True Facts: Mussels That Catch Fish

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A Special thanks to Dr. Chris Barnhart.
Dr. Barnhart’s video and pictures of freshwater mussels are impossible to miss if you research them even a little bit. Dr. Barnhart let us share his incredible (and hilarious) documentation of these amazing animals, and helped us avoid silly mistakes (like mispronouncing the entire Order).
We would not have been able to make this episode without him.
Thank you to:
Dr Chris Barnhart, Missouri State University
Ryan Hagerty, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Brett Billings, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Tim Lane, Virginia Tech
Dr Tom Watters, Ohio State University
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Megan Bradley, US Fish & Wildlife Service
J. Scott Faiman
Kendell R. Loyd, Missouri State University
John McLeod, US Geological Survey
Dr Viktoria E Nikishchenko, FEB Russian Academy of Sciences
Dr. Elena Sayenko, FEB Russian Academy of Sciences
Yan-ling Cao, Shandong University
Dr. Constance Rogers-Lowery, Catawba College
Jonathan Young
Matt Hill
Todd Fobian
SWGMUSSELS
Selected Citations:
Barnhart, Miles & Haag, Wendell & Roston, William. (2008). Adaptations to larval parasitism in the Unionoida.
Journal of The North American Benthological Society - J N AMER BENTHOL SOC. 27. 370-394. 10.1899/07-093.1.
Cao, Yan-Ling & Liu, Xiongjun & Wu, Ruiwen & Xue, Tao-Tao & Li, Long & Zhou, Chun-Hua & Ouyang, Shan & Wu,
Xiao-Ping. (2018). Conservation of the endangered freshwater mussel Solenaia carinata (Bivalvia, Unionidae)
in China. Nature Conservation. 26. 10.3897/natureconservation.26.25334.
Fobian, Todd. (2007). Reproductive biology of the rabbitsfoot mussel (Quadrula cylindrica) (Say, 1817)
in the upper Arkansas River system.
Loyd, Kendell. (2018). Synchronization of Reproduction in Deertoe Mussel (Truncilla truncata).
McLeod, John & Jelks, Howard & Pursifull, Sandra & Johnson, Nathan. (2017). Characterizing the early life
history of an imperiled freshwater mussel ( Ptychobranchus jonesi ) with host-fish determination and
fecundity estimation. Freshwater Science. 36. 000-000. 10.1086/692096.
Nikishchenko, Viktoria & Sayenko, E. & Dyachuk, Vyacheslav. (2022). First Immunodetection of Sensory and
Nervous Systems of Parasitic Larvae (Glochidia) of Freshwater Bivalve Nodularia douglasiae.
Frontiers in Physiology. 13. 879540. 10.3389/fphys.2022.879540.
Rogers-Lowery, Constance & Dimock, Ronald. (2006). Encapsulation of Attached Ectoparasitic Glochidia
Larvae of Freshwater Mussels by Epithelial Tissue on Fins of Naive and Resistant Host Fish.
The Biological bulletin. 210. 51-63. 10.2307/4134536.
Sayenko, E. & Kazarin, V. (2022). Sample preparation of glochidial shells (Bivalvia, Unionidae) for scanning
electron microscopy. Ruthenica, Russian Malacological Journal. 32. 7-20. 10.35885/ruthenica.2022.32(1).2.
Watters, G. Thomas. “Morphology of the Conglutinate of the Kidneyshell Freshwater Mussel, Ptychobranchus
Fasciolaris.” Invertebrate Biology 118, no. 3 (1999): 289-95. doi.org/10.2307/3226998.

[@zefrank]

Use the link www.nordvpn.com/zefrank to get an exclusive NordVPN deal. To commemorate NordVPNs 11th birthday, for a limited time only - you will also receive an additional mystery gift on top. ✌

[@researcherchameleon4602]

Can you please make a full video on the Cordyceps fungus

[@liberalsockpuppet4772]

If it's anything like an Adam and Eve mystery gift, I'm in.

[@liberalsockpuppet4772]

​@@researcherchameleon4602 excellent idea!

[@lupusmacbeth8784]

Hey can you cover the Pacu fish? they're a vegetarian cousin to the pirhana and were imported to other places around the world, and wound up evolving in interesting ways to say the least as a result and now occasionally chew on other nuts besides those that fall from trees. They are known as Ballcutters in some parts of the world, for very on the nose reasons.

[@KekuTheLaughing]

You got a bot problem in the comments bro. Like full fledged comment bots too.

[@seachief7449]

Fun fact about the facehugger mussels The fish they specialise in have reinforced skulls which allow them to survive the facehugging, if the mussel grabs a different species that isn't suitable for their young, they will just crush their skull. So in a weird way, they actually have somewhat of a symbiotic relationship, as the mussels remove competing species from the environment.

