Episode 10: Where Are Crickets' Ears Located?
Hosts Mike and Chanel answer Willa’s question about cricket ears and welcome back Chuck Duke to talk about animating Sebastian J. Cricket in Pinocchio!
Watch the Episode
Discover fun cricket facts, like how they make their famous chirping sounds, and what it takes to bring a cricket character to life through stop-motion animation!
Watch the Episode
Discover fun cricket facts, like how they make their famous chirping sounds, and what it takes to bring a cricket character to life through stop-motion animation!
Zooquarium Educational Activities
Bonus Video!
This bonus episode features Mike and Chanel chatting with legendary animator Chuck Duke about his work at Will Vinton Studios, studying real dogs for Isle of Dogs, animating creatures for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and more behind-the-scenes stories from his animation career!
This bonus episode features Mike and Chanel chatting with legendary animator Chuck Duke about his work at Will Vinton Studios, studying real dogs for Isle of Dogs, animating creatures for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and more behind-the-scenes stories from his animation career!
Our Featured Guest
Chuck Duke 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).
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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.
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 fromJames and the Giant Peach, his credits includeFantastic 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 download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
- 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 YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and here at thezooquarium.com/podcast
Credits
- Hosted by: Mike Bennett & Chanel Hason
- Guest: Chuck Duke
- 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
Willa & Willa's family, Chuck Duke, Michele Kraus Bennett, Cayley Pater, The Elakha Alliance, Teddy Albertson, crickets in general