tumblr_nfrbu2XLkF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Need a holiday gift for your nerdy best friend, precocious teenage offspring, or fundamentalist aunt?* Consider the <strong><big>WTF, Evolution?! book</big></strong>. Charles Darwin would have liked it, probably.</p>
<p>Here’s what some living people are saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>“Mara Grunbaum’s book highlights the <strong>amazing, truly strange</strong> side of evolution. Nature’s a funny thing.” —</span><a href="http://www.theverge.com/a/holiday-gift-ideas-2014/under-25#wtf-evolution-by-mara-grunbaum" target="_blank">The Verge</a></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p><span>"In addition to being entertaining, the combined photos and commentary are <strong>extremely educational</strong>. They are also a constant reminder of what evolution is and how it really works.” —</span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-beach/wtf-evolution-my-favorite_b_6006728.html" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p><span>"Although many of the species profiled here have <strong>downright disgusting quirks</strong> (such as baby toads that crawl through their mother’s skin), readers can’t help but be awed by them.” —</span><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/book-review-wtf-evolution/" target="_blank">Scientific American</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Available at:</strong><br/><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761180346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761180346&linkCode=as2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=Q52MEJNDJPI7TX3M">Amazon</a><br/><a href="http://www.powells.com/partner/41385/biblio/9780761180340?p_tx" rel="powells-9780761180340" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Powell’s Books</a><br/><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum/1119702542?ean=9780761180340">Barnes and Noble</a><br/><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780761180340?aff=maradg">IndieBound<br/></a>and bookstores near you.</p>
<p><small>*WTF, Evolution? cannot be held responsible for the reaction of your fundamentalist aunt.</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/104250740103
title: “So I’m working on a new concept. It’s called...
uri: So-I-m-working-on-a-new-concept-It-s-called
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/104250740103
content:
<img src="media/cae89d74.tumblr_nftf01Afnk1s3yrubo1_500.png" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/e36fde5b0b7733810c8dc79a498ace82/tumblr_nftf01Afnk1s3yrubo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>“So I’m working on a new concept. It’s called ‘parental care.’”</p>
<p>“What does that mean, evolution?”</p>
<p>“It means that instead of just laying her eggs and then leaving them to fend for themselves, like most amphibians do, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0057756">this caecilian</a> is going to stick around and feed them after they hatch.”</p>
<p>“Oh, that’s nice! What’s she going to do, bring them termites and stuff?”</p>
<p>“What? No. I didn’t even give her <em>arms</em>.”</p>
<p>“Okay, but maybe she could—”</p>
<p>“No, no. What she’s going to do is grow an extra layer of skin that’s super-fatty and nutritious, and then she’s going to sit there while her young <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K6szXrBHwM" target="_blank">tear the skin off her</a> with their tiny, shredding teeth.”</p>
<p>“I… I’m sorry? They’re going to eat their mother’s<em> skin?</em>”</p>
<p>“I prefer the term ‘graze on.’”</p>
<p>“That’s horrifying.”</p>
<p>“Like that’s ever stopped me <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/82392005699/so-im-thinking-of-trying-live-birth-in-the" target="_blank">before</a>.”</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0057756" target="_blank">Wilkinson et al., 2013</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY 2.5</a><br/>Meet another species of caecilian in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761180346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761180346&linkCode=as2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=Q52MEJNDJPI7TX3M" target="_blank">WTF, Evolution?! book!</a><br/></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/104932160118
title: “Okay, okay, I’ve got one....
uri: Okay-okay-I-ve-got-one
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/104932160118
content:
<img src="media/3736f7ab.tumblr_ngff97PVDS1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/c6578458f894e98e71128bb2dc640272/tumblr_ngff97PVDS1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Okay, okay, I’ve got one. ‘Sloths.’”</p>
<p>“Sloths?”</p>
<p>“Sloths! They’ll live in trees and climb around and eat leaves.”</p>
<p>“That sounds pretty cute, evolution. But leaves aren’t all that nutritious, are they? How are they going to get enough energy to climb around?”</p>
<p>“Oh, I thought of that! They’ll supplement their diets with algae that they grow in their own fur. I even put special channels in their hairs to collect rainwater and keep the algae moist.”</p>
<p>“Huh, okay… but then what are the algae going to feed on?”</p>
<p>“Thought of that too. They’ll be fertilized by all the moths that also live in the sloth’s fur.”</p>
<p>“Wait, what? Seriously? Moths? And how are the moths going to reproduce? Their larvae need to eat something too, you know.”</p>
<p>“Yup, thought of that. Once a week, when the sloth needs to poop, it’ll climb down from the tree and <a href="http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/01/21/can-moths-explain-why-sloths-poo-on-the-ground/">poop on the ground</a>. Then the moths can lay their eggs in the dung, and the larvae will eat that.”</p>
<p>“Okay, this is ridiculous. I mean, doesn’t climbing down to poop defeat the whole purpose of living in a tree? Won’t that make it stupidly easy for a jaguar or something to come along and eat them?”</p>
<p>“Well, yeah, that does happen. Kind of a lot, actually.”</p>
<p>“And?”</p>
<p>“Look, no system’s perfect.”</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/saaron83/3318642115/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Flickr / Scott Aaron</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/105017244753
title: wtfevolution: Need a holiday gift for your nerdy best friend,...
