Short Wave: This Is Not A Typo - One In Four Animals Known To Science Is A Beetle

NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce had to know more when she recently heard this mind-bending fact for the first time: a quarter of all known animal species are beetles.

Turns out — it’s not just that beetles are incredibly diverse. It’s that they inspire a lot of passionate study within the scientific community. But there’s at least one other animal that might give beetles a run for their money.

Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Brent Baughman, fact-checked by and edited by Viet Le.

 

Short Wave Podcast

It’s science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join host Maddie Sofia for science on a different wavelength.


Science Topics
Biology, Zoology
Animals
Beetles
Middle School, High School
7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, Adults

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