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:

179: Spider Monkey w/ Dr. Michelle Rodrigues! Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Ellen & special guest, primatologist and biological anthropologist Dr. Michelle Rodrigues, review the ballerinas of the Central and South American rain forests: spider monkeys. We discuss what life in the treetops looks like through a spider monkey’s big beautiful eyes, the latest innovations in butt-scratching technology, and the power of friendship.

Follow Michelle on Twitter and Instagram, and learn more about her work at her website!

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Cover photo: jkraft5 via Getty images

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178: Vicuña & Cookie Cutter Shark Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

Ellen luxuriates in the vicuña & Christian takes a bite out of crime with the cookie cutter shark. We discuss adaptations to life in the Andes, vicuña wool as political bribery, suctorial lips, and how to play an Uno Reverse card on some of the ocean's top predators.

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Cover photos: Tadas Jucys via Getty images & Paulo Oliveira via The Guardian

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177: American Crocodile w/ Alec Baines! Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Join Ellen & paleontology researcher and fellow Floridian Alec Baines for a review of the saltwater guardians, American crocodiles. We discuss the archosaur family tree, flower-picking and other crocodilian leisure activities, what to do if you find yourself in the chompin’ zone, and falling in love at a punk croc concert.

Follow Alec on Instagram and Twitter!

Learn more about their science communication work:
http://www.creaturefeatureservices.com/podcasts

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Cover photo: zmeel via Getty images

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176: Rio Cauca Caecilian & Rubber Boa Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

Christian attends the caecilian cotillion & Ellen gets friendly with the rubber boa. We discuss life as a humble amphibian wiggling around in the mud and explain how even limbless creatures can still throw hands.

The Caecilian Cotillions Song: https://youtu.be/xxsUQtfQ5Ew

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Cover photos: Chris Harrison via kingsnake.com (caecilian) & andrewnydam via Wikimedia commons (rubber boa)
http://gallery.kingsnake.com/photo.php?id=343343
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charina_bottae1.jpg

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175: Cane Toad w/ Bethany Brookshire! Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

Join Ellen & science journalist Bethany Brookshire for a review of the lumpy little tide pods disrupting ecosystems all over the globe: cane toads. We discuss toxic shoulder pads, retro nature documentary excellence, poison butts and teacher toads, ugly animals, and the complicated relationships humans have with the wildlife around us.

Further viewing:

Learn more about Bethany's work at her website and follow her on Twitter!

Check out her new book, Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains and her podcast, Science for the People!

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Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinjustthezoo

174: Narwhal & Snow Monkey Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

Ellen dives into the magical world of narwhals & Christian warms up to Japanese macaques. We discuss inside-out teeth, hot tub parties, and how misunderstandings and scams shaped unicorn mythology.

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Cover photos: dottedhippo via Getty images (narwhal) & sorincolac via Getty images (snow monkeys)

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79: Reindeer w/ Olivia deBourcier! (REPLAY) Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

This episode originally aired on December 25, 2020. This version of the episode includes minor updates and audio edits.

Join Ellen & special guest, ecologist and science communicator Olivia deBourcier, for a festively themed review of reindeer! We talked about what makes them so well suited to the chilly climates they thrive in, from the tips of their impressive antlers all the way down to their clicky hooves, plus what it’s like to work with them and the threats they’re facing in their natural habitats.

Links:

Follow Olivia on Instagram or Twitter!
Check out Beyond Blathers and follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok!
Check out the the Pangolin Holiday Spectacular mentioned in the episode!
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Cover photo: lightpix via Getty images

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173: Rats w/ Let's Learn Everything! Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

Ellen is joined by the hosts of fellow Maximum Fun podcast Let's Learn Everything for a review of the little furry guys leaving tiny pawprints all over human history: rats! We discuss their role in the black plague, the intricacies of rat intelligence and emotions, and how they’ve been represented in folklore and pop culture. We’ll set historical records straight, display our best teamwork behavior, and take a trip down to your favorite family entertainment center and pizza restaurant chain.

Links:

Check out Let's Learn Everything wherever you get podcasts & follow along with them on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Discord!

Follow Ella on Twitter or TikTok!
Follow Caroline on Twitter, Instagram or TikTok!
Follow Tom on Twitter, Instagram or TikTok!

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Cover photo: MikeLane45 via Getty images

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172: American Beaver & Christmas Tree Worm Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Christian chews on some facts about the American beaver & Ellen celebrates the festive Christmas tree worm. We discuss giant rodents, ecological engineering, coral reef symbiosis, and the prettiest worm.

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Cover photos: photographybyJHWilliams via Getty images (beaver), johnandersonphoto via Getty images (Christmas tree worm)

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinjustthezoo

171: Chimney Swifts w/ Ralph Crewe! Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

Join Ellen & science communicator, birder and professional nerd Ralph Crewe for a review of a little bird with the loftiest ambitions: chimney swifts. We talk about competitive birding, planetariums, and what it’s like to eat, sleep, and bathe entirely midair.

Links:

Check out Ralph's YouTube channel, Isn't That Something, and his work on Practical Engineering. Local to Pittsburgh? Check out Nerd Nite! Follow Ralph on Twitter and Facebook.

Cover photo: Jonathan Irons via iNaturalist

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinjustthezoo

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