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Just the Zoo of Us

Just the Zoo of Us

By Ellen & Christian Weatherford

Join 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 ellen@justthezooofus.com 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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Currently playing episode

108: Great Horned Owl w/ Ashley Bray!

Just the Zoo of UsAug 30, 2021

00:00
44:45
121: Nine-banded Armadillo w/ Carly Haywood!
Dec 01, 202152:10
120: Acorn Woodpecker & West African Lungfish

120: Acorn Woodpecker & West African Lungfish

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian brings the acorn woodpecker to trial for its rampant vandalism &  Ellen goes for a ride in a time machine with the West African lungfish. Along the way, we discuss the physics of using your face as a jackhammer, snot cocoons, and Sonic hedgehog.

Cover photos: Luis Echeverri Urrea via Getty images (woodpeckers), voltan1 via Getty images (lungfish)

Nov 24, 202154:22
119: Pigeons w/ Rosemary Mosco!
Nov 17, 202101:01:31
118: Ocean Sunfish & Tanuki

118: Ocean Sunfish & Tanuki

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode inspired by Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Ellen basks in the unexpected glory of the ocean sunfish & Christian pays respect to the mischievous tanuki. You'll learn what to bring to a sunfish's dinner party and how the tanuki earns the title of power couple.

Nov 10, 202101:05:05
117: Flatfish w/ Dr. Kory Evans!

117: Flatfish w/ Dr. Kory Evans!

Join Ellen & special guest evolutionary biologist Dr. Kory Evans for a review of the dimensionally innovative flatfish! Learn the story of why these quirky fishes developed such peculiar body plans and how their bizarre adaptations help them live their best life beneath the sand. We discuss migrating eyes, transient feet, and which cartoons got flounders right and wrong.

Keep up with Kory and his lab's work on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sternarchella

Cover photo: Jodi Jacobson via Getty Images

Nov 03, 202142:44
116: Painted Bat & Dracula Parrot

116: Painted Bat & Dracula Parrot

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's festively spooky episode, Christian kicks off the celebration with the painted bat & Ellen counts up points for the iconic Dracula parrot. 

Photos: Merlin Tuttle (painted bat), Ondrej Prosicky (Dracula parrot)

Oct 27, 202147:08
115: Myriapods (Millipedes, Centipedes & Pauropods) w/ Dr. Derek Hennen!
Oct 20, 202101:02:24
Meet the Neighbors: Just the Zoo of Us x One Bad Mother
Oct 18, 202138:17
114: Amazon Molly & Aardvark

114: Amazon Molly & Aardvark

Ellen inspects an army of fish clones, the Amazon molly, and Christian finally digs in to the details of the inimitable aardvark. Learn how clones are made in nature, what's going on inside the aardvark's porcine snout, and why it's so crucial to never leave home without tippy-tappies.

Amazon molly photo by Manfred Schartl. Aardvark photo by Michael Viard via Getty Images.

Oct 13, 202150:14
Special announcement: We're joining Maximum Fun!

Special announcement: We're joining Maximum Fun!

We've got big, exciting, great news! Just the Zoo of Us is joining the Maximum Fun network! Listen to our announcement for more information about the network, the date of our first episode as members, and a very special treat if you stick around to the end (it's less than two minutes!).

Check out Maximum Fun & their other wonderful shows over at www.maximumfun.org :)

Oct 08, 202101:57
113: Freshwater Sponges w/ Mallory McNulty!

113: Freshwater Sponges w/ Mallory McNulty!

Join Ellen & special guest Mallory McNulty for a review of our porous friends, freshwater sponges! Get the real answers to your burning sponge questions, like what a sponge feels like in your hands, how a completely stationary animal gets to new places, what kind of role they play in their ecosystem & why freshwater sponges have earned their chance in the spotlight!

Oct 06, 202142:58
112: Mexican Mole Lizard & Echidna

112: Mexican Mole Lizard & Echidna

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian reviews the reptile disguised as an earthworm, the Mexican mole lizard, and Ellen evaluates the eclectic, enigmatic echidna.

Sep 28, 202148:25
111: Common Loon w/ Ivan Phillipsen!

111: Common Loon w/ Ivan Phillipsen!

Join Ellen & special guest, naturalist Ivan Phillipsen, for a review of the iconic common loon! In this episode, we discuss why they got stuck with such a rude name, how they’ve managed to master both water AND air, and the hidden meanings behind those ethereal (and slightly spooky) songs in the night. 