[@SorenCicchini]

That's not really all that fun but it is interesting and I appreciate it nonetheless.

[@alexistaylor969]

@l-3176-l most likely, they had thicker skulls due to stronger biting muscles for pealing stuff off rocks and from flipping rocks. Then the mussels started biting them and only the thicker skulled survived. So probably started with thicker skulls and then got thicker as a co evolution thanks to the mussels killing off the ones that didn't have thick enough skulls, as well as other species of fish without the thicker skulls.

[@katiekane5247]

​@@SorenCicchini especially for the average fish.

[@paddington1670]

@@alexistaylor969 Or only some of the fish species with thick skulls had adequately thick skulls for your reasons, but mussels started biting heads and the fish species with thick skulls got even thicker and now we can say they share a better relationship after they evolved thicker skulls. Chicken or egg or a bit of both, unless you know for sure, quite a few instances could be true.

[@ToudaHell]

Facehuggers. Where else have I heard that from?

[@matthewrowe7194]

I'm a freshwater mussel conservation biologist and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this video. It has been watched over one MILLION times in under three days and is almost certainly the most effective single piece of Freshwater mussel outreach ever produced. I cannot clap loudly enough to express my thanks for creating it.

[@12-343]

So you're saying this is all propaganda for Big Mussel?

[@Wearywastrel]

​@@12-343 🤣🤣🤣

[@arizona_anime_fan]

@@12-343 its a small pro-facial lobby, but it's quite strong.

[@LunariousBookworm]

Your enthusiasm for your field of study is contagious

[@josephgutschmidt4718]

Clap away

[@lilRadRidinHood]

My first encounter with ZeFrank here and really must say thank you. I'm 71 and consider myself quite knowledgeable about animals, from tardigrade to blue whales. Yet this was news to me, and delightful for me to learn with the teacher adding humor throughout the clip. After reading several dozen comments I am anxious to discover more videos on the varied topics presented by the one that goes by ZeFrank.

[@dianafrances6862]

Ze Frank is a treasure for all of us interested in animals of all kinds.

[@Elo-Him]

Liar.

[@Akatsuki69387]

I recommend Lindsay Nikole and Casual Geographic for more neat facts though they're a little more short form.

[@wankershim]

"The females, which can look quite female" I nearly choked. Frank's out here saying what we're all thinking.

[@chilomine839]

Did he do a.....LOL!!!!

[@-elliott-averagedragonenjo1812]

@yo it really isn’t. Everyone who owns/manages bots like this should be banned from using the internet as a whole.

[@cantmakeacreativename2072]

@@-elliott-averagedragonenjo1812 well, replying to them isn’t helping very much, if anything it helps them since the people uses these bots gets the notifications from it, and like most trolls, are usually fueled by it.

[@chadd1428]

​@@-elliott-averagedragonenjo1812 reported

[@gastonmarian7261]

In talking with a friend about a female equivalent to the eggplant emoji, we thought the oyster 🦪 was a particularly effective fit

[@Destroyah931]

I've actually worked alongside Dr. Barnhart for over a decade. A pleasant surprise to see his footage here. While mussels are his specialty we and others have also been studying Lepidoptera, which would be another fantastic True Facts video topic. Mimicry, poisons, their many foes, parasitic lepidoptera, a species where males drink the blood of their own children to attract females, and so many other fascinating facts make Butterflies, Moths, and Skippers the perfect subject for one of these videos.

[@error.418]

It's kinda surprising he hasn't done butterflies as a single video yet. They were mentioned in the "True Facts: Deception in the Rainforest" I believe. Would be nice to see a deeper dive like you mentioned.

[@Alvgal]

Upvoting to make Ze Frank see this, it sounds like a great video!

[@babybloc]

“Drink the blood of their own children.” That’ll be a hit in the version for kid’s science classes. I’ll definitely be pointing this comment out to my adult children who follow the channel

[@sdfkjgh]

@@babybloc: Dude, it's not just drinking the blood of their own children. It's doing that in order to attract a female. *METAL. AS. FUCK!!!!* Also highly psychopathic.

[@darcieclements4880]

You would have to do specific lepidoptera really, too much content for general group.