uri: wtfevolution-Need-a-holiday-gift-for-your-nerdy-best-friend
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/105017244753
content:
<img src="media/743a896f.tumblr_nfrbu2XLkF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/400f5ec759f3d9bc4b977ab3bb6b622c/tumblr_nfrbu2XLkF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/103811244443/need-a-holiday-gift-for-your-nerdy-best-friend">wtfevolution</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Need a holiday gift for your nerdy best friend, precocious teenage offspring, or fundamentalist aunt?* Consider the <strong>WTF, Evolution?! book</strong>. Charles Darwin would have liked it, probably.</p>
<p>Here’s what some living people are saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>“Mara Grunbaum’s book highlights the <strong>amazing, truly strange</strong> side of evolution. Nature’s a funny thing.” —</span><a href="http://www.theverge.com/a/holiday-gift-ideas-2014/under-25#wtf-evolution-by-mara-grunbaum">The Verge</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"In addition to being entertaining, the combined photos and commentary are <strong>extremely educational</strong>. They are also a constant reminder of what evolution is and how it really works.” —</span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-beach/wtf-evolution-my-favorite_b_6006728.html">Huffington Post</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><span>"Although many of the species profiled here have <strong>downright disgusting quirks</strong> (such as baby toads that crawl through their mother’s skin), readers can’t help but be awed by them.” —</span><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/book-review-wtf-evolution/">Scientific American</a></p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Pssst!</strong> If you’re in the U.S., then from now until Sunday you can get 25% off the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761180346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761180346&linkCode=as2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=Q52MEJNDJPI7TX3M" target="_blank">WTF, Evolution?! book on Amazon</a>. That makes it just $7.13, which is about the same as a fancy sandwich. (Note: Book is not edible.) Use the promo code BOOKDEAL25 at checkout.</p>
<p>You could also use that code to get 25% off any other book. I won’t be mad. Everyone should buy books even if I didn’t write them. Another great place to buy them is at independent bookstores, where WTF, Evolution?! made the <a href="http://www.bookweb.org/national-indie-bestsellers_extended-paperback-nonfiction/2014-12-11%2000%3A00%3A00" target="_blank">national indie bestsellers list</a> this week. Thanks, independent bookstores, you’re the best.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/105612091191
title: Evolution got a little too toasted on holiday beverages before...
uri: Evolution-got-a-little-too-toasted-on-holiday-beverages-before
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/105612091191
content:
<img src="media/06834085.tumblr_ngu41zwyUe1s3yrubo1_500.png" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/55e8dd9da02cbc1c73cb468512fc8505/tumblr_ngu41zwyUe1s3yrubo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution got a little too toasted on holiday beverages before it made the <a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Gharial.cfm" target="_blank">gharial</a>. Cheers, everyone.</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zeepack/5332160395/" target="_blank">Flickr / ZeePack</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-ND 2.0</a> / cropped to remove border</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/107320315967
title: Pffffffft. Evolution was putting mohawks on the manakins way...
uri: Pffffffft-Evolution-was-putting-mohawks-on-the-manakins-way
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/107320315967
content:
<img src="media/38f29d60.tumblr_nhrirza2mU1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/627055bdfe7c0781a4eabf57d6b9fba9/tumblr_nhrirza2mU1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Pffffffft. Evolution was putting mohawks on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araripe_manakin" target="_blank">manakins</a> <em>way</em> before it was cool.</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/e7c8cf3c.FileAraripe_Manakin_1.jpg" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Araripe_Manakin_(1).jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons / Rick elis.simpson</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108081475537
title: “Hey, everyone likes spiders, right?” “Well,...
uri: Hey-everyone-likes-spiders-right-Well-uh-Of
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108081475537
content:
<img src="media/b8e007ae.tumblr_ni6c4zxnuI1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://36.media.tumblr.com/f99de35babdd16be28bcfcc96ee20ca9/tumblr_ni6c4zxnuI1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Hey, everyone likes spiders, right?”</p>
<p>“Well, uh…”</p>
<p>“Of course they do. Spiders are <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/59107360212/what-do-you-think-of-this-peacock-spider-mating" target="_blank">cute</a>, and they keep the insect population under control.”</p>
<p>“They sure do, evolution.”</p>
<p>“Anyway, I was thinking of making something similar, but for the ocean. Like a… sea spider.”</p>
<p>“A sea spider.”</p>
<p>“Mmm hmm. Only it’ll barely need a body, because I’m going to stuff most of its organs and its digestive tract <a href="http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/creaturesofthedeep_seaspider/" target="_blank">down its legs</a>. And instead of eating insects, it’ll stick its long proboscis into sea anemones and suck their insides out. What do you think?”</p>
<p>“Well…”</p>
<p>“I think everybody’s going to love it.”</p>
<p>“Yes, evolution, I’m sure.”</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/creaturesofthedeep_seaspider/" target="_blank">NOAA Ocean Today / Creatures of the Deep: Sea Spider (click for video)</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108264126883
title: MARA GRUNBAUM at Books Inc. Berkeley | Books Inc. - The West's Oldest Independent Bookseller
uri: MARA-GRUNBAUM-at-Books-Inc-Berkeley-Books-Inc-The-West-s-Oldest
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108264126883
content:
<a href="http://www.booksinc.net/event/mara-grunbaum-books-inc-berkeley">MARA GRUNBAUM at Books Inc. Berkeley | Books Inc. - The West's Oldest Independent Bookseller</a>: <p>Hey! Are you in the Bay Area? Then on Feb. 11 you should come see me at <a href="http://www.booksinc.net/" target="_blank">Books Inc. in Berkeley</a>. I’ll be talking about weird animals, reading from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761180346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761180346&linkCode=as2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=Q52MEJNDJPI7TX3M" target="_blank">WTF, Evolution?! book</a>, answering questions, signing copies, and generally doing whatever it is people do at book readings. Come say hello!</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108831586963
title: “All right, evolution, it’s time to make more...
uri: All-right-evolution-it-s-time-to-make-more-turtles
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108831586963
content:
<img src="media/ce4e53c6.tumblr_nik7g70a4k1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/829f0f7dc60245eb5837037f2b639f12/tumblr_nik7g70a4k1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“All right, evolution, it’s time to make more turtles. Evolution? C'mon. You’d better get to it. You said you’d do the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mata_mata" target="_blank">mata mata</a> eons ago. Up and at ‘em. Okay? Evolution?”</p>
<p>“Uuuuuugggggggggghhhhhhhhhh.”</p>
<p><small><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildrose/8925661466/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Flickr / wildrose </a>/ licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/110074480358
title: “Ooh, that’s a nice fish, evolution.”“Oh,...
uri: Ooh-that-s-a-nice-fish-evolution-Oh-thanks-I-m
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/110074480358
content:
<img src="media/ed60e89f.tumblr_nj8czeIsgj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://36.media.tumblr.com/2eb3069df5d44cb30f0b6bca42502857/tumblr_nj8czeIsgj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Ooh, that’s a nice fish, evolution.”</p><p>“Oh, thanks! I’m pleased.”</p><p>“What is it called?”</p><p>“This one’s a pearlfish.”</p><p>“Lovely. And what does it eat?”</p><p>“Little invertebrates, that kind of thing.”</p><p>“Delightful. And where does it live?”</p><p>“Inside the <a href="http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2014/08/pearlfish-lives-in-sea-cucumber-anus">anus of a sea cucumber</a>.”</p><p>"Oh, for Christ’s sake.”</p><p>“What? It’s a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pacificklaus/sets/72157633230955033/">fine place</a>. Safe, sheltered, just the right size for the fish to squeeze in.”</p><p>"And you were doing so well for a minute there, too.”</p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="media/1dfa4d30.FileCarapus_acus.jpg" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Carapus_acus.jpg">Wikimedia Commons / Alessandro Pagano</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/110728456073
title: “Evolution, what are those flatworms...
