Why Did These Ancient Gophers Have Horns?

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  • čas přidán 25. 08. 2024

Komentáře • 976

  • @scussrubbish7608
    @scussrubbish7608 Před 4 lety +2354

    Such a tragedy we no longer have real-life Nidorans.

  • @raijinoflimgrave8708
    @raijinoflimgrave8708 Před 4 lety +831

    If this channel has taught me anything: everything has had a giant version, or some crazy appendage.

    • @tommyswoodpileadventuresan5940
      @tommyswoodpileadventuresan5940 Před 4 lety +4

      Caleb Fairfield even humans?

    • @alformodoritos2076
      @alformodoritos2076 Před 4 lety +19

      Is a crocodile size (or nearly) ant been discovered yet? 😂🐜

    • @bird2034
      @bird2034 Před 4 lety +6

      Tommy's Woodpile Adventures And Tall Tales
      Foot thumb

    • @krankarvolund7771
      @krankarvolund7771 Před 4 lety +13

      @@alformodoritos2076 Okay not everything, ants have appeared after the Carboniferous and the giant insects, so they're not gonna be this size ^^

    • @NukelearFallout
      @NukelearFallout Před 4 lety +31

      Just remember, there were possibly millions of dinosaurs, and we've only discovered a mere 700 skeletal remains we've fully identified and studied. That number of species doesn't compare to all the species in the time periods before that, and the ones before that. The history of our planet is over 4 billion years old, plenty of time for evolutionary traits of all sorts -- and evolution and adaption still happen to this day. On top of discovering old deceased species, we find hundreds of new species every year; of course it doesn't amount to how many we have yet to find, and how many have gone extinct in today's time period before we caused a rampant decline in species. Anyhow, now imagine the vastness of infinite space, where we have discovered clusters of galaxies -- and we've only discovered a over a mere 10 thousand planets/stars. Just an interesting thought, and there's more to these ideas.

  • @ian_b
    @ian_b Před 4 lety +504

    "What kind of geology joke is this, Holmes?"
    "Sedimentary, my dear Watson."

  • @emilybeckstrand5413
    @emilybeckstrand5413 Před 4 lety +561

    They were the prehistoric equivolent of stray legos on the ground. Unweary predators and passersby would know true pain after stepping on this fellow.

    • @november8039
      @november8039 Před 3 lety +67

      Ah yes, the often overlooked Lego niche. Occupied today by sea urchins and hedgehogs.

    • @IrisGlowingBlue
      @IrisGlowingBlue Před 3 lety +2

      +

    • @epauletshark3793
      @epauletshark3793 Před 3 lety +7

      And they were mobile. They could intentionally move under the feet of predators.

    • @leeleaman8057
      @leeleaman8057 Před 8 měsíci

      @@epauletshark3793I just pictured Lego’s with that ability … the horror

  • @dracdrum
    @dracdrum Před 4 lety +274

    It also would have made it harder for snakes to swallow it.

    • @Koshiplaygames
      @Koshiplaygames Před 4 lety +9

      dracdrum no because snakes can just avoid the horns while eating the by expanding there throats correct me if iam wrong

    • @noahsaiz7536
      @noahsaiz7536 Před 4 lety +30

      Mahnoor Naz how you gonna eat a horn

    • @Koshiplaygames
      @Koshiplaygames Před 4 lety +1

      Noah Saiz snakes dont really eat there food they have acid that is way more potent then humans so they dont chew

    • @seretith3513
      @seretith3513 Před 4 lety +8

      That still would make a Dead Rodent

    • @Rusk-zk2ch
      @Rusk-zk2ch Před 4 lety +76

      Mahnoor Naz Mahnoor Naz I have two snakes and there’s a cap for how large they can expand around prey. For example, neither of my snakes can swallow prey back-to-front because the limbs don’t bend down against the body. A horn would be much harder to deal with than limbs. Also, the snake would have to keep its body expanded around where the horn was until it got digested enough to no longer be a potential threat to their internal organs, which would be unusual for a snake since they sort of go back to being normal snake shaped as soon as their prey has passed through that specific part of their body. It would probably also hinder their movement, thus making eating a horned rodent an overall bad choice

  • @stringbeans7342
    @stringbeans7342 Před 4 lety +503

    If rodents still had horns it would have made Groundhog Day even more interesting.

