The Zooquarium Podcast
The Zooquarium Podcast is a deep dive into all of the questions YOU want answered about the animals and habitats of the land, sea, and air. On each episode, artist Mike Bennett and biologist Chanel Hason use their background as educators to answer YOUR questions and invite guests from the wildlife and creative worlds to explore the convergence of science and art together. The Zooquarium Podcast explores the imagucational world of animals and ecosystems in a way that’s engaging and accessible to kids of all ages. Want more of The Zooquarium Podcast? BONUS content for each episode is posted ev...
Why Do Red-Eyed Tree Frogs Have Multiple Eyelids?
Maybellene asks: Why Do Red-Eyed Tree Frogs Have Multiple Eyelids?That's such a great question. It's a good thing that Chanel has the answer, plus a few extra red-eyed tree frog facts for Maybellene, Mike, and special guest John Sazaklis, author of My Life as a Red-Eyed Tree Frog!
John Sazaklis is the New York Times bestselling author of over 100 titles. He has illustrated Spider-Man books for Marvel, made pop-culture props for MAD magazine, written for the BEN 10 animated series, and even voiced The Grinch for a Dr. Seuss audiobook. John loves to learn. Art and Science...
BONUS: Talkin' Tigers with Megan Hagedorn
Mike and Chanel continue their conversation with Zoologist Megan Hagedorn about tigers, what inspired her to study animals, and how she blends the classics with animals as an artist!
Megan Hagedorn is a zookeeper at the Oregon Zoo. Although she has a background in Marine Biology, Megan has gotten a chance to work with almost all areas of the zoo! She is originally from southern Illinois, and moved to Oregon in 2013 to work with the animals. Tigers became a fast favorite and I've she's gotten to know several! They all have unique personalities and it's especially rewarding...
Why Do Tigers Have Stripes?
Henley asks: Why Do Tigers Have Stripes? Tigers do have such a distinct look, so let's find out why! Mike and Chanel welcome tiger expert Megan Hagedorn to the Podcast to answer Henley's question and tell us all even more about our stripey feline friends.
Megan Hagedorn is a zookeeper at the Oregon Zoo. Although she has a background in Marine Biology, Megan has gotten a chance to work with almost all areas of the zoo! She is originally from southern Illinois, and moved to Oregon in 2013 to work with the animals. Tigers became a fast favorite...
BONUS: Crickets, Clay, and the City of Roses with Chuck Duke
Mike and Chanel chat with legendary animator Chuck Duke about his background with Will Vinton Studios, observing actual dogs for Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs, animating special characters for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and more!
Chuck began his professional career in animation in his early twenties and has since contributed to a wide range of feature films and television productions in the animation and visual effects departments. Aside from James and the Giant Peach, his credits include Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of Dogs, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, as well as stop-motion animation and effects on St...
Where Are Crickets' Ears Located?
Willa asks: Where Are Crickets' Ears Located? Are the on their heads? Their wings? Someplace else?? Chanel answers Willa's question and tells Mike more cricket information than he ever though he'd need to know. Then, they welcome back guest Chuck Duke to talk about his experience animating Sebastian J. Cricket for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio.
Chuck began his professional career in animation in his early twenties and has since contributed to a wide range of feature films and television productions in the animation and visual effects departments. Aside from James and the Giant Peach, his credits include...
BONUS: Chanel in the Wild - Animal conversations with kids!
Chanel interviews kids at Mike Bennett Studios in Portland, OR about their favorite animals & animal facts! A big thanks goes out to all of the kids who participated, as well as their families. And shout out to Goat It Solutions for letting their furry friends join in on Chanel's interviews 🐐
Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!
Learn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on...Why Are Orcas So Deadly?
Eva asks: Why Are Orcas So Deadly? Great question, Eva. Are killer whales truly KILLER WHALES? Luckily, Mike and Chanel are joined by Orca conservationist, Kendra Nelson.
Kendra Nelson is a marine conservationist focued on species recovery and coastal restoration in British Columbia. She is the Board Secreary for Orca Conservancy. With a background in biology, she’s worked with sharks, coral, salmon, and killer whales. Passionate about advocacy and ecosystems, Kendra combines scientific knowledge and outreach to protect ocean life and support healthy coastal communitiues.
Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download qu...