uri: Evolution-what-are-those-flatworms-doing-Oh-they-re
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/110728456073
content:
<img src="media/c586f29d.tumblr_njm7qnQsg81s3yrubo1_500.png" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/e289fbd0acbf236d4240ac4ca69909a8/tumblr_njm7qnQsg81s3yrubo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>“Evolution, what are those flatworms doing?”</p><p>“Oh, they’re getting ready to penis-fence.”</p><p>“Penis… fence?”</p><p>“Yeah. They’re hermaphrodites, so either of them can inseminate the other one to reproduce, but neither one actually wants to be inseminated.”</p><p>“They… don’t?”</p><p>“Well, no. It’s much easier to be the inseminator. I kind of set it up so that actually bearing the offspring <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/42584095456/from-an-evolutionary-standpoint-reproducing-is">totally sucks</a>. Haha, whoops!”</p><p>“So… they’re going to…”</p><p>“Try to stab each other with their two-pronged penises while simultaneously avoiding getting stabbed themselves, yes.”<br/></p><p>“Jesus.”</p><p>“The good news is that there’s no real reproductive opening, so they can just pierce the skin wherever and get the sperm in.”<br/></p><p>“That’s the good news?”</p><p>“Well, I thought so. Ooh, they’re starting! Fatherhood to the victor!”<br/></p><p>“It is <i>way</i> too early in the morning for this.”</p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="media/48d62a0d.FileMating_Pseudobiceros_bedfordi.png" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mating_Pseudobiceros_bedfordi.png">Wikimedia Commons / Photo courtesy of Nico Michiels</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/deed.en">CC BY 2.5</a></small></p><p><small>BAY AREA! I’m <a href="http://www.booksinc.net/event/mara-grunbaum-books-inc-berkeley">reading tonight at Books Inc. Berkeley</a>. Come say hello!<br/></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/114408988118
title: “Oh man, I just learned a cool trick with the trap-jaw...
uri: Oh-man-I-just-learned-a-cool-trick-with-the-trap-jaw
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/114408988118
content:
<iframe width="400" height="299" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_OHi_WcwObo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>“Oh man, I just learned a cool trick with the trap-jaw ant.”<br/></p><p>“What’s that, evolution?”</p><p>“Well, I gave them those <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/melvynyeo/7991333107">huuuuuge snapping mandibles</a> to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rainforests/5403671213">crush prey</a>, right?”<br/></p><p>“Yeah, those seem effective.”<br/></p><p>“They’re working great. And I just realized they can help it with predators, too.”</p><p>“Really? Aren’t its predators huge?”</p><p>“Yeah, but if the ant snaps those big jaws against the ground, it can catapult itself it into the air.”<br/></p><p>“Catapult?”<br/></p><p>“Yeah! It just kind of flings itself away from the attacker at great speed.”<br/></p><p>“Huh, okay. And what’s going to happen when it comes back down?”<br/></p><p>“Oh, come on, I can’t figure <i>everything</i> out.”<br/></p><p><small><a href="http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2006/08/21_ant.shtml">Source: Sheila Patek et al., UC Berkeley</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/116397602537
title: WTF, Evolution?! Reading this Friday in Seattle
uri: WTF-Evolution-Reading-this-Friday-in-Seattle
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/116397602537
content:
<a href="http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/lfp-wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum">WTF, Evolution?! Reading this Friday in Seattle</a>: <p>Seattle! I’m reading and signing books this Friday at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park. Come say hi!</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/116646028708
title: “Any exciting weekend plans, evolution?”“Oh, I don’t know. I’ll...
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/116646028708
content:
<img src="media/954f9e32.tumblr_nmxr7xHjas1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/ecf317bdb271759f236c59a4333ac741/tumblr_nmxr7xHjas1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Any exciting weekend plans, evolution?”<br/></p><p>“Oh, I don’t know. I’ll probably just stay in and put weird things on birds again.”<br/></p><p>“Really? Don’t you do that <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/85917173703/evolution-made-the-male-ruff-bird-after-watching">like</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/44300689667/do-you-ever-think-that-maybe-theres-something">all</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/41119327683/sometimes-evolution-has-terrifying-fever-dreams">the</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48041573468/you-know-that-game-where-you-draw-the-first-part">time</a>?”<br/></p><p>“Yeah, so? It’s not like this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knob-billed_duck">comb duck</a> is going to festoon itself.”</p><p><br/></p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_white/4318463887/in/photostream/">Flickr / Ian White</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">CC BY-ND 2.0</a><br/>Psst! Seattle! <a href="http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/lfp-wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum">Reading tonight</a>!</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/122769277307
title: “That’s a cute little bug, evolution!”“Yes, thank you! It’s a...
uri: That-s-a-cute-little-bug-evolution-Yes-thank-you-It-s
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/122769277307
content:
<img src="media/6ad903b3.tumblr_nqognkjvMA1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/14c334df08af91e8ca0abc16c9b01639/tumblr_nqognkjvMA1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“That’s a cute little bug, evolution!”<br/></p><p>“Yes, thank you! It’s a beaded lacewing. I’m just finishing up the larval form’s feeding mechanism now.”</p><p>“Oh yeah? What do the larvae eat?”</p><p>“Termites.”<br/></p><p>“Hm. Those can be hard to catch, can’t they? Don’t you want to give the lacewing some stronger legs or giant trap-jaws or something?”<br/></p><p>“Nah, it’s fine. It’s going to paralyze the termites first.”<br/></p><p>“Paralyze them? How will it do that?”<br/></p><p>“With toxic gas.”<br/></p><p>“Come on, where does it get toxic gas?”<br/></p><p>“From its anus.”<br/></p><p>“… I’m sorry, what?”<br/></p><p>“It can release toxic gas from its anus.” </p><p>“Okay, but…”</p><p>“It sneaks up and <a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/06/silent-deadly-fatal-farts-immobilize-prey/">farts on the termites’ heads</a> until they pass out, and then it eats them. I don’t know what you’re not getting about this.”<br/></p><p>“I just… I don’t… um…”<br/></p><p>“It’s doing the termites a favor, really. That way they don’t have to feel it when the lacewing punctures their abdomen with its mouthparts and starts digesting them from the inside. Anyway, break for lunch?”<br/></p><p>“No thanks, I think I’m good.”<br/></p><hr><p><small>Source: Flickr / <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcoin/3908386943">cotinis</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0</a><br/>Read more: <a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/06/silent-deadly-fatal-farts-immobilize-prey/">Silent and Deadly: Fatal Farts Immobilize Prey</a> by Gwen Pearson at WIRED</small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/123982848448
title: “Hey, look! If I have this Taonius squid float around with its...
