Just the Zoo of Us

249: Seahorses & Raccoons

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets back in the saddle with seahorses & Christian goes dumpster diving with raccoons.  We discuss why seahorses are the chameleons of the ocea...

248: Hammerhead Sharks w/ Jasmin Graham!

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, marine biologist Jasmin Graham, review some of the coolest, cutest and sometimes the goofiest sharks in the ocean: hammerheads....

247: Sand Boas & Black-Capped Chickadee

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian keeps an eye out for sand boas & Ellen clears her cache with black-capped chickadees. We discuss googly eyes, troubleshooting reptile poop, ...

246: Giant Pacific Octopus w/ Sy Montgomery!

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

join Ellen & special guest, naturalist and author of Secrets of the Octopus Sy Montgomery, for a look into the life and mind of some of the ocean’s ...

245: Hermit Crab & Flamingo

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen comes out of her shell with hermit crabs & Christian is tickled pink by flamingos. In this week's beach episode, we discuss vacancy chains, shel...

244: A Gay Animal Revue w/ Owen Ever and Laine Kaplan-Levenson!

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guests Owen Ever and Laine Kaplan-Levenson for a revue of gay animals! We discuss manatee wuzzles, elephant matriarchy, giraffes ...

243: Diving Bell Spider & Oarfish

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian bubbles over with hype for the diving bell spider & Ellen tells some fish tales about the legendary oarfish. We discuss Hotwheels sisyphus, ...

242: Blue Jay w/ Dara Miles Wilson!

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, naturalist and birder Dara Miles Wilson, about some of the brightest and boldest members of the corvid family: the tenacio...

241: Peregrine Falcon w/ Sophie Osborn!

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, wildlife biologist and author Sophie Osborn, for a review of the skydiving champions of the animal kingdom: peregrine falc...

240: Zebras & Honey Badger

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen earns her stripes with zebras & Christian DOES care about the honey badger. We discuss the mysteries of stripes, video games as scientific exper...

239: Chameleons w/ Dr. Chris Anderson!

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, biologist Dr. Chris Anderson, for a review of the funkiest lizards in the world: chameleons! We discuss  ballistic tongue...

238: Red Wolf w/ Peter Gros!

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, conservationist and co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Peter Gros, to talk about the iconic red wolf and their on...

237: Kid Questions with Isaac!

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest Isaac answer questions from young listeners! We discuss the smallest animals, giraffe sounds, polar bear buoyancy, sturgeon skin...

236: American Crow w/ Dr. Kaeli Swift!

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & corvid scientist Dr. Kaeli Swift for a review of the clever little goths rummaging through a trash can near you: American crows. We discu...

235: Coral Snake & Cuckoo

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian explains why not to mess with the coral snake & Ellen puts the common cuckoo on blast. We discuss deadly neurotoxin, microfarts, what's up w...

234: Electric Fishes w/ Dr. Kassandra Ford!

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & evolutionary morphologist Dr. Kassandra Ford as we get amped up about electric fishes. We discuss fish who use electricity to make mind m...

Bonus Content Free Samples!

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Curious about the exclusive bonus content for Maximum Fun members? Enjoy some free samples from special episodes: "The Dewlap-Foraging Slug," Let's Le...

233: Questions & Answers

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & Christian answer questions from the audience! We discuss the podcast's humble origins, magical spells, our favorite ducks,  and more.Be a par...

232: Chinchilla & Walrus

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen softens up to the chinchilla & Christian breaks the ice with the walrus. We discuss Jackie Chan Adventures, fur slips, dust baths, tusks, whiske...

Go Fact Yourself #MaxFunDrive Kick-off Spectacular featuring Ellen and Christian Weatherford, Alex Schmidt, and Katie Goldin

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This special network wide event is a celebration of the MaxFunDrive! If you’d like to support podcasts you love for just $5 a month and get bonus gi...

231: Remora w/ Amani Webber-Schultz!

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, marine biologist Amani Webber-Schultz, suck up to the brilliant little moochers of the ocean: remoras. We discuss shark scales,...

230: Solenodon w/ Owen Klessel

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest Owen Klessel for some well-deserved PR for the most bizarre and fascinating and incredible animal you’ve never heard of: ...

229: Fishing Cat & Rock Hyrax

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian fishes for compliments about the fishing cat & Ellen goes rock climbing with rock hyraxes. We discuss cat eyes, fishing strategies, buck too...

