Built on a Bugtopia

In this episode, hosts Dustin Bean and Joy Matlock are joined by Hannah Baker to discuss the often-overlooked world of bugs. The conversation features a special appearance by Miguel, a three-banded armadillo, to illustrate the direct link between mammals and their insect-based diets.Key Discussion PointsMeet Miguel the Armadillo:Miguel is a three-banded armadillo, a species from South America capable of curling completely into a ball for protection.Unlike the nine-banded armadillos common in Arkansas, three-banded armadillos can "snap" their shell closed to potentially pinch a predator's paw.His shell is called a carapace, made of bony plates known as osteoderms covered in keratin.The Insectivore Diet:As an insectivore and omnivore, Miguel relies on a sharp sense of smell to find bugs several inches underground.He uses a long, sticky tongue and sharp claws to extract insects, similar to his close relatives, the anteaters and sloths.Behind the Scenes: The "Bug Room":The Little Rock Zoo maintains a dedicated "Bug Room" to breed and raise food for its animals.The facility produces approximately 8,000 crickets and 35,000 mealworms per week.The largest consumers of bugs at the zoo are the sloth bears, which use their lack of front incisors to "slurp" up insects.The Importance of Invertebrates:Bugs serve as the "infrastructure" of the ecosystem, acting as pollinators, decomposers, and a primary food source.A global decline in insect populations threatens the entire food chain.The episode highlights the danger of invasive species, such as the hammerhead worm, which preys on essential native earthworms.Tips for Supporting Local PollinatorsPlant Native: Choose native plants for your garden to support local insect species.Leave the Leaves: Keeping leaf litter in your yard provides a habitat for various bugs and animals.Create Spaces: Designate a small section of your yard to grow wild as a pollinator garden.Bugtopia runs from March 21st through September 20th at the Little Rock Zoo, allowing guests to see the world from a bug's perspective and appreciate the "giants" of the tiny world.