    • @lahavmorris9919
      @lahavmorris9919 Před 4 lety +32

      They would be called hornhogs!

    • @lahavmorris9919
      @lahavmorris9919 Před 4 lety +21

      It it would become hornhog day!

    • @farkasmactavish
      @farkasmactavish Před 4 lety +11

      Or Caddyshack.

    • @randiplays1980
      @randiplays1980 Před 4 lety +3

      Hahaha. U guys just made my day.

    • @josiahhockenberry9846
      @josiahhockenberry9846 Před 4 lety +8

      Hmm... Would be hard to improve upon one of the greatest movies of all time but, I think that would work. Maybe there could be a fight scene between man and rodent right after Murray takes of with the truck and just before he drives off the cliff. 😂

  • @kinkhoest
    @kinkhoest Před 4 lety +369

    "Just" a few million years ago.... Feels like yesterday hahaha!

    • @heinuchung8680
      @heinuchung8680 Před 4 lety +10

      kinkhoest “said earth”

    • @Ratciclefan
      @Ratciclefan Před 4 lety +3

      I think modern humans already existed by then, but I might be wrong :P

    • @elijahmikhail4566
      @elijahmikhail4566 Před 4 lety +13

      Juan D'Marco Other Homo species would've. Anatomically modern humans, however, are commonly accepted to have risen just 250000 years ago.

    • @zack7122
      @zack7122 Před 4 lety +2

      Elijah Mikhail thanks for the scient

    • @kinkhoest
      @kinkhoest Před 4 lety +4

      Of course I understand in the grand scheme of things, a few million years is nothing. But for a human being to comprehend the length of a million years is already challenging. Let's say a million years is around 50K human generations... I know who my great great grandfather was but earlier than this? No clue.....

  • @TragoudistrosMPH
    @TragoudistrosMPH Před 4 lety +73

    Recognition of the indigenous groups is so great. People only know the few large names, forgetting the other groups that existed. I like learning who else lived there.

  • @leecupp2573
    @leecupp2573 Před 4 lety +756

    Normal Folks: Rhino Rats
    A Warhammer Fan: The Great Horned Rat!!

  • @TheOneCalledSloth
    @TheOneCalledSloth Před 4 lety +360

    GLORY TO THE HORNED RAT!

  • @rockingthemike
    @rockingthemike Před 4 lety +72

    well, horned gophers will now haunt my dreams. quips aside, thank you for that acknowledgement of indigenous peoples and traditional lands. this keeps discussions and recognition going.

  • @chocothun1
    @chocothun1 Před 4 lety +128

    She’s my favorite host. I love when she’s on an episode of Eons.

  • @WhackBytch256
    @WhackBytch256 Před 4 lety +122

    "Gopher it"
    Oh Kallie... 🤦🏻‍♀️

  • @FranKoPepez
    @FranKoPepez Před 4 lety +171

    Beautiful that you acknowledge the indigenous peoples that were and are still present in those fossil sites :)

    • @android584
      @android584 Před 4 lety +4

      Solutreans?

    • @pimbu936
      @pimbu936 Před 2 lety

      Hey, one time I was at that site, I should get an acknowledgment too!
      Yes, you really are being that stupid

    • @AC-fg4kg
      @AC-fg4kg Před 2 lety +2

      @@pimbu936 Yeh man, you really got him there, definitely didn’t make yourself look like an idiot.

  • @alecsmith3448
    @alecsmith3448 Před 4 lety +69

    Finally a creature that actually used its horns for defense

    • @aislygncovante7524
      @aislygncovante7524 Před rokem +1

      Right? By now I'm just sneering at my screen like "You're not so tough, Mr. I use this to appeal to women. You have a spike coming out of your head, use it!"

  • @azteclady
    @azteclady Před 4 lety +247

    I appreciate immensely that you have closed captions for deaf and hard of hearing subscribers; it would be really neat if your acknowledgement of Indigenous territories were audio narrated, for the sake of visually impaired people who otherwise enjoy the channel.