Ivan's podcast, The Science of Birds, can be found wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit their website at https://www.scienceofbirds.com/

Sep 21, 202150:35
110: Backswimmers w/ Gavin Campbell!

110: Backswimmers w/ Gavin Campbell!

Join Ellen & special guest, ecologist Gavin Campbell, for a review of the surprising little bugs zipping just beneath the surface of a pond near you: backswimmers! In this episode, Gavin tells us his stories of raising dragons, a mysterious entomological cold case, and his very own super villain origin story.

Sep 15, 202156:29
109: Philippine Eagle & Humpback Whale

109: Philippine Eagle & Humpback Whale

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen details what makes the Philippine eagle soar above the competition & Christian sings praises for the humpback whale.

Sep 06, 202154:47
108: Great Horned Owl w/ Ashley Bray!

108: Great Horned Owl w/ Ashley Bray!

Join Ellen & special guest, wildlife biologist Ashley Bray, for a review of the tigers of the sky: great horned owls! In this episode, we discuss fake ears, silent feathers, tactical pantaloons, and more. Ashley is the creator & host of the Get Out Alive podcast, which can be found at www.getoutalivepodcast.com (listener discretion advised!)
Aug 30, 202144:45
107: Thresher Shark w/ Jaida Elcock!

107: Thresher Shark w/ Jaida Elcock!

Join Ellen & special guest, shark scientist & co-founder of MISS Jaida Elcock, for a review of the chronically anxious scorpion of the sea: thresher sharks! Topics include the unique features that make thresher sharks particularly amazing, what it's like to study sharks, how to safely share the ocean with them, marine science in Finding Nemo, and more.

You can learn more about MISS's work promoting diversity and inclusion in shark science & support their organization at their website: https://www.misselasmo.org/

Aug 23, 202158:35
106: Mudskipper & Hoatzin

106: Mudskipper & Hoatzin

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian reviews how the mudskipper gets the best of both worlds & Ellen strongly relates to the smelliest living dinosaur, the hoatzin.

Aug 16, 202139:39
105: Fossa w/ Asia Murphy!

105: Fossa w/ Asia Murphy!

Join Ellen & special guest, ecologist Asia Murphy, for a review of the fossa! In this episode, we discuss their catlike (but not feline!) features, an unusual bachelor-deterring disguise, and what makes the buffed-up fossa such a unique and gorgeous animal.

This episode was made in collaboration with the Lemur Conservation Network! Learn more about the wildlife of Madagascar & how we can help protect them at www.lemurconservationnetwork.org 

Aug 02, 202128:13
104: Blue-Eyed Black Lemur w/ Dr. Jen Tinsman!

104: Blue-Eyed Black Lemur w/ Dr. Jen Tinsman!

Join Ellen & special guest, evolutionary biologist Dr. Jen Tinsman, for a review of Madagascar's striking blue-eyed black lemurs! In this episode, we discuss Madagascar's incredible biodiversity, the relationships between humans and lemurs, and just how charming these arboreal friends are. 

This episode was made in collaboration with the Lemur Conservation Network. Learn more about their work supporting conservation in Madagascar at their website: https://www.lemurconservationnetwork.org/

Jul 26, 202144:27
103: Malayan Tapir & Lone Star Tick

103: Malayan Tapir & Lone Star Tick

Join the Weatherfords for an animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen takes a look at the long-snouted Malayan tapir & Christian checks every nook and cranny for lone star ticks.
Jul 20, 202149:08
102: Plants w/ Dr. Vikram Baliga!

102: Plants w/ Dr. Vikram Baliga!

Join Ellen & special guest, horticulturist Dr. Vikram Baliga, for a review of... plants! We left the animal kingdom for this look at some of the fascinating adaptations that plants have made to stay thriving. In this episode, we discuss millenia-old trees, diabolical beetle-trapping lilies, living toilets, cold-blooded plant warfare happening right in front of our eyes, and other fun facts guaranteed to give you a deeper appreciation for the plant life all around us.

Jul 12, 202101:03:21
101: Mantis Shrimp w/ Alice Chou!

101: Mantis Shrimp w/ Alice Chou!

Join Ellen & special guest, marine neurobiologist Alice Chou, for a review of the ocean's feisty boxers, mantis shrimps! In this episode, we discuss why the mantis shrimp is so good at punching stuff, what's up with their funky disco eyes, and other delectable treats for your brain.

Jul 05, 202145:43
100th Episode Q&A Celebration!

100th Episode Q&A Celebration!

