Howie Mandel's Animal's Doing Things Full Episode | Apocalypse Meow | Nat Geo Kids

Key Concepts: Howie Mandel's Animals Doing Things, Cat Predatory Instincts, Seeking Circuit, Cat Behaviorism, Shark Cartilaginous Skeletons, Dog Fear of Stairs, Dog Behavior Counseling, Bighorn Sheep Anatomy, Ruminants, Meerkat Family Classification, US Veterinarian Statistics, Howie's Air Mail Snack Service.

Introduction to "Howie Mandel's Animals Doing Things" The show, hosted by Howie Mandel, features a compilation of humorous and insightful clips of animals engaging in various activities, often sourced from viewer submissions. Mandel provides commentary, jokes, and introduces segments with expert insights and animal facts. Initial clips include a dog misinterpreting "get it" to mean the couch and a monkey "stealing" ice cream, prompting Howie's humorous defense of the monkey's lack of payment.

Understanding Cat Swatting Behavior Cat behaviorist Michelle Negle Schneider, author of "The Cat Whisperer," explains that cats swat at objects to fulfill their "predatory instincts." This behavior is driven by the "seeking circuit" in their brain, a part that triggers an anticipation feeling, which is the "best feeling for cats." Schneider notes that this is why cats might catch birds but not eat them; the excitement comes from the chase and "half killing the prey, having it run away again." To curb unwanted swatting, owners should "exhaust their cat's predatory behavior with toys," playing with them more and hiding toys to engage their seeking circuit.

Viewer Submissions and "7-Figure Club" The program highlights popular viewer-submitted clips, including those that have garnered over 1 million views, qualifying them for the "7-figure club." An example shown is a dog making honking sounds similar to a goose.

"Stump Howie": The Truth About Shark Skeletons In the "Stump Howie" segment, Robert from the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium challenges Howie with a trick question: "How many bones does an average shark have in its body?" Howie initially guesses 113, then 114, but the correct answer is zero. Sharks have "cartilaginous" skeletons, meaning they are made entirely of cartilage, similar to human noses and ears, rather than bone.

Animal Facts and Observations

• Chipmunks: There are 25 different species of chipmunk, with all but one residing in North America.
• Rats and Mice: Alex Mandel, Howie's son, shares the fact that both rats and mice lack the ability to throw up.
• Deer: Most deer are born with white spots but lose them within a year.
• Meerkats: In a "Which Meerkat fact is fake?" quiz, it's revealed that meerkats are not part of the raccoon family (the fake fact), but rather the mongoose family, which explains their ability to kill venomous snakes when necessary. Other true facts include their communal living in "mobs" of up to 40 animals and certain meerkats within a group serving as lookouts for predators.

Howie's Air Mail Snack Service (Fictional Segment) A humorous, fictional advertisement introduces "Howie's Air Mail Snack Service," designed to solve the difficulties animals face in finding, reaching, or eating snacks without falling over. The service promises to "literally just toss the snack right in your mouth" upon request, offering various snacks like cheese and deli items. The call to action encourages customers to "give us a bark, quack, or whatever otter say."

US Veterinarian Statistics In the "Animals by the Numbers" segment, the question is posed about the number of veterinarians in the United States. According to a 2017 US Census Bureau report, there are 56,815 veterinarians caring for animals in the US.

Addressing Dog Fear of Stairs Certified Dog Behavior Counselor and Trainer Muel explains why dogs might be afraid of stairs. Stairs are "not a normal thing that occurs in the environment," making them potentially scary. Dogs have excellent peripheral vision but struggle with clear vision directly above or below them, making it hard to perceive steps. Additionally, the size of the steps relative to a small dog or puppy can be daunting (e.g., a 6-inch puppy on a 6-inch stair is like a 6-foot person on a 6-foot stair), and sliding paws can increase fear. To teach a dog to use stairs, Muel advises patience, encouraging the dog at its own pace, and using positive reinforcement with small treat rewards for each step taken.

The "Beautiful Bighorn Minute" This segment focuses on Bighorn Sheep, iconic animals found throughout North America's Rocky Mountain regions, from Canada to Mexico.

• Horns: Both males (rams) and females (ewes) have horns, but rams possess massive, curved horns that can weigh up to 30 lbs – "more than the rest of the entire skeleton put together." These horns are made of a bony core covered in keratin (the same material as human hair and fingernails) and grow throughout the sheep's life; their age can be determined by counting the ridges, similar to tree rings.
• Behavior: During conflicts over dominance or mating rights, male rams "hurl themselves horns first at speeds of up to 20 mph." A double layer of bone in their skull provides protection by absorbing the incredible impact and usually prevents serious injury.
• Diet: Bighorn sheep are herbivores, consuming grasses and other plants. They are also "ruminants," meaning they regurgitate and re-chew their food as cud to extract every last nutrient.

Conclusion "Howie Mandel's Animals Doing Things" combines entertaining animal clips with educational segments, offering insights into animal behavior, anatomy, and general facts. The show features expert advice on common pet issues, debunks myths, and celebrates the diverse world of animals through a blend of humor and factual information, often incorporating viewer submissions and lighthearted fictional segments.