The Hero Shrew

[@SaiyanHeretic]

"Watch me stand on this animal" usually ends up being a person's last words.

[@ragnkja]

The list of animals that a human can stand on for five minutes and both the human and the other animal survive is pretty short.

[@AuChoco]

Unless if it's in BDSM

[@joescott]

Man #1: "Hey, that's a huge shrew!" Man #2: "Watch me step on it!" Science.

[@ss4kaioken295]

Make a video on it

[@ebob4177]

Hi Joe 🖐️

[@Teth47]

See, now that's the spine we should have as upright bipeds.

[@mobspeak]

Super soldier future shit.

[@Hypatia4242]

As someone who has had back surgery: YES

[@boscorner]

Teth47 ikr our lame human spines suck

[@Rainkit]

Nature's like "Just be happy with your hips damn it."

[@The_Practical_Daydreamer]

Hero shrews have trouble bending forward because of that spine. Imagine being upright and not being able to bend over.

[@WireMan7620]

This is one of the coolest thing I've seen all year! Aesthetically, the vertebrae look incredible, but the strength! Who else wants to pack up their camera bag and go film palm trees in the Congo?

[@javierhillier4252]

if we had a spine like that we could carry our god damn house with use lol

[@evabeezero]

How on earth did someone learn you could stand on a shrew for five minutes? And I have to wonder what went on in those five minutes. Was it just awkward silence. Did they have conversations? "So, how's your kids? How's the shrew?"

[@learningftw6559]

Just people looking at each other awkwardly, like, "Uh, man, I don't think that's a good... uh... sir? Sir? Maybe you should get off... there's nothing oozing out from under your foot... sir? OK. OK, guess this is happening."

[@raizin4908]

You only need to step or fall on it one time and see it scurry away unscathed for the curiosity to be lit. The locals probably lived alongside the shrew for hundreds of years, so it's not a wonder someone at some point found out, and made a party trick of sorts out of it.

[@jimday666]

maybe someone stepped on it accidentally, and it didn't die. They tried it again and observed that the shrew has strong bones...

[@Nemoticon]

Any human being with a brain... could come up with a million legitimate reasons how and why. Only a fool would jump to the stupid explanation like that.

[@Coyoteari]

It almost definitely started with a failed stomp lol

[@Ellie-uf4qc]

I love how there's hardly any nasty comments on this video. Emily could make anyone find science fun and exciting.

[@cole3662]

RIP Bill, we'll miss you.

[@LaceNWhisky]

R.I.P. Bill Stanley.

[@XavierMahele]

Eric Nash thank you bill for flicking my switch

[@cscha101]

Dang, I love the backbone and the fact that she's able to access to these rare and beautiful and quirky objects and shows it to us. Thank you

[@ginacerulli524]

"This is so exciting. I feel so honored!" "Wanna hold it?" "This is the only one..." *drops it*

[@mrbigoofs9820]

Dang it we had the same Idea.

[@mrbigoofs9820]

And I wrote it as a comment.

[@mrbigoofs9820]

crap

[@Akaryusan]

*floor breaks*

[@gotisc]

Forget spiders, I want to be bitten by a radioactive hero shrew! Seriously though, this is awesome.

[@here2watch08]

I have never seen a spine like that. I never thought a spine would even exist like that.

[@shellinboots]

i LOVE emily's constant enthusiasm. makes me want to be excited about scienc-y things :DD

[@RachelTraintracks]

Wow I love learning. This whole channel has helped me figure out what I want to do with my life.

[@koojean]

There should be a full episode dedicated to Bill Stanley, he knows so much I want to listen to him all day.

[@StoneOfMoon]

I love Emily’s enthusiasm and love for science. It’s so contagious ❤️

[@wildescience]

"this is so exciting, this is science"

[@AliHSyed]

Lool "firmly grasp it"... greatest Patrick moment.

[@DysnomiaFilms]

The shrew must have had strong feet to hold up it's ribcage or a very strong ribcage to prevent it's organs from being crushed... or perhaps that story is a bit of a legend.

[@johnclavis]

"Hero Shrew" is my new favorite Pooh Corner character! What a great video. You rock! I will watch more now!

[@callumc.2384]

Emily does such an amazing job with explaining cool things and just being totally real with the audience. Michael does such an amazing job with the editing and the filming. I am so impressed with his work.