[@UltraGalaxyify]

"Now sometimes the sperm comes in balls". That is deeply profound, it changed my life forever

[@sarafleming9893]

So, the men in this world better hope all their little ‘spermies’ don’t decide to gather on one side and start swimming. Those balls would jump’n, bump’n, and move’n all over the place. “Come on, boys, we’re going that way. Why, what’s that way? Who knows. We’re in the river!” LOLOL🤣🤣🤣

[@heathertaylor8904]

That's sad, I didn't know there was an extinction event for the mussels, too. I used to go camping and watch them do their thing along the edge of the river with a lamp. I don't know why, but watching hundreds of them float their lil lippies and undulating them in the water was quite hypnotic and peaceful. I remember thinking they acted like the rivers liver or something, cleaning all the gunk out of the water. You can actually see clean water past the patches of the mussels, much clearer than just upstream of their bunches.

[@angelkotilainen]

That's so cool! It's so special to have memories like this. I used to sit and watch Sand Martins' just 12 years ago they were a delight🥰 Now there are none 😔 I always tell myself they found some place else to nest other than the river bank here, but who knows. They used to do the most incredible aerial displays. I have a photo of a bunch of them looking like they're circling the moon with a bright blue sky. I miss them. I hope your mussels are doing well.

[@heathertaylor8904]

@Angel me too. It's been awhile. Sorry about the birds... that's really sad. I remember growing up with hundreds of fireflies all over the place. The night would dance with them, like stars that had come down. It's really disappointing people don't seem to care anymore.

[@delightdelirium1]

@@heathertaylor8904 I grew up here in West Virginia, where you can't eat anything out of the river because it's too polluted (but us poor people did anyway). Our rivers have been taken over by the invasive mussels. When I was a kid, there used to be crawdads and minnows and dragonflies and frogs and toads and snakes and salamanders in every creek. Now you're lucky to see a living being near one. I also remember the summer nights full of fireflies, and the spring peepers. You could tell the season by the insect and bird calls. Makes me sad my niece and nephew won't have those experiences.

[@heathertaylor8904]

@M. McIntyre nature is a very delicate balance. It kind of blows my mind in the worst way that some people don't believe in trying to save our planet and the balance within it. What could possibly be more precious or worth caring about? 😔 there used to be fireflies everywhere here in Florida too but now my kids have never seen one either. Breaks my heart.

[@KlodFather]

And sadly many of them are missing. There were lots of fresh water clams around here that were eaten by native peoples that do not exist any more. I did get a chance to sample some of them where the locals hunted them in a large mountain lake and smoked them. It was a fantastic find.

[@clockworkkirlia7475]

One of the absolute funniest episodes to date. Everything from 7:00 to "yay!" is absolute comedy gold. And as a fan of wacky invertebrates everywhere, absolutely fascinating to watch! Thank you, Ze Frank, Caitlin Cowie, Dr. Chris Barnhart and everyone else who contributed to this beautiful work!

[@theshuman100]

just realise this is the equivalent of fruit. only difference is the seeds embed in your flesh

[@corbinbrody1]

As a freshwater mussel biologist and huge fan of Ze Frank, I gotta say, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!!

[@braindecay9477]

How did you become freshwater mussel biologist? Like for real, with biology BsC, msc, PhD in freshwater mussel appreciation? And if yes, was it worth it?

[@marti5420]

As a freshwater mussel, I too have been waiting for this

[@Tmuoe]

I guess, the fish dies at the end, so are the muscles "parasitic"? and it is amazing how they recognize the right fish, how do they do that at all? Do they sense specific hormone or even "gene" of the right fish? amazing....

[@Macaulyn_97]

@@Tmuoe No, he says in the end that they detach from the fish, leaving it "no worse for the wear", which means that the fish is basically unnaffected by their presence.

[@GetOffMyPhoneGoogle]

Hello, it's me your lab student. I need a big bag of these, a stick of butter, and a head of garlic. I have science to do.

[@eventer79]

I am a mussel biologist & I approve this message. XD Also, I am thrilled to see Chris Barnhart's amazing media finally get some more attention outside of mussel world. These are truly amazing animals - even after working with them for almost 20 years, I am still regularly astonished at what they can do and the complexity of their lives. I am so happy that my long hope for a zefrank mussel video has finally been fulfilled!!!

[@curiousKuro16]

I'm most surprised by how many muscle scientists are in these comments.

[@ericcrinnian]

​@@curiousKuro16Same 😂 I'm just scrolling and it's (understandably) excited mussel biologists all the way down!

[@docgonzobordel]

👍👍👍

[@thefatherinthecave943]

Consensus among people that study individual types of animals seems to be “they’re always surprising us in ways we didn’t think possible

[@bustatron]

Pretty wild that a creature without vision can make such detailed false lures. How did they figure that crap out? (I get how, just HOW?)

[@lizesser2802]

I love this kinda natural horror that feels like it shouldn't be real, and I've never known about this. That perfect mix of deeply fascinating and disturbing. Big WTF to nature. AGAIN. Love your content. Seriously good, obscure information delivered with wonderful and absurd comedy.

