Episode Overview
Podcast: But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Episode: But Why Turns 10!
Host: Jane Lindholm (Vermont Public)
Date: April 3, 2026
To celebrate a decade of fostering curiosity, But Why revisits its very first episode from 2016. In this special retrospective, host Jane Lindholm introduces classic segments all about animal hibernation and adaptation, featuring naturalist Mary Holland and a visit with a rescued barred owl named Chapin. The episode delights in exploring how bears sleep all winter, how other creatures hibernate, and includes an up-close encounter with an owl, all in the engaging, listener-driven style that has made the show a favorite among curious kids and families.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction & Podcast Philosophy
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[00:28] Jane Lindholm welcomes listeners and explains But Why’s unique model: kids ask questions, the show finds the experts.
“Some of the kids who sent us questions 10 years ago are in college now, and some of you listening today probably weren't even born yet.” – Jane Lindholm [00:44]
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The episode’s main theme: Animal Hibernation and how different creatures survive harsh winters.
How Do Bears Sleep All Winter?
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Listener Question:
“How do bears sleep all winter?” – Finn, age 4, Hinesburg, VT [02:53]
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Expert Insight:
Naturalist Mary Holland describes black bear hibernation in Vermont:- Bears fatten up in late summer, sometimes doubling their weight.
- Dens can be under roots, in snow, or under evergreen trees.
- Physiology: Slowed heartbeat and breathing, only a breath every 45 seconds [03:29].
- Hibernation Facts:
- Bears’ body temp drops only about 12°F during hibernation.
- They don’t eat, drink, urinate, or defecate for 4-5 months.
- Fun gross fact: "They have a plug actually in their butt that keeps them from going to the bathroom. And when they wake up in the spring... the plug comes out naturally." – Mary Holland [06:02]
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Black Bear Cubs:
- Females give birth during hibernation (usually January).
- Cubs are born tiny (~½ lb, 7 inches long) [07:17].
- Cubs nurse through the winter, mothers are in a shallow sleep.
- When emerging in spring, cubs can walk, climb, and start eating solids but are not fully weaned [07:51].
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Notable Moment:
“Do you think bears dream while they’re hibernating?”
“I would be dreaming about the coming summer and turning over logs and finding all kinds of ants to eat.” – Mary Holland [08:08] -
Bear Fact Rundown:
- Of the 8 bear species, only some hibernate (black, brown/grizzly). Polar bears are active in winter (except denning queens). Koala "bears" aren't bears. [08:25]
Other Hibernators: Woodchucks, Bats, Frogs, and Turtles
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Woodchucks (groundhogs):
- Gain a third their body weight before winter, then hibernate in a burrow.
- Their body temperature falls to about 47°F—almost refrigerator cold [11:25].
- Males emerge briefly in late winter to search for mates, then go back to sleep [11:28].
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Frogs and Turtles:
- Frogs don’t bury in mud; they lie on pond bottoms to keep absorbing oxygen through skin [12:08].
- Turtles (e.g. snapping turtles) bury themselves in mud, using minimal oxygen until spring [12:53].
The Truth About Woolly Bear Caterpillars
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Popular myth: More orange = milder winter.
- Reality: The orange bands indicate how many times the caterpillar has molted—not winter prediction [13:46].
“The amount of orange is simply a reflection of how many times the caterpillar has molted.” – Mary Holland [13:39]
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Woolly bears overwinter as larvae, not in cocoons or as eggs. They survive by producing a “cryoprotectant,” like antifreeze, to protect their cells when frozen [14:35].
- They emerge as Isabella tiger moths in the spring, which are “quite dull” (tan, 1-inch wingspan) [15:34].
Meet Chapin the Barred Owl
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[16:52] Iconic barred owl call: “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you?”
- Found in eastern U.S. and Canada; rarely seen, but can often be heard at dawn or dusk.
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Owl Rescue Story:
- Chapin, a barred owl, lives with Outreach for Earth Stewardship after being hit by a car.
- Barred owls have distinctive dark eyes (unique in Vermont).
- "We don't mix species because somebody might be breakfast for another bird if we were to put them together." – Craig Newman, handler [19:11]
- Chapin is fed mice/rats; wild barred owls eat varied prey, more amphibians in summer [19:11].
- Nocturnal “owl parties” occur with local wild barred owls at the aviary each night [20:13].
Memorable Quotes
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On bear hibernation:
“While they're sleeping, they are using up their fat, and those cells break down and provide them with water and calories. And they also break down some of their muscle and organ tissues, and those turn into proteins to keep the bear alive.” – Mary Holland [06:21]
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On woodchuck torpor:
“If you were to dig into a woodchuck burrow... and lift it up, it wouldn't move. It would look as though it was dead.” – Mary Holland [11:05]
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On caterpillar survival:
“A lot of insects have sort of glucose substances just like antifreeze and that's how they can survive. ... They have... antifreeze in them that keeps their cells from freezing.” – Mary Holland [14:35]
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On the ecosystem:
“They [bears] can also get a taste, though, for human garbage and birdseed... you should try to keep your trash cans away from them.” – Jane Lindholm [09:05]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:28 – Introduction, show’s philosophy, first episode re-air
- 02:53 – Listener question: How do bears sleep all winter?
- 03:29 – Mary Holland on black bear hibernation
- 06:16 – What happens to bears during hibernation (fat use, birth of cubs)
- 07:35 – Cubs’ development during and after hibernation
- 08:07 – Do bears dream?
- 10:11 – Other hibernators: woodchucks, bats
- 12:04 – Amphibians and reptile hibernation
- 13:02 – Woolly bear caterpillars and winter survival myths
- 14:35 – Cryoprotectants in insects
- 16:52 – Owl calls & introduction to Chapin the barred owl
- 18:11 – Chapin’s story, caring for owls, owl parties
- 23:30 – Episode end
Tone & Style
- Friendly, wonder-filled, and encouraging of curiosity.
- Lots of inviting and accessible scientific explanations.
- Emphasis on correcting animal myths and engaging, practical advice (like handling trash in bear country).
Conclusion and Continuing the Journey
The episode is a celebration not just of the show’s longevity, but of the curiosity and community that power it. Kids' questions remain at the heart of “But Why,” making science approachable and fun for all ages. The revisit of the very first episode reminds listeners, old and new, why asking “But Why?” is the best start to understanding the world.
Final message:
“If you like our show, please have your adults help you give us a thumbs up or a review on whatever podcast platform you use. It helps other kids and families find us... Until then, stay curious.” – Jane Lindholm [21:50]