"the electric company" is brought to you by... find your voice and share it american greetings proud sponsor of "the electric company." agreement from the u.s. department of education's ready to learn grant, and viewers like you, thank you. here are your five words: concentrate -- when you concentrate on something you think about just that thing and nothing else. straight -- if something doesn't curve or bend, it's straight. direction -- direction is the way that something is going. target -- a target is the thing that you aim for. twice -- twice means two times. so we have concentrate straight, direction,

target, and twice. watch out for them it today's show. ♪ hey guys, there's a lot going on with "the electric company" so i thought i'd give you a little update. first of all, you know how i love science? i got into a program for young scientists and i get to travel to different places doing these amazing science projects. can you believe it? i'm really excited. of course, it does mean i won't always be around to help the rest of the gang, but don't worry, hector keeps me posted on everything that's going on. and speaking of hector he's still in college, but now he's also running the electric diner. keith's dad opened up a new restaurant so now hector is "the man." you are not going to believe this -- francine has an assistant. this is gilda flip. she lives in francine's building, and really looks up to francine. you might want to keep an eye out for her. there is one more person to tell you about, but i'll leave that one a surprise. the pitcher marcus barnes digs in. bottom of the eighth

one out, two strikes. no, it's bottom of the ninth two outs, one strike. right, sorry. (crowd cheering) high fastball! man, that kid can throw. strike two! this is it...should i throw another fastball or a curve ball? maybe a curvy fastball or a fasty curve ball? there's no such word as fasty... think, marcus, think! ♪ i was in the baseball game and i didn't know whether to throw a fastball or a curve ball... hold on! marcus... what happened? this... whoa...eee-ah... what is that? what is that? it's a wordball. that's not a wordball.

why not? two reasons -- not exactly a word, not exactly a ball. but...it's something. try this -- close your eyes and think of the letters of your name. mwaffle? i was thinking about my name but then i got hungry, so i started thinking about a waffle. marcus! concentrate! just put your mind on your name and keep it there. marcus! i'm on a wordball! put it on that wall. okay. oh!

hey, you guys! ♪ ♪ feel the power feel the power ♪ ♪ feel the power, yo and plug it in! ♪ ♪ it's electric (electric company) ♪ ♪ get connected (electric company) ♪ ♪ it's electric (electric company) ♪ ♪ get connected (electric company) ♪ ♪ the power we perfected is electrically connected ♪ ♪ so use it as directed and expect to be respected ♪ ♪ just turn it on and you will see ♪ ♪ that you belong in the company! ♪ ♪ feel the power feel the power ♪ ♪ feel the power, yo and plug it in! ♪ ♪ plug it in, everybody! ♪ ♪ electric company electric company ♪ ♪ electric company... electric company! ♪ drink that whole thing! hector, keith, table, now.

marcus! what's up, man? haven't seen you in forever. i like that haircut! what's up? marcus, show them. dude! that's awesome! oh yeah, oh yeah i have, the power. he sort of has the power. oh yeah, oh yeah i sort of have the power. what do you mean sort of? throw it on the wall. oh! i got it on my face. so, can i be in "the electric company?" i think you have to practice throwing your wordballs more. they change direction...they go this way and that way. you've got to learn how to throw them straight. let me try again. no! no! no! young marcus, let me show you how it's done.

♪ that was awesome! you thought that was awesome? check it. ♪ so you guys going to help me or show off all day? i was thinking about showing off for a little longer. marcus, can you cover your ears for just a second? okay...la-la-la, can't hear anything! look, i like this kid. do you think he's "electric company" material? i like him too, but his wordballs are wacky. la-la-la-la, i can't hear anything! true, but i'm sure we can show him how it's done. listen, how about this? if he can throw a wordball straight, and he can hit the target twice in a row, then he's in. that sounds awesome! i mean, uh, la-la-la i can't hear