[@CJM-rg5rt]

I actually found out about these by surfing wikipedia and they blew my freaking mind. I think I was reading about a small native fish to the great lakes region. The mussel that relies on it is going extinct because the diversity has pretty much been lost in these epic lakes. Invasive goby or mussels probably took their place or something. You'd never believe how screwed up it's gotten over the years and how many different types of wildlife have disappeared.

[@andresperedo1275]

I am now writing my doctoral thesis on dispersal of freshwater macroinvertebrates (but of another kind, caddisflies and so), and the thing of going upstream to not end up eventually in the sea is a thing, I can tell you.

[@snugglymisha]

I'm also interested in caddisfly research! That is so cool, good luck on your thesis (:

[@andresperedo1275]

@@snugglymisha There are a couple of presentations I gave in online conferences uploaded to my channel. They are not meant for the general public (particularly the first one, it is super technical), but you can give them a try. And thank you!

[@absolutelyunepic3072]

I imagine you are quite popular with fly fishermen

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

I once saw a blurb about someone who used caddisfly larvae shells to make jewelry. She would put the larvae into tanks of water with small stones of all the same color and they'd build their shells. Very pretty! When they reached their adult form, she'd turn them loose. I'm not sure how much this would disrupt the life cycle, but the jewelry was certainly unique and fascinating.

[@JesterTBP]

The second he made that point I had a Eureka moment. Makes soooo much sense.

[@squallsheart69]

Who would have ever thought mussels to be so diverse and amazingly creative in their lures. And Zefrank's narration is top notch *chef kiss*

[@rebeccaconlon9743]

And that's just freshwater ones

[@13lilsykos]

Shouldn't it be mussel kiss? *muah muah* ( insert ze frank kissing noises here)

[@thithi8793]

ok

[@minhvan1216]

ok

[@crunchyyellowlion]

I still say if ZeFrank and his friend taught science in school, I probably would have been more interested. I am nearly 50 and he's still hilarious as ever, and educational!

[@kurodiggs]

Nice! A new episode of "If these were humans, they would be in prison."

[@nextmoreinc]

💀☠💀☠

[@SoniasWay]

These mussels prove those people wrong who say “you can’t survive by sitting in your room all day”

[@Carewolf]

Nature's own mouthbreathers.

[@playerone7663]

Still sitting here waiting for a fish to swim into my mouth.

[@hunszaszist]

I'm sure it works out for the mussels, but I think my situation would be worse if I facefucked a fish to boot

[@tiefensucht]

Tinder in a nut err mussel shell. Some male species even send pictures of their dick to attract woman.

[@denifnaf5874]

I mean they are sitting outside

[@alexkiser4017]

I work with freshwater mussels and this is the best thing ever! I never thought the obscure group of organisms I work with would ever get their own true facts video.

[@samiam619]

I live on a lake in northern lower Michigan, are zebra mussels edible? By humans that is…

[@cryptbeast3222]

A random question, but do you think there's any chance that a few of the flashier species could be bred for hobby aquarists? I know they wouldn't be easy to keep, and most would never be able to breed them, but it may make a handful of species more common and appreciated.

[@darkdragoness5]

One of the things I seem to notice about Ze Frank's videos is that he tends to go for things that tend to be overlooked and shows just how interesting they can be. So people like you who work with these truly fascinating creatures can get the recognition you deserve for all your work.

[@alexkiser4017]

@Sam I am Yes, they are edible in the sense that they are not poisonous. No, I would not recommend eating them because they are filter feeders and you do not know what may have passed through them.

[@alexkiser4017]

@Crypt Beast Yes, it is possible to propagate many species in an aquarium setting. There are multiple facilities in the USA, China, and Europe that will raise threatened or endangered mussels for release or experiments. This is one of the things our lab does. I would check with your local natural resource agency about collecting wild mussels as there are several species that may be protected in your area. However, I actually saw some corbicula (Asian clams, not unionid mussels) in a local fish store recently. So there is potential.

[@BrookeReamsthephoenix]

I just learned about your channel and my life is changed for the better. I'm a bio major graduating in 2 months. Thank you for your humor and integrity.

[@xxxxmimi]

This is amazing. I never knew mussels reproduce like this and those decoys look so real its incredible. Thank you for your humorous yet informative videos!!! i love them

[@DanGamingFan2846]

Undersea reproduction be wild. And very clever. It's incredible how simultaneously beautiful and disgusting (and horrifying) evolution can be. Great job, as always, Ze Frank.

