Just the Zoo of Us
251 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 353 ratingsJoin us, Ellen and Christian Weatherford, while we review your favorite species of animals and rate them out of ten in the categories of effectiveness, ingenuity and aesthetics.
More information can be found at justthezooofus.com 😊
Got a species you want us to review? Submit your animal friend to us at [email protected] and when we review your animal we'll give you a shoutout! 😊
Cover art by Mrs. Brainbow (Taylor Gordon-Wood). Theme music by Louie Zong.
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Episodes
97: Sea Otter & Blue-Ringed Octopus
May 24, 2021 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen reviews the ocean's most adorable monsters, sea otters, & Christian rates the dazzling blue-ringed octopus.
96: Orangutans w/ Dr. Lara Durgavich!
May 14, 2021 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.2 MBJoin Ellen & special guest, biological anthropologist Dr. Lara Durgavich for a review of the arboreal royalty, orangutans! In this episode, we discuss how orangutans have adapted to make themselves at home in the tree tops, how we see ourselves reflected in their faces & behavior, and how we can help support orangutans in their habitats.
95: Cape Stumpnose w/ Dr. Yanasivan Kisten!
May 07, 2021 10:00 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBJoin Ellen & special guest, marine ecophysiologist Dr. Yanasivan Kisten for a review of the unassuming yet impressive Cape stumpnose! In this episode, we discuss the crucial role that estuaries play in a healthy ecosystem & spotlight how this little silver fish that can stand up to some pretty big challenges.
94: American Black Bear & Scaly-foot Snail
April 30, 2021 18:53 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian teaches us why you should resist that urge to feed the bears & Ellen takes a deep dive into the heavily fortified extremophile, the scaly-foot snail.
93: Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle w/ Alex Troutman!
April 23, 2021 10:00 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBJoin Ellen & special guest wildlife biologist Alex Troutman for a review of the most dedicated beach babes of all, Kemp's ridley sea turtles! In this episode, we discuss what we can learn about life from sea turtles, why it's so important to be kind to our beaches, and how we can all make the shores a little friendlier to the wildlife that we love.
92: Archerfish w/ Dagmar der Weduwen!
April 16, 2021 10:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBJoin Ellen & special guest ecologist Dagmar der Weduwen for a review of the sharpshooting archerfish! In this episode, we discuss the archerfish's unparalleled precision, cunning, and attitude as well as what it's like to work with them in the lab.
91: Periodical Cicadas & Portuguese Man O' War
April 07, 2021 10:00 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen gives the buzz on periodical cicadas & Christian unfurls the sails of the Portuguese man o' war.
90: Pronghorn w/ Vinny Thomas!
March 26, 2021 10:00 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBJoin Ellen & special guest, comedian Vinny Thomas, for a review of the champion of the sagebrush, the pronghorn! In this episode, we discuss how this charming little ungulate outran extinction, attempts to face modern challenges, and continues to do the absolute most at all times. Follow Vinny on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok! Intro & outro music: "Adventuring", Louie Zong
89: Vietnamese Mossy Frog w/ Gina Zwicky!
March 19, 2021 10:00 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBJoin Ellen & special guest, biologist & naturalist Gina Zwicky, for a review of the amphibian master of disguise, the Vietnamese mossy frog! In this episode, Gina makes the case for frogs as simple yet refined masterpieces, shares some tricks of the frog-finding trade, and geeks out with Ellen over science communication via anime. Intro & outro music: "Adventuring", Louie Zong
88: Stargazer & Pink Fairy Armadillo
March 11, 2021 11:00 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's very fossorial episode, Christian reveals the hidden nightmares of the stargazer fish and Ellen digs into the buried secrets of the pink fairy armadillo.
87: Jumping Spiders w/ Dr. Sebastian Echeverri!
March 03, 2021 11:00 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBJoin Ellen & special guest, arachnologist Dr. Sebastian A. Echeverri for a review of the overpowered bards of the arachnid world, jumping spiders! In this episode, we discuss jumping spiders' incomparable processing power, hunting skill, and flair for the dramatic. Episode cover photo by our guest himself, Dr. Sebastian Echeverri! Intro & outro music: "Adventuring", Louie Zong
86: Copepods w/ Jimmy Bernot!