    • @Sparrow-lh9qk
      @Sparrow-lh9qk Před 4 lety +24

      As one of said HoH subscribers, yes! I so much appreciate the captions, especially since so few people will actually include them. I also agree that the acknowledgement should have been narrated.

    • @DrBunnyMedicinal
      @DrBunnyMedicinal Před 4 lety +16

      That's an excellent suggestion.
      I love the recent addition of the acknowledgement of the indigenous territories involved in an episode. Having it narrated would be an even better idea!

    • @skyscreamstudios
      @skyscreamstudios Před 4 lety +18

      I'm always happy when indigenous territories and First Nations acknowledgements are included. It happens so rarely. I also agree that narration of it would have been educational for the visually impaired.

    • @daleicious1528
      @daleicious1528 Před 4 lety +2

      WHAT?

  • @chayanikade1236
    @chayanikade1236 Před 4 lety +13

    These prehistoric nature mood swings bring me such joy

  • @TaterKakez
    @TaterKakez Před 4 lety +74

    I love how silly you are - never change or dim to fit in, Kallie 💜💜💜

  • @thereptilian1045
    @thereptilian1045 Před 4 lety +95

    The Great Horned Rat approves, yes-yes

  • @jonohanks8933
    @jonohanks8933 Před 4 lety +10

    Thanks for including the acknowledgement of native tribes and lands. It's a good step to include that. I'd appreciate it at the beginning of the videos too, so people see it going in.

  • @robertvallejos9374
    @robertvallejos9374 Před 3 lety +21

    I feel like the horns may have evolved specifically for predation by snakes. It seems like a perfect defense for being swallowed head first! Just a guess though. 🤷🏽‍♂️🤔

    • @patreekotime4578
      @patreekotime4578 Před rokem

      A: that would be a real big snake.
      B: many would have to survive the attempt in order to pass on the genes, and AFAIK snakes dont generally try to swallow live prey because most rodents have sharp claws and teeth and could easily kill a snake from the inside.

    • @jaywu2856
      @jaywu2856 Před rokem +3

      snakes swallow their prey head first. to be effective vs swallowing, horns would have to be facing away from the face rather than towards.

  • @Hatarue
    @Hatarue Před 3 lety +6

    This show is so binge worthy!!! So amazing we can date things so far far far away in the past. Amazing things happened on this sphere of life.

  • @ScrapPalletMan
    @ScrapPalletMan Před 4 lety +381

    Gopher it! :-) love it

    • @pmr4123
      @pmr4123 Před 4 lety +5

      Aww come now, everyone knows natural history puns are the highest form of humor!

    • @artsy8490
      @artsy8490 Před 4 lety +3

      Minuteearth would like to know your location

    • @VeteranVandal
      @VeteranVandal Před 4 lety +1

      It was funny and embarrassing at the same time.

  • @MesozoicMonotreme
    @MesozoicMonotreme Před 4 lety +6

    Really appreciate the shout out at the end for all of the Native American Tribes. Please keep this up it is an amazing standard to set!

  • @craigthacker
    @craigthacker Před 4 lety +5

    Good work on acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which the fossils were found. That is both respectful and a step towards reconciliation. Thank you.

  • @carlyblack42
    @carlyblack42 Před 4 lety +27

    It never ceases to amaze me how crazy evolution can get sometimes. Thanks for sharing the story of these very odd rodwnts.

    • @maksphoto78
      @maksphoto78 Před 4 lety +2

      The craziest mammal of them all - Chalicothere. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalicothere

  • @KarlBunker
    @KarlBunker Před 4 lety +77

    "metamorphic rock -- under a lot of pressure." Ha ha; gneiss one.

  • @Crow0567
    @Crow0567 Před 3 lety +3

    I love how peaceful and relaxed so many of the gophers look in the art in this video

  • @Kleshumara
    @Kleshumara Před 4 lety +6

    I love these paleontological detective stories!

  • @owenconant
    @owenconant Před 4 lety +40

    Man, 24 seconds since upload I'm seeing gophers with horns. Hype.

  • @Coelacantha
    @Coelacantha Před 4 lety +32

    Thank you for telling us which native lands these fossils come from!

