Ellen gets hooked on the loggerhead shrike & Christian makes a clean getaway with the five-lined skink. We discuss tomial teeth, impalement, dropping tails, and regeneration. Links: Check out Sparkbird and listen to their music on Spotify ! For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
Join Ellen & special guest, fish biologist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Brenda Pracheil, for a review of the gentle giants that have been swimming up and down our rivers since the dinosaur age: sturgeon. We discuss being a fish lawyer, ancient genetics, scales, whiskers, caviar, woosh tubes, and more. Links: World Fish Migration Day The North American Sturgeon & Paddlefish Society Pacific Northwest National Laboratory For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our ...
Christian leaves a glowing review for the bark scorpion & Ellen casts a vote for the pūteketeke. We discuss neurotoxin, biofluorescence, the ghostly penguin dance, and John Oliver's impact on the Bird of the Century. Links: For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
Ellen & special guest, Bachelor star turned science communicator Kendall Long, review pigs! In this episode, we discuss pigs and their achievements in some surprising endeavors, from digging up truffles and thriving in the wilderness to playing video games and basking on the beaches of the Bahamas. Links: Check out Kendall's podcast, Little Curiosities ! Follow Kendall on Instagram and TikTok ! For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on T...
Ellen falls down a rabbit hole with the stoat & Christian looks up to the barreleye. We discuss the weasel war dance, rabbit assassins, paradoxical eyes, and deep sea body horror. Links: For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
In celebration of World Lemur Day, Ellen is joined by anthropology professor Ben Freed for a look up into the treetops of northern Madagascar to review crowned lemurs. Our guest brings his insight from experience studying these charismatic primates to discuss topics like the rainforest dress code, what your cell phone has in common with lemur cognition, and the unbreakable interspecies bonds between primates that remind us humans of our own place in nature. Links: Learn more about the community-...
Ellen & special guest, ecologist and entomologist Kelly Zimmerman, review one of the world’s deadliest creatures. This killer could fit in a teaspoon, and yet humans just can’t seem to get rid of the darn things. In this episode, we discuss the humble mosquito’s formidable resilience, defend their often underestimated role in their ecosystems, and dish up a serving of girl dinner. Links: Check out Kelly's podcast, Bugs Need Heroes ! Check out Kelly's YouTube channel, Nerdy Naturalists ! Follow K...
Christian turns heads with the snowy owl & Ellen lands a slam dunk with the polar bear. In this arctic-themed episode, we discuss why owls turn their head so much, feather acoustics, irruptions, fur fiber optics, and polar bear basketball. Links: For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
Ellen and special guest, science communicator and educator Alana Baliga, review the iconic little birds zooming around the cactuses and tumbleweeds: roadrunners! We discuss things like the glamorous highlights of working for a science museum, what Looney Tunes got right and wrong about Mr. Runner, and how these fascinating animals are able to thrive in the extreme climates of the American southwest. Links: For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zo...
Ellen joins the band of coatis & Christian gives us the buzz on gharials. We discuss Star Wars names, banana wars, animal influences on computer science, problematic age gaps, and the funkiest crocodilian snout. Links: For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
Join Ellen & wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant for a review of savannah royalty: African lions! We discuss what it’s like to be an ecologist working in the field alongside truly awe-inspiring wildlife, what makes lions such iconic big cats from their impressive mane all the way down to their surprisingly tactical tail, and why their relationship to us is so important for inspiring passion for conservation and learning to live peacefully with our wild neighbors. Links: Learn more about Dr. Ra...
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. For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord!...
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: For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
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. Follow Kailey on TikTok! For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
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! For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
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 ! Follow Meg on TikTok and Instagram ! For more information about us & ...
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 ! For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
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. Follow Sophiane on Twitter or Instagram ! For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram & Discord! ...
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 ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
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 ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Threads , Facebook , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
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 “...
Ellen takes off with the story of the California condor and their miraculous return to the southwestern skies. We discuss how their bodies are adapted to scavenging, their unwavering dedication to parenthood, their plummet towards extinction, and triumphant recovery with a little help from their friends on the ground. Links: Article: " Inside the Race to Save a Single Condor Egg After Avian Flu Killed Its Mother " Video: " Yurok Tribe Song in Honor of Prey-go-neesh (Condor) " Yurok Tribe's YouTu...
Ellen & special guest, paleontologist Adele Pentland, review the reptiles who once ruled our planet’s skies: pterosaurs! Even though they’ve been gone for millions of years, the fossils they left behind can tell fascinating stories about how they lived. We discuss what life was like for the largest creatures to ever fly, where Pokemon got paleontology right and wrong, and how knowledge of the present can inform theories about the past. We also get some insight into what it’s like to study fossil...
Ellen howls at the moon with the grasshopper mouse & Christian lures us in with freshwater mussels. We discuss brain chemistry, an evolutionary uno reverse card, lion software on mouse hardware, tongue-feet, pretty boogers, and the worst day of a poor unsuspecting fish's life. Links: For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
Ellen & special guest, podcaster and wildlife educator Danielle LaRock, review one of our world’s most misunderstood, maligned, and magical creatures: gray wolves. We’re not just talking teeth and claws and fluffy coats - we’re also discussing alliances with crows, howls that rattle your very soul, the irreplaceable ecological role of wolves, their conflicts with humans, and how we can all make peace with our wild neighbors. Links: YouTube video: "How Wolves Change Rivers" YouTube video of Danie...
Christian explains the pitfalls of antlions & Ellen snaps back with the trap-jaw ant. We discuss metamorphosis, structural engineering, sand doodles, the Sarlacc, Darwin's thoughts on Australia, Pokémon, sticky babies, and a literal scientific arena. Links: For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
Join Ellen & special guest, naturalist Ivan Kwan, for a review of the scaly friends with the world’s most chaotic energy: Asian water monitors! We talked about the history and landscape of Singapore, smelling in stereo, Krakatoa, and the giant lizards showing up where you least expect them, from treetops to shipwrecks, racetracks and even toilets. It’s their world, we’re just living in it. Links: The photo Ivan mentioned of the water monitor in the shipwreck can be found on photographer Kriss Si...
Ellen nose what's up with the proboscis monkey & Christian sizes up the sarcastic fringehead. We discuss the form and function of a uniquely bizarre nose, the impact memes can have on conservation, and why you might want to think twice before reaching into a hole in the sea floor. Links: The Borneo Nature Foundation For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
Join Ellen & special guest, biology professor and researcher Sarah Lower, for a review of nature’s very own glimmering fairy lights: fireflies! We discuss how to do the beetle dance, tips for packing a bioluminescent picnic, and the shockingly diabolical world of fireflies - from friendly fire to catfishing, thievery, and snailshakes. Links: The Lower Lab website Dr. Lower's Twitter Mass Audubon's Firefly Watch Community Science Project iNaturalist The Xerces Society's Firefly Atlas Follow Just ...
Christian cheers for pom-pom crabs & Ellen explains what makes mourning doves so coo-l. We discuss how crabs clone their own pets, what type of milk pigeons order in their lattes, and a suspicious pattern of criminal activity. For more information about us & our podcast, head over to our website ! Follow Just the Zoo of Us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram & Discord! Follow Ellen on TikTok!...