February 24, 2021 11:00 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBJoin Ellen & special guest, evolutionary biologist Jimmy Bernot, for a review of the microscopic crustaceans truly running the world, copepods! In this episode, we discuss what makes copepods so successful at what they do, the role that parasites play in an ecosystem, and the biodiversity you can find among fish boogers. Intro & outro music: "Adventuring", Louie Zong
85: Opossum & Burrowing Owl
February 18, 2021 11:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen's heart is stolen by the trash bandit opossum & Christian digs up all the dirt on the burrowing owl.
84: Cheetahs w/ Gabi Fleury!
February 10, 2021 11:00 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBJoin Ellen and special guest, conservation biologist Gabi Fleury, for a review of the punk nerds of the big cat family, cheetahs! In this episode we discuss how cheetahs go so fast, what sets them apart from the rest of the cats, and conflict between humans and wildlife.
83: Tarantulas w/ Tea Francis!
January 27, 2021 11:00 - 55 minutes - 50.6 MBJoin Ellen & special guest, artist and arachnid enthusiast Tea Francis, for a review of our fuzzy, chunky, leggy friends: tarantulas! In this episode we discuss why tarantulas deserve admiration, how (and why) to respect their boundaries, and what it's like to live with hundreds of tiny roommates in the Spider Room.
82: Olm & Maned Wolf
January 21, 2021 11:00 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! Christian returns with the secretive underground cave puppy, the olm, and Ellen reviews the uniquely stunning maned wolf.
81: Barnacles w/ Elizabeth Mills!
January 15, 2021 16:27 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBJoin Ellen and special guest, marine biologist Elizabeth Mills, for a review of the often-overlooked ride-or-die friends of the sea, barnacles! Topics include (but are not limited to): barnacle reproductive anatomy, whale armor, zombie crab mechs, and whether or not geese are fruit.
80: Sea Stars w/ Dr. Christopher Mah!
January 06, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 61.8 MBJoin Ellen and marine biologist Dr. Christopher Mah for a review of the mysterious, complicated, many-armed predators of the deep, sea stars! In this episode, we discuss why sea stars are so important to marine ecosystems, their secret drama playing out in slow motion, and their captivatingly unfamiliar beauty.
79: Reindeer (aka Caribou) w/ Olivia deBourcier!
December 25, 2020 11:00 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBJoin Ellen and special guest, environmental scientist & host of the Beyond Blathers podcast Olivia deBourcier, for a review of a festive icon, the reindeer (also known as caribou)! In this episode, we talk about what makes reindeer so lovable (spoiler alert: so many things), what it's like to work with them, and the challenges they're facing in their native habitats.
78: Ants w/ Aaron Fairweather!
December 21, 2020 16:20 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBJoin Ellen and special guest, entomologist Aaron Fairweather, for a review of the industrious, conniving, world-conquering ants! In this episode, we discuss what makes ants so successful, the theatrical levels of drama going on under our feet every day, and as a special treat, a free idea for a D&D character.
77: Orb Weavers & Wolf Spiders w/ Madison Bush!
December 09, 2020 11:00 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBJoin Ellen & special guest, field biologist Madison Bush, for a review of a couple of very leggy friends, orb weavers & wolf spiders! In this episode we discuss the World Wide Web, moustaches made out of eyes, and buff Tom Holland.
76: Olympic Torrent Salamander w/ Travis Kurtz!
November 20, 2020 11:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MBJoin Ellen and special guest, herpetologist Travis Kurtz, for a review of Washington's very own Olympic torrent salamander! In this episode, we go over what makes salamanders so charming, the mysteries that make this little one so special, and what it's like to study them.
75: Coquerel's Sifaka w/ Keriann McGoogan!
