Rephonic
Artwork for Just the Zoo of Us
Conservation
Marine Biology
Ecology
Wildlife Conservation
Evolution
Sea Otter
African Pygmy Hedgehog
Common Snapping Turtle
Bobcats
Solenodon
Sturgeon
Habitat Loss
Cicadas
Leafcutter Ants
Sea Turtles
Hazel Dormouse
Albatrosses
American Paddlefish
Giant Anteater
Hairy Frog

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes378Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureKids & FamilyPets & AnimalsScience

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Artwork for Just the Zoo of Us

Latest Episodes

After being haunted by an egregious error for over seven years, we are wading back into the nudibranch waters. We discuss what plankton actually is, purging your vowels, bunnies and sheep, stolen venom, detachable organs, learning in slugs, and so mu... more

YouTube

Join Ellen & special guest, wildlife photographer and author Mark Smith, for a review of the worldwide masters of sea and sky. Ospreys almost disappeared from our coasts during the 20th century, as our guest shares with us, making us even luckier tha... more

YouTube

The arc of history is long, but it bends towards shrew. We discuss tasks that require zero cats, supercontinents, venom and cancer research, iron-plated teeth, load-bearing spines, what shrews have in common with a hostile Minecraft mob, and more.

W... more

YouTube

Join Ellen & special guest, wildlife ambassador and returning guest Marco Wendt of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, to shine a spotlight on the world’s most famous amphibian. From Mesoamerican legend to medical research labs to the lush caves of ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mark Smith
Wildlife photographer and author of The Spirit of Birds
Episode: 357: Ospreys w/ Mark Smith!
Marco Wendt
Wildlife Ambassador, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Episode: 355: Axolotl w/ Marco Wendt!
Christian Flores
Wildlife educator and zoologist, returning guest
Independent wildlife education work (as described in episode)
Episode: 353: PokĂŠmon Zoology w/ Christian Flores!
Harpreet Singh Sethi
Conservationist and herpetologist; science communicator
Conservation and ecology work in India; host of a wildlife-focused podcast
Episode: 351: False Water Cobra w/ Harpreet Singh Sethi!
Alice Vassallo
Zookeeper and conservationist featured on the episode
Zookeeper and conservationist, Clouded Leopard specialist
Episode: 349: Clouded Leopard w/ Alice Vassallo!
Kristyn Plancarte
Marine biologist
Unknown affiliation mentioned on show
Episode: 347: Sea Otters w/ Kristyn Plancarte!
Sharon Guynup
Journalist and writer focusing on wildlife and conservation
Mongabay (contributing editor); National Geographic contributor
Episode: 345: Conservation Stories w/ Sharon Guynup!
Dan Werb
Writer, epidemiologist, and researcher
Author of Our Wild Familiars
Episode: 343: Synanthropes w/ Dan Werb!
Ed Britten
Wildlife biologist who works for the government
Illinois wildlife forestry program (Mississippi River corridor)
Episode: Terrestrials: The Trio w/ Lulu Miller!

Hosts

Ellen Weatherford
Host of the show; leads topics, asks questions, and provides backstage context across episodes.
Christian Weatherford
Co-host who participates in questions and explanations; provides balance and complementary perspective to Ellen.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Makes me feel like a kid again 🥰

    This podcast makes me feel like when i was 5 years old and my mother was reading to me a book about animals

    ☺️ absolutely love it, keep going!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The artificer of rain world
    Australiaa month ago
  • Love the pokemon episodes

    I also love your emphasis on evolution. I’ve learned lots!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lemur House
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wow

    So I’ve been listening to this podcast for months now and this couple always brings brightness to my day. The fact that all the animals are either so wack and out there or ones that I hear about every day makes this show so interesting. Thank you Ellen and Christian- keep up the good work! Sending ❤️‍🔥and💋 all the way from Britain!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roro ✨ 🌱
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Episode animal suggestion

    The is a great podcast, I think you guys should do a spiting cobra episode. Please? Also did I say this Is a great show? Good, because it is.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Êěėēẽę
    United States2 months ago
  • Undeniably best podcast ever

    I haven’t quite been listening from the start, but over the past three to four years I have listened to every episode at least a solid four times. I absolutely love the Ellen-Christian dynamic! Definitely recommend, and it’s by far the number one animal podcast for sure (trust me, I’ve listened to my share). Love the podcast! ❤️🐌

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    🐌Mooraw Fish🍃
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the accessible, kid-friendly science that still respects accuracy.
Listeners praise the hosts' chemistry and humor, calling it engaging and entertaining.
Guests are described as knowledgeable and variety-rich, enhancing credibility and interest.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#6
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#59
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#8
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#25
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#87
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#151
United Kingdom/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

357: Ospreys w/ Mark Smith!
Q: Do you have any favorite pieces of advice for someone new to wildlife photography?
Smith recommends learning as much as possible about the subject's behavior, diet, migration, and seasonal patterns. That knowledge helps photographers be in the right place to capture meaningful images, regardless of the camera they use.
357: Ospreys w/ Mark Smith!
Q: How did you get into wildlife photography?
Smith says his father took him and his brother into nature on weekends when he was young. He photographed wildlife throughout his life, initially to get a closer view of animals and learn about them, and began working professionally in 2017.
344: Kid Questions with Isaac!
Q: Eli asks for podcasting tips for a young aspiring podcaster and how much time goes into producing an episode.
Ellen and Christian advise starting with a fun idea, being consistent, and discuss their workflow of researching, recording, editing, and posting, plus the importance of room acoustics and mic technique.
Terrestrials: The Trio w/ Lulu Miller!
Q: Could you summarize what makes this trio biologically possible and socially significant?
The trio shows that cooperative nesting can arise in bald eagles, with two males and a female sharing duties, fending off threats, and parenting together, which expands our understanding of what 'family' can look like in wildlife.
337: Tree Kangaroos w/ Lisa Dabek!
Q: How long do the young stay with the mother in the pouch?
The joeys spend about three months in the pouch with teats, then start wriggling and poking heads out around five months, and are mostly weaned by 14 months, though they may stay with the mother longer in some cases.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Just the Zoo of Us

What is Just the Zoo of Us about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lighthearted, science-forward show that blends zoological facts with humor and storytelling. Episodes span a broad range of species and topics—from sea otters and pufferfish to urban wildlife and conservation—always featuring accessible explanations, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and guest experts. The format leans family-friendly and educational, with a strong emphasis on curiosity, practical takeaways for audiences (like applying trivia in aquarium talks or understanding animal behavior), and a distinctive dynamic between two hosts that audiences repeatedly praise. A notable strength is the integration of diverse guests—from wildlife biologists to conservation journalists—creating a well-rounded, entertaining entry point into natural his... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Just the Zoo of Us?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Just the Zoo of Us:

1. Secretly Incredibly Fascinating
2. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
3. Terrestrials
4. Wonderful!
5. The Science of Birds

How many episodes of Just the Zoo of Us are there?

Just the Zoo of Us launched 7 years ago and published 378 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Just the Zoo of Us?

Recent guests on Just the Zoo of Us include:

1. Mark Smith
2. Marco Wendt
3. Christian Flores
4. Harpreet Singh Sethi
5. Alice Vassallo
6. Kristyn Plancarte
7. Sharon Guynup
8. Dan Werb

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