[@h.sagefeatherston2813]

Hi Emily! I saw the video you hosted on UpWorthy and decided to check out your videos and -WOW-...You've got some stellar topics under your belt! Usually, I'm pretty bored with living things (from a science perspective) but I'm definitely fascinated by this little critter. I'm definitely going to have to take a trip to Chicago to see this museum now... Looking forward to more!

[@dmforsyth]

I do love living in a world where there are so many flavors of nerdiness. Seeing Emily get so excited ("This is science!") is inspirational. The world becomes a better place when we all embrace our passions and run with them. Thanks, Brain Scoop!

[@TheAAMoy]

I love the way your eyes widen on each new fact you hear. Gives me chills.

[@HayleyBarrickman]

I know I say this every time, but I love seeing Emily get excited about stuff. It makes me even more excited.

[@notexactlypaul]

This is by far the best educational KZbin channel thus far. Since moving to the Chicago Field Museum, thebrainscoop has had the closest, direct access to *real* science. This channel showcases the day-to-day investigation of zoology/biology. I am filled with great hope that subsequent channels will follow this model to help disseminate the ideas that are required to make further scientific discoveries, rather than simply perpetuate the ideas of old. Democratization, acceleration, progress

[@My2ndnephew]

Thanks for the up close and personal look at people who are absolutely fascinated by what they do. It's inspirational.

[@mrbigoofs9820]

4:41 "and your holding it right there?" "Yep, Im holding it in my left hand" "wow, I feels so honored to be talking to right now!!" "You can hold it." "Oh my gosh" (drops specimen.)

[@Onami3]

Been catching up on my Brainscoop! Love this show so much, you're doing so much to inspire people around the globe, and especially women! Thank you for everything you're doing Emily, and for being generally awesome :)

[@primmese]

This just makes me so happy. Happy not in a funny way, but happy in a I love life and the universe and science and this show. Makes me thankful I'm alive. Thanks so much.

[@CafeCharLatte]

I love these spotlights on specific species & other taxa! It's so cool to learn about new animals, or learn new things about an animal, or just watch emily talk about things you already know about an animal.

[@Kalaloo]

I would've been scared to hold those little skeletons. Those ribs look so fragile I would have been afraid of breaking them so easily.

[@theshuman100]

Proceeds to stand on it

[@vajake1]

Very well done. I loved the "Angel choir" and glowing spine effects! Well done!

[@galaxa13]

Emily is so cute. "This is science!" I love watching these videos because she's so excited about what she learns and it makes me excited.

[@pertaterful]

In my genetics class, we talked about the homeobox and HOX genes which control how an animal's anatomy develops. I don't remember much more than that, but I was thinking that maybe a single mutation in the homeobox of a shrew could produce excess vertebra like that. It would be like punctuated equilibrium, where a big change happens in a very short amount of time. There would not have to be many or any missing links.

[@MarkScherz]

It is quite possible that a homeobox mutation is involved, but it is definitely more than just that. Typically homeobox mutations result in drastic changes in other parts of the body, especially in the face. Very specific mutations would be required to just add vertebrae, and not result in other drastic mutations. Nevertheless, the adding of the vertebrae could, as you say, happen over a very short period of time. However, the expansion of the lateral processes of those vertebrae in such a complex fashion is less likely to have occurred rapidly, as we must infer selection for greater lumbar reinforcement, which undoubtedly happened over millennia.

[@demianhaki7598]

I just wish the brainscoop was a daily programme. Keep up the amazing work! Looking forward to every video.

[@parakhmody1413]

Just for the record, that was EXTREMELY COOL of Dr Stanley to let Emily just hold that skeleton like that. I mean that was (and probably still is) the only piece of evidence that all of humanity has to *try* to understand this unusual vertebral column, which literally makes it priceless on so many different levels! And that moment, when he gave her the skeleton; probably even more priceless!!

[@ebd_]

"It looks like a triscuit!" I fucking died.

[@DunkRyan]

Oh, of course! Thanks for that, I should have known to check the video description. That bottom picture really shows the difference; it's insane!

