It's a good day for backyard birds. This little gaggle of doves was hanging out on my fence earlier and have now migrated to my silver maple. I even got out my big camera, though I'm not sure those shots actually turned out better. I guess I'll see!

In my ongoing attempts to give you a break from *gestures widely* THE HORRORS: Let's talk about the utterly bizarre science of cats' purring. Here's a weird starting point: There are NO cats (Felidae) that can BOTH roar AND purr. Cats that roar = genus Panthera Cats that purr = genus Felis

in times of turmoil it is very easy to feel like theres nothing you can do to help, especially if you are far away, but i promise buckaroo EVERYTHING helps. there is direct action like donating money or protesting, and there is cultural action like creating art and cultivating atmosphere of change

Today's nature friend has some nice color blocking going on. 10/10 fashion sense

Hello hello! This is your friendly reminder that we do have a shop! Zine proceeds go to the authors, some items donate to charities to support endangered wildlife, and the rest helps me pay more cool people to write books (a favorite activity of mine)! Check it out: ko-fi.com/endangeredar...

I had a great idea for a zine last night and I didn't write it down and inevitably forgot, RIP

What's Up With COVID and What We Can Do About It: 2026 Edition I've thoroughly updated this public health propaganda zine! With new information about: Adjusting mask fit CO2 monitoring Improving ventilation for infection control Read at newlevant.com/COVIDzine or in the thread below 👇

Oh hey it's #WildlifeWednesday! Since I just reskeeted @ethankocak.com's mudskipper, let's talk lungs 🫁

Blorp

The red dot is a baby North Atlantic right whale trying to migrate up the east coast of the United states. The blue streaks are fast moving shipping vessels entering and leaving New York City harbor. One collision and the whale is dead. We need *mandatory* speed limits for these vessels! 🧪🦑🌍

Fuck ICE.

oh no, book illustrations are such a good way to force people to look at all my favorite types of small goo goo animal. putting in a caprellid right now

Speaking of zines... @seananmcguire.bsky.social I'm planning to do a mantis zine sometime this year! Do you have a favorite mantis fact?

By the way, I'm thinking of doing a Nature Friends zine. What's your favorite nature friend? (Doesn't have to be one I've posted!)

These nature friends are having a fun time in the river! (I was indoors so background noise is just Miscellaneous Kitchen Sounds, no need to listen to this video!)

I got some other nature friends but I'm gonna share them tomorrow haha

Today's nature friend is one of my favorite little guys I haven't seen in a while!

Happy holidays! The white squirrel in my neighborhood says hi

The deadline is in 12 hours! (Dec 22 8:59 pm pst) Your comment could be the one that saves the Endangered Species Act! Please comment on each of the four proposals (i have a link to a guide to help you!)

Also after reading Bethany's newsletter I went to find it here so I could repost it and discovered I was only apparently following her on my personal account? Fixed!

LRP as someone who has worked extensively with wild animals in captive settings I have sooooo many thoughts on the subject of domestication (and also, as someone who has worked with raccoons, trust me. You don't want one in your house!)

Yes, yes, urban raccoons have shorter noses and rural ones. Is this domestication syndrome? ...ehhhh. brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/raccoons-d...

ARTISTS! I need your help! In collab. w/the Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology, I'm organizing a group of artists to come to our Jan. meeting! We're looking for artists to create based on what they learn at the conference. $1000 stipend. Application is V short! forms.gle/ah1i8KwNJinZ...

Can you find today's nature friend?

Regular verified sightings don't match historically accepted survey data? Problematic range map.

A peaceful moment at the falls today in the snow

Young grizzled mantis derped around for me this afternoon as I was about to leave after my walk. Perky grabby flail-y child 🤎

today I learned fully about labouls, ectoparasitic fungi which are only found growing on live insects, but do not kill the host. they're just a kind of annoying small thingie that lives in the world and propagates

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Yesterday's nature friend was out enjoying the garden a little late in the season

A white hot dog photographed back in the winter of 2020 in Yellowstone. We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!

GARtwork contest ends Friday 11/7 at 10 am Central!

Today's nature friend is enjoying a seasonal treat

Ahhh. Sometimes you just need 8 minutes of doom-free distraction, and a reminder that there is still enjoyment to be found on the internet.

I am a very serious professional

Yeah that's right. It turns out that lots of parasites alter the behavior of host (or vector) species, some way more dramatically than others. Like this funky worm in the genus Leucochloridium. If you're thinking, "that's a snail, actually" - look closer!

Pretty good article about the specifics of PRI's situation and what led to the immediate need they have from upstate NY based media. www.newyorkupstate.com/news/2025/10...

Since it's almost Halloween, this #WildlifeWednesday is about... Zombies!

I am a very serious professional

Happy World Okapi Day! Today we celebrate giraffe’s little cousin from the forest. Artwork and photography was done by one of the Skull Index’s own staff! Find him on Instagram @anthro_andrew.

I was going to do a spooky Wildlife Wednesday but I had kind of a long and difficult day so: just a nature friend instead, see you next week

Today's nature friend is ironically not very stealthy right here

Hey so I just read a fascinating little news article about a bird hybrid possibly caused by climate change! Not exactly great news but of interest of me because of my masters research

Today's nature friend is a slimy one (and so cute)

Today officially marks Bisexual visibility day With this day bi week is also concluded and with this post we want to highlight all the beautiful sketch requests we got to make because of our wonderful community! All bi requests in thread below! #sciart #paleoart #biweek #lgbtq

I wanted to get a video of this ghost crab but every time I got close to their hole they scuttled back in, so I tried getting clever with it. I made a little sandcastle and shoved my phone into it, hit record, and walked away. Crab was VERY suspicious of this addition to their environment.

Our new 2026 calendar is available for pre-order!! It celebrates the diversity and interconnectedness of the world around us. There's colorful illustrations, fun facts and ways to help written by @sarahmackattack.bsky.social of @skypeascientist.bsky.social ! Link: www.etