Chameleons, jellyfish and ballerinas! Check out But Why Bites

Summary

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
Episode Summary: Chameleons, Jellyfish, and Ballerinas! (But Why Bites)
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Host: Jane Lindholm
Produced by: Vermont Public

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In this special episode of But Why, host Jane Lindholm presents a compilation from the podcast's online video series, But Why Bites. This episode delves into a variety of intriguing questions posed by curious kids, ranging from the mechanics of presidential term limits to the fascinating abilities of chameleons. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, complete with notable quotes and timestamps.

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1. Why Do People Change Presidents?

Timestamp: [00:35]

Jane Lindholm begins by addressing the question, "Why do people change Presidents?" She explains the fundamental difference between a U.S. president and eternal rulers like kings or queens. Unlike lifelong monarchs, U.S. presidents are limited to serving two four-year terms. Jane clarifies:

"A president can only serve two four-year terms. That's it. Well, technically the president can only be elected twice, but they could serve a few more years if they're appointed first." ([00:40])

She provides a historical perspective, noting that while the two-term limit became an official rule in 1951, the tradition dates back to George Washington, who voluntarily stepped down after two terms. This precedent was broken by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was elected four times during the 1930s and 40s, prompting the constitutional amendment.

Jane emphasizes the democratic principles underpinning this system:

"The US was founded with the idea of democracy, that people have a right to choose their leader, not be ruled by someone who they don't choose." ([01:30])

She humorously concludes this segment by imagining preferable lifelong perks over perpetual presidency, setting the stage for the next topic.

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2. Why Do Ballerinas Wear Ballet Shoes?

Timestamp: [02:38]

Transitioning from politics to dance, Jane tackles the question, "Why do ballerinas wear ballet shoes?" She distinguishes between simple ballet slippers and pointe shoes, the latter enabling dancers to perform en pointe—balancing on the tips of their toes.

Jane discusses the evolution and function of pointe shoes:

"They are designed to support a dancer's foot and take some of the weight of the dancer, allowing them to lift up onto their toes without crushing or breaking delicate foot bones." ([02:42])

To provide firsthand insight, Jane interviews Lindsay Donell, a company dancer with the Dance Theater of Harlem:

Lindsay Donell:

"I was so excited. It was a dream come true because that is what I've been working for." ([03:40])

Jane probes further into Lindsay's training and the durability of pointe shoes:

Lindsay Donell:

"I had to train and build technique and muscle strength to make sure that my toes could support my whole body weight." ([03:46])

"I usually go through about two pairs a week." ([03:56])

Jane concludes this segment by highlighting that, despite the essential role of pointe shoes, the dancer's skill and strength are paramount:

"Even the best shoes aren't making the dancer brilliant. That's all down to the strength and beauty of the dancer herself." ([04:13])

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3. What is a Solar Eclipse?

Timestamp: [04:50]

Jane shifts to astronomy with the question, "What is a solar eclipse?" She explains that a solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth, fully or partially blocking the sun's light.

Key points include:

• Totality: When the sun is completely obscured by the moon, lasting from one to seven minutes depending on location.

  "As the moon moves in its orbit, it will partially cover the sun for over an hour until the sun is totally blocked. That's called totality." ([04:53])

Jane advises on safety measures when viewing an eclipse:

"If you're going to watch an eclipse, you need to protect your eyes. The bright light of the sun can damage them even while the moon is partially in front of it, so you have to wear something like these eclipse glasses." ([05:20])

She also debunks the myth of using urine to alleviate jellyfish stings, emphasizing proper safety protocols instead.

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4. Do All Jellyfish Sting?

Timestamp: [06:51]

Addressing marine biology, Jane explores the question, "Do all jellyfish sting?" She explains that all jellyfish possess specialized cells called nematocysts in their tentacles, which release venom upon contact.

Key insights include:

"A single tentacle can contain thousands of nematocysts, making for a very potent attack." ([06:54])

Jane describes the dual role of nematocysts in both feeding and defense:

• Feeding: Paralyzing prey for consumption.
• Defense: Protecting against predators and threats.

She also differentiates between jellyfish species, noting that while most are harmless to humans, some, like the lion's mane jelly, can be dangerous. Jane debunks the myth of using urine to treat jellyfish stings, warning that it could worsen the situation.

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5. Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?

Timestamp: [08:39]

Transitioning to feline anatomy, Jane answers, "Why do cats have whiskers?" She details the various locations of whiskers on a cat's body and their specialized functions.