October 28, 2020 10:00 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBJoin Ellen and special guest, conservationist & primatologist Keriann McGoogan, for a review of Coquerel's sifaka! In this episode, we chat about what makes sifakas so special as well as what it's like to work with and study them in the wild in Madagascar. This episode was made in collaboration with the Lemur Conservation Network for the World Lemur Festival. You can celebrate World Lemur Day on Friday, October 30! https://www.lemurconservationnetwork.org/world-lemur-day/
74: Scalloped Hammerhead w/ Ryan Hegseth!
October 22, 2020 10:00 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MBJoin Ellen and special guest, marine biologist Ryan Hegseth, for a review of the scalloped hammerhead! In this episode, we review what makes this hammerhead shark so successful and charming in addition to some slight detours along the way, visiting topics like octopus hickeys, learning to fight fear with education, and Shark Week.
73: Hagfish & Secretary Bird
October 14, 2020 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.2 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode Ellen untangles the slimebeast of the ocean floor, the hagfish, and Christian kicks it up a notch with the relentlessly stylish secretary bird.
72: Coyotes w/ Jazmin Murphy!
October 08, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 48 MBJoin Ellen & special guest Jazmin Murphy (AKA Sunny) for a review of the iconic coyote! In this episode, we discuss how coyotes have adapted to thrive in a wide variety of environments and what makes them so delightfully special.
71: Dominican Anole w/ Chelsea Connor!
September 30, 2020 15:17 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Chelsea Connor for a review of the Dominican anole! In this episode we talk dewlaps, eyespots, and what it's like to work with these little lizards with big attitudes. Photo: Chelsea Connor
70: American Bison & Giraffe-Necked Weevil
September 23, 2020 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian charges in with the American bison and Ellen explains the quirky appearance and lifestyle of the giraffe-necked weevil.
69: Gopher Tortoise w/ Tori Wingerter!
September 16, 2020 10:00 - 49 minutes - 44.9 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Tori Wingerter for a review of Florida's very own dinosaur burger, the gopher tortoise! We dig in to what makes these mini tanks so special and delightful, and why they're so important to their ecosystems.
68: Pigeon & Banded Sea Krait
September 09, 2020 10:00 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen brings it home with the common pigeon & Christian explains what makes the sea krait a real spicy noodle.
67: Sawfish w/ Jasmin Graham!
September 02, 2020 10:00 - 47 minutes - 43.1 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Jasmin Graham for a review of the most dangerous snoot in the water, the sawfish! In this episode we discuss what's up with that wild saw on their face, what makes them such impressive predators, how they're affected by human activity, and what we can do to help.
66: Pika & North American Giant Millipede
August 26, 2020 10:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian takes us on a tour of the pika's digestive system & Ellen shows some love to the North American giant millipede and its role as an unsung ecological hero. (Heads up: this episode mentions poop a lot.)
65: Peregrine Falcon w/ Jason Ward!
August 19, 2020 10:00 - 49 minutes - 114 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Jason Ward for a review of the Sky Lamborghini, the peregrine falcon! In this episode we cover the original Falcon Punch & the amazing features that allow these birds to dominate the skies.
64: Emu & Whale Shark
August 12, 2020 10:00 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen explains why emus don't bother flying and Christian dives into the mysterious world of the cryptic whale shark.
63: Waterfall Climbing Gobies w/ Kelly Diamond!
August 05, 2020 10:00 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Kelly Diamond for a review of Hawaii's peculiar and charming waterfall climbing gobies, o'opu nopili! In this episode we talk about the unique adaptations that these gobies have developed to allow them to overcome some impressive obstacles, as well as the adaptations the scientists had to develop to overcome some unexpected challenges in studying these unique fish!
62: Golden Mole & Red-Bellied Piranha
July 29, 2020 10:00 - 57 minutes - 52.5 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian gives us the lowdown on a shimmering jelly bean, the golden mole, and Ellen sets the record straight on piranhas. Photos: Galen Rathbun (golden mole), Gregory Moine (red-bellied piranha)
61: Geladas w/ Patsy DeLacey!
July 22, 2020 10:00 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Patsy DeLacey for a review of the "bleeding heart" monkey, the gelada! In this episode we talk about what makes this monkey so unique AND so beautiful, as well as what it's like to work with them in the Simien Mountains.