anything. wait until francine hears about this. if you learn how to throw your wordball straight and hit the target twice in a row... dude, i wonder what francine will think? i don't know but i hope marcus gets into "the electric company." that kid's all right. nice! they have nachos. did i ever tell you about the time my buddies and i tried to make nachos? it was a mess! i mean, it was a disaster! it was disgusting! that sounds awesome. check it out fuzz ball. ♪ life moves fast! some days you have to go straight from soccer to piano to ballet. sometimes you even read so fast you don't finish what you're reading. stop! slow down... be good, i'll be back soon. ♪

let's move game's on in five. you know what that means? nachos! tom, got the recipe? i printed it from nachosforpets.com and gave it to nuggets. nuggets, what do we need to make nachos? the ingredients are chips, cheese, sour cream, and tom. i'm happy to help. tom is an ingredient in the nachos? let me see that recipe. the ingredients are chips, cheese, sour cream and tomatoes! uh-oh, i guess i rushed. you gotta slow down, fuzz ball. and read all the way to the end of the word. it's important to follow through. oh, i can do it now! the ingredients are chips, cheese, sour cream and tomatoes. what? let's order a pizza!

♪ ♪ take your time... ♪ ♪ you never know what you're gonna find ♪ ♪ i'm utk and when i read i tend to speed it up ♪ ♪ sometimes i skip over the words ♪ ♪ that are really tough ♪ ♪ i guess about a story based on what i'm seeing ♪ ♪ but really i should keep reading ♪ ♪ right up to the period ♪ ♪ it's just that i get nervous and the words zoom by ♪ ♪ faster than a runner sprinting or the blinking of an eye ♪ ♪ i miss the meaning of a paragraph and wonder why ♪ ♪ but shock gave me this advice... ♪ i'm a great guy! ♪ ♪ what's happened so far?

a lot's gone on... i'm traveling all over doing amazing science projects so i'm not around, but the rest of "the electric company" has it under control. and hector's running the diner, francine has a new assistant and there's someone else... you'll find out about him right now. i can make a wordball! what do i do now? breathe and pick a target. a what? a target! something you're aiming for, like this wall. okay, that's my target! whoa, your wordball is going all over the place. yeah, it keeps changing direction! there it is, no there, wait, there! i missed my target! hey, you guys! marcus almost has the power, but his wordballs won't go straight. they curve, they bend, but they won't go straight! watch how it's done. ♪ to hit your target you've got to throw straight ♪ ♪ and to throw really straight you've got to concentrate ♪ ♪ now watch me hit it come check out mine! ♪ ♪ i throw so straight like i'm following a line ♪ if marcus can hit the target two times in a row he can join "the electric company." i'd better tell francine. ♪ marcus, show them.

no! little marty farms has the power? it's marcus barnes. keep watching. ah-ha...never mind. he's terrible. he can't throw it straight yet but they're going to teach him. and if he learns, he gets to join "the electric company." no! say it isn't so. it isn't so. really? no, i just said that because you told me to, it's very much so. i was so happy when lisa left, now this. i must find a way to stop marty farms. think, carruthers, concentrate. i've already written up six ideas. number four is the best. have manny spamboni invent a machine to mess up marcus' wordballs. gilda flip, you are going to make a great prankster one day.

thanks. so i think i see the problem. i'll try this in slow motion and i'll be you. marcus, marcus... ♪ a waffle! no! ah! okay, you see? you got to concentrate on the word the whole time. otherwise, the word will change and the ball will change direction. so, let me try it. marcus... marcus... ♪ marcus...is awesome! yeah, that was... i kind of knew that was going to happen, but that's better. now you've got to practice concentrating on the ball

until it actually lands. i'll make you a target. if you hit this twice, then you'll be able to take the pledge to be in "the electric company." and then i find out what my special skill is? whoa, slow down, first you have to hit the target twice. you keep practicing and i'm sure you're going to get it. we'll see you later, okay? concentrate! all right, spamboni! what ya got? it's good, carruthers, it's real good. introducing...count vacula. (laughter) what's it do? throw a wordball! what? throw a wordball! what? throw a wordball! oh! it changes the direction of the wordball. i love it!

it's a little loud! a little what? a little loud! a little what? count vacula's a little loud! i can't hear you, count vacula's a little loud! i added a mute button. good thinking! ♪ and now i'm moving count vacula into position. ♪ i hit the target! just one more time. deploy count vacula. aye-aye, matey! ♪ that was weird... let's try again. ♪ why is it changing direction?