[@LprogressivesANDliberals]

Love nature. It’s objective & unfair. Reality is reality & survival is all that matters

[@DanGamingFan2846]

​@@LprogressivesANDliberalsOh, I love nature more than anything. I'm just saying it can get crazy at times.

[@sekkuar]

Yes but that's a river not a sea

[@samsonsoturian6013]

Very Lovecraftian...

[@brigidtheirish]

@@sekkuar Same general concept.

[@lifeaquatic1267]

Ive got to say, as a freshwater mussel biologist, I am happy to hear you correctly pronounce the genus and species properly. Nice description of the process as well. Oh, Dr Barnhart from Missouri State helped you. Makes sense now.

[@quietone748]

But ZeFrank himself is a Biologist, so it also makes sense because he is also a scientist interested in these things.

[@lifeaquatic1267]

@@quietone748 Oh, I didnt know that. Makes him even cooler in my eyes. That said, if you dont say the scientific names frequently, its easy to butcher them, even as a biologist. Pronouncing Lasmigona decorata isnt easy, unless you say it all the time. I mispronounce plant species all the time.

[@Damocles450]

So, what happens to the fish that get all the mussel larvae all up in them? I can't imagine having their gills inundated with mussel is all that...healthy?

[@itsagundam79]

@@Damocles450 what do you do when you inhale some pollen? Sneeze a couple times and get on with your life? Or freak out that you just inhaled barbed, spiky plant semen and gouge out your nostrils to the point of bleeding? I imagine it's the same with the fish.

[@athmaid]

​@@lifeaquatic1267 why don't you just call it L. decorata

[@JonesGermanni]

"It looks like it's sneezed out it's pituitary" I freaking adore your imagination because this is on point 😂😂😂😂

[@Hazuls]

I absolutely love how an apparently simple creature like the mollusk (a rock with lips!) In fact has such amazing and intricate adaptations. The natural world is truly amazing!!

[@manaash4316]

I never realized how terrifying mussels are

[@Dany-wp5zu]

No is not, it looks like a some weird laguma erecta, clam to mouth kind of fing

[@JesterTBP]

Have you realized how delicious they can be?

[@PhilJonesIII]

@@JesterTBP Have you considered that might be part of their plan?

[@BrettonFerguson]

I thought it was an ingrown hair. It turns out my toe got raped by a clam.

[@nekrataali]

Thank god there isn't a human equivalent. Imagine biting into an apple, only to feel a bunch of worms release into your mouth, work their way down into your lungs, then (to get them out) you sneeze something through your nose that looks like baby powder.

[@emilys1418]

I had no idea how absolutely horrifying mussels are 👍 I am deeply unnerved

[@sometimessnarky1642]

Hey, at least they dont kill the fish. They are unwilling hosts but it's temporary and not fatal.

[@alternateview8971]

@@sometimessnarky1642 imagine taking a walk, and suddenly you’re engulfed by what is essentially flesh in a rock. You’re then immediately coated in hundreds of specks latch on and start to bury themselves into you. The ideal location for these specks to grow into the thing you’re trapped in is in your lungs. If fish were able pain and misery like humans could, I imagine you’d come away from that Disturbed at best or Psychologically Broken at worst. Lucky for the fish that they probably can’t.

[@Mel-xl9fz]

Honestly, same

[@chakydd]

Yes. I was looking for this comment. So damn strange to say the least. 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@dalias12]

@@alternateview8971 they do have different lives from people.

[@monkchips]

This man is a genius! I literally have tears pouring down my face, laughing at his narration. Keep doing what you do.

[@trevgauntletneu_gaming]

Imagine getting a mussel money shot.

[@spuntoddler9702]

Gravy! (Ed’s voice)

[@TimeBucks]

This is absolutely amazing!

[@anamparveen7336]

Nice

[@parwatifakar]

Nice

[@RofikulIslam-pg7pm]

This is Very nice amazing

[@evamarkoneszilvasy9997]

Amazing!

[@kuldeepsoni86]

Good

[@TerrX21]

“Here a darter fish looks for a morsel OH S#%^!” Not even 8 seconds into this and I’m already in tears 🤣🤣Always amazing work from you, Zefrank. Thank you, and if you can help it, don’t even stop!

[@vantruongthi9105]

ok

[@torterratortellini6641]

@@user-zk4eh6zy2gshut up

[@brooklynguy4331]

In tears, huh? I guess you really take the darter fish’s fate to heart. - BG

[@sometimessnarky1642]

If you cry about a fish perhaps you shouldn't watch nature programs. But the fish didn't die so wipe those tears away and donate to help the non fatal birthing methods of the freshwater mussels.

