Episode notes
Ellen sets the record straight on Norway lemmings, busting over 400 years of myths. We discuss rodent audacity, ecological impacts that can be seen from space, spontaneous generation, Ole Worm, Atlantis, a Disney lie, and so much more.
Works Cited:
- “Genome analyses suggest recent speciation and postglacial isolation in the Norwegian lemming” – Edana Lord et al., PNAS, June 2025
- “Aposematism and crypsis in a rodent: antipredator defence of the Norwegian lemming” – Malte Andersson, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, April 2015
- “Vole and lemming activity observed from space” – Johan Olofsson et al, Nature Climate Change, May 2012
- “Ole Worm (1588-1654) – anatomist and antiquarian” – Rafael Romero Reveron & Luis A Arráez-Aybar, European Journal of Anatomy, July 2015
- “The Norwegian Lemming and its Migrations” – W. Duppa Crotch, Popular Science Monthly, August 1877
- “Lemming Suicide Myth: Disney Film Faked Bogus Behavior” – Riley Woodford, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, September 2003
- “Falling lemming populations” – Chris Smith, ScienceNorway.no, July 2012
- “Lemmings’ loss is bounty for moss” – Bjørnar Kjensli, ScienceNorway.no, March 2012
Links:
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About the show
Just the Zoo of Us is an animal review podcast by Ellen & Christian Weatherford of Jacksonville, Florida. Every week, each host selects one animal submitted by a listener to research, review, and rate out of ten in the categories of effectiveness, ingenuity and aesthetics. Guest episodes feature experts from all over the world sharing their knowledge and insight into the animal world.
This podcast is made with families in mind and contains no profanity or graphic language. Due to the nature of discussion centered around wildlife and their behavior, some topics such as reproduction, predation and parasitism may not be appropriate for very young children, so parents are encouraged to use discretion when listening with their families.
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