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:

64: Emu & Whale Shark (REPLAY) Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's re-broadcast of an episode from August of 2020, Ellen explains why emus don't bother flying and Christian dives into the mysterious world of the cryptic whale shark. We discuss the evolution, de-evolution and re-evolution of flight, an actual military war between humans and birds resulting in a victory you might not expect, and eyeballs covered with teeth.

Send in questions for our upcoming Q&A episode to ellen@justthezooofus.com or message us on social media! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Cover photo: cpaulfell (emu) & Chainarong Phrammanee (whale shark), via Getty images

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140: Pangolins w/ Jack Baker! Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

Join Ellen & special guest, conservationist and podcaster Jack Baker, for a review of the charming and humble pangolin! We discuss how the pangolin’s unique adaptations tip the scales in favor of this walking pinecone and what challenges they face in the world today.

Check out Pangolin: The Conservation Podcast and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn!

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Cover photo: 2630ben via Getty images

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

139: Joro Spider & Day Octopus Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's sixteen-legged episode, Christian weaves a web of truth about the Joro spider & Ellen pulls no punches with the day octopus. We discuss what the media hype gets wrong about the Joro spider, how to eat cephalopod ink & why octopuses and their "swift, explosive motion" are complete reef menaces.

If this podcast has had an impact on you or your life, we want to hear from you! Send in your story or just tell us what this show means to you by emailing memberstories@maximumfun.org OR leave a voice message at (323) 601-8719. We’re working on some special episodes coming up soon, and you just might hear your message shared on the podcast!

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Cover photo: Arrlxx via Getty images (Joro spider) & slowmotiongli via Getty images (day octopus)

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138: Phasmids w/ Shakara Maggitt! Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

Join Ellen & special guest, entomologist and animal scientist Shakara Maggitt, for a review of the gentle giants of the insect world: phasmids! You may know them as stick bugs, leaf insects or any of their other many common names. We discuss learning to love bugs, what makes the abundantly diverse stick bug family so weird and wonderful, and even why you might want to consider incorporating bugs into your own culinary repertoire.

Follow Shakara on Twitter or Instagram!

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Cover photo: Chris Rogers via Getty images

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

137: Babirusa & Greenland Shark Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen wallows in the unique charm of the babirusa & Christian gives us a look into the mysteries of the Greenland shark. We discuss teeth mutiny, Icelandic food, and life in the slow lane.

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Cover photo: Ellen Weatherford (babirusa), dottedhippo via Getty images (Greenland shark)

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136: Cuckoo Wasps w/ Katie Goldin! Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

Join Ellen & special guest, fellow animal science podcaster and Cool Bug Appreciator Katie Goldin, for a review of the spectacular and delectably devious cuckoo wasps! We discuss what makes these glittering jewels of the insect world such perfectly crafted little menaces terrorizing a wasp nest near you in this exhilarating exposé of espionage, exploitation, and exoskeletons.

Katie Goldin is the host of Creature Feature, which can be found wherever you get podcasts. You can also follow Katie on Twitter!

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Cover photo: Ines Carrara, via Getty images

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

135: Egyptian Vulture & Eastern Spotted Skunk Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's especially odoriferous episode, Christian gives high marks to the Egyptian vulture and Ellen gives props to the grandstanding, handstanding eastern spotted skunk. We discuss where the pharaoh's chicken ranks in the scavenging pecking order, how to ACTUALLY get rid of the smell from a skunk spray using chemistry, and why it's important to appreciate even our stinkiest friends.

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Cover photos: Byrdyak via Getty images (Egyptian vulture) & Weber via Getty images (spotted skunk)

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

134: Hyenas w/ Dr. Christine Wilkinson! Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

Join Ellen & special guest, conservation biologist Dr. Christine Wilkinson, for a review of the oft-maligned powerhouses: hyenas! We discuss the diversity of the hyena family, eating bones, girlbossing, how pop culture has missed the mark on hyena representation, and compassionate conservation.

Follow Christine on Twitter and check out their website for more!

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Cover photo: David O'Brien via Getty images

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

133: Slow Loris & Cassowary Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, 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.

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Cover photos: warmer via Getty images (slow loris), Julien Viry via Getty images (cassowary)

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

132: Blanding's Turtle w/ Tharusha Wijewardena! Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

Join Ellen & special guest Tharusha Wijewardena for a review of the charming and endangered Blanding's turtle. We discuss what to do if you see a turtle crossing the road, what cartoons get right and wrong about turtles, the perils of longevity and cute fluffy predators, and the conservation work that’s going into helping our tough-shelled friends.

Follow Tharusha on Twitter and learn more about the Headstarting Project over at the Toronto Zoo's website.
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Cover photo: Caverhill via Getty images

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

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