[@MossyMozart]

@@sometimessnarky1642 - Back down. Perhaps @Terrencevia21 was cry with laughter. Though until we discovered that the fish were not harmed, I was feeling quite empathetic myself.

[@timl.b.2095]

Stunning! I've seen lots of nature videos, but these adaptations are some of the most amazing ever!

[@phyllisnunn2061]

Absolutely incredible research here! Also - I knew there was a reason I've never wanted to eat mussels.

[@PeachySASQUATCH]

I’m pretty sure this is the only channel I’ve actually watched every single video of, and I never miss a new one

[@blackcotton2288]

me too!!!!!

[@chucklebutt4470]

I think for me it's this channel and also Primitive Technology.

[@KenjiVdusc]

Not that many videos to watch, but everyone a good value, especially for the price

[@PeachySASQUATCH]

@@chucklebutt4470 I can’t help but to think you’ve replied to the wrong comment

[@PeachySASQUATCH]

@jana What is happening?

[@babygorilla4233]

Who would have thought that mussels act like a Venus flytrap got freeky with a parasitic wasp.

[@Macaulyn_97]

Parasitic wasps actually kill their hosts, though. Ze Frank said that when the baby mussels get out, they leave the fish "no worse for the wear", so it seems like the fish just serves as an incubator instead of food.

[@feuerling]

​@@Macaulyn_97 _Mostly_ no worse for the wear

[@babygorilla4233]

@@Macaulyn_97 true I wrote that at the start when the first one was pumping a fish full of babys.

[@runningwithscissors0911]

I learn a lot form your videos and you just crack me up ZeFrank. Thank you and pleeeeeeze keep 'em coning!👏🎉

[@digitalmop]

For the amount of entertainment this provides I certainly end up learning way too much. Pls don't stop.

[@carjax777]

Hey Ze, I've been a long-time follower of yours. I am a third year student studying fish and wildlife management and I have to say I really appreciate the effort you put into doing good research! By the way you might find it interesting to hear your videos where recently shared in one of my upper division classes. So I'd be proud if I was you Ze, your videos are actually being used as a teaching tool in university's as a fun way to introduce a species with humor and good data! Whether you know it or not you are a valued part of the academic community just as much as you are a wonderful entertainer. Thank you, and keep doing amazing work!

[@be6715]

Very nice!

[@Wearywastrel]

So cool. 👍

[@Ethan70779]

That’s awesome lol

[@mlaridon]

That's great, being educational and hilarious both is an achievement. Ze is awesome!

[@eledatowle8767]

The absolute, undisputed King of Similes - Anytime Ze says "like.." what follows is probably going to make you laugh so hard you cry. Another classic! Who else could make mussels the most interesting thing in our day?

[@ClintEPereira]

"Looks like he sneezed out your pituitary!" was probably my favorite from this episode. 9:06

[@TillyOrifice]

The commentary is as funny as heck, it also packs in an amazing amount of interesting information.

[@Rigel_Chiokis]

This was one of the most entertaining nature videos I've ever seen. :) I also learned quite a bit about fresh water mussels I never knew before, so thank you!

[@cameroneridan4558]

I think the wildest thing, despite everything, is that the mussel larvae look so much like their adult forms already.

[@raridino600]

To be fair, their body appearance is really simple

[@cylondorado4582]

"And now that Ethel saw it, it'll be the talk of fish town." I wasn't prepared for that much power right off the bat.

[@metalmamasue3680]

That had me laughing from the start 😂😂. Life is so much more interesting and hilarious with Zefrank videos. I love them, and so does the group of science hippy scholars in a conservation group I've been part of.

[@dalamarhobbs]

I always enjoy zefrank videos. This one had me rolling on the floor. Outstanding!

[@Vonage585]

You just taught me something. Thanks Mr Ze Frank. Subscribed for the long ride.

[@Thetracker69]

I've literally been binge watching these videos and saw this one pop up and thought "Huh, that's weird, I've never seen this video before" low and behold, you released it in the middle of a binge watching session. That is how a ZeFrank do.

[@purplehaze2358]

Imagine stepping on a rock and, suddenly, that rock clamps shut on your foot like a bear trap.

[@tetanuranlm9818]

And next thing you know, your foot's giving birth to little rock babies

[@lsswappedcessna]

and suddenly your foot is preganananant

[@friggintourist7751]

I have been bitten by mussels before, it hurts but they let go very quickly realizing human feet are not a suitable host

[@boomerix]

It's not uncommon to get nasty cuts caused by muscles on your feet when walking barefoot through a muddy river or lake in Europe. Well nasty as in a shallow knife cut, it hurts and looks bad but heals pretty quickly within 2 days.

