Cross section of chambered nautilus -- Josh Westrich/Corbis

Cross section of chambered nautilus -- Josh Westrich/Corbis

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• The mollusk who calls this shell home lives in only the outermost chamber, using the rest as ballast.""Think of it as nature\s perfect submarine
• An inspiration to poets and a puzzle to scientists, this creature is an expert remodeler, building perfect chambers slightly larger than the last as it ages and grows.""The senior-citizen discounts kick in by the time you\ve got 30
• What do nautilus shells have in common with sunflowers, corn kernels, beehives, pinecones, and pineapples?""Nature\s magic algorithm
• When you have curves this graceful…""You\re bound to attract imitators

Orphaned orangutans at Sepilok Reserve, Borneo -- Frans Lanting/Corbis

Orphaned orangutans at Sepilok Reserve, Borneo -- Frans Lanting/Corbis

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• The United Nations set aside this day to go to a ballgame, get your nails done, take a bike ride, perhaps do some shopping…""But not solo
• These pals have lost their parents, but they\ve gained lots of friends in a sanctuary for orphaned orangutans.""It\s on the world\s third-largest island, in an area called “the land below the wind”
• Close the door if you don\t want others to hear you say “awww” and “cuuute.”""Warning: Heartstring-tugging videos ahead…
• See something familiar in those eyes? Some say there\s a reason why these guys are called…""“Men of the forest”

Sea mat (Protopalythoa species) -- Paulo de Oliveira/Photolibrary

Sea mat (Protopalythoa species) -- Paulo de Oliveira/Photolibrary

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• These seafloor beauties grow happily in the sunny, tropical waters of both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.""Say hello to this colorful clan
• Sometimes called a “sea mat,” you\d think these guys were defenseless pushovers. But beware…""The little pretties can spew some powerful poison
• To rebuild endangered reefs, conservationists are using some creative materials—including (consenting) human remains.""Gives a whole new meaning to “sleeping with the fishes”
• Marine life is still very mysterious, but we\d be nowhere…""Without this undersea pioneer

Skyscrapers in Houston, Texas -- Didier Dorval/Masterfile

Skyscrapers in Houston, Texas -- Didier Dorval/Masterfile

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• Most people know the three biggest cities in the U.S. (pause here while you quickly name them). But what\s the fourth-largest?""If you were standing right here, you\d be in it
• Travel just down the road to visit the place that\s always dreaded the memorable phrase…""‘Houston, we have a problem\
• During the brutally hot summers here, sometimes you just want to take a pleasant stroll…""Completely underground
• Even though it\s miles and miles inland, this seemingly landlocked city has a port, the second-biggest in the country.""Maybe it\ll all make sense if you look at it this way