    • @Finallybianca
      @Finallybianca Před 4 lety

      Largest contraction of their fossils are here in Nebraska

  • @suleimansghk
    @suleimansghk Před 4 lety +34

    random trivia: rhinoceros literally means “nose horn”

  • @albatross4920
    @albatross4920 Před 4 lety +12

    One of my all time favorite paleo-creatures finally gets some much-deserved spotlight 🤟

  • @raeinteriano4359
    @raeinteriano4359 Před 4 lety +17

    I'm really glad Eons is now acknowledging native peoples' lands now:)

    • @Freakmaster480
      @Freakmaster480 Před 4 lety +1

      Eveyone is an immigrant. It's just a matter of how early your family immigrated.

    • @Freakmaster480
      @Freakmaster480 Před 3 lety

      @Jordon Carlson It's why, even if the term is a little gaudy, I prefer first peoples. At least it's probably accurate.

  • @kyrionbookshield2205
    @kyrionbookshield2205 Před 3 lety +1

    So this is where the idea of a horned rabbit (from fantasy worlds) came from. I truly enjoy learning about adaptation and evolution for storytelling's sake. There are so many crazy blueprints in the evolution lines. I love it.

  • @MargoMB19
    @MargoMB19 Před 4 lety +6

    Okay, I admit it, I actually laughed out loud with the 'gopher it' joke at the end! I really enjoy learning about all these animals that were such a mystery for so long, it's interesting to see how our understanding of adaptations has evolved over time.

    • @tt-ew7rx
      @tt-ew7rx Před 2 lety

      I was breathlessly waiting for it for so long that I almost ended my breathing career.

  • @rickloftus9330
    @rickloftus9330 Před 3 lety +15

    Thank you for acknowledging that fossil hunting often occurred, and occurs, on the lands of indigenous people without those peoples’ consent or recognition.

  • @DavidHernandez-sp9jg
    @DavidHernandez-sp9jg Před 4 lety +28

    Im a simple person
    I see a new PBS eons video, I click

  • @JoCox4048
    @JoCox4048 Před 3 lety +2

    Ceratogaulus: YOU WILL SUFFER THE PAIN OF A THOUSAND DEATHS BY MY HORNS
    Bear-dog: steps on Ceratogaulus, then proceeds to Howie Scream

  • @jocelynmontoya1029
    @jocelynmontoya1029 Před 4 lety +4

    Nature at some point went through a "slap horns on everything" phase.

  • @TearyEyesAnderson
    @TearyEyesAnderson Před 4 lety +22

    Ohhh... I was hoping you were going to tell me that the Jackalope was real. :(

    • @culwin
      @culwin Před 3 lety +2

      Jackalopes are lagomorphs, not rodents

    • @leleforsythe9756
      @leleforsythe9756 Před 3 lety

      @@SwayRod836 the jackalope isn’t real as well as the fact that rabbits are lagomorphs not rodents

  • @jiimbv
    @jiimbv Před 4 lety +9

    I really love you guys. The stupid jokes at the end this time made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Thanks for everything

  • @Christian_Sims
    @Christian_Sims Před 4 lety +22

    Love this channel, PBS Eons can y'all do a video on the new tail of Spinosaurus?

  • @GrimmDelightsDice
    @GrimmDelightsDice Před 4 lety +37

    Nobody:
    Eons: These cute ass guinea pig dudes had horns.

  • @lahavmorris9919
    @lahavmorris9919 Před 4 lety +69

    No one:
    Earth:
    Rino rodents!!!

  • @VerrouSuo
    @VerrouSuo Před 4 lety +11

    JACKALOPES WERE REAL?
    you learn something new every day. Thanks, Eons!

  • @zeeslag123
    @zeeslag123 Před 3 lety +2

    "Every weasel's got a plan, until they get gopher horned in the face"
    - Mike Weasel

  • @EChacon
    @EChacon Před 4 lety +2

    I always am fascinated by these horned Gophers and learning more about their biology and history

  • @animaldude1470
    @animaldude1470 Před 4 lety +55

    My mood right now, eons and something to drink

  • @sovietpotato6252
    @sovietpotato6252 Před 4 lety +71

    Means that you can hold them easier while eating lunch

  • @shannonwold638
    @shannonwold638 Před 3 lety +3

    I love the acknowledgement at the end.

