Episode 2: How Long Can Sea Otters Hold Their Breath?
Hosts Mike Bennett and Chanel Hason answer Calvin’s question and share some other cool sea otter facts!
Watch the Episode
Learn fun facts about sea otters, how long they can hold their breath, and so much more!
Watch the Episode
Learn fun facts about sea otters, how long they can hold their breath, and so much more!
Activities & Sea Otter Gifts
Otters Made by You
Download our Zooquarium Otter Coloring Sheets and share your otter creations! Your photos will appear on the Zooquarium wall!
Bonus Video!
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.
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.
Our Featured Guest
Marisol (Moddy) Himmel is a business owner, educational puppeteer, and ventriloquist who believes some of the most important learning happens while laughing, pretending, and creating. She is the founder of Spark Homeschool Enrichment, where for nearly a decade she has designed play-based, relationship-centered learning experiences for children who dont fit neatly into boxes (and wouldn't want to anyway).
GIVE BACK
This episode’s non-profit partner is Elakha Alliance, an Oregon-based organization working to restore sea otters to the Oregon coast and heal coastal ecosystems through science, collaboration, and community education. Supporting Elakha Alliance helps bring balance back to marine environments and protects the species that depend on them.
When you purchase our Otter Coloring Sheets, 50% of all proceeds are donated to The Sloth Conservation Foundation!
Visit The Portland Aquarium
An educational, family-friendly cartoon aquarium located in downtown Portland, Oregon
Join the Zooquarium Educator Program
Fill out the form below to join our Educator Discount program, and enjoy 50% OFF all Zooquarium educational products!
MEET OUR HOSTS
MIKE BENNETT
He/Him
An artist, educator, and immersive space designer, Mike turns old buildings, house-paint and plywood into cartoon worlds with animal education and creativity at the helm. Mike brings his colorful characters to life to help curious kids (and kids at heart!) learn, laugh, and explore the world around them. Whether its cryptids, dinosaurs, ocean-life or lawn alphabets, Mike is always ready to tackle his next creative endeavor!
CHANEL HASON
She/Her
Chanel is a marine biologist, environmental educator, and lifelong animal lover who yearns to understand, and teach about, the natural world around us. She has led hands-on marine science programs in Puerto Rico for Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, represented the United States at the Miss Scuba International pageant in Malaysia, and now serves as Director of Outreach & Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, where she’s helping restore Oregon’s sea otter population. Chanel shares her passion for wildlife and conservation through fun, curious, and inspiring conversations.
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!
WATCH this episode on YouTube and Spotify!
Learn about the Portland Aquarium
Shop the Mike Bennett Studios store
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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 Podcast releases every other Tuesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you’re informed when new episodes come out! Video versions are available on YouTube and Spotify. Bonus videos for episodes are released one week after the relevant episode drops exclusively on YouTube or by visiting the show page at thezooquarium.com/podcast
Credits
Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
Guest: Moddy Himmel
Produced & Edited by: Jon Richardson
Music by: Gretchen Lohse & Thomas Hughes of Carol Cleveland Sings
Intro Animation by: Silas Bell & Kyle Bell of Castle Animation
Artwork by: Fuzzzbrain
Special thanks to
Calvin & Calvin’s family
Michele Kraus Bennett
Cayley Pater
The Elakha Alliance
Teddy Albertson
Otters in general