Just the Zoo of Us

Join Ellen and special guest, the bookworm with a worm book, Prof. Oné R. Pagán for a review of the mysterious squiggles straight out of science fiction, planarians! In this episode we learn about what makes these worms so fascinating and how they serve as research models that could help save human lives.

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian leaps to new heights with the bold jumping spider & Ellen desperately resists giving the North American porcupine a great big hug. ***Photos by Tibor Nagy (bold jumping spider) and Janice Sveda (porcupine)***

Join Ellen and special guest Charlotte Hacker for a review of the elusive fluffball of the mountains, the snow leopard! In this week's episode we talk about what makes these beautiful cats so hard to find and so worth protecting. ***Photo: Dennis W. Donohue***

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen takes us to the Galápagos Islands to learn about the vampire finch & Christian tells us what makes the Eastern indigo snake really shine. ***Photos: Dr. Simon J. Pierce (vampire finch) & Kevin Schafer (indigo snake)

Join Ellen & special guest Benjamin Lancer for a review of the sand puppy, AKA the naked mole rat! In this week's episode, we dig in to what makes these wrinkly little guys such marvels of nature and what unexpected adaptations they've developed that lets them thrive in their crowded underground burrows. Photo: Oregon Zoo

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode Ellen reviews the spiciest pancake in the desert, the Texas horned lizard, and Christian dives deep into the world of the sperm whale.

Join Ellen and special guest Dr. Catherine Macdonald for a review of... sharks! In this episode, we tour the diversity of sharks, learn about some of the incredible ways they have adapted to excel, and examine the relationships humans have with sharks & how you (yes, you) can help them.

As of the day this episode airs, Just the Zoo of Us will have been broadcasting for one full calendar year! In this episode, we celebrate by answering fun and thoughtful questions from our listeners and friends. We're incredibly thankful for everyone who has joined and supported us on this amazing journey.

Join Ellen and special guest Yi-Kai Tea for a review of the mind-blowingly diverse and impressive wrasse family! In this episode we go over the crucial roles wrasses play in their ecosystems, how expertly they've adapted to excel in those roles, and of course how striking their beautiful colors and markings are.

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian reviews the towering moose & Ellen squeals over the desert rain frog.

Join Ellen and special guest Dr. Sarah McAnulty for a review of the sparkly dumpling of the sea, the Hawaiian bobtail squid! In this episode we talk about the amazing inner workings of these soft round friends, their complex relationship with very special bacteria, and the amazing science communication project Skype a Scientist!

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen warns you not to touch the deceptively fuzzy caterpillar of the southern flannel moth & Christian waxes poetic about the chambered nautilus.

Join Ellen and special guest Tyus Williams for a review of the strikingly striped tiger! In this episode, we basically just gush about how amazing tigers are for an hour. It's wonderful.

Join Ellen and a special guest for a very serious and definitely completely true review of an incredible animal so rare that only one person on Earth has ever studied it: 6-year-old Isaac.

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian treats us to some delightfully absurd hippo facts and stories & Ellen sings praises for the northern mockingbird.

Join Ellen and special guest Emily Bell for a Florida native wildlife review! In this week's episode, Emily deepens our appreciation for a Florida icon, the green anole, as well as the native ecosystem, impacts of invasive species, adaptability in the face of competition, and the beauty dwelling in even the most ordinary, everyday little lizard: in the words of Rev. S. Lockwood, "everything that is commendable, clean, inoffensive, pretty, and wonderfully entertaining, provoking harmless mirth, and stirring up in the thinker the profoundest depths of his philosophy."

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen clacks her beak over roseate spoonbills & Christian climbs to new heights with Matschie's tree kangaroo.

Join the Weatherfords and special guest Thomas Rillstone from the History of Aotearoa New Zealand podcast for a review of the tuatara! In this episode we get educated on what makes this ancient reptile and other New Zealand wildlife so special, with a few fun surprises along the way.

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Christian hypes up the showstopping fashion sense of the red velvet ant and Ellen recounts what makes the Solomon Islands skink a very unique friend.

Join Ellen and special guest Corina Newsome for an animal review! In this week's episode, Corina shares her insight on Harris's hawk, with sharp talons and even sharper minds, as well as birding, wildlife education and science communication.