  • @dynamosaurusimperious6341
    @dynamosaurusimperious6341 Před 4 lety +45

    Rodent , now: not stonks
    Rodents, then: STONKS

  • @Depipro
    @Depipro Před 4 lety +3

    The puns somehow get better when one imagines Blake's face in the background - and I have a feeling Kallie is doing just that. ;)

  • @EMurph42
    @EMurph42 Před 3 lety +3

    Whomever it is that does the editing, they find beautiful art. Excellent work as always!

  • @rmsredwood3
    @rmsredwood3 Před 4 lety +1

    Yes!! Thank you so much PBS EONS, these fascinating guys have waited to long for their own personal documentary. 🙏🙏

  • @CyanDreams1312
    @CyanDreams1312 Před 3 lety +1

    I really like that card at the end talking about how natives have been mistreated, thank you

  • @morristhecat69
    @morristhecat69 Před 4 lety +5

    The great plains? :0 Maybe these guys bones inspired the "fearsome critter", the Jackalope.

  • @-Zevin-
    @-Zevin- Před 4 lety +43

    The Skaven were right all along. Hail the horned rat.

  • @MrThatguyuknow
    @MrThatguyuknow Před 4 lety +2

    Always a treat when this channel releases a video

  • @thisisnotmyrealname5658

    That drawing of the horned goafer looking out of his burrow is bloody terrifying

  • @xanadujones9110
    @xanadujones9110 Před 4 lety +10

    That thumbnail will haunt my dreams tonight

  • @alexanderdaniels4251
    @alexanderdaniels4251 Před 4 lety +24

    They’re so cute

    • @Villosa64
      @Villosa64 Před 3 lety

      why do u think prehistoric legos are cute

  • @wanderingoff13
    @wanderingoff13 Před 4 lety +1

    It's so great to see a land acknowledgement at the end of this video! Kudos to everyone who made that happen.

  • @michaelflores9220
    @michaelflores9220 Před 4 lety +2

    I have never heard of this animal! I should watch this channel as often as I used to!

  • @michaelblacktree
    @michaelblacktree Před 4 lety +3

    Clicked for the PBS Eons, stayed for the dad jokes. 😉

  • @larryg3326
    @larryg3326 Před 4 lety +41

    My spouse, who is a gardener, has the answer to "why horns?" Gophers are the devil.

  • @melvinshine9841
    @melvinshine9841 Před 4 lety +1

    I love the addition of that "frontier" banjo music. Seems fitting when talking about the *realllly* old West.

  • @Gitarr_Jennan
    @Gitarr_Jennan Před 4 lety +2

    Love the content! Can the next video be about the evolution of horns and antlers in ungulates?

  • @morganstarchild5359
    @morganstarchild5359 Před 4 lety +16

    They're cute I think prairie dogs are absolutely adorable 😍😍

    • @lyreparadox
      @lyreparadox Před 4 lety +1

      Even the ones that carry bubonic plague!

  • @suchomimustenerensis
    @suchomimustenerensis Před 4 lety +13

    Could you do prehistoric Japan?Pleaseeeeee

  • @JoMo4Sho
    @JoMo4Sho Před 3 lety +1

    This was fascinating. It reminds me that I would really like to see something about the evolution history of the jackalope.

  • @TJ52359
    @TJ52359 Před 4 lety

    that little Fellow in the pencil drawing just looks so happy...

  • @zedmercury2605
    @zedmercury2605 Před 4 lety +4

    Oh dont worry, it's just the avatar of the great horned rat.
    The skaven shall be pleased

  • @nekkidnora
    @nekkidnora Před 4 lety +5

    Sitting here with my pet rats, trying to imagine them with horns...

  • @kayleighwukovich8318
    @kayleighwukovich8318 Před 3 lety

    Forever respecting this channel for the dedication to the Natives

  • @helloeverybodization
    @helloeverybodization Před 4 lety +1

    "You think these might be Horned Gopher bones, but you cannot be sure. They are too weathered to make a final determination."