uri: Hey-look-If-I-have-this-Taonius-squid-float-around-with-its
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/123982848448
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M-0V1xJJR58?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>“Hey, look! If I have this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MBARInews/videos/855373127870559/">Taonius squid</a> float around with its arms above its head, it kind of looks like a funny bird.”</p><p>“More like an uncannily murderous bird, evolution.”</p><p>“Potayto, potahto.”</p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MBARInews/videos/855373127870559/">Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/131022082926
title: “Oh, that’s a cute one, evolution! What is that?”“It’s a...
uri: Oh-that-s-a-cute-one-evolution-What-is-that-It-s-a
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/131022082926
content:
<img src="media/db342e00.tumblr_nw2jqvNp8u1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/b026ef5a5f0aacd081636ce56670a1c0/tumblr_nw2jqvNp8u1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Oh, that’s a cute one, evolution! What is that?”</p><p>“It’s a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/feb/16/rock-hyrax-toilet-habits-climate-scientists">hyrax</a>! It pees in holes.”</p><p>“Huh.”</p><p>“Guess what it’s most closely related to.”</p><p>“I don’t know, what?”</p><p>“No, guess.”</p><p>“I mean… rodents, right? It’s a rodent?”</p><p>“Nope. Teeth are different.”</p><p>“Oh. Um, is it some kind of tiny fat dog?“</p><p>“What? No.”<br/></p><p>“Oh! Is it like <a href="http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/pudu/">that weird miniature deer</a> you did?”</p><p>“Ha, no. That was a good one, though.”</p><p>“Okay, fine. I give up. What is the hyrax most closely related to?”</p><p>“<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paenungulata">Elephants and manatees.</a>”</p><p>“Really?”</p><p>“Yep.”</p><p>“Nothing in between?”<br/></p><p>“Not really, no.”<br/></p><p>“I just… how? <i>Why?</i>”</p><p>“Dunno. I like messing with you, mostly.”<br/></p><hr><p><small>Image Source: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Procavia-capensis-Frontal.JPG?fastcci_from=79836&c1=79836&d1=15&s=200&a=list">Bjørn Christian Tørrissen</a> / Wikimedia Commons / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133341080467
title: Chin up, sea toad. Evolution may have given you a grumpy face, a...
uri: Chin-up-sea-toad-Evolution-may-have-given-you-a-grumpy-face-a
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133341080467
content:
<video  id='embed-564a2bc186794741013063' class='crt-video crt-skin-default' width='400' height='228' poster='http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_nxvit2yZy81s3yrub_r1_frame1.jpg' preload='none' data-crt-video data-crt-options='{"duration":78,"hdUrl":false,"filmstrip":{"url":"http:\/\/38.media.tumblr.com\/previews\/tumblr_nxvit2yZy81s3yrub_r1_filmstrip.jpg","width":"200","height":"113"}}' >
    <source src="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/video_file/133341080467/tumblr_nxvit2yZy81s3yrub" type="video/mp4">
</video>
<br/><br/><p>Chin up, <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1502/logs/apr13/apr13.html">sea toad</a>. Evolution may have given you a grumpy face, a potato-sack body, and what looks like a permanent case of chin rash, but at least you got legs, right? How many fish get legs? Legs are probably good for something underwater, right? They probably are. I mean, they certainly don’t look useless dangling from your weird little abdomen like that while you swim. Not useless at all. You really are a lucky fish.</p><hr><p><small>Video courtesy of <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1502/logs/apr13/apr13.html">NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133873380848
title: WTF, Evolution?! A Theory of Unintelligible Design | Little City Books
uri: WTF-Evolution-A-Theory-of-Unintelligible-Design-Little-City-Books
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133873380848
content:
<a href="http://www.littlecitybooks.com/event/wtf-evolution-theory-unintelligible-design">WTF, Evolution?! A Theory of Unintelligible Design | Little City Books</a>: <p>New York/New Jersey! I’m doing a reading next week at Little City Books in Hoboken. You should come.</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133992817938
title: wtfevolution: Happy Thanksgiving from evolution! Enjoy your...
uri: wtfevolution-Happy-Thanksgiving-from-evolution-Enjoy-your
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133992817938
content:
<img src="media/837e985f.tumblr_mwxkbaD0xj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/cd1b54c5fa5a19281a0faccc7d1bee77/tumblr_mwxkbaD0xj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/68269994302/happy-thanksgiving-from-evolution-enjoy-your" class="tumblr_blog">wtfevolution</a>:</p>

<blockquote><p>Happy Thanksgiving from evolution! Enjoy your roast ugly dinosaur.</p></blockquote>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134337669074
title: WTF, Evolution?! A Theory of Unintelligible Design | Little City Books
uri: 2015-12-01-WTF-Evolution-A-Theory-of-Unintelligible-Design-Little-City-Books
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134337669074
content:
<a href="http://www.littlecitybooks.com/event/wtf-evolution-theory-unintelligible-design">WTF, Evolution?! A Theory of Unintelligible Design | Little City Books</a>: <p><a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133873380848/wtf-evolution-a-theory-of-unintelligible-design" class="tumblr_blog">wtfevolution</a>:</p>

<blockquote><p>New York/New Jersey! I’m doing a reading next week at Little City Books in Hoboken. You should come.</p></blockquote>

<p>Tonight!</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134532254753
title: wtfevolution: Need a holiday gift for your nerdy best friend,...