♪ ♪ ugh! i'll never be in "the electric company." (laughing) now, i'm going to have scary dreams about vampire vacuums with fangs, you know what i mean? sure. how come you're so calm? i live in a haunted house, freaky stuff happens all the time. really? like what? watch and find out. i can't, but i must. ♪ the secret to good friends is no secret to you. ah, that's nice. you will soon eat a cookie. ah, how true. a big monster will get you...

(creaking) (screaming) lock the door! close the shutters! run around and scream! (screaming) stop! bat...you only read the first half of it. it says a big monster will get you... a present you'll never forget. you've got to follow through to the end, dude! you have to read the whole thing. gee, thanks! (screaming) i am a runner because i like to go fast. i like to do everything fast. the only problem is sometimes i read too fast, and then i miss important details. before my first big race my coach handed me a note that said, good luck! the only problem is i read the note so fast that i didn't see that it actually said, good luck, and your shoes are untied. i did not win that race. the next race, i was in front of everyone when i saw a sign that said, the finish line...

unfortunately, i rushed reading that sign too and i didn't notice that it really said the finish line is that way. i did not win that race either. but this race today, i am definitely going to win. i followed all of coach's instructions perfectly -- be at the track at 7:00 a.m. and that is exactly where i am. funny...i don't see any other runners here. maybe i should check those instructions again. i missed the "in china" part! i was rushing again! china? that's really far away. well, i'd better get running. ♪ gentlemen...what's shaking? dude, there's some wild stuff going on. marcus is trying to get into "the electric company." yeah, but this kid he's a funny kid.

he was throwing his wordball straight, but then it started changing direction. and then he said, i'll never be in "the electric company!" then what happened? then you came in and said, "gentlemen, what's shaking?" and we started telling you what was shaking and that's pretty much it. fascinating! don't worry, man you'll get it. marcus, i know you want to be great right away but it doesn't work that way. i bet you were great right away. (laughing) what? come on, i think you know...the story. yeah, i don't want to tell that story, okay? come on! just tell the story, please. okay...yeah! that story. ♪ ♪ i was nine years old and i thought i was great ♪ ♪ i had just gotten the power ♪ ♪ but he couldn't get it straight ♪ ♪ he threw his wordball up and didn't know where it landed ♪ ♪ so i tried to play it cool i said, i threw it left-handed ♪

♪ so he kept showing off he even started to strut ♪ ♪ and no one ever told me i had a wordball on my... ♪ ♪ what? ♪ ♪ you know what! his what? ♪ ♪ his you know what! his you know what! ♪ ♪ that's right he had a wordball on his... ♪ ♪ wordball on his... ♪ ♪ but i didn't know and it was there all day ♪ ♪ people started pointing when i would come their way ♪ ♪ so i found myself a mirror and i felt like a nut! ♪ ♪ 'cause finally he saw it the wordball on his... ♪ ♪ what? ♪ ♪ you know what! his what? ♪ ♪ his you know what! his you know what! ♪ ♪ that's right he had a wordball on his... ♪ ♪ wordball on his... ♪ ♪ what? ♪ ♪ you know what! his what? ♪ ♪ his you know what! ♪ ♪ that's right he had a wordball on his... ♪ ♪ wordball on his... ♪ anyway, that's the story. (laughter) it was like that all day? yeah, let's just keep that one between us. marcus, even the great hector ruiz couldn't get it right away. you ready to try again? yeah! let's do it! ♪

(screeching) a wordball on his... but anyway, they're heading back to the park now. good work, gilda meet you there. i'm on my way. all right, marcus, twice in a row. all right. ah, ah...not yet. there we go! very nice, now just one more. gilda? watch and learn. ♪ i'm going to be in "the electric company!" easy, marcus, concentrate.