Highlights include:

• Sensory Function: Whiskers are deeply embedded with nerve endings, allowing cats to detect minute changes in their environment, even in the dark.

  "Whiskers help a cat sense its surroundings... That's especially helpful at night, when many wild cats like to hunt for their food." ([08:44])

• Proprioception: Whiskers assist in balance, helping cats land on their feet and navigate tight spaces.

  "Whiskers have special sensory organs called proprioceptors that help a cat stay balanced." ([10:12])

Jane also notes that whisker patterns can be unique, much like fingerprints, especially in larger cats like lions.

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6. Why Do Dolphins Jump in the Air?

Timestamp: [10:12]

Addressing marine mammals, Jane explores, "Why do dolphins jump in the air?" She presents multiple theories, acknowledging that the exact reasons are still debated among scientists.

Possible explanations include:

• Breathing: Dolphins, being mammals, need to surface to breathe. Jumping allows them to take a deep breath.

  "They grab a breath of fresh air... they can take that big deep breath and then they can peek at what's happening up above the water." ([10:20])

• Speed and Efficiency: Jumping reduces water resistance, allowing dolphins to move faster.

• Parasite Removal: Leaping may help dislodge irritants like whale suckers, which are harmful parasites.

  "It might be trying to get rid of a whale sucker, a type of fish that latches onto the dolphin's skin to eat parasites it finds there." ([11:00])

• Playfulness: Some scientists believe dolphins jump simply for enjoyment, akin to humans jumping for fun.

  "Scientists think dolphins sometimes do it just because they like it." ([11:40])

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7. How Do Chameleons Change Color?

Timestamp: [11:50]

Finally, Jane addresses the question, "How do chameleons change color?" She dispels the common misconception that chameleons change color solely for camouflage, revealing more complex reasons.

Key points include:

• Temperature Regulation: Chameleons adjust their hue to absorb more or less sunlight, aiding in body temperature control.

  "They're already pretty well camouflaged. They can get a little lighter or darker, though, to better match their surroundings." ([11:54])

• Communication: Bold color changes serve to attract mates or defend territory.

• Nanocrystals in Skin: Chameleons possess specialized nanocrystals that can shift closer or farther apart, altering how light is reflected and producing different colors.

  "To make bold colors, chameleons have special nanocrystals in their skin that they can move closer together or farther apart by tensing and relaxing." ([12:30])

Jane concludes this segment with a touch of admiration:

"Wish I could do that." ([12:45])

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Conclusion

Jane wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore the full range of But Why Bites on their YouTube channel for more engaging content. She invites kids to submit their own questions and highlights the collaborative effort behind the podcast's production.

"Stay curious." ([End])

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Credits:
Produced by Melody Beaudet, Sarah Bake, and Jane Lindholm at Vermont Public.
Distributed by PRX.
Video Producer: Joey Palumbo.
Theme Music by Luke Reynolds.

For more information and to watch the accompanying videos, visit the But Why Kids YouTube channel and check the show notes for direct links. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a thumbs up or a review on your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

[Jane Lindholm]

Hey, Jane. Here. For today's episode, we're doing something a little different. We're going to be listening to our online video series but why Bites? Every other week over on our YouTube channel, we answer one kid question in a short and sweet little video. You can find all of them at the but why kids channel on YouTube. And we have a link to this compilation of episodes in our show Notes. We're calling it a big bite, but if you're more of a listening kid, this episode is for you. Hope you enjoy it.

[Unknown]

Why do people change Presidents?

[Jane Lindholm]

One of the big differences between the US President and a king or queen or supreme leader is that the president doesn't stay in power as the leader of the country forever. A president can only serve two four year terms. That's it. Well, technically the president can only be elected twice, but they could serve a few more years if they're appointed first. Like if the president they're replacing has decided to step down or has died while in office. But generally speaking, a president can only serve two terms. That's actually only been a rule since 1951. Before that, there was no official limit on how many times someone could be elected president. But after the first US President, George Washington, stepped down after two terms, it became kind of an unwritten rule. But then one guy named Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected four times in the 1930s and 40s. And after that, an amendment was made to the Constitution making that rule about only getting elected twice. Now, the reason we have this whole president thing in the first place is because the US Was founded with the idea of democracy, that people have a right to choose their leader, not be ruled by someone who they don't choose. And if we elect someone new every four or eight years, the idea is no one can become president for life. I don't know about you, but there are a lot of things I'd like better than a president for life. How about ice cream for life or puppies for life? A lifetime supply of puppies. Now that's something I'd be happy to vote for. These dancers behind me are with the Dance Theater of Harlem, and they're preparing for an upcoming show. Look at how strong and beautiful they are. And sometimes they look like they're dancing right on the tips of their toes. How do they do that?

[Unknown]

Why do ballerinas wear ballet shoes?

[Jane Lindholm]

Some ballet shoes are just simple slippers that help ensure a dancer doesn't slide on the stage when they don't want to. But often when we think about ballet shoes, we're picturing pointe shoes that help a dancer dance right up on top of their toes. Toe or pointe shoes spelled P O I n T E started being used by dancers in the 1800s. They're designed to support a dancer's foot and take some of the weight of the dancer, allowing them to lift up onto their toes without crushing or breaking delicate foot bone. But it takes years of practice and building up of muscles before a ballet dancer can start dancing on pointe. Lindsay Donell is a company dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem. She's been dancing since she was three years old, but wasn't allowed to go on pointe until she was 11. What did it feel like when your teacher first said, okay, you can dance on pointe?

[Lindsay Donell]

I was so excited. It was a dream come true because that is what I've been working for.

[Jane Lindholm]

Why did you have to wait so long?

[Lindsay Donell]

I had to train and build technique and muscle strength to make sure that my toes could support my whole body weight.

[Jane Lindholm]

How long does a pair of pointe shoes last?

[Lindsay Donell]

It depends on what we're doing. Also, sometimes the time of year, because in the summer when it's really hot and sweaty, they'll break down. I usually go through about two pairs a week.

[Jane Lindholm]

So in the course of a year that means you could be going through 100 pairs or more.

[Lindsay Donell]

That's right.

[Jane Lindholm]

But that being said, even the best shoes aren't making the dancer brilliant. That's all down to the strength and beauty of the dancer herself, so she can hop, pirouette and arabesque on the tips of her toes. If you're ever in the path of a total solar eclipse, the skies will darken like nighttime and stars will be visible during the day. But don't worry, you won't have to get your PJs on. A total eclipse only lasts for a few minutes. But why does the sun disappear?

[Unknown]

What is a solar Eclipse?

[Jane Lindholm]

A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth. As the moon moves in its orbit, it will partially cover the sun for over an hour until the sun is totally blocked. That's called totality. The sky will be dark and the sun's corona, the gassy atmosphere, will be visible. Totality can last anywhere from one to seven minutes, depending on where you are in the path. Then the eclipse will be partial for another hour or more again as the moon continues in its orbit away from the sun. It's rare to have a total eclipse in any one place, so seeing one can be a once in a lifetime experience. And some people travel all over the world to catch one. If you're going to watch an eclipse, you need to protect your eyes. The bright light of the sun can damage them even while the moon is partially in front of it, so you have to wear something like these eclipse glasses. Once the sun is totally covered, it's safe to briefly remove those glasses and look up. You may see the sun's corona, but once the eclipse moves back into partiality, it it's important to put your glasses back on. If you don't have any eclipse glasses, that's okay. Try to get near a tree and look at the ground. The shadows of the sun passing through the leaves should make some really cool shapes. Coming up More but why Bites? We'll be learning about jellyfish, cat whiskers, dolphins, and chameleons. This is but why? A podcast for curious kids. Hi, I'm Jane Lindholm. We're listening to the Big Bite, a bunch of episodes from our YouTube series but why Bites? Let's dive back in an estimated 150 million people get stung by jellies each year. How can an animal that's 95% water with no brain be so venomous?

[Unknown]

Do all jellyfish sting?

[Jane Lindholm]

All jellies can sting. They have cells called nematocysts inside their tentacles that release venom when touched. A single tentacle can contain thousands of nematocysts, making for a very potent attack. If a small fish or other animal swims into the tentacles and gets stung, the venom paralyzes them, allowing the jelly to bring the fish up to its mouth and eat it. That venom also acts as the jelly's main defense mechanism. If you brush up against the tentacles, those nematocysts spring into action to protect the jelly. Jellies have no brain and no heart, and they're technically not fish, although a few species can actively hunt. Most jellies swim along with the current in the ocean, trailing their tentacles and waiting for something to swim into them. Some jellies are tiny, with a body the size of your thumbnail, while others, like the lion's mane jelly, can be 8ft across and have tentacles that stretch 100ft. But most jellies are not dangerous to humans. In fact, you wouldn't even feel many species stings. But a few species are quite dangerous, so it's always a good idea to steer clear of jellies if you're not sure what you're looking at. And whatever you do, don't pee on a jelly sting. That's a myth and could actually do more harm Than good. Cats come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small and live in our homes, and others are large and live in the jungle. But there's one thing they all have in common. Whiskers. And not just for show. Those bristly hairs have an important job.