uri: 2015-12-04-wtfevolution-Need-a-holiday-gift-for-your-nerdy-best-friend
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134532254753
content:
<img src="media/743a896f.tumblr_nfrbu2XLkF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://40.media.tumblr.com/400f5ec759f3d9bc4b977ab3bb6b622c/tumblr_nfrbu2XLkF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/103811244443">wtfevolution</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Need a holiday gift for your nerdy best friend, precocious teenage offspring, or fundamentalist aunt?* Consider the <strong><big>WTF, Evolution?! book</big></strong>. Charles Darwin would have liked it, probably.</p>
<p>Here’s what some living people are saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>“Mara Grunbaum’s book highlights the <strong>amazing, truly strange</strong> side of evolution. Nature’s a funny thing.” —</span><a href="http://www.theverge.com/a/holiday-gift-ideas-2014/under-25#wtf-evolution-by-mara-grunbaum">The Verge</a></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p><span>“In addition to being entertaining, the combined photos and commentary are <strong>extremely educational</strong>. They are also a constant reminder of what evolution is and how it really works.” —</span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-beach/wtf-evolution-my-favorite_b_6006728.html">Huffington Post</a></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p><span>"Although many of the species profiled here have <strong>downright disgusting quirks</strong> (such as baby toads that crawl through their mother’s skin), readers can’t help but be awed by them.” —</span><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/book-review-wtf-evolution/">Scientific American</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Available at:</strong><br/><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761180346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761180346&linkCode=as2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=Q52MEJNDJPI7TX3M">Amazon</a><br/><a href="http://www.powells.com/partner/41385/biblio/9780761180340?p_tx" rel="powells-9780761180340" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Powell’s Books</a><br/><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum/1119702542?ean=9780761180340">Barnes and Noble</a><br/><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780761180340?aff=maradg">IndieBound<br/></a>and bookstores near you.</p>
<p><small>*WTF, Evolution? cannot be held responsible for the reaction of your fundamentalist aunt.</small></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Look, the book came out a while ago, which means <i>no one will even be expecting it</i> this year. Now’s your chance to surprise them!</p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134795732608
title: “Good lord, evolution, what is that?”“It’s a flannel moth...
uri: Good-lord-evolution-what-is-that-It-s-a-flannel-moth
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134795732608
content:
<img src="media/0f282630.tumblr_nz0s1hR8WR1s3yrubo1_r2_500.gif" data-original-source="http://45.media.tumblr.com/e4445b55f4b43c723191b26908720f5c/tumblr_nz0s1hR8WR1s3yrubo1_r2_500.gif"/><br/><br/><p>“Good lord, evolution, what is that?”</p><p>“It’s a flannel moth caterpillar I just finished. Funny little guy, huh?”</p><p>“It’s sort of… terrifying.”</p><p>“What? Nah. Look, it’s mostly hair. Pretty <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/09/never-touch-anything-looks-like-donald-trumps-hair/">irritating</a>, maybe, but there’s not much room for brains under there. It can’t actually do anything.”</p><p>“Okay, if you say so. But then where are you going to put it? Like, what is its ecological niche going to be?”</p><p>“Oh, I don’t know. Do I have to think of everything? I mean, I guess it could run for president of the United States.”</p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBoAwg29CgI">Olly Boon / YouTube</a></small></p>


feed_id: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/135645070621
title: Some people bake for the holidays. Evolution makes hundreds of...
uri: Some-people-bake-for-the-holidays-Evolution-makes-hundreds-of
url: http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/135645070621
content:
<img src="media/174b518b.tumblr_nz0s5kb4Nr1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="http://41.media.tumblr.com/9f4eeb41b562561c3c1feaaa65f151cd/tumblr_nz0s5kb4Nr1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Some people bake for the holidays. Evolution makes hundreds of perfectly round, pointy-eared, ridiculous-nosed <a href="http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hipposideros_commersoni/">bats</a>. Bring some to your family gathering this year! </p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/50852241@N00/2209517865">David Dennis</a> / Flickr / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">CC BY-SA 2.0</a><br/></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/135645070621
title: Some people bake for the holidays. Evolution makes hundreds of...
uri: 2016-05-21-Some-people-bake-for-the-holidays-Evolution-makes-hundreds-of
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/135645070621
content:
<img src="media/a70337c3.tumblr_nz0s5kb4Nr1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://67.media.tumblr.com/9f4eeb41b562561c3c1feaaa65f151cd/tumblr_nz0s5kb4Nr1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Some people bake for the holidays. Evolution makes hundreds of perfectly round, pointy-eared, ridiculous-nosed <a href="http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hipposideros_commersoni/">bats</a>. Bring some to your family gathering this year! </p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/50852241@N00/2209517865">David Dennis</a> / Flickr / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">CC BY-SA 2.0</a><br/></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134795732608
title: “Good lord, evolution, what is that?”“It’s a flannel moth...
uri: 2016-05-21-Good-lord-evolution-what-is-that-It-s-a-flannel-moth
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134795732608
content:
<img src="media/188bf4a7.tumblr_nz0s1hR8WR1s3yrubo1_r2_500.gif" data-original-source="https://67.media.tumblr.com/e4445b55f4b43c723191b26908720f5c/tumblr_nz0s1hR8WR1s3yrubo1_r2_500.gif"/><br/><br/><p>“Good lord, evolution, what is that?”</p><p>“It’s a flannel moth caterpillar I just finished. Funny little guy, huh?”</p><p>“It’s sort of… terrifying.”</p><p>“What? Nah. Look, it’s mostly hair. Pretty <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/09/never-touch-anything-looks-like-donald-trumps-hair/">irritating</a>, maybe, but there’s not much room for brains under there. It can’t actually do anything.”</p><p>“Okay, if you say so. But then where are you going to put it? Like, what is its ecological niche going to be?”</p><p>“Oh, I don’t know. Do I have to think of everything? I mean, I guess it could run for president of the United States.”</p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBoAwg29CgI">Olly Boon / YouTube</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134532254753
title: wtfevolution: Need a holiday gift for your nerdy best friend,...