60: Wolverine & Suriname Toad
July 15, 2020 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen squares up with the wolverine & Christian takes us on a leisurely stroll down Nightmare Lane with the Suriname toad. Check it out! Photos: Jonathan Othén (wolverine) & Matthieu Berroneau (Suriname toad)
59: Planarians w/ Prof. Oné R. Pagán!
July 08, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBJoin Ellen and special guest, the bookworm with a worm book, Prof. Oné R. Pagán for a review of the mysterious squiggles straight out of science fiction, planarians! In this episode we learn about what makes these worms so fascinating and how they serve as research models that could help save human lives.
58: Bold Jumping Spider & North American Porcupine
July 01, 2020 10:00 - 45 minutes - 42 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian leaps to new heights with the bold jumping spider & Ellen desperately resists giving the North American porcupine a great big hug. ***Photos by Tibor Nagy (bold jumping spider) and Janice Sveda (porcupine)***
57: Snow Leopard w/ Charlotte Hacker!
June 24, 2020 10:00 - 46 minutes - 42.1 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Charlotte Hacker for a review of the elusive fluffball of the mountains, the snow leopard! In this week's episode we talk about what makes these beautiful cats so hard to find and so worth protecting. ***Photo: Dennis W. Donohue***
56: Vampire Finch & Eastern Indigo Snake
June 17, 2020 10:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen takes us to the Galápagos Islands to learn about the vampire finch & Christian tells us what makes the Eastern indigo snake really shine. ***Photos: Dr. Simon J. Pierce (vampire finch) & Kevin Schafer (indigo snake)
55: Naked Mole Rat w/ Benjamin Lancer!
June 10, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MBJoin Ellen & special guest Benjamin Lancer for a review of the sand puppy, AKA the naked mole rat! In this week's episode, we dig in to what makes these wrinkly little guys such marvels of nature and what unexpected adaptations they've developed that lets them thrive in their crowded underground burrows. Photo: Oregon Zoo
55: Naked Mole Rat w/ Benjamin Lancer
June 10, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 121 MBJoin Ellen & special guest Benjamin Lancer for a review of the sand puppy, AKA the naked mole rat! In this week's episode, we dig in to what makes these wrinkly little guys such marvels of nature and what unexpected adaptations they've developed that lets them thrive in their crowded underground burrows. ***Photo: Oregon Zoo***
54: Texas Horned Lizard & Sperm Whale
May 27, 2020 10:00 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode Ellen reviews the spiciest pancake in the desert, the Texas horned lizard, and Christian dives deep into the world of the sperm whale.
53: Sharks w/ Dr. Catherine Macdonald!
May 20, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Dr. Catherine Macdonald for a review of... sharks! In this episode, we tour the diversity of sharks, learn about some of the incredible ways they have adapted to excel, and examine the relationships humans have with sharks & how you (yes, you) can help them.
52: Our First Anniversary Q&A!
May 13, 2020 10:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBAs of the day this episode airs, Just the Zoo of Us will have been broadcasting for one full calendar year! In this episode, we celebrate by answering fun and thoughtful questions from our listeners and friends. We're incredibly thankful for everyone who has joined and supported us on this amazing journey.
51: Wrasses w/ Yi-Kai Tea!
May 06, 2020 10:00 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Yi-Kai Tea for a review of the mind-blowingly diverse and impressive wrasse family! In this episode we go over the crucial roles wrasses play in their ecosystems, how expertly they've adapted to excel in those roles, and of course how striking their beautiful colors and markings are.
50: Moose & Desert Rain Frog
April 29, 2020 10:00 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBJoin the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian reviews the towering moose & Ellen squeals over the desert rain frog.
49: Bobtail Squid w/ Dr. Sarah McAnulty!
April 22, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBJoin Ellen and special guest Dr. Sarah McAnulty for a review of the sparkly dumpling of the sea, the Hawaiian bobtail squid! In this episode we talk about the amazing inner workings of these soft round friends, their complex relationship with very special bacteria, and the amazing science communication project Skype a Scientist!