Hey there, friends, and welcome to episode 189 of Just the Zoo of Us.

In this week's episode, I talked with biologist and host of Nat Geo Wilde's TV series Monster Fish,

about the giants lurking in the waters of the world's rivers and lakes, freshwater megafish.

Our guest told us all about how and why fish are able to reach massive sizes, what it's like to

research and work alongside these enormous creatures in their own homes, and how we can help

protect and conserve the natural habitats that we all rely on to thrive.

So put on your snorkels and head down to the river.

Just the Zoo of Us presents freshwater megafish with Zeb Hogan. Hello, friends, this is Ellen Weatherford with Just the Zoo of Us, your favorite animal review podcast. And this week, I'm very excited to be bringing to you a new friend who you may have seen and heard before. This is Zeb Hogan. Say hi, Zeb.

Hey. I am so excited to be talking to you. This is a little bit of like a fan girl moment because

I think a lot of people, you know, that grew up on nature documentaries and grew up on nature

shows and stuff, it's kind of like a lot of people's dream to do like the, you know,

National Geographic Nature documentary host and you're like living that dream.

Yeah, it's great to be with you. I'm really excited to talk megafish today.

Yes, but before we talk about our freshwater megafish friends, I would love to get to know you a little bit for folks listening at home.

How did you get into the work that you do

with these giant freshwater fish? I am from Arizona, and you might not think, you know, I've ended up

spending my career studying the world's largest freshwater fish, but I grew up in Arizona. I went to school undergrad at the University of

Arizona. And growing up in Arizona, I guess one way it makes sense is Arizona is a very hot. I lived

outside of Phoenix. It was very hot. I was fascinated by the outdoors. I was fascinated by wildlife.

And so spent my time growing up, going hiking and camping anywhere where there was water. Because in Arizona, if there's water,

there's life, there's, you know, you can take a break from the heat. And so I just grew up loving

freshwater, exploring creeks, catching fish and frogs and all that

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