Join Ellen & Christian for a special episode answering questions from our beautiful listeners about topics including (but not limited to): making the podcast, things we've learned about animals and nature, our favorite video games, and more!

Jun 28, 202158:10
99: Bald Eagles w/ Patch, creator of TierZoo!
Jun 11, 202130:36
98: Cockroaches w/ Charles Wallace!

98: Cockroaches w/ Charles Wallace!

Join Ellen & special guest entomologist Charles Wallace for a review of nature's oft-maligned rogues, cockroaches! In this episode, we bust myths about the roaches that cozy up to human spaces, learn about some of the fascinating strategies that different types of roaches all over the world use to thrive, and give these hardy insects some long overdue praise.

Jun 02, 202101:06:27
97: Sea Otter & Blue-Ringed Octopus

97: Sea Otter & Blue-Ringed Octopus

Join 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.

May 24, 202147:38
96: Orangutans w/ Dr. Lara Durgavich!

96: Orangutans w/ Dr. Lara Durgavich!

Join 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.

May 14, 202147:14
95: Cape Stumpnose w/ Dr. Yanasivan Kisten!

95: Cape Stumpnose w/ Dr. Yanasivan Kisten!

Join 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.

May 07, 202136:13
94: American Black Bear & Scaly-foot Snail

94: American Black Bear & Scaly-foot Snail

Join 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.

Apr 30, 202142:48
93: Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle w/ Alex Troutman!

93: Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle w/ Alex Troutman!

Join 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.

Apr 23, 202142:23
92: Archerfish w/ Dagmar der Weduwen!

92: Archerfish w/ Dagmar der Weduwen!

Join 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.
Apr 16, 202145:29
91: Periodical Cicadas & Portuguese Man O' War

91: Periodical Cicadas & Portuguese Man O' War

Join 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.

Apr 07, 202138:34
90: Pronghorn w/ Vinny Thomas!
Mar 26, 202136:41
89: Vietnamese Mossy Frog w/ Gina Zwicky!

89: Vietnamese Mossy Frog w/ Gina Zwicky!

Join 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

Mar 19, 202137:46
88: Stargazer & Pink Fairy Armadillo

88: Stargazer & Pink Fairy Armadillo

Join 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.

Mar 11, 202138:33
87: Jumping Spiders w/ Dr. Sebastian Echeverri!

87: Jumping Spiders w/ Dr. Sebastian Echeverri!

Join 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

Mar 03, 202145:14
86: Copepods w/ Jimmy Bernot!

86: Copepods w/ Jimmy Bernot!

Join 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

Feb 24, 202154:08
85: Opossum & Burrowing Owl

85: Opossum & Burrowing Owl

Join 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.

Feb 18, 202149:25
84: Cheetahs w/ Gabi Fleury!

84: Cheetahs w/ Gabi Fleury!

Join 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.

Feb 10, 202143:48
83: Tarantulas w/ Tea Francis!

83: Tarantulas w/ Tea Francis!

Join 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.

Jan 27, 202155:17
82: Olm & Maned Wolf

82: Olm & Maned Wolf

Join 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.

Jan 21, 202132:59
81: Barnacles w/ Elizabeth Mills!

81: Barnacles w/ Elizabeth Mills!

Join 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.

Jan 15, 202146:31
80: Sea Stars w/ Dr. Christopher Mah!

80: Sea Stars w/ Dr. Christopher Mah!

Join 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.

Jan 06, 202101:07:33
79: Reindeer (aka Caribou) w/ Olivia deBourcier!

79: Reindeer (aka Caribou) w/ Olivia deBourcier!

Join 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.

Dec 25, 202045:13
78: Ants w/ Aaron Fairweather!

78: Ants w/ Aaron Fairweather!

Join 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.

Dec 21, 202051:09
77: Orb Weavers & Wolf Spiders w/ Madison Bush!

77: Orb Weavers & Wolf Spiders w/ Madison Bush!

Join 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.

Dec 09, 202052:52
76: Olympic Torrent Salamander w/ Travis Kurtz!

76: Olympic Torrent Salamander w/ Travis Kurtz!

Join 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.

Nov 20, 202047:27
75: Coquerel's Sifaka w/ Keriann McGoogan!

75: Coquerel's Sifaka w/ Keriann McGoogan!

Join 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/

Oct 28, 202038:31
74: Scalloped Hammerhead w/ Ryan Hegseth!

74: Scalloped Hammerhead w/ Ryan Hegseth!

Join 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.

Oct 22, 202058:27