BONUS: Animating Animals - More With Stop Motion Animator, Adam Taylor
This bonus episode features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with Adam Taylor all about his experience as an animator! They continue their conversation about chickens, but also discuss octopuses, monkeys, and bunnies.
Adam Taylor is a stop-motion animator from the Pacific Northwest who has animated lots of animals in quite a few movies, including Wendell and Wild (Octopus), Guillermo del Torro's Pinocchio (monkey, and cricket), Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget(Chickens!, and rats), Wildwood (rabbits, coyotes, and an owl), and Shaun the Sheep: The Beats of Mossy Bottom (sheep, a dog, and a raven!)
...Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?
Maggie asks: Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg? Ah yes, the age old question! Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason can certainly handle that one, along with a special guest - Adam Taylor, a stop motion animator who worked on Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget!
Adam Taylor is a stop-motion animator from the Pacific Northwest who has animated lots of animals in quite a few movies, including Wendell and Wild (Octopus), Guillermo del Torro's Pinocchio (monkey, and cricket), Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget(Chickens!, and rats), Wildwood (rabbits, coyotes, and an owl), and...
BONUS: In Living Color - The Wild World of Chameleons with Jenna Lamping
This bonus episode features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with Jenna Lamping all about CHAMELEONS! They continue their conversation about these fascinating reptiles, including their unique eyes and hands. PLUS, they talk about other animals that can change color.
Visit https://www.thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
Visit the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's website!Listen to the Cincinnati Zoo Tales podcastLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumFollow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettartFollow Mike on Ti...How Can Chameleons Change Color?
Bianca asks: How Can Chameleons Change Color? What an amazing question! It's pretty well known that they can change color, but how they do it is definitely a mystery. Luckily hosts Mike and Chanel know a lizard expert, Lenna Lamping from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, who can help explain this unique characteristic.
Jenna has been a Reptile Keeper at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden since 2018. Jenna's passion/goal in life is to encourage people to understand and appreciate all wildlife, especially those that are greatly misunderstood - just like her favorite, the American Alligator. Reptiles...
BONUS: Act Like an Animal - More with actor Derrick Baskin from Disney's The Little Mermaid on Broadway
This bonus episode features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with Derrick Baskin all about EELS! They continue their conversation about eels, the experience of performing on stage for kids, and embodying all different types of animals. PLUS, Chanel and Mike share their own experiences acting on stage for a live audience.
Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
Visit Derrick's websiteFollow Derrick on Instagram: @derrick.baskinLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumFollow Mike on Instagram: @mi...Why Are Moray Eels' Faces So Long?
Agatha asks: Why Are Moray Eels' Faces So Long? Seriously - they're SO LONG! But why? Mike and Chanel answer Agatha's question with the help of actor Derrick Baskin, who played Jetsam in Disney's The Little Mermaid on Broadway. Together, they discuss scientific facts about eels in addition to learning how Derrick embodied one of fiction's most famous eels for a live audience.
Derrick Baskin is a Grammy and Tony Award-nominated actor best known for his performance as Otis Williams in the Broadway hit Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations. His Broadway cr...
BONUS: Deep Dive on SHARKS with Alex McInturf!
This bonus episode features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with Alex McInturf all about SHARKS! They continue their conversation about shark sleeping habits and talk more about sharks in pop culture (Sharknado!), how to study sharks, Alex's favorite shark, and Oregon's new "Vibrant Ocean" license plates.
Visit https://www.thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
Visit Alex's websiteLearn more about Big Fish LabLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow Big Fish Lab on Instagram: @big_fish_labFollow us on In...Do Sharks Sleep With Their Eyes Open or Closed?
Griffin asks: Do Sharks Sleep With Their Eyes Open or Closed? What a great question! Mike and Chanel get down to the bottom of Griffin's question with the help of shark expert, Alex McInturf from Oregon State University's Big Fish Lab. Not only do they answer Griffin's question, but they also talk about other shark facts that will blow your minds!
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Alexandra McInturf received her PhD in Animal Behavior from the University of California, Davis in 2021 and is currently a Research Associate at Oregon State University’s Big Fish Lab and Graduate Fa...
BONUS: Centipedes & Stop-Motion with Chuck Duke!
