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Artwork for Just the Zoo of Us
Solenodon
Sturgeon
Bobcats
Cicadas
Conservation
Pacific Lamprey
Devil's Hole Pupfish
Tiger Beetles
Fishing Cat
Apex Predators
Chimpanzees
Remora
Great Crested Grebe
Arizona Bark Scorpion
PokĂŠmon
Wildlife Conservation
Giant Siphonophore
Ethereal Snailfish
Love Bug
Trumpeter Swan

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes347Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceKids & FamilyPets & AnimalsNature

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Artwork for Just the Zoo of Us

Latest Episodes

Follow Ellen down the jackrabbit hole. We discuss facial tilt, satellite dish ears, evolutionary ghosts of predators past, touchdown dances, jackalopes, Easter, and so much more.

Works Cited:

• "A Field Guide to Jackrabbits" - Matthew L. Miller, T... more

YouTube

Join Ellen & the Cryptonaturalist (Jarod K. Anderson) to talk about the ways that nature and wildlife can inspire our creativity and shape our stories, particularly the enticingly unknowable cryptids. We discuss being raised by a witch, the natural p... more

YouTube

Don't call it a comeback, coelacanth's been here for years. We discuss life on Earth 400 million years ago, a military escort mission, our own fish ancestors, five year pregnancies, underwater handstands, an unnecessarily complicated puzzle in the th... more

YouTube

Join Ellen & Dalton Mason, creator and bird parent behind Apollo and Frens, for a look into life alongside the world-famous African grey parrot. You may have seen their videos on social media showing off Apollo’s incredibly impressive vocabulary, ans... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jarod K. Anderson
Writer and poet known as The CryptoNaturalist
The CryptoNaturalist / Penguin Random House (publisher of Strange Animals)
Episode: 330: Cryptids w/ the Cryptonaturalist, Jarod K. Anderson!
Jody Ross
Listener who submitted the Coelacanth topic
(not specified)
Episode: 329: Coelacanth
Dalton Mason
Producer behind Apollo the Parrot
Apollo and Frens
Episode: 328: Apollo the African Grey Parrot w/ Dalton Mason!
Vinny Thomas
Comedian, writer, and nature enthusiast
Episode: 320: Vinny Thomas's Top 3 Urban Wildlife Species!
Jordan Beasley
Wildlife educator and zookeeper
Episode: 318: Jungle Jordan's Top 3 Friend-Shaped Carnivores!
Marco Wendt
Wildlife ambassador and care specialist at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Episode: 316: Southern Cassowary w/ Marco Wendt!
Sarah Suta
Host of Bizarre Beasts, specializes in animal science communication
Bizarre Beasts
Episode: 314: Sarah Suta's Top 3 Dream Comebacks!
Emma Ratway
Friend in Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Episode: 312: Common Snapping Turtle w/ Emma Ratway!
Lindsay Nikole
Zoologist and science communicator known for engaging content about zoology.
Episode: 310: Lindsay Nikole’s Top 3 Periods of Life on Earth

Hosts

Ellen Weatherford
Co-host and lead host with a strong emphasis on natural history storytelling and audience engagement
Christian Weatherford
Co-host providing scientific context and humor in conversations about animals

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • THIS IS A GREAT PODCAST

    I just started listening, and I love this podcast! It helps me sleep at night. I love animals so whenever I listen to it I am captivated. Sadly I don’t get to finish the ones that I fall asleep to. I didn’t have high hopes for this podcast but it’s a ten out of ten would recommend. Thank you Ellen and Christian.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Banana26girl
    United States14 days 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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roro ✨ 🌱
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Mfd

    Hey this is for the max fun drive I don’t really have a story’s but I do have a question about you guys so: what is your favourite Disney character (mine is groot, star lord, rocket and drax all of them are from guardians of the galaxy) also what is your favourite Disney movie? (Again you guessed it guardians of the galaxy 1 through 3 though the third one scared me a bit 😂)

    Thanks so much, Rai

    P.S. I love bluey so muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it’s may fav show

    3/4/26

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nfghnfgnghngfhgfnhf
    Canadaa month ago
  • I 🩷 your podcast

    I love your podcast. My favorites so far have been the Norway lemming and Pygmy hippo episode. They make me laugh. I’m very happy that you make podcast. Please continue to make funny ones.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wy-fry the great
    United States2 months ago
  • Hey

    For the lemming myth, did we not just follow one stupid person off a cliff of knowledge? Awesome podcast! Thanks for clearing up the lemming misinformation!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    a highwayman
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners repeatedly mention how research-informed yet entertaining the conversations are.
Audience enjoys the cheerful, welcoming tone and clear science explanation.
Guests and topics are often described as informative, fun, and accessible to non-experts.
Many reviews highlight the hosts' chemistry and humor as a key draw.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#15
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#94
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#45
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#63
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#20
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#72
Italy/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

326: Moth Flies w/ Emily, your Certified Bug Friend!
Q: If this is anyone's first time listening to this podcast, our whole deal is that we rate animals out of 10 in different categories. And the first category is effectiveness.
We assess physical adaptations that help animals secure food, avoid predators, and survive in their environment, and then assign a numeric rating based on how impressive those traits are for the species' lifestyle.
322: The Bird Hall w/ Shannon Hackett & John Bates!
Q: How did y'all get into this working with birds at the Field Museum?
Both Shannon and John shared their unique journeys into ornithology; Shannon spoke about her childhood in British Columbia and how she found her passion for science through serendipitous encounters with bird-watching experts.
321: Norway Lemmings
Q: What do you know about lemmings?
Lemmings are rumored to jump off cliffs but that's primarily a myth.
318: Jungle Jordan's Top 3 Friend-Shaped Carnivores!
Q: Can I ask you this, though, as someone who will probably never have the opportunity to verify this for myself, are they as soft as they look?
Jordan describes wolverines as soft, akin to a teddy bear due to their thick coats.
318: Jungle Jordan's Top 3 Friend-Shaped Carnivores!
Q: What got you into the work that you do with animals?
Jordan shares that he was inspired by watching animal movies and TV shows as a child, specifically wanting to be a marine biologist.

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 entertaining banter with accessible animal biology and conservation. Across episodes, the hosts explore a wide range of species—often debunking myths, describing unique adaptations, and discussing real-world implications for ecosystems and human society. Guests typically bring hands-on experience in education, zoology, or wildlife care, enriching conversations with practical insights and approachable explanations. The format emphasizes curiosity, humor, and clear, well-researched takeaways, making it a strong fit for listeners who enjoy learning about animals in an engaging, low-stress setting. A notable strength is the duo's ability to rate and compare species with concrete criteria while we... 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. Let's Learn Everything!
2. Secretly Incredibly Fascinating
3. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
4. The Adventure Zone
5. My Brother, My Brother And Me

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

Just the Zoo of Us launched 7 years ago and published 347 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. Jarod K. Anderson
2. Jody Ross
3. Dalton Mason
4. Vinny Thomas
5. Jordan Beasley
6. Marco Wendt
7. Sarah Suta
8. Emma Ratway

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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