Desert Animals (with wildlife filmmaker Colin Ruggiero)

About this episode

The episode features a discussion about desert animals with wildlife filmmaker Colin Ruggiero, including fun facts and songs.

What desert animals are making you happy today? What cute animal can eat scorpions? Hear Laura and Rob pick desert animals, a song about meerkats, awesome animal clues from 8 year old Eve from Elkhorn, Nebraska, and special guest, wildlife filmmaker Colin Ruggiero. What animal did he pick? Here’s a hint: it’s a red animal with a bushy tail. The Happiest Animal Show (on Planet Earth) is a comedy podcast for kids and grownups who love wildlife, filled with animal clues, songs, jokes and special guests from comedians to scientists to kids. It's all hosted by the sister/brother duo of Laura Sams and Robert Sams, who are both zoologists, film-makers and children’s songwriters. We promise this podcast is a comedy safari for your ears! And if you’re parents, it’s something to listen to in the car! And if you’re a person, it’s something happy for your brain!

People in this episode

Hosts: Laura Sams, Robert Sams

Guest: Colin Ruggiero

Topics covered

• desert animals
• wildlife
• comedy
• education
• children's entertainment

Keywords

• desert animals
• wildlife filmmaker
• meerkats
• animal clues
• children's podcast

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Elkhorn, Nebraska

More episodes of The Happiest Animal Show

• Lake Animals (with comedian Sean Jordan) · June 6, 2026 · 25 min
• Funny Animal Sounds (a special Mother's Day episode with our mom Diane Sams) · May 10, 2026 · 26 min
• Things We've Only Seen Once (with ocean naturalist Josh Wittmer) · April 18, 2026 · 24 min
• Animals That Look Happy (with improv comedian and actor Colin Mochrie) · April 4, 2026 · 27 min
• Backyard Buddies (with National Geographic Explorer Dr. Tierney Thys) · March 21, 2026 · 21 min
• Endangered Species (with comedian David Huntsberger) · March 7, 2026 · 25 min