This bonus episode features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with legendary animator Chuck Duke, who helped bring Mr. Centipede to life in James and the Giant Peach(1996). They also talk about Chuck's experience animating Jack Skellington and working with Wes Anderson on Fantastic Mr. Fox. For more of their conversation, be sure to check out Episode 4 of The Zooquarium , "Why Do Centipedes Have So Many Legs?"
Visit https://www.thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
Learn more about Chuck DukeLearn about the Po...Why Do Centipedes Have So Many Legs?
Sloane asks: Why Do Centipedes Have So Many Legs? Seriously, there's SO MANY! Mike and Chanel get down to the bottom of Sloane's question, explain the difference between centipedes and millipedes, and invite special guest Chuck Duke to talk about his experience animating Mr. Centipede for the 1996 movie, James and the Giant Peach.
Chuck began his professional career in animation in his early twenties and has since contributed to a wide range of feature films and television productions in the animation and visual effects departments. Aside from James and the Giant Peach, his credits include Fantastic Mr...
BONUS: TOUCAN TALK - More from Aimee Owen's interview from The Zooquarium Podcast
This BONUS video features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with Aimee Owen, the Cincinnati Zoo's Aviculture Senior Keeper (bird keeper). For more of their conversation, be sure to check out Episode 3 of The Zooquarium Podcast, “What Are Those Giant Beaks on Toucans About?”
Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!
Learn more about the Cincinnati ZooLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumFollow Mike o...What Are Those Giant Beaks on Toucans About?
Izzy asks: What Are Those Giant Beaks on Toucans About? Yeah, what ARE they about?! Luckily, Mike and Chanel are friends with Aimee Owen, the Cincinnati Zoo's Aviculture Senior Keeper (bird keeper), to tell us ALL ABOUT toucans and their giant beaks. And since The Zooquarium Podcast smushes science and art, Mike makes sure to ask about some fictional toucans in movies, tv shows, and breakfast cereal commercials.
Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple...
BONUS: Puppets Talk: More on Sea Otters, Puppets, and MORE with Moddy Himmel
This BONUS video features more of Mike and Chanel’s conversation with Moddy Himmel, an educator and puppeteer using their craft to engage with students through the arts. For more of their conversation, be sure to check out Episode 2 of The Zooquarium Podcast, “How Long Can Sea Otters Hold Their Breath?”
Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
Visit Moddy’s WebsiteLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumFollow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettartFollow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettartSubscribe to the Mike...How Long Can Sea Otters Hold Their Breath?
Calvin asks: How long can sea otters hold their breath? Great question, Calvin! Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason answer Calvin’s question, share some other cool sea otter facts, and invite guest Moddy Himmel to share their experience educating through puppetry!
Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download Moddy’s Sea Otter Puppets (using Mike’s artwork), quizzes, activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!
Visit Moddy’s WebsiteLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on In...BONUS: Sloth Talk - Our exclusive interview with Sloth Conservationist, Dr. Rebecca Cliffe
This BONUS video features Dr. Rebecca Cliffe, a conservationist specializing in sloths in Costa Rica. The Zooquarium Podcast's Mike and Chanel chat with Dr. Cliffe about her work with sloths and get her take on Fitz's sloth poop question from Episode 1 of the podcast.
Be sure to visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!
The Sloth Conservation FoundationLearn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumFollow...Why Do Sloths Poop on the Ground?
Fitz asks: WHY DO SLOTHS POOP ON THE GROUND? Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason answer Fitz’s question, share some other cool sloth facts, and discuss Mike’s iconic sloth Slow Down signs.
Visit thezooquarium.com/podcast to download activity sheets and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
RECOMMENDED: WATCH this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify!
Learn about the Portland AquariumShop the Mike Bennett Studios storeFollow us on Instagram: @thezooquariumpodcastFollow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettartFollow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettartSubscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube ChannelFollow Chanel on Inst...Introducing The Zooquarium Podcast
Art and Science collide on The Zooquarium Podcast!
Meet Mike Bennett - he's an artist and educator originally from Pennsylvania. After moving to Portland, OR, Mike began creating large-scale cartoon characters cut out of wood. Now, he's the brains behind a number of cartoon establishments, popular yard signs, and art partnerships all over the world.
Meet Chanel - she's the marine biologist and wildlife expert behind the biomes at The Portland Aquarium and the Director of Outreach & Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, an organization committed to bringing sea otters back to Oregon!
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