(heart beating) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ noooo! count vacula! poor baby! stay back! i just need to change the direction of the air

so that it blows out and... he's going to blow! you got a wordball on your... i know, i know! it's so funny, little marty! it's marcus. whatever! you're so clever just like the rest of your little electric companions! well, whoop-dee-do! come on, count vacula, you need rest, come on. i can have that dry cleaned for you, francine. my favorite dress! marcus, that was so cool! welcome to "the electric company," brother! now, hold on, you only hit the target once. oh yeah. make that twice! now you're in, man. hey, marcus, congratulations! thanks,

lisa. wonder what your special skill will be? we're about to find out. all right, marcus... raise your right hand. do you understand the seriousness of what you're about to do? i do. do you recognize the awesome power that lives inside of words? i do. do you accept this power and all the responsibilities that come with it? i do. ♪ wow... that's so cool. congratulations! ♪ i got a pocketful of h's that i'm not afraid to use ♪ ♪ i keep a couple extras in the laces of my shoes ♪t manny, he had created his most dastardly gadget yet... the wordsuckeruppernator! the pranksters are using it to suck up all the words

on earth, giving them... total word domination! nice echo. luckily, marcus and jessica are on the way to stop the pranksters. unluckily, they've never flown alone before. (screaming) jessica, go straight the target is prankster planet. i'm trying, but these controls are weird. oh, i did it! we're flying straight! straight for that pancake! what's a giant pancake doing here? it is prankster planet. good point. (screaming) believe it or not, that was one of the better flying experiences i've had. hey, we hit our target. at least we're on prankster planet. now we just have to find a way to stop the wordsuckeruppernator. hey, how about that wordsuckeruppernator off button? i rule! i rule! wait, it's still sucking up words. because there's more than one off button!

boys, get the rest of their fuel. jess, the ship won't fly without those wordballs. not a problem, we'll just make more. my wordball powers they're gone! ah! mine too! prankster planet prankster rules. rule number one -- the electric company's powers don't work here. rule number two -- there is no rule number two. anyway, as i was saying, i made 13 off buttons and you have to push all of them to shut off my wordsuckeruppernator. too bad they're hidden all over the planet! (cackling) if you were making off buttons why didn't you make 100 or 1000, or just not give the wordsuckeruppernator any off buttons? because, that's -- stop talking, you! the point is you'll never find them. no, get back here with that! nice job, marcus.

now we can follow this to find the off buttons. what about those wordballs? first the off buttons, then the wordballs. according to this, the second button should be straight ahead. this is going to be so incredibly incredibly difficult. hey you guys! go to pbskidsgo.org, press that off button! the electric company needs you! ... i have to wait to... action! (laughs) i can't...i can't do it! (laughter) i can't...i'm sorry. the name on your...(laughs) (laughing) are you guys gonna help me? (laughs)

♪ the time is now the day is here ♪ ♪ the power that you're feeling you see it everywhere. ♪ ♪ words are electric, and all you got to do is plug it in. ♪ ♪ what? ♪ ♪ plug it in. ♪ ♪ come on. ♪ ♪ and once you get it you have to share it, ♪ ♪ discovering your power, you own it you wear it proud, ♪ ♪ and you shout it out loud ♪ ♪ the electric company is in town. ♪ (beatboxing) yeah! it's electric! it's fresh. two brothers... all-right! who know a lot about creatures... t-devils have the strongest jaws of any mammal. and personal hygiene. yuck! watch wild kratts! on pbs kids go! or anytime at p-b-s kids go dot org. "the electric company" is brought to you by... find your voice and share it american greetings proud sponsor of "the electric company."

agreement from the u.s. department of education's ready to learn grant, and viewers like you, thank you. visit pbskidsgo.org where you can play a lot of games for your favorite characters and win votes, too. go ahead, what are you waiting for? hey, you... cut it! (laughing) that's awkward. (laughter) put your -- put it -- sorry! put your name on your mind and... (laughter) rosa: hi. i'm miss rosa from pbs kids with martha ... martha: from martha speaks. rosa: it's easy to help your kids learn anytime, anywhere. right martha? martha: right. like at the doctor's office.