uri: 2016-05-21-wtfevolution-Need-a-holiday-gift-for-your-nerdy-best-friend
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/134532254753
content:
<img src="media/8692a9ec.tumblr_nfrbu2XLkF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://66.media.tumblr.com/400f5ec759f3d9bc4b977ab3bb6b622c/tumblr_nfrbu2XLkF1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/103811244443">wtfevolution</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Need a holiday gift for your nerdy best friend, precocious teenage offspring, or fundamentalist aunt?* Consider the <strong><big>WTF, Evolution?! book</big></strong>. Charles Darwin would have liked it, probably.</p>
<p>Here’s what some living people are saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>“Mara Grunbaum’s book highlights the <strong>amazing, truly strange</strong> side of evolution. Nature’s a funny thing.” —</span><a href="http://www.theverge.com/a/holiday-gift-ideas-2014/under-25#wtf-evolution-by-mara-grunbaum">The Verge</a></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p><span>“In addition to being entertaining, the combined photos and commentary are <strong>extremely educational</strong>. They are also a constant reminder of what evolution is and how it really works.” —</span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/justin-beach/wtf-evolution-my-favorite_b_6006728.html">Huffington Post</a></p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p><span>"Although many of the species profiled here have <strong>downright disgusting quirks</strong> (such as baby toads that crawl through their mother’s skin), readers can’t help but be awed by them.” —</span><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/book-review-wtf-evolution/">Scientific American</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Available at:</strong><br/><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761180346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761180346&linkCode=as2&tag=wtev-20&linkId=Q52MEJNDJPI7TX3M">Amazon</a><br/><a href="http://www.powells.com/partner/41385/biblio/9780761180340?p_tx" rel="powells-9780761180340" title="More info about this book at powells.com">Powell’s Books</a><br/><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum/1119702542?ean=9780761180340">Barnes and Noble</a><br/><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780761180340?aff=maradg">IndieBound<br/></a>and bookstores near you.</p>
<p><small>*WTF, Evolution? cannot be held responsible for the reaction of your fundamentalist aunt.</small></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Look, the book came out a while ago, which means <i>no one will even be expecting it</i> this year. Now’s your chance to surprise them!</p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133992817938
title: wtfevolution: Happy Thanksgiving from evolution! Enjoy your...
uri: 2016-05-21-wtfevolution-Happy-Thanksgiving-from-evolution-Enjoy-your
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133992817938
content:
<img src="media/78973fe8.tumblr_mwxkbaD0xj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://67.media.tumblr.com/cd1b54c5fa5a19281a0faccc7d1bee77/tumblr_mwxkbaD0xj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/68269994302/happy-thanksgiving-from-evolution-enjoy-your" class="tumblr_blog">wtfevolution</a>:</p>

<blockquote><p>Happy Thanksgiving from evolution! Enjoy your roast ugly dinosaur.</p></blockquote>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133341080467
title: Chin up, sea toad. Evolution may have given you a grumpy face, a...
uri: 2016-05-21-Chin-up-sea-toad-Evolution-may-have-given-you-a-grumpy-face-a
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/133341080467
content:
<video  id='embed-57409a6eb9a80650154354' class='crt-video crt-skin-default' width='400' height='228' poster='https://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_nxvit2yZy81s3yrub_r1_frame1.jpg' preload='none' data-crt-video data-crt-options='{"autoheight":null,"duration":78,"hdUrl":false,"filmstrip":{"url":"https:\/\/38.media.tumblr.com\/previews\/tumblr_nxvit2yZy81s3yrub_r1_filmstrip.jpg","width":"200","height":"113"}}' >
    <source src="https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/video_file/133341080467/tumblr_nxvit2yZy81s3yrub" type="video/mp4">
</video>
<br/><br/><p>Chin up, <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1502/logs/apr13/apr13.html">sea toad</a>. Evolution may have given you a grumpy face, a potato-sack body, and what looks like a permanent case of chin rash, but at least you got legs, right? How many fish get legs? Legs are probably good for something underwater, right? They probably are. I mean, they certainly don’t look useless dangling from your weird little abdomen like that while you swim. Not useless at all. You really are a lucky fish.</p><hr><p><small>Video courtesy of <a href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1502/logs/apr13/apr13.html">NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/131022082926
title: “Oh, that’s a cute one, evolution! What is that?”“It’s a...
uri: 2016-05-21-Oh-that-s-a-cute-one-evolution-What-is-that-It-s-a
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/131022082926
content:
<img src="media/d2231fdf.tumblr_nw2jqvNp8u1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://66.media.tumblr.com/b026ef5a5f0aacd081636ce56670a1c0/tumblr_nw2jqvNp8u1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Oh, that’s a cute one, evolution! What is that?”</p><p>“It’s a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/feb/16/rock-hyrax-toilet-habits-climate-scientists">hyrax</a>! It pees in holes.”</p><p>“Huh.”</p><p>“Guess what it’s most closely related to.”</p><p>“I don’t know, what?”</p><p>“No, guess.”</p><p>“I mean… rodents, right? It’s a rodent?”</p><p>“Nope. Teeth are different.”</p><p>“Oh. Um, is it some kind of tiny fat dog?“</p><p>“What? No.”<br/></p><p>“Oh! Is it like <a href="http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/pudu/">that weird miniature deer</a> you did?”</p><p>“Ha, no. That was a good one, though.”</p><p>“Okay, fine. I give up. What is the hyrax most closely related to?”</p><p>“<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paenungulata">Elephants and manatees.</a>”</p><p>“Really?”</p><p>“Yep.”</p><p>“Nothing in between?”<br/></p><p>“Not really, no.”<br/></p><p>“I just… how? <i>Why?</i>”</p><p>“Dunno. I like messing with you, mostly.”<br/></p><hr><p><small>Image Source: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Procavia-capensis-Frontal.JPG?fastcci_from=79836&c1=79836&d1=15&s=200&a=list">Bjørn Christian Tørrissen</a> / Wikimedia Commons / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/123982848448
title: “Hey, look! If I have this Taonius squid float around with its...
uri: 2016-05-21-Hey-look-If-I-have-this-Taonius-squid-float-around-with-its
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/123982848448
content:
<iframe width="400" height="225"  id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M-0V1xJJR58?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>“Hey, look! If I have this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MBARInews/videos/855373127870559/">Taonius squid</a> float around with its arms above its head, it kind of looks like a funny bird.”</p><p>“More like an uncannily murderous bird, evolution.”</p><p>“Potayto, potahto.”</p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MBARInews/videos/855373127870559/">Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/122769277307
title: “That’s a cute little bug, evolution!”“Yes, thank you! It’s a...
