January 19, 2023

Oceans Week Morning Interview (1-19-2023)

by Chompers

Listen Now

Read more!

Today our friend Jasmine talks to an Ocean expert in a special interview.

Where to Listen

Transcript Read Now

>> Rachel: Good morning, it's time for Chompers, your morning and night toothbrushing show. 


Today our friend Jasmine is here with a special interview. Jasmine, take it away.


>> Jasmine: Thanks!


Start brushing on the top of your mouth on one side, and brush the inside, outside and chewing side of each tooth


>> KIDS: 3, 2, 1 brush!


>> Jasmine: It’s Oceans Week, so we went to talk to someone who is an expert on all things you can find deep in the ocean. 


Dr. John Sparks he’s kind of a fish expert. He works at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where he takes care of their collection of fish. 


>> Dr. Sparks:  And I work on not fossil fishes but fishes that are living today. 


>> Jasmine: And going on expeditions in the oceans is a big part of his job. He’s like the Indiana Jones of the Oceans. So we asked him to dive in with him and answer the questions YOU sent in.


But first, switch to the other side of the top of your mouth, and don’t brush too hard. This question is from Payton from Fairfax. And she asked why do people talk about different oceans like the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, and the Arctic, when the earth actually only has one gigantic ocean. 


>> Dr. Sparks: There is only one global ocean. But, if you just had one global ocean and you found a new fish for example in the Pacific. If you said. “Ah I just found it in the global ocean, it's much more specific to say in the Pacific ocean.


>> Jasmine: So it’s like telling people your address.


>> Dr. Sparks: Yeah it’s a way to locate where we are on earth.


>> Jasmine: Switch to the bottom of your mouth, and make sure you’re brushing, the inside, outside and chewing side of each tooth. Kelib from Kandern Germany, asked how long is the longest jellyfish?


>> Dr. Sparks: Oo, how long is the longest jellyfish. So the longest known jellyfish. I think the tentacles have been measured up to 120 feet long. Which is a huge jellyfish.


>> Jasmine: So this jellyfish, if it was held up above the water, would be as long as a ten-story building is what you’re saying? 


>> Dr. Sparks: The longest tentacles would, yeah. 


>> Jasmine: Switch to the other side of the bottom of your mouth, and give your tongue a brush too. OK. So this question questions from Maggie in San Leandro and she asked “Why do big fish eat little fish?” 


>> Dr. Sparks:  Because they can. They're bigger than the little fish. So it makes sense a big fish can eat a lot of little fish. But Sometimes a little fish eat very big fish. A lot of deep-sea fish have huge mouths and balloon-like stomachs [so] they can eat things as big or or bigger than themselves.


>> Jasmine: So like if a kid could do that. What would that look like? 


>> Dr. Sparks: If a child could open its mouth super super wide it would be like a child eating a small bear. Essentially. 


>> Jasmine: That's super gross. [laughs]


You’re all done brushing for this morning, but Dr John Sparks will be back tonight to answer more of your Oceans questions about the ocean! Until then, 


>>Kids: 3, 2, 1, spit!