mom: what rhymes with toy? kid: boy. martha: or when you're walking the dog. mom: what letter does that sign start with? girl: s! rosa: visit pbskids.org/read for more tips and free games like these that make it fun for your child to learn to read. martha: so remember... martha and rosa: anytime is learning time.

wild kratts is made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. hi, i'm martin! one half of the kratt brothers. i'm chris, the other half. creature feet come in all different shapes and sizes. each foot is designed with the power to do something special. chris: aardvark feet are designed for digging through hard-packed soil. their claws are like built-in shovels. martin: cat feet have claws that go in and out. they're called retractable claws. they stay in most of the time, so the claws always stay sharp for grabbing. chris: a bat's rear feet are made for hanging. these feet with hooked claws, can hang on all

day while the bat sleeps. and the front feet are the wings. yes, believe it or not bat wings are really front feet with super long toes and skin stretched out between them. there are so many amazing feet in the creature world. and one foot that has always really amazed us is the foot of one special little lizard. check out the geckos! this is one group of little lizards that can walk on walls. chris: and even walk up walls of glass. martin: and even walk on ceilings, upside down! the secret to the gecko's power is all in the feet. imagine if we had the power to walk anywhere we wanted. to walk on walls. to walk on ceilings. imagine if we had the creature powers of the gecko. what if?

♪ on adventure with the coolest creatures ♪ ♪ from the oceans to the trees ♪ ♪ the brothers kratt are going places you never get to see ♪ ♪ hanging with their creature friends ♪ ♪ get ready, it's the hour ♪ ♪ we're gonna save some animals today with ♪ ♪ creature power ♪ ♪ gonna go wild, wild kratts ♪ ♪ gonna go wild, wild wild kratts ♪ ♪ gonna go wild, wild kratts ♪ ♪ gonna go wild, wild, wild ♪ ♪ cheetah speed and lizard glide ♪ ♪ falcon flight and lion pride ♪ ♪ gonna go wild, wild kratts ♪ ♪ gonna go wild, wild wild kratts ♪ ♪ gonna go wild, wild kratts ♪ ♪ gonna go wild, wild wild kratts ♪ ♪ go wild, wild, wild kratts ♪ chris and martin: whoa! did you see that? he's upside down again. just sticking there! how does he do that!? the secret must be in

his feet. ow! hmm. how does a gecko crawl on glass? it's a smooth surface. there's nothing to grab onto. it can only be described as... the gecko effect! hey, we know how he does it. like any octopus would: with suction cups. the octopus uses suction cups and i bet the gecko does it, too. hey, you want to try it? sounds like a perfect time for an experiment. yeah! midnight! we just got to be sure not to wake the rest of the gang. (snoring) ♪ hey, where does koki keep those suction cups, anyway? i know. let's try the invention garage. i'm with you, bro.

chris: whoa! aviva and koki have the invention garage so well booby trapped. there's no way zach could steal an invention without setting off the alarm. but we know our way around. ♪ (popping) ♪ all right, let's get this experiment started. ♪ where's the trampoline?

suction cup feet for climbing on glass: experiment one! martin: whoa! ahh...! it worked! whoo hoo! the suction worked! shh, shh, shh! (snoring) (whispering): suction is the answer. this is gonna be a great addition to our adventure gear collection. now, move around, martin! (straining) suction is not the answer. i can't get the suction to un-suck! huh! suction works for the octopus in the water because they can release the power of the suction by letting a little more water in. but that doesn't work in the air. if the suction is too strong it can't be released. huh, it's not good for walking on smooth dry surfaces. martin: need a little help here. you little show off!

gotta come up with a plan. hang on bro! ha ha. very funny. that was a good one. look at those wild rats. inventing stuff in their turtle ship thing. i could invent anything better than them. for example, i could've invented that wild kratts miniaturizer. easily. so it really should be mine. hmm, how about an invention raid? keep an eye on the turtle ship and wake me if those wild rats turn their alarm off. (whistling) huh? okay, ready. now i just have to overpower the suction. (straining and grunting) (straining and grunting continues) gahh...! whoa! oh! whoa! oof!