[@sdfkjgh]

@@boomerix: They ain't called Carolina Heelsplitters for nothin'.

[@ghostofvalor4349]

I appreciate you for giving credit to your two patreons for the pencil comparison. It was funny and they deserve some credit for being a part of the creative process!

[@Deedoof]

I can't believe how cool and high-tech these mollusks are at bebe-making. Another quality video sir!

[@chloejackson1628]

As always, equal parts hilarious, horrifying and fascinating! Love it.

[@mdxque8393]

Not really the kind of “muscle mommy” I was looking for but oh well.

[@gaelstrarai]

I just died! 🤣

[@xerveeon]

@@gaelstrarai sorry for your loss 😔

[@davidjr4903]

man up

[@tanushkalazaretto8465]

I love watching videos of the water world, I love fish, mussels, sharks and the whole underwater kingdom. I also love various facts from the life of these individuals

[@ericaadelis586]

I love this channel, I really hope this is the stuff that the researchers find in the future 😂❤

[@bast713]

Simultaneously hilarious, fascinating, and a bit like watching a fish horror movie.

[@captainfosterz]

The timing of this is perfect for me currently writing my final year project on freshwater mussels and was struggling with motivation. This made me smile and remember why I found them fascinating in the first place. Thank you Zefrank

[@Wearywastrel]

Good luck on your project! 😁👍

[@lambybunny7173]

Gl!!

[@1414141x]

My luck is in today. Just having a break I thought I'd KZbin for a 10 minutes and found this video on mussels enticing hosts for their eggs. Wow ! I know a lot more about mussels than I did 15 minutes ago. The variety of strategies they use is amazing. How can one pretty simple creature develop such different approaches ? Anyway thank you Mr Ze Frank, I have subscribed and will be watching more of your videos this evening over dinner ! I love Mantis shrimps so that will be my first treat....

[@Hansulf]

Absolutely amazing video! I barely knew river mussels were a thing, but they are so interesting! Keep It Up!

[@benjaminchaffins]

As someone that has conducted research with mussels. This is the content I needed.

[@cpt_bill366]

Somehow you never fail to reach new depths of absurdity in biology which keep me coming back for more. I love it, Frank. Keep up the good work!

[@guysome3263]

Made me think of the "bitch you live like this!?" meme. 😂

[@craigversheck7835]

This is my favorite episode by far! Others certainly still are, but this one is quite unique ❤

[@nworldo]

Zefrank is still legendary, please don't stop what you are doing!

[@KnightmarePhoenix_official]

I definitely didn't expect mussels to be this terrifying.

[@memesimp3216]

Nearly died laughing when I saw the fish basically get jumpscared by the mussel. Basically day care for nature, but the mother doesn’t come back.

[@Lazarus-aap]

Amazing to see what nature comes up with! Also love the humourous and no nonsense commentary!

[@seleciaa]

This is fascinating. Awesome video, as always. I enjoy eating mussels, and my respect for them has grown!

[@touremuhammad5983]

“Old Dale got a face full of baby juice!” I almost died, man!! 😂😂

[@theflyingcrud]

This is amazing, I had no idea about the level of biomimicry that mussels have. Really reminds me of the bee mimic flowers and the like. So cool!

[@chezmoi42]

So true. I have bee orchids (Ophrys apifera) and fly orchids (Ophrys insectifera) in my yard, and they really do look like insects. Gorgeous things.

[@smartperson1]

My gosh the way you ask “Hwy? Hwy the fish?” gets me every time.

[@Raittway]

My favorite animal information videos! Sometimes a little too much info? Yes and I love it❤

[@s000mable]

Words cannot express how much I love these videos

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Thank you, Ze. Bringing smiles to people is truly noble work.

[@dylanstlaurent9280]

Been watxhing you for years, Zefrank, im so glad you got back to doin True Facts. You have made me fall in love with SCIIIIENNCEE again!

[@arglebargle42]

Loving your chef's kiss mix of comedy and interesting biology, subbed with gusto.

[@captainc0rgi]

Ze Frank is gonna have an interesting time making this one into a family friendly educational video 😂

[@katiekane5247]

I had the same thought, it will be a challenge!

[@Zephlett]

I am always amazed and impressed when he manages that!

[@m.maclellan7147]

I think he should get paid to do these videos for schools. Can you imagine how many biologists would be spawned by these fascinating, horrifying, elucidating videos ?

[@jeromebarry1741]

I learned more about mussels than I had ever imagined in the past 10 minutes.

[@playinnpwnin]

thank you ze frank for making nature documentaries funny and informational for more than a decade now.

