SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Another episode of the game show where toothy judges mull pitches from animals with features that, this time, just might inspire advances or improvements in medical techniques or technology.

The literal “shark tank” hears from one of its own in this second round as Great White swaggers onstage to talk up the potential of hospital walls made of antibacterial denticles like the ones coating its sandpapery skin. The competition is fierce, though, with a Darwin’s bark spider touting a range of specialized silks including one that may promote healing in severed nerves, a coconut octopus showing off suckers that could be adapted to make bandages that stay on when wet, and several other creatures with similarly enticing features—all trying to sell themselves, along with their notional products, by offering background details about their species and habits. Wordless panels between and during the presentations offer funny sight gags and the animal audience’s sometimes underwhelming reactions. Of course, there can be only one winner, announced with suitable drama. But readers intrigued by the pitches and the judges’ questions will find expanded explanations of every entry at the end, with leads to further information online. Human presence is minimal, though characters of color do appear.

Toothsome fare for young venture naturalists.