228: Chimpanzee w/ Shannon Roivas!

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest Shannon Roivas who brings us first-hand insight straight from her time spent in the forests of Tanzania studying our very o...

227: Trumpeter Swan & Lovebug

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Romance is in the air as Ellen commits to the trumpeter swan & Christian catches the lovebug bug. We discuss clown shoe runways, air horn duets, bird ...

226: Cicadas w/ Nick VanAcker!

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & science educator and nature hype man Nick VanAcker to sing praises for some of our favorite true bugs: cicadas! We discuss how and why ci...

225: Freddy Kreuger Frog & Bone-Eating Snot Flower

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Christian makes some noise for the Freddy Kreuger frog & Ellen picks a bouquet of bone-eating snot flowers. We discuss life as a mouth with legs, bein...

224: Ethereal Snailfish w/ Dr. Thom Linley!

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, deep sea biologist Dr. Thom Linley, for a literal deep dive into an animal that just might change the way you think about ...

223: Tiger Beetles & Giant Siphonophore

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets the zig-zagging zoomies with tiger beetles & Christian has an existential crisis over the giant siphonophore. We discuss the REAL fastest l...

222: Bobcat w/ Jamison Cole!

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, environmental educator Jamison Cole, for a review of our very own backyard apex predators: bobcats! We discuss topics incl...

221: Field Notes

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & Christian share stories, observations and inspiration from special guest: you! We discuss what sounds fish make, memory transfer via cannibali...

220: Belted Kingfisher w/ Alex Troutman!

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & returning special guest, wildlife biologist Alex Troutman, for a review of some of our favorite mohawked chatterboxes: belted kingfishers...

Bugs Need Heroes: Bug-Type Pokemon & the Bugs that Inspired Them

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're out traveling this week! In the meantime, please enjoy this episode of Bugs Need Heroes, in which Ellen joined hosts Amanda Niday and Kelly Zimm...

219: Star-Nosed Mole & Devil's Hole Pupfish

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christian digs into the star-nosed mole & Ellen goes for a deep dive into the Devil's Hole pupfish. We discuss flowery tentacles, mole lore in Avatar:...

218: Pacific Lamprey w/ Ralph Crewe!

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen is joined by a familiar voice, science communicator Ralph Crewe, back with us to review the wiggly little living fossils full of teeth and blood...

217: Loggerhead Shrike & Five-lined Skink

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen gets hooked on the loggerhead shrike & Christian makes a clean getaway with the five-lined skink. We discuss tomial teeth, impalement, dropping ...

216: Sturgeon w/ Brenda Pracheil!

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, fish biologist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Brenda Pracheil, for a review of the gentle giants that have b...

215: Bark Scorpion & Pūteketeke

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christian leaves a glowing review for the bark scorpion & Ellen casts a vote for the pūteketeke. We discuss neurotoxin, biofluorescence,  the ghostl...

214: Pigs w/ Kendall Long!

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, Bachelor star turned science communicator Kendall Long, review pigs! In this episode, we discuss pigs and their achievements in...

213: Stoat & Barreleye

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen falls down a rabbit hole with the stoat & Christian looks up to the barreleye. We discuss the weasel war dance, rabbit assassins, paradoxical ey...

212: Crowned Lemur w/ Ben Freed!

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 revie...

211: Mosquitoes w/ Kelly Zimmerman!

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, ecologist and entomologist Kelly Zimmerman, review one of the world’s deadliest creatures. This killer could fit in a teaspoo...

210: Snowy Owl & Polar Bear

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

209: Roadrunner w/ Alana Baliga!

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen and special guest, science communicator and educator Alana Baliga, review the iconic little birds zooming around the cactuses and tumbleweeds: r...

208: Coati & Gharial

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen joins the band of coatis & Christian gives us the buzz on gharials. We discuss Star Wars names, banana wars,  animal influences on computer sci...

207: African Lion w/ Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant!

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 wor...

206: Daddy Long Legs & Vaquita

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

24: Tardigrade & Platypus (REPLAY)

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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:Fo...

205: Aardvark w/ Kailey Hart!

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, zookeeper Kailey Hart, review the humble earth pig. We discuss their evolutionary loneliness, unique hodge-podge of surprising ...

