"A Bizarre Worm Produces a Sticky, Repulsive Substance That Freezes Its Foes": Could This Be the Most Unusual Earthly Invertebrate?
Boosting the Beasts: Highlighting Nature's Misfit Toys with Ryan Reynolds
Let's face it, we've all seen our fair share of animal documentaries showcasing the majestic polar bears, the fierce sharks, and the mighty gorillas. But what about the lesser-known contenders? The ones that don't quite fit the mold, the ones that offer a dash of weirdness and a whole lot of charm. That's where UNDERDOGS comes in, a brand-spanking new series narrated by none other than Ryan Reynolds.
Brace yourselves, because we're diving headfirst into the world of nature's outcasts, the B-side animals that deserve just as much love and attention. Ryan Reynolds himself put it best when he said, "I love these little guys. They're the underdogs. The unsung heroes."
Take, for instance, the velvet worm. Cute on the surface right? Two antennae that make it look like a mini version of the Ghostbusters’ Zuul. But don’t let its looks fool you. When it’s time to fight, it takes a page straight out of Spiderman's playbook, launching gooey, gross, and juicy threads to entangle its enemies. And here's the twist—these threads turn into glassy fibers that are as strong as synthetic nylon in a matter of seconds. Nature, we are not worthy.
As we continue to delve into the peculiar habits of these animals, we come across some truly memorable moments. Like the African wild dogs learning that honey badgers are absolutely untouchable, or the beetle that deters ants by placing its babies' diapers front and center. It's without a doubt the funniest wildlife documentary out there, and guess what? It even comes with an advisory rating—a first for wildlife filmmaking.
If you're a fan of the little guys and Galifreyan podracers, you'll adore the episodes of UNDERDOGS: SuperZeroes, Terrible Parents, Sexy Beasts, The Unusual Suspects, and Total Grossout. Each episode is overflowing with standout highlights, such as:
- Pearlfish, or as Ryan Reynolds calls them, "parking virgins," that repurpose sea cucumbers as their temporary abode.
- Aye-ayes, with an uncanny ability to reach for the stars (or in this case, inside their noses) in search of buried treasure.
- Geese who believe in throwing their little ones off a cliff and hoping for the best.
- Monkeys who have mastered the art of theft, manipulation, and bartering to fulfill their own selfish desires.
- And quite possibly the most discussed topic, slug sex. Need we say more?
So, grab your popcorn, sit back and relax as you cheer on the underdogs in this magnificent celebration of nature's quirkiest residents. UNDERDOGS, narrated by Ryan Reynolds, airs on June 15 at 9/8c on National Geographic, streamed the next day on Disney+ and Hulu, and even graces our screens on ABC for the premiere. Tune in and witness the untold stories of these fantastic little creatures. After all, who doesn't love a good comeback story?
In the unique series, UNDERDOGS narrated by Ryan Reynolds, we explore the lesser-known, quirky inhabitants of nature, blending elements of science, lifestyle, entertainment, and a dash of the unconventional. From Graceful Geese committing questionable parenting to slugs engaging in enjoyably odd mating rituals, this series is not just a wildlife documentary, but a comical, intriguing exploration of nature's underdogs. Tune in to UNDERDOGS, streaming on various platforms starting June 15.
