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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes369Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureKids & FamilyPets & AnimalsScience

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Artwork for Just the Zoo of Us

Latest Episodes

It's fall yall - time for Ellen and Christian to embark on a multi-generational odyssey with monarch butterflies. We discuss why butterflies are total heartstoppers and their style twins, real-life shinies, what's going on inside a chrysalis, an annu... more

Join Ellen & very special guest zookeeper and conservationist Alice Vassallo for the inside scoop on one of the world’s most mysterious not-so-big cats. We discuss differences between zookeeping practices in Europe and the US, swiping right if you ha... more

YouTube

Ellen weaves her magic on sociable weavers. We discuss the three pillars of science communication, trick entrances, plane cabin pressurization, bullying for the greater good, lizard gossip, and more.

Works Cited:

• "The Sociable Weavers of the Kal... more

YouTube

Join Ellen & special guest marine biologist Kristyn Plancarte for a review of the world’s wettest weasels. We discuss beluga whales’ fake six packs, the unique challenges of caring for animals who so desperately crave chaos and destruction, dolphin M... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

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!
Nathani Means
Hip hop artist with Indigenous heritage
Indigenous communities (Lakota/Dene)
Episode: Terrestrials: The Trio w/ Lulu Miller!
Crystal Flesher
Amateur birder, associated with the American Eagle Foundation
American Eagle Foundation
Episode: Terrestrials: The Trio w/ Lulu Miller!
Cassandra Fieldson
Science communicator and infectious disease researcher
Seattle Children's Research Institute, Kaushansky Lab
Episode: 341: Elephant Mosquito w/ Cassandra Fieldson!
Rick Schwartz
Wildlife educator affiliated with San Diego Zoo and wildlife education initiatives
San Diego Zoo
Episode: 339: Binturong w/ Rick Schwartz!

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
  • 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 Statesa month ago
  • Love this

    As a person who loves going on Internet rabbit holes and yapping about said rabbit holes.This podcast does the research for me but I can still yap about all the things I learned.thanks Ellen and Christian!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ďżźShade mist
    United Statesa month ago
  • Kid question

    Here is a question for the next kid question “how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    p CV
    United Statesa month ago
  • S tier podcast. The content is information dense, well researched and sourced. It is presented with only a small percentage of digressions and chitchat between the hosts which, being married, have a cozy chemistry. It's on the Maxfun network and has no paid advertising.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Harencar
    a month ago
  • Free Christian

    Would be five but free Christian and bring back the old theme song

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Christianisthegoat
    United Statesa month 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
#9
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#71
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#21
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#63
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#167
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#19
Australia/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
337: Tree Kangaroos w/ Lisa Dabek!
Q: What about ingenuity—how do they navigate their forest is particularly impressive?
They climb up to 100 feet, curl up in the rain with a fur gutter, sun themselves when possible, and can leap down up to around 60 feet, which is an extraordinary suite of survival skills for a rainforest marsupial.
337: Tree Kangaroos w/ Lisa Dabek!
Q: Lisa, what do you give Tree Kangaroos out of 10 for effectiveness?
I'd give them an eight for effectiveness because their arboreal adaptations and camouflage are strong, though joeys still have a learning curve and sometimes fall during climbs, which prevents a perfect 10.

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. Let's Learn Everything!
3. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
4. Shmanners
5. Wonderful!

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

Just the Zoo of Us launched 7 years ago and published 369 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. Alice Vassallo
2. Kristyn Plancarte
3. Sharon Guynup
4. Dan Werb
5. Ed Britten
6. Nathani Means
7. Crystal Flesher
8. Cassandra Fieldson

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