(alarm sounding) oops. oh! my inventions! oof! someone tripped the alarm! it must be zach! chris? you set off the alarm? where's the other half of trouble? huh? uh... good morning? it's the middle of the night! how'd you get up there? what're you guys doing, anyway? we should just leave you hanging up there. oh, come on. we're sorry for waking you up, but walking on ceilings is only fun if you can move. i'm stuck! literally. okay, we'll get you down if you promise to go to sleep. aw, but we're right in the middle of an adventure to figure out how geckos can climb upside down. and even on glass! interesting... but can't it wait till morning? uh, we tried this last time and it

didn't work. (straining) whoa-- whoa-oh! oof! martin: whoaa...! oof, oof, oh! oh, ugh! whaaa...! (yelling, grunting) awesome! not awesome! not the mud, the geckos! wow! (alarm beeping) yes! now's my chance. zachbots, move it! not that kind of move it. the, "let's go!" kind of move it!

whoa! tokay geckos eat conehead katydids! heh, okay tokay. aviva: there's no place the bugs can hide. geckos can go everywhere because of their special feet. but what makes them so special? and gives them the power to walk upside down? hmm... different. odd. fascinating! but i can confirm: no suction cups. but there are some strange toe pads with really interesting features on the bottom of this foot. the secret to the gecko effect. the gecko effect! is teeny tiny, microscopic and in order to see it we're going to have to take our magnifier and go miniaturized. all right! let's take this adventure into the gecko's world. to the miniaturizer!

(snoring) ♪ koki, it's time we unveil the m.i.k. yes it is! the m.i.k. the m.i.k.? what's the m.i.k.? that stands for mobile invention kit. m.i.k. so we can take everything i need to make new powers for the creature power suits into the great outdoors. cool! awesome! what about jimmy z? oh, he's going to be bummed if he misses this. (snoring) (horn blaring) koki: jimmy! chris: up and at 'em! martin: good morning! aviva wake up, wake up! oh, i know how to wake him up. jimmy, your controller is missing. what!? ah! whoa-oh-oh...! oh, heh, there it is. hey, where are we going?

we're going into the miniaturized world of the rainforest in search of... the gecko effect! ♪ do you hear footsteps? yeow! martin: okay, tokay! we're gonna have to remember that the surface the gecko walks on is totally 3d. they can walk anywhere! on any surface. but how do they do it? the answer is right there in her feet. do you think she'll let us have a look? martin: well, the tokay is one of the toughest geckos, but i think i can keep her entertained. okay, tokay, cooler than your average reptile friend of mine you want to hear a joke? (squeaking sound)

okay, what do you call a lizard who sings? (squeaking sound) a rap-tile! (laughing) (squeaking sound) wait, that was a joke. frogs sing, toads sing but lizards don't sing. except the gecko. oh, the gecko is the only kind of lizard in the world that makes musical sounds. okay, tokay! (squeaking sound) tokay. (squeaking sound) tokay! (squeaking sound) tokay. this is astonishing. a gecko has toe pads with tiny microscopic features called setae, like hairs in clumps. it's like there are hundreds of tiny toothbrushes on each toe pad. and they have an electric charge. chris can you grab me a plate of glass? sure. tokay! (squeaking sound) tokay. (squeaking sound) tokay. (straining) aviva: when the toe pad touches a surface, these

millions of tiny electric charges attract to the tiny electric charges in the surface. an attraction strong enough to keep the gecko on the surface. and the power in a single toe pad is phenomenal. the power charge meter is pegged to... 11. hey, but if they're so powerful, how does the gecko ever lift his feet? wait a second. there's something very different about gecko feet. our fingers bend this way. but the gecko's bend the other way. when the gecko bends her toe that way the toe pad begins to peel off and the electric charges are turned off. charge on, charge off. charge on, charge off. and that's how a gecko can lift her feet so she can run upside down on a surface. that's it, we've figured out the secret of... the gecko effect! keep her busy, martin, and i'll get this power programmed for the creature power suits. okay with me if it's

okay with okay tokay! oh, it's amazing all the things you learn when you get take the time to talk to a gecko. what? a gecko washes its own eyeball with her tongue!? oh, now that's way cooler than blinking! way blech! way-- i wish i could do that. have you ever had something in your eye and couldn't get it out? if you had this gecko power, you could lick it out! ah? ah? (straining) (all laughing) hmm... ooh! ♪ ooh, goodie. time to do a little invention shopping... but i'm not paying for anything! ow! agh! who left this lying around? hmm. oh-ho-ho! the miniaturizer.

