Episode Details

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 Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of Dogs, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, as well as stop-motion animation and effects on Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), and Star Wars: Mandalorian and Grogu (2026).

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 Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify!

• Learn more about Chuck Duke
• Follow Chuck on Instagram: @cdook
• Learn about the Portland Aquarium
• Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
• Follow us on Instagram: @thezooquarium
• Follow Mike on Instagram: @mikebennettart
• Follow Mike on TikTok: @mikebennettart
• Subscribe to the Mike Bennett Studios YouTube Channel
• Follow Chanel on Instagram: @pschanel
• Learn about The Elakha Alliance: elakhaalliance.org

The Zooquarium releases episodes about different animals every other Tuesday with bonus content for each episode the following week. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on

Listen Now