uri: 2016-05-21-That-s-a-cute-little-bug-evolution-Yes-thank-you-It-s
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/122769277307
content:
<img src="media/a6c14233.tumblr_nqognkjvMA1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://67.media.tumblr.com/14c334df08af91e8ca0abc16c9b01639/tumblr_nqognkjvMA1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“That’s a cute little bug, evolution!”<br/></p><p>“Yes, thank you! It’s a beaded lacewing. I’m just finishing up the larval form’s feeding mechanism now.”</p><p>“Oh yeah? What do the larvae eat?”</p><p>“Termites.”<br/></p><p>“Hm. Those can be hard to catch, can’t they? Don’t you want to give the lacewing some stronger legs or giant trap-jaws or something?”<br/></p><p>“Nah, it’s fine. It’s going to paralyze the termites first.”<br/></p><p>“Paralyze them? How will it do that?”<br/></p><p>“With toxic gas.”<br/></p><p>“Come on, where does it get toxic gas?”<br/></p><p>“From its anus.”<br/></p><p>“… I’m sorry, what?”<br/></p><p>“It can release toxic gas from its anus.” </p><p>“Okay, but…”</p><p>“It sneaks up and <a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/06/silent-deadly-fatal-farts-immobilize-prey/">farts on the termites’ heads</a> until they pass out, and then it eats them. I don’t know what you’re not getting about this.”<br/></p><p>“I just… I don’t… um…”<br/></p><p>“It’s doing the termites a favor, really. That way they don’t have to feel it when the lacewing punctures their abdomen with its mouthparts and starts digesting them from the inside. Anyway, break for lunch?”<br/></p><p>“No thanks, I think I’m good.”<br/></p><hr><p><small>Source: Flickr / <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pcoin/3908386943">cotinis</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0</a><br/>Read more: <a href="http://www.wired.com/2015/06/silent-deadly-fatal-farts-immobilize-prey/">Silent and Deadly: Fatal Farts Immobilize Prey</a> by Gwen Pearson at WIRED</small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/116646028708
title: “Any exciting weekend plans, evolution?”“Oh, I don’t know. I’ll...
uri: 2016-05-21-
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/116646028708
content:
<img src="media/f3f94bec.tumblr_nmxr7xHjas1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://66.media.tumblr.com/ecf317bdb271759f236c59a4333ac741/tumblr_nmxr7xHjas1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Any exciting weekend plans, evolution?”<br/></p><p>“Oh, I don’t know. I’ll probably just stay in and put weird things on birds again.”<br/></p><p>“Really? Don’t you do that <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/85917173703/evolution-made-the-male-ruff-bird-after-watching">like</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/44300689667/do-you-ever-think-that-maybe-theres-something">all</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/41119327683/sometimes-evolution-has-terrifying-fever-dreams">the</a> <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/48041573468/you-know-that-game-where-you-draw-the-first-part">time</a>?”<br/></p><p>“Yeah, so? It’s not like this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knob-billed_duck">comb duck</a> is going to festoon itself.”</p><p><br/></p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_white/4318463887/in/photostream/">Flickr / Ian White</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">CC BY-ND 2.0</a><br/>Psst! Seattle! <a href="http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/lfp-wtf-evolution-mara-grunbaum">Reading tonight</a>!</small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/114408988118
title: “Oh man, I just learned a cool trick with the trap-jaw...
uri: 2016-05-21-Oh-man-I-just-learned-a-cool-trick-with-the-trap-jaw
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/114408988118
content:
<iframe width="400" height="300"  id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_OHi_WcwObo?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>“Oh man, I just learned a cool trick with the trap-jaw ant.”<br/></p><p>“What’s that, evolution?”</p><p>“Well, I gave them those <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/melvynyeo/7991333107">huuuuuge snapping mandibles</a> to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rainforests/5403671213">crush prey</a>, right?”<br/></p><p>“Yeah, those seem effective.”<br/></p><p>“They’re working great. And I just realized they can help it with predators, too.”</p><p>“Really? Aren’t its predators huge?”</p><p>“Yeah, but if the ant snaps those big jaws against the ground, it can catapult itself it into the air.”<br/></p><p>“Catapult?”<br/></p><p>“Yeah! It just kind of flings itself away from the attacker at great speed.”<br/></p><p>“Huh, okay. And what’s going to happen when it comes back down?”<br/></p><p>“Oh, come on, I can’t figure <i>everything</i> out.”<br/></p><p><small><a href="http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2006/08/21_ant.shtml">Source: Sheila Patek et al., UC Berkeley</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/110728456073
title: “Evolution, what are those flatworms...
uri: Evolution-what-are-those-flatworms
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/110728456073
content:
<img src="media/2567c19d.tumblr_njm7qnQsg81s3yrubo1_500.png" data-original-source="https://66.media.tumblr.com/e289fbd0acbf236d4240ac4ca69909a8/tumblr_njm7qnQsg81s3yrubo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>“Evolution, what are those flatworms doing?”</p><p>“Oh, they’re getting ready to penis-fence.”</p><p>“Penis… fence?”</p><p>“Yeah. They’re hermaphrodites, so either of them can inseminate the other one to reproduce, but neither one actually wants to be inseminated.”</p><p>“They… don’t?”</p><p>“Well, no. It’s much easier to be the inseminator. I kind of set it up so that actually bearing the offspring <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/42584095456/from-an-evolutionary-standpoint-reproducing-is">totally sucks</a>. Haha, whoops!”</p><p>“So… they’re going to…”</p><p>“Try to stab each other with their two-pronged penises while simultaneously avoiding getting stabbed themselves, yes.”<br/></p><p>“Jesus.”</p><p>“The good news is that there’s no real reproductive opening, so they can just pierce the skin wherever and get the sperm in.”<br/></p><p>“That’s the good news?”</p><p>“Well, I thought so. Ooh, they’re starting! Fatherhood to the victor!”<br/></p><p>“It is <i>way</i> too early in the morning for this.”</p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="media/48d62a0d.FileMating_Pseudobiceros_bedfordi.png" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mating_Pseudobiceros_bedfordi.png">Wikimedia Commons / Photo courtesy of Nico Michiels</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/deed.en">CC BY 2.5</a></small></p><p><small>BAY AREA! I’m <a href="http://www.booksinc.net/event/mara-grunbaum-books-inc-berkeley">reading tonight at Books Inc. Berkeley</a>. Come say hello!<br/></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/110074480358
title: “Ooh, that’s a nice fish, evolution.”“Oh,...