[@TheRebelSpyGamer]

I really love these videos on the morphology of a species! Its so neat to see what these freaky processes do

[@mollymoon510]

I've been having a horrible day today, and seeing that you guys had put up another video put a smile on my face, so thanks :)

[@violetboyle2864]

This was one of the best episodes; Bill's story was super interesting

[@Torchutube]

when I see brainscoop in my list, I know I'm going to learn something. Thanks Emily and the Field Museum!!

[@runescaper1459]

i never thought i would ever be exited to see bones but the way you guys were talking about it and he way you were so exited got me really pumped haha

[@CardboardCreative]

The hero shrew vertebral column has such a weird and fascinating morphology. I study human osteology, but this specific species is of such interest to me. I'm glad to see it's been shown on thebrainscoop! Also, I bet Bill Stanley would talk forever if you let him... about phenomenal stuff, but still... Forever...

[@primmese]

My favourite episode in the field museum so far.

[@RobKinneySouthpaw]

to help: A process is anything that sticks up off the bone (the little spines). Dorsal process would be the one sticking out from the center of the back. Lumbar is the lower back. Vertebrae are the actual whole individual bones.

[@paulidin]

Ahhh, that is so amazing! The only one in the world!!! I started getting goosebumps and a bit choked up by the time the skeleton started to glow. Nice FX that. :)

[@JonJonesLPM]

One of my most favorite episodes so far.

[@avilacanario]

....and that's why I watch these programs... To get a chance to see things like this... Thank you, thank you....

[@rileyj7066]

Ain't no over meant shutdown gonna shut down the Brain Scoop!! Great episode Emily and Michael!

[@OWorthyFool]

Emily, your joy is WONDERFUL to watch

[@xxparvanehxx]

I read the journal article back in summer - good to know some people find it as exciting as I do!!

[@nobelmorningstar]

I love the subtle visual effects.

[@e_b_]

A built-in crowbar, hahahahhaha😂😂😂😂

[@Baud2Bits]

Truly inspiring to see a potential transition like this.

[@eesulbee]

I just learned/memorized the human anatomy and the mechanisms of evolution this week, so this is generally a super fantastic video and a awesome review for me (: thanks!!

[@Herstead]

You know this is a great idea, the Field Museum sponsoring these videos, until watching the Brain Scoop I had never heard of it, now I really want to visit.

[@l33tsh33p]

I like how you do the in-video tags, it's a neat effect

[@snowym12]

That was fascinating! I never imagined a spinal cord that looked like that, but I guess I never imagined a lot of things I've seen on thebrainscoop so far.

[@KennyCutout]

Man these animals are so incredible. I would love to learn more about their spines like how flexible they are or how their muscle tendons attach to them. I'm so fascinated because I wonder why this is so exclusive to the hero shrew.

[@Yakskiis]

Thank you for another awesome video! Please keep it up, if not for you I probably would have never heard of these amazing creatures!

[@TheEntroseth]

Oh my goodness adding Hero Shrews to my list of anecdotal science facts for the future!

[@alanadyson6528]

Hello Emily and fellow talented scientartists! I recently moved to Florida, and the flora and fauna are gobsmackingly awesome, obviously. If you have ever been to Flotida, you will have noticed the ubiquity of the GECKO. The girl part of me thinks they are adorable, but the grown-up knows they are an invasive species. I guess i want to know if i should love or hate them and whether i should attempt any action or not. Anyhow, keep up the GREAT WORK!

[@servals2384]

Wow. That is a truly amazing spine! {However, I am wondering what could possibly have forced this animal to evolve such a complex spine? It's not like shrews are often exposed to death by being stepped on..... are they?}

[@servals2384]

Spoke to soon; my question was answered

[@paleo747]

I thought I had seen all of the Brain scoops a long time ago, but no, thank you algorithm for suggesting this one, it was a good one, the shiny part ...brilliant.

[@LaxLune]

I feel like before watching mental floss I just found it extremely interesting. Now I find myself rooting for Emily. Preparing and ant eater, handling the one shrew. I can't wait to see where the brain scoop and Emily go! ;)

[@theappleman005]

"This is so exciting. This is science!" Yes, yes, it is.

[@Glasichor]

YO BRAINSCOOP! TELL BILL THAT BEARD LOOKS WICKED AND ALL SMART-LIKE!

[@AirmailMRCOOL]

Science? No. THIS IS SPARTA! Good episode Emily, can't wait to hear more.

