Nature

Just the Zoo of Us

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.

Latest Episodes:

206: Daddy Long Legs & Vaquita Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

Christian does the spider shake with daddies long leg & Ellen tells the story of the imperiled panda of the sea, the vaquita. We discuss spider myths, web design, porpoises, and what happens when wildlife conservation meets organized crime.

Links:

Learn more about Earth League International & their efforts to save and protect the vaquita at their website.
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24: Tardigrade & Platypus (REPLAY) Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

In this week's re-broadcast of an episode from October of 2019, Christian zooms in on the tardigrades & Ellen demystifies the unique platypus.

Links:

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205: Aardvark w/ Kailey Hart! Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

Ellen & special guest, zookeeper Kailey Hart, review the humble earth pig. We discuss their evolutionary loneliness, unique hodge-podge of surprising traits, tube-teeth, Pokemon, the PBS cartoon Arthur, and pro tips for planning your next zoo trip.

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204: Leaf Sheep & Basilisk Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

Ellen soaks up the sun with the leaf sheep & Christian gets biblical with the miraculous basilisk. We discuss photosynthesis, losing your head over parasites, outrunning physics, and mythology.

To learn more about the All for Animals walk at the Woodland Park Zoo, visit their website & join our team if you're able!
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203: Cuttlefish w/ Meg Mindlin! Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

Ellen & special guest, marine biologist and artist Meg Mindlin, review the mind-blowing rogues of the sea: cuttlefish! We discuss RNA editing, cephalopod brains, how cuttlefish are able to change their skin in the blink of an eye, use deception and disguise to win over mates, and how connecting with nature inspires art and innovation that makes the whole world a better place.

Links:

See Meg's art and science at their website!
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202: Basking Shark & Glass Frog Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Christian basks in the glory of the basking shark & Ellen sees right through the glass frog. We discuss the origins of gills, livers full of oil AND blood, and making little gelatin frogs for science.

To learn more about protecting rainforests and the wonderful frogs that live in them, check out the Rainforest Alliance!
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201: Hoary Bats w/ Sophiane Nacer! Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

Ellen & special guest, ecologist Sophiane Nacer, review the powdered donuts of the skies: hoary bats. We discuss frosted tips, tree roosters, bat memes and why you should care about bats all year long and not just for Halloween. If you haven’t fallen in love with bats yet, I think you will by the time we’re done.

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200: Sockeye Salmon & Grizzly Bear Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

Ellen brings it home with the sockeye salmon & Christian looks for the bear necessities with the grizzly bear. We discuss our recent relocation to the Pacific Northwest, how fish use magnets to navigate over thousands of miles, and bear safety tips to keep you - and the bears - safe while you enjoy nature.

Links:

For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website!
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133: Slow Loris & Cassowary (REPLAY) Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

In this week's re-broadcast of an episode from February of 2022, Ellen hangs out with the slow loris & Christian observes leg day with the southern cassowary. We discuss armpit alchemy, the pitfalls of cute animal videos, rumbles in the jungle, and real life dinosaurs.

Links:

For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website!
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Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinjustthezoo

199: Satin Bowerbird w/ Dr. Seth Coleman! Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

Join Ellen & special guest, evolutionary biologist Dr. Seth Coleman, for a review of the little birds with the ultimate rizz: satin bowerbirds! Anyone who’s ever tried to impress a crush can take some notes from this episode as we discuss building and decorating the ultimate bachelor pad, the value of a little practice courtship with the fellas, learning the delicate art of choosing the right mate, and so much more. One man’s trash does in fact become one bird’s treasure, and by “trash” I mean “toothbrush.”

Links:

Follow along with Seth's science content on TikTok and Instagram!
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Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinjustthezoo

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