Ep 1. Strangest Things

Absurd Planet is a new documentary series that explores the weird and wacky world of animal behavior and evolution. In the very first episode of season one, viewers are introduced to some of the strangest creatures on the planet in a fun and informative way. The episode, titled "Strangest Things," takes us on a tour of the animal kingdom, showcasing creatures that are truly bizarre and fascinating.

The episode opens with a look at the most venomous animal on the planet, the box jellyfish. These creatures have tentacles that contain thousands of tiny stinging cells, and their venom can kill a human in just a few minutes. Despite their deadly reputation, box jellyfish are also capable of stunning feats of bioluminescence, creating glowing displays of color underwater.

Next, the show takes us to the deep ocean, where we meet the barreleye fish. These strange creatures have enormous, tubular eyes that can rotate in their heads, allowing them to look straight up at the surface of the water to spot prey overhead. Even more amazing, the barreleye fish's eyes are highly sensitive to light, allowing them to see in the pitch-black depths of the ocean.

Moving on from the depths of the ocean, the show introduces us to the proboscis monkey, found only on the island of Borneo. These primates have an enormous nose that hangs down over their mouth, which they use to attract mates and intimidate rivals. The nose is also a surprisingly effective cooling system, circulating air through the monkey's sinuses and reducing their body temperature in the hot, humid jungle.

As if the proboscis monkey's nose wasn't strange enough, the show then introduces us to the star-nosed mole, a tiny mammal found in the northeastern United States. These moles have a bizarre appendage on their face, shaped like a star and covered in tiny, finger-like projections. The star is so sensitive that the mole can use it to sense its environment, even in complete darkness.

Moving on to the underwater world again, the episode next explores the mantis shrimp, a creature with incredibly powerful claws that can snap shut with the force of a .22 caliber rifle. These shrimp also have an astonishing visual system, with eyes that can detect 16 different types of color and UV light, making them much more visually complex than most other animals on the planet.

Finally, the episode takes us to the Australian outback, where we meet the thorny devil lizard. This reptile has an incredible adaptation for surviving in the harsh desert environment - a spiky, armored body that helps it deflect heat and deflect predators. Even more impressively, the thorny devil lizard can drink water through its skin, absorbing moisture from dew and rain that falls on its spiky scales.

Overall, "Strangest Things" is a fascinating introduction to the world of Absurd Planet, showcasing some of the most unusual and amazing creatures on the planet. The show does an excellent job of balancing scientific information with entertainment, making it an engaging watch for viewers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're a lifelong animal lover or just looking for something out of the ordinary to watch, Absurd Planet is sure to deliver.