  • @diGritz1
    @diGritz1 Před 4 lety +5

    Am I the only who's first instinct is to toss a Holy Hand Grenade
    then run away at the speed of an African Swallow?

  • @thomasennser3113
    @thomasennser3113 Před 4 lety +5

    Thank you for acknowledging the desecration of Native American lands

  • @DanitheDandelion
    @DanitheDandelion Před 4 lety

    They’ve got such sweet smiles

  • @DonnaBarrHerself
    @DonnaBarrHerself Před 3 lety +2

    “The Croods” cover all the evolutionary nuttiness when mammals got started. In the cutest way possible.

  • @jotaro2690
    @jotaro2690 Před 4 lety +17

    Imagine horned human

  • @pierreabbat6157
    @pierreabbat6157 Před 4 lety +19

    You forgot the German horned squirrel: das Einhörnchen.

    • @SimonsDiscoveries
      @SimonsDiscoveries Před 4 lety

      Also known as Das Letzte Einhorn;)

    • @needfoolthings
      @needfoolthings Před 4 lety

      Also, not to forget the laziest of rodents: das Hörnchen (Flaezus croissantis).

  • @serenityriver2701
    @serenityriver2701 Před 4 lety +1

    This is my favorite pbs channel.

  • @MaddoxLightning
    @MaddoxLightning Před 4 lety +2

    Thanks for crediting at the end. I really appreciate that.

  • @imperialofficer6185
    @imperialofficer6185 Před 4 lety +3

    GLORY TO THE HORNED RAT

  • @Opal_jen_X
    @Opal_jen_X Před 4 lety +3

    Thank you for the message about acknowledging Indigenous people at the end of your videos. I hope this practice remains on your channel ❤

  • @tikayscake2416
    @tikayscake2416 Před 3 lety

    Her voice is so satisfying. I can listen to horned rodents all day now

  • @tamis4353
    @tamis4353 Před 4 lety +2

    I'm sure Blake just loves the jokes, make him do it. I love when he say "Kallie is making me say this..."

  • @Bob1128
    @Bob1128 Před 4 lety +3

    That's a Digimon.

  • @aishwaryasingh6859
    @aishwaryasingh6859 Před 3 lety +3

    Ugly and Cute- two words you don't often hear together in a sentence.

  • @bethwelsh8585
    @bethwelsh8585 Před 4 lety +1

    Lol the thought of these little guys tilting their heads down with those horns to look impressive to mates and rivals just makes me laugh.

  • @rickseiden1
    @rickseiden1 Před 4 lety

    These little guys, along with many other extinct species, look like they would be right at home on a Star Trek episode that has the human crew looking around at local fauna in awe.

  • @bjarnes.4423
    @bjarnes.4423 Před 4 lety +10

    beat the notification

  • @violetholiday
    @violetholiday Před 4 lety +7

    18 seconds ago, huh

  • @zacharyschmidt1982
    @zacharyschmidt1982 Před 3 lety

    I waited the entire episode in anticipation of the gopher pun joke! Lol.

  • @zachlyons-weiler4179
    @zachlyons-weiler4179 Před 3 lety

    I love that you put the indigenous slide at the end.

  • @clicheguevara5282
    @clicheguevara5282 Před 4 lety +6

    Who else thought of the rabbit from Monty Python when they saw the thumbnail? 😂

  • @kentotonic2787
    @kentotonic2787 Před 4 lety +3

    My Theory: There are the descendants of Triceratops 😅

    • @Paper_Frogg
      @Paper_Frogg Před 4 lety

      Mammals are actually older than dinosaurs- but it would be cool to imagine an evolutionary line like that

    • @leonnarain8431
      @leonnarain8431 Před 3 lety +1

      @@Paper_Frogg true. It's crazy how different modern day mammals looks in comparison to the Synapsids.

  • @Alberad08
    @Alberad08 Před 3 lety

    What surprises me most, is to see this kind of accouterment with a burroughing animal - meaning, it had to move more soil to fit into its tunnels than as it would be the case with a slimmer hornless profile. So, the horns must have provided a noteworthy benefit to make that extra expense of energy appear justified for these little fellows.

  • @blackpanda5989
    @blackpanda5989 Před 4 lety +1

    Best narrator on pbs eons