uri: Ooh-that-s-a-nice-fish-evolution-Oh
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/110074480358
content:
<img src="media/d1e0fc7d.tumblr_nj8czeIsgj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://65.media.tumblr.com/2eb3069df5d44cb30f0b6bca42502857/tumblr_nj8czeIsgj1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Ooh, that’s a nice fish, evolution.”</p><p>“Oh, thanks! I’m pleased.”</p><p>“What is it called?”</p><p>“This one’s a pearlfish.”</p><p>“Lovely. And what does it eat?”</p><p>“Little invertebrates, that kind of thing.”</p><p>“Delightful. And where does it live?”</p><p>“Inside the <a href="http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2014/08/pearlfish-lives-in-sea-cucumber-anus">anus of a sea cucumber</a>.”</p><p>"Oh, for Christ’s sake.”</p><p>“What? It’s a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pacificklaus/sets/72157633230955033/">fine place</a>. Safe, sheltered, just the right size for the fish to squeeze in.”</p><p>"And you were doing so well for a minute there, too.”</p><hr><p><small>Source: <a href="media/1dfa4d30.FileCarapus_acus.jpg" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Carapus_acus.jpg">Wikimedia Commons / Alessandro Pagano</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108831586963
title: “All right, evolution, it’s time to make more...
uri: All-right-evolution-it-s-time-to-make-more
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108831586963
content:
<img src="media/8df69039.tumblr_nik7g70a4k1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://67.media.tumblr.com/829f0f7dc60245eb5837037f2b639f12/tumblr_nik7g70a4k1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“All right, evolution, it’s time to make more turtles. Evolution? C'mon. You’d better get to it. You said you’d do the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mata_mata" target="_blank">mata mata</a> eons ago. Up and at ‘em. Okay? Evolution?”</p>
<p>“Uuuuuugggggggggghhhhhhhhhh.”</p>
<p><small><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildrose/8925661466/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Flickr / wildrose </a>/ licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108081475537
title: “Hey, everyone likes spiders, right?” “Well,...
uri: Hey-everyone-likes-spiders-right-Well
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/108081475537
content:
<img src="media/83f25581.tumblr_ni6c4zxnuI1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://65.media.tumblr.com/f99de35babdd16be28bcfcc96ee20ca9/tumblr_ni6c4zxnuI1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Hey, everyone likes spiders, right?”</p>
<p>“Well, uh…”</p>
<p>“Of course they do. Spiders are <a href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/59107360212/what-do-you-think-of-this-peacock-spider-mating" target="_blank">cute</a>, and they keep the insect population under control.”</p>
<p>“They sure do, evolution.”</p>
<p>“Anyway, I was thinking of making something similar, but for the ocean. Like a… sea spider.”</p>
<p>“A sea spider.”</p>
<p>“Mmm hmm. Only it’ll barely need a body, because I’m going to stuff most of its organs and its digestive tract <a href="http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/creaturesofthedeep_seaspider/" target="_blank">down its legs</a>. And instead of eating insects, it’ll stick its long proboscis into sea anemones and suck their insides out. What do you think?”</p>
<p>“Well…”</p>
<p>“I think everybody’s going to love it.”</p>
<p>“Yes, evolution, I’m sure.”</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/creaturesofthedeep_seaspider/" target="_blank">NOAA Ocean Today / Creatures of the Deep: Sea Spider (click for video)</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/107320315967
title: Pffffffft. Evolution was putting mohawks on the manakins way...
uri: 2016-05-21-Pffffffft-Evolution-was-putting-mohawks-on-the-manakins-way
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/107320315967
content:
<img src="media/99d58812.tumblr_nhrirza2mU1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://67.media.tumblr.com/627055bdfe7c0781a4eabf57d6b9fba9/tumblr_nhrirza2mU1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Pffffffft. Evolution was putting mohawks on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araripe_manakin" target="_blank">manakins</a> <em>way</em> before it was cool.</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="media/e7c8cf3c.FileAraripe_Manakin_1.jpg" data-original-source="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Araripe_Manakin_(1).jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons / Rick elis.simpson</a> / licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/105612091191
title: Evolution got a little too toasted on holiday beverages before...
uri: 2016-05-21-Evolution-got-a-little-too-toasted-on-holiday-beverages-before
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/105612091191
content:
<img src="media/bb39f9dc.tumblr_ngu41zwyUe1s3yrubo1_500.png" data-original-source="https://66.media.tumblr.com/55e8dd9da02cbc1c73cb468512fc8505/tumblr_ngu41zwyUe1s3yrubo1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Evolution got a little too toasted on holiday beverages before it made the <a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Gharial.cfm" target="_blank">gharial</a>. Cheers, everyone.</p>
<p><small>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/zeepack/5332160395/" target="_blank">Flickr / ZeePack</a> / licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-ND 2.0</a> / cropped to remove border</small></p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/149565406573
title: wtfevolution: Psst. I have no idea why, but the WTF,...
uri: wtfevolution-Psst-I-have-no-idea-why-but-the-WTF
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/149565406573
content:
<img src="media/0c66c03c.tumblr_ockr8v5tVO1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://65.media.tumblr.com/400f5ec759f3d9bc4b977ab3bb6b622c/tumblr_ockr8v5tVO1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/149557080248">wtfevolution</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Psst. I have no idea why, but the <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2bGwcpR"><i>WTF, Evolution?!</i> book</a></b> is less than <b>$3.50</b> new on Amazon right now. The <a href="http://amzn.to/2bYzxy7"><b>eBook</b></a> is also on sale for <b>$1.99</b> all this month. Tell a friend!<br/></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Up to $5 now. I think the price-setting robots are onto us. Quick, before capitalism catches up!</p>


feed_id: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/149557080248
title: Psst. I have no idea why, but the WTF, Evolution?! book is less...
uri: Psst-I-have-no-idea-why-but-the-WTF-Evolution-book-is-less
url: https://wtfevolution.tumblr.com/post/149557080248
content:
<img src="media/0c66c03c.tumblr_ockr8v5tVO1s3yrubo1_500.jpg" data-original-source="https://65.media.tumblr.com/400f5ec759f3d9bc4b977ab3bb6b622c/tumblr_ockr8v5tVO1s3yrubo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Psst. I have no idea why, but the <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2bGwcpR"><i>WTF, Evolution?!</i> book</a></b> is less than <b>$3.50</b> new on Amazon right now. The <a href="http://amzn.to/2bYzxy7"><b>eBook</b></a> is also on sale for <b>$1.99</b> all this month. Tell a friend!<br/></p>