204: Leaf Sheep & Basilisk

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen soaks up the sun with the leaf sheep & Christian gets biblical with the miraculous basilisk. We discuss photosynthesis, losing your head over pa...

203: Cuttlefish w/ Meg Mindlin!

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, marine biologist and artist Meg Mindlin, review the mind-blowing rogues of the sea: cuttlefish! We discuss RNA editing, cephalo...

202: Basking Shark & Glass Frog

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

201: Hoary Bats w/ Sophiane Nacer!

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, ecologist Sophiane Nacer, review the powdered donuts of the skies: hoary bats. We discuss frosted tips, tree roosters, bat meme...

200: Sockeye Salmon & Grizzly Bear

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

133: Slow Loris & Cassowary (REPLAY)

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ca...

199: Satin Bowerbird w/ Dr. Seth Coleman!

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, evolutionary biologist Dr. Seth Coleman, for a review of the little birds with the ultimate rizz: satin bowerbirds! Anyone...

198: California Condor

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

197: Pterosaurs w/ Adele Pentland!

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, paleontologist Adele Pentland, review the reptiles who once ruled our planet’s skies: pterosaurs! Even though they’ve been ...

196: Grasshopper Mouse & Freshwater Mussels

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen howls at the moon with the grasshopper mouse & Christian lures us in with freshwater mussels. We discuss brain chemistry, an evolutionary uno re...

195: Gray Wolf w/ Danielle LaRock!

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, podcaster and wildlife educator Danielle LaRock, review one of our world’s most misunderstood, maligned, and magical creature...

194: Antlions & Trap-jaw Ants

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christian explains the pitfalls of antlions & Ellen snaps back with the trap-jaw ant. We discuss metamorphosis, structural engineering, sand doodles, ...

193: Asian Water Monitor w/ Ivan Kwan!

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

192: Proboscis Monkey & Sarcastic Fringehead

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 n...

191: Fireflies w/ Dr. Sarah Lower!

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, biology professor and researcher Sarah Lower, for a review of nature’s very own glimmering fairy lights: fireflies! We d...

190: Pom-Pom Crab & Mourning Dove

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

189: Freshwater Megafish w/ Zeb Hogan!

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, biologist and host of Nat Geo WILD’s TV series “Monster Fish” Zeb Hogan, for a review of the giants lurking in the ...

188: Brown Pelican & Przewalski's Horse

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen dives into the brown pelican & Christian goes wild with Przewalski's horse. We discuss gular pouches, aerodynamics, stud piles, and conservation...

187: Mangrove Rivulus w/ Brooke Fitzwater (AKA "Oceanfilly")!

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, biologist and science communicator Brooke Fitzwater, for a review of the tiny indestructible ogres of the swamp: the mangr...

186: Your Questions & Stories!

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the second and final week of the 2023 MaxFunDrive, we're answering your questions and sharing your stories! We get into all of the exciting places...

185: Megalodon & Thylacine

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a special trip in the time machine for the MaxFunDrive! Christian chomps on the megalodon & Ellen laments for the thylacine. We ask the important...

Planthropology: Grass-Type Pokemon & the Plants that Inspired Them

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're out traveling this week! In the meantime, please enjoy this episode of Planthropology, in which Ellen joined host Dr. Vikram Baliga for a conver...

184: D&D Classes w/ Eric Silver!

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen &  tabletop roleplaying game podcaster and expert game master Eric Silver for an exploration of Dungeons & Dragons character classes and t...

183: Octopuses w/ Chelsea Bennice, the OctoGirl!

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, marine biologist Chelsea Bennice, for a review of the multifunctional, multicolored, multi-armed aliens of the ocean: octo...

182: Greater Sage Grouse & Pistol Shrimp

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen struts with the greater sage grouse & Christian pops off about the pistol shrimp. We discuss what happens at a lek, whether or not the sage grou...

181: Loggerhead Turtles w/ Jesse Gilbert!

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen and special guest, President and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium Jesse Gilbert, for a review of the living tanks of the sea: loggerhead tur...

180: Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle & Indian Muntjac

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christian throws down with the Japanese rhinoceros beetle & Ellen goes on a journey through evolutionary history with the Indian muntjac. We discuss t...

179: Spider Monkey w/ Dr. Michelle Rodrigues!