[Unknown]

Why do cats have whiskers?

[Jane Lindholm]

When I think of a cat's whiskers, I'm usually picturing the ones right here. But cats have whiskers in other places, too. Above the eyes, on the chin, on the forelegs, near the ears, and above the upper lip. That's a lot of whiskers. Whiskers are thicker, stiffer, and longer than most of a cat's fur. And they're more Deeply embedded. Around the root of each whisker are nerve endings that can send a signal from the tip of the whisker right to a cat's point. Whiskers help a cat sense its surroundings. They can sense not only the slightest touch, like a speck of dust landing near an eyelid, but even differences in air currents and air pressure. So a cat doesn't have to be touching a piece of furniture or its favorite prey to know it's there. That's especially helpful at night, when many wild cats like to hunt for their food. Whiskers help them essentially see in the dark. Most house cats have 12 whiskers on each cheek, for a total of 24. Lions have four or five rows of whiskers on each side of their face, and the top row has a different pattern. So researchers can use their whiskers like fingerprints to tell each lion apart. One more cool fact about these special cats. Whiskers have special sensory organs called proprioceptors that help a cat stay balanced. Who knew whiskers were part of the secret to why cats always land on their feet?

[Unknown]

Why do dolphins jump in the air?

[Jane Lindholm]

There's lots of debate about why dolphins jump out of the water. But we know at least one of the things they do while they're up there. They grab a breath of fresh air. Like us, dolphins are mammals. That means even though they live in the sea, they need to breathe air to survive. When they're underwater, they hold their breath. And they have some pretty impressive lungs. One species called rissos, or gray dolphins, can stay down for as long as 30 minutes. Other species have more like a 10 or 15 minute limit. Let's see how long we can hold our breath. Ready? I guess I'm no dolphin. So when they jump, they can take that big deep breath and then they can peek at what's happening up above the water while they're there. Another reason they jump could be for speed. There's less resistance when you're flying through the air. If you see a dolphin shooting up out of the water really fast and then smacking down hard, it might be trying to get rid of a whale sucker, a type of fish that latches onto the dolphin's skin to eat parasites it finds there. That does sound irritating. And if you're saying to yourself that if you were a dolphin, you'd leap out of the water just for the fun of it, you might be onto something. Though jumping does take a lot of energy, scientists think dolphins sometimes do it just because they like it Gives new meaning to the phrase jumping for joy.

[Unknown]

How do Chameleons change color?

[Jane Lindholm]

You've probably heard that chameleons change color to blend into their background and hide, but new research shows they're more often adjusting appearance in order to regulate their body temperature or to communicate. Chameleons can't just match the pattern of any environment they find themselves in. And to be honest, they they usually don't have to. They're already pretty well camouflaged. They can get a little lighter or darker, though, to better match their surroundings. And since lizards are ectothermic, meaning they can't regulate their own body temperature, they sometimes change their hue to help them absorb more or less sunlight. But their most dramatic color changes are saved for communication, to attract a mate or defend their territory. To make bold colors, chameleons have special nanocrystals in their skin that they can move closer together or farther apart by tensing and relaxing. Changing the positions of those crystals allows them to reflect different wavelengths of light, making them appear different colors. Wish I could do that. That's our last but why Bite? For today. If you want to see this episode and all the cool graphics that go with it, check out our YouTube channel. But why kids? You'll find a direct link in the show Notes. As always, if you have a question about anything, have an adult record you asking it on a smartphone. You can use an app like Voice Memos. Then have your adult email the file to questionsutwhykids.org but why is produced by Melody Beaudet, Sarah Bake and me, Jane Lindholm at Vermont Public and distributed by prx. Our video producer is Joey Palumbo and our theme music is by Luke Reynolds. 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 we'll be back in two weeks with an all new episode. Until then, stay curious From PRX.