[@katewrightsings]

These are so awesome I love these soooo much. Great stuff. The commentary is amazeballz

[@okmrman6862]

I can't believe I only found your channel a week ago. KZbin has been failing me for years. YEARS.

[@anonthe-third2367]

Welcome home brother

[@mayhemmcfly4229]

Welcome to the club. And curse the KZbin algorithm (shakes fist✊ angrily)

[@brightbkh07]

Holy crap this is absolutely amazing! I have never heard of this before and I was fascinated by the designs of the egg pouches and methods of distribution! That’s crazy!!!

[@Scythemantis]

I was so glad to see Zefrank covered them because it's such a weird and incredible thing no one knows about! Now millions of people will! I think he's done more for science education than the entire Discovery channel at this point

[@joecoastie99]

The mommy muscle pulsing; well played. Well played 😂

[@utahwaxwing]

I am amazed by what these creatures have made and how they adapt.

[@MossyMozart]

@utahwaxwing - And some science deniers doubt evolution!

[@ajwillis1146]

I am here for dirty jokes and hard shells

[@impishDullahan]

Really? I'm here for hard jokes and dirty shells.

[@brackzaff]

I'm here for joke shells and hard dirty.

[@techno_otaku]

Woah crazy, I'm here for dirty hard and shell jokes

[@ImPrather]

Dirty and here hard am jokes I shells for

[@Faolan_Grey]

7:12 this had me rolling on the ground for 5 mins straight 😂

[@ellien5014]

Yes! I always love it when he makes the kissing impressions. I regularly revisit the mudskipper episode.

[@electricAB]

First video watched = subscribed! Thanks for good laugh and the amazing facts!!

[@kellimihalic116]

You make a bad morning worth getting out of bed! 😂 Thanks for the knowledge and the laughs!

[@zcarp8642]

6:03 Surprise! Baby confetti

[@secretmurderer]

please don't ever stop making these. I so look forward to them and they always make me laugh.

[@itslullas]

Very conspicuous choice of name 🤨

[@brentpolk2431]

Love yous viz, finally became a subscriber!

[@lydieblog]

This is incredible. I had never heard of this before. Thank you !

[@6amsunset_]

Ze Frank I love what you do so much because. Many creators who make fun/funny/entertaining science videos tend to just dumb things down to the extreme for the most general audience, and I find that somewhat insulting. You on the other side can talk about obscure (and extremely interesting) subjects, explain things in great detail, with videos and photos and examples of all sort while keeping it very funny and entertaining without sacrificing any of the educational value. It's so refreshing and I believe that's something we really need!! props to you for making this and keep it up!!

[@Wearywastrel]

You bring up some good points, why can't we have this level of comedy in other subjects without sacrificing the information? There might be a lot of space for this kind of content in the sciences for a person in position to capitalize on...

[@Kayte52]

Isn't he the creator of Buzzfeed?

[@BryanOdeen]

Every time a True Facts video drops, it’s a good day. I laughed out loud enough times that I scared my dog.

[@LaughingSkull1992]

Thank you for another video ..always a good laugh and a whole bunch of interesting facts

[@charlesmcclure8000]

This was amazing! I never knew mussels had such interesting lives

[@FriendlyKat]

6:40 “… That looks like a pair of dentures that got lost in a shag carpet.” LOL

[@rapheAltoid77]

Awww, is Jerry on vacation? 😉 Or is he just allergic to shellfish? 😛

[@patrickcorcoran4828]

I'm assuming Jerry's out sick because I can't imagine him missing the dirty joke potential of this episode deliberately. If he was on vacation he would have flown back.

[@angeluscorpius]

I'm waiting for a True Facts about Jerry.

[@quietone748]

He's being shellfish and taking a vacation, I'm guessing

[@robertantonnyc]

did he died?

[@m.maclellan7147]

@@quietone748 RIMSHOT ! 🥁

[@mikeridge3229]

Now that was amazing information about mussels ect. Brilliant.

[@eviebee]

zefrank has continued to be my favourite channel on youtube ever since the marsupials video

[@alephalon7849]

Ah, another reason for me to avoiding shellfish aside from my allergy: Facehugger mussels. Hilarious and entertaining video, Ze Frank!

[@zachboyd4749]

Don't worry, 70 percent of them are in the greatly threatened category and two dozen species of them have already gone extinct in the past century or so! Yay for humanity, I guess....

[@axelprino]

It's really impressive what they can pull off with mucus and some pigments, those actually look like fish at a glance.

[@rebeccaconlon9743]

It's the same with mimicry, trial and error, those that don't match well enough die out

[@RORRIMMIRROR]

Hilarious way to teach. How can one, not love it?! Thanks ZeFrank