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:

113: Freshwater Sponges w/ Mallory McNulty! Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

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!

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

112: Mexican Mole Lizard & Echidna Sep 28, 2021

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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.

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

111: Common Loon w/ Ivan Phillipsen! Sep 21, 2021

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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/

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110: Backswimmers w/ Gavin Campbell! Sep 15, 2021

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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.

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

109: Philippine Eagle & Humpback Whale Sep 06, 2021

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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.

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

108: Great Horned Owl w/ Ashley Bray! Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

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!)

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107: Thresher Shark w/ Jaida Elcock! Aug 23, 2021

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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/

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106: Mudskipper & Hoatzin Aug 16, 2021

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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.

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

105: Fossa w/ Asia Murphy! Aug 02, 2021

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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

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

104: Blue-Eyed Black Lemur w/ Dr. Jen Tinsman! Jul 26, 2021

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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/

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

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