Extreme Animal Weapons Preview
Preview: Season 44 Episode 19 | 30s
NOVA uncovers the secrets of nature’s battleground—claws, horns, fangs and all.
From lobster claws and dog teeth to bee stings and snake fangs, every creature depends on a weapon. But some are armed to extremes that make no practical sense—whether it’s bull elks with giant 40-pound antler racks or tiny rhinoceros beetles with horns bigger than their body. What explains giant tusks, horns, and claws that can slow an animal down and even impair health and nutrition?
National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
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Extreme Animal Weapons Preview
Preview: Season 44 Episode 19 | 30s
From lobster claws and dog teeth to bee stings and snake fangs, every creature depends on a weapon. But some are armed to extremes that make no practical sense—whether it’s bull elks with giant 40-pound antler racks or tiny rhinoceros beetles with horns bigger than their body. What explains giant tusks, horns, and claws that can slow an animal down and even impair health and nutrition?
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Video has Closed Captions
Beetles make up the largest group of insects on Earth. Why do so few have massive pincers? (1m 55s)
Why Fiddler Crabs Have Giant Claws
Video has Closed Captions
Fiddler crabs' large claws look intimidating, but is deadly combat their main purpose? (3m 32s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.