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen & special guest, primatologist and biological anthropologist Dr. Michelle Rodrigues, review the ballerinas of the Central and South American rai...

178: Vicuña & Cookie Cutter Shark

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen luxuriates in the vicuña & Christian takes a bite out of crime with the cookie cutter shark. We discuss adaptations to life in the Andes, vicuñ...

177: American Crocodile w/ Alec Baines!

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & paleontology researcher and fellow Floridian Alec Baines for a review of the saltwater guardians, American crocodiles. We discuss the arc...

176: Rio Cauca Caecilian & Rubber Boa

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christian attends the caecilian cotillion & Ellen gets friendly with the rubber boa. We discuss life as a humble amphibian wiggling around in the mud ...

175: Cane Toad w/ Bethany Brookshire!

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Join Ellen & science journalist Bethany Brookshire for a review of the lumpy little tide pods disrupting ecosystems all over the globe: cane toads. ...

174: Narwhal & Snow Monkey

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen dives into the magical world of narwhals & Christian warms up to Japanese macaques. We discuss inside-out teeth, hot tub parties, and how misund...

79: Reindeer w/ Olivia deBourcier! (REPLAY)

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode originally aired on December 25, 2020. This version of the episode includes minor updates and audio edits. Join Ellen & special guest, e...

173: Rats w/ Let's Learn Everything!

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen is joined by the hosts of fellow Maximum Fun podcast Let's Learn Everything for a review of the little furry guys leaving tiny pawprints all ove...

172: American Beaver & Christmas Tree Worm

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christian chews on some facts about the American beaver & Ellen celebrates the festive Christmas tree worm. We discuss giant rodents, ecological engin...

171: Chimney Swifts w/ Ralph Crewe!

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & science communicator, birder and professional nerd Ralph Crewe for a review of a little bird with the loftiest ambitions: chimney swifts....

170: Wild Turkeys

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen goes on an odyssey through history with the wild turkey. We discuss their path alongside humans for thousands of years, from prehistoric America...

169: Tiger Sharks w/ Melissa Márquez!

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & shark scientist Melissa Márquez for a review of the giant garbage disposals of the ocean: tiger sharks. We discuss sharks as links to ou...

168: Velvet Worms & Binturong

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christian sticks to velvet worms & Ellen hangs out with binturongs. We discuss sticky situations, some unconventional means of reproduction, prehensil...

167: Huntsman Spiders w/ Caitlin Henderson!

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, invertebrate photographer, zookeeper and science communicator behind "She's Got Legs" Caitlin Henderson, for a review  of...

166: Iberian Ribbed Newt & Australian Ghostshark

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ellen has a bone to pick with the Iberian ribbed newt & Christian channels the spirit of the Australian ghostshark. We discuss insides becoming outsid...

165: Wasps w/ Johanna Schwartz!

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, entomologist Johanna Schwartz, for a review of animals you may not have thought to appreciate before: wasps. From the worl...

164: Bowmouth Guitarfish & Timber Rattlesnake

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Christian shreds on the bowmouth guitarfish & Ellen shakes things up with the timber rattlesnake. We discuss the shark-ray spectrum (which is not a la...

163: The Dodo w/ Natalie Sabin!

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, ecologist and history podcaster Natalie Sabin, for a post-mortem of the dearly departed dodo. We discuss the unique traits...

162: Spotted Lanternfly & Crown-of-thorns Starfish

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! This week, Ellen puts the spotted lanternfly in the spotlight & Christian spills his guts on the cro...

161: Rufous Hummingbird w/ Alexander Vidal

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, illustrator and author Alexander Vidal, for a review of a tiny bird with an ambitious itinerary: the rufous hummingbird. W...

160: Marine Iguana & Colugo

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! This week, Christian gets salty over the marine iguana & Ellen glides along with the literally treeh...

159: Moon Jellyfish w/ Sophie Wolvin!

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, marine biologist Sophie Wolvin, for a review of the ocean's little jello casseroles full of live bees: moon jellyfish! We’...

158: Pallas's Cat & Kiwi

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join the Weatherfords for a weekly animal review! In this week's episode, Ellen lets Pallas's cat out of the bag & Christian probes into the world of ...

157: Fleas w/ Tom Sharpe!

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Ellen & special guest, podcaster and invertebrate enthusiast Tom Sharpe, as we leap into the world of the tiny menace: fleas! We discuss the inte...