[@SartiseGarcia]

Amazingly, a person would be able to stand on the back of this animal for that long without this animal's breathing being compromised or the animal being harmed. (Is it possible that maybe this animal can hold its breath while being stood on because I'm sure it would need to breathe- could this also be evolution where it can hold its breath for a long period while being stood on)?

[@VOIPWoot]

My spine was wide eyed and drooling at the thought.

[@MagicTurtle643]

That was an awesome episode. My back hurts just imagining having all those bones in there. Although if I actually did I suspect my back would be super powerful.

[@BlaowMan]

This show (not just this episode) should be shown in classrooms everywhere.

[@jjjacco7]

Love the glow!

[@thats2kewl]

For most other channels, I stop the video when it hits the credits...with this channel, the video is not over until I hear Emily say "it still has brains on it." :)

[@Yahoodoraze]

The brain scoop makes me so happy!!

[@pim1234]

I love these stories !

[@superbubbleaquapower]

"This is so exciting... This is science!" Nailed it.

[@VideoNozoki]

I love the GLOW when Emily received the shrew skeleton.

[@JohnCorrigan]

Everybody there is really interesting. So glad that these videos exist.

[@drowmonk]

I've seen this shrew talked about on SciShow, and from what I understood (I may be totally wrong) it still articulates but the extra bones make it VERY hard to break. It's like a bundle of sticks, each piece is fragile but the whole bundle is hard to break.

[@Callordin]

I have a friend to whom I sent Brain Scoop's link who is confused how nature's diversity could have developed from a shared glob of primordial ooze. His eyes glaze over when I talk. Can you do one of your amazingly fun and informative videos on the essentials of evolutionary theory, and/or refer us in links to similarly excellent resources?

[@nathanong]

I just spend the rest of the episode imagining the researchers freaking out when a full grown man stepped on a little hero shrew.

[@goliathprime]

I just learned about these little guys the other day! That's an interesting hypothesis about the fulcrum/crowbar mechanism. Do their arms or shoulders show any signs of greater muscle mass? I would think they would need a lot of physical strength to work in the way described because they aren't going to have much in the way of distance to make the most efficient use their backs as a fulcrum.

[@OrAngeAnArchy]

it would be so cool to do a full scan of the vertebrae into 3D and scale it up and make it able to move as it functions then print it on a 3D printer with plastic resin at double or triple size so people can see how it articulates and how it is able to have that much strength. That spine looks so cool and bizarre and interesting...i would totally reference that spine onto some scifi creature.

[@RazorSharpClaws]

As soon as he said "base of palm trees" I thought that maybe they have such strong spines because they hang out where coconuts are falling, and they don't get smooshed!

[@DunkRyan]

The Field Museum is independent, not specifically connected to any university. I imagine he has published on this and that probably includes hi-res images, but it would still aid the video to have such a shot included, imo.

[@VectorRabbit]

She was a volunteer at the other museum - the Field Museum hired her, so she works there now.

[@missgazelle1]

I do like when Emily talks. It's nice to get other perspectives, though.

[@TheBandScanner]

"This is science; this one still has brains on it." Would be a great t-shirt slogan.

[@RaTheBadger]

This channel gets +250 respect points for the redwall reference :)

[@BovrilRainbow69]

This is amazing, I love the brain scoop!

[@scottgoblue]

That must have been a pretty hellacious trial-and-error to demonstrate with the right shrew.

[@GrimReaper-dh8yc]

If we ever genetically modify humans, you just know we're going pick this up as soon as possible.

[@catherine_404]

I really like shrews. I think we need more shrews. Although you barely know they live around unless you have a mousing cat. The cat I had never discriminated among small mammals. Shrews or mice, whatever is available. Once she even brought some tiny brown weasel (it was very damaged, barely alive, she ate it).

[@Tsum1923]

I would postulate the increased strength in the spine could also be attributed to surviving impacts from falling coconuts as well.

[@MCallaghan]

This is both fascinating and terrifying. It looks completely unnatural!

[@realspacemodels]

The glow effect was exactly how I was looking at that specimen!

[@SwimmmingFishy]

Really great video, I had no idea these creatures existed!

[@PontusWelin]

Science in action. This is so cool!