i'll take one of these... gift wrapped. (laughing) the miniaturizer is mine! (laughing) aviva: okay, everybody, all set. now we can do our first ever outdoor creature power disc creation! (squeaking sound) okay? what's the matter? you look like you've just seen a ghost. not a ghost... a moon rat! a predator of frogs and maybe geckos.... when you're bite size a predator's a predator. there's two! two moon rats! uh, let's use a creature power we already have... okay, run! ah! you know, maybe this gecko is moving in with us. geckos can live outdoors or indoors. maybe i'll stick with inventing indoors. it's a little more predictable. mmm hmm, there won't be any giant moon rats after us inside. let's get back to real size.

where's the miniaturizer? we used it right here. (gasping) looking for this? my miniaturizer! ah, correction. my miniaturizer. ugh! uh-oh. hello little wild rats. chris and martin: that's wild kratts! no, this time it is really is wild rats, because you're so small, like little mouse thingies. aw! do you want to hear my little plan? that's it! shrink them all. i love my new miniaturizer! that's my miniaturizer! stop interrupting. my little plan is, i'm gonna keep you all as my little trophy pets. and every now and then i'll miniaturize a few animals for you to play with.. oh no, this is what i was always afraid of: my inventions falling into the wrong hands! how are we gonna get out of here?

chris: whoa, these walls are too smooth...! but not on glass walls. we need... the gecko effect! gecko powers can get us out of here. but we're in here and the gecko's out there. ah, but how are we gonna touch it? i never thought i'd encourage zach to catch an animal, but it's the only way to free everybody! what are they whispering about? i'm fine with these mini animals he's thrown in here. but i just hope zach doesn't throw in a real-sized gecko. oh, that would totally freak me out. hmm, gecko? what's a gecko? ugh! those colorful lizards that walk on walls are creepy!

creepy on the wall with the screen. they really freak me out! oh! catch that salamander thingy! ha ha, i heard you. throw it in with them. (chuckling) it'll really freak mini-martin out! whoa! he stopped his fall with one toe pad! see? powerful! yeah, it worked! hmm... (laughing) you're supposed to be freaked out! oh yeah. oh yeah! a ge-ge-ge... geck-o! gecko! gecko! hmm... (laughing) martin's really freaking out. he's such a scaredy kratt. (laughing)

scaredy kratt, huh? we'll see who gets the last laugh... two creature power discs hot off the m.i.k. oh yea! cool! martin and chris: activate gecko powers. ♪ oh, sticking the landing... with the gecko effect! oh hello, donita. hello, gourmand. i'm glad you could join my conference call. i invented a new miniaturizer! he did not. chris: quick, while he's bragging, let's go! well, you guys can climb, but what about the rest of us? ah, but you underestimate gecko power. one gecko foot can hold up one gecko, plus 50 more. so i

can easily haul the three of you out of here! grab onto my tail. and i'll herd old electric toes straight up to the escape hatch. okay, tokay? let's head up. no! the other up. ♪ like them. oh, they say herding cats is tough, but herding geckos? sheesh! gecko powers are awesome! and it really works. with my foot down, the electrical charge attraction is on. but when i peel the toe pad up, it turns off. so i can stick and walk where there is nothing to grab even upside down on glass. this is the most awesome creature power yet! how are you guys doing down there? hanging in there! i wish i'd said that! you say that every time! (laughing) whoo hoo!

see? and i can shrink them so tiny, you can't even see them! we're almost there! i'm not. okay, co-operate. go up. hmm. almost there... oh jimmy, you forgot to tie your shoe...! (screaming) ♪ phew! grab onto my tail, aviva and let's "geck" go-ing! geck-go! gecko! okay, tokay... chris: he's up here! okay, were you just messing with me? c'mon, let's get to the miniaturizer

and back to real size while zach's distracted. you can miniaturize anything with it. put your arms in, dabio, it'll make me feel stronger. gourmand put your appetite in. then there'll be more animals for the rest of us to use. oh, donita, you know that big ego of yours? i'll shrink it for ya! (laughing) ha ha ha ahh... they're so jealous. aviva: of what? an invention thief? zachbots get them! ooh! i'll get you next time, you... wild rats! uh, that's wild kratts! yeah, zach. how many times do we have to tell you? that's wild kratts, with a k, wild kratts. no, r-r-really!

g-g-giant wild rats! they must've walked in right behind us! oh, you're actually kind of right this time, zach. these are wild moon rats. although technically, moon rats are related to hedgehogs. hmm... (zach screaming) better get these monsters back to the miniaturizer before they get out into an unsuspecting jungle. hey, martin, i just realized something. you forgot to name our gecko friend. no, i didn't. i've been calling him by his name the whole time. are you gonna tell me what it is. okay. so, are you gonna tell me? okay! come on martin, i wanna know what you named him. okay, his name is okay okay the tokay. okay! (team laughing) geckos are one of the coolest groups of lizards in the creature world. and this is a tokay gecko. tokay geckos are so colorful. they're one of the largest geckos.

and here is a crested gecko. this endangered gecko has ridges running along his spine and hair-like projections above his eyes that look like eyelashes. those two over there are banana geckos. like all geckos, they have no eyelids so they lick their eyeballs to keep them moist. oh-ho, but now back to the feet. each gecko species has its own unique foot and toe pad shape. and it's the toe pad that gives the geckos their amazing power to walk on walls. each toe pad has thousands of tiny structures that each have an electrical charge that are attracted to the electrical charge occurring on any surface. that's what gives the gecko the power to walk on walls. that's the gecko effect. when the gecko's toe pads are pressed up against the glass the charge is on and the gecko

is attached. when he peels back his toes, the charge on the toe pads turns off and the gecko can take a step. ♪ he's not even using all the toes on this foot. or any of the toes on this foot. he doesn't need them. in fact, a crested gecko could easily hang from just one toe pad. martin: oh, i can really see him curling up the toes to release the contact, then reattaching. scientists are trying to replicate gecko powers to make real-world gecko boots and gecko gloves. but even though we understand the secret of the gecko effect human technically has not yet been able to recreate the power that nature has given to the gecko.

but someday, we may be able to adventure with real-world gecko boots and gecko gloves. so get out there and explore. martin: keep on creature adventuring. chris: see you on the creature trail. this is a lemon shark. they're called lemon sharks because they're kind of yellowish in colour. this one's only about two or three years old. but they can grow to be about 12' long. lemon sharks are fish eaters. and they live in the warm southern waters of the caribbean. there you go, buddy, back to living free and in the wild. this is a lanner falcon from africa, a bird hunter and savannah speedster. want to see him fly? and, take off! this is falconry, the training of hawks and falcons. coming in! whoa!

that was some serious flying. great job. and now, he gets his reward, a piece of meat. check out his wings. he's guarding his prey. he earned it so he's going to eat it. all right, martin, you ready for the creature challenge? oh, yeah. am i ever. let's go! okay. whoa! wait, i'm tripping. okay. is it a creature that likes trees? yes, it is. an iguana. nope. not an iguana. okay. does it have scales or fur? fur and a long tail. (sniffing) i'm smelling a monkey. yes, it's a monkey. what type, though? okay. is it a monkey that only lives in the trees? no. trees, and just as good on the ground. a baboon! yes! an olive baboon. announcer: they're nutty and funny and their hair is blue. it's thing one and thing two. they join the cat in the hat in "the cat in the hat knows a lot about that!" weekdays on pbs kids or any time you want at pbskids.org. wild kratts is made possible by

to find out more about cool animals... and collect your own wild kratts creature powers... go to the wild kratts website... ...at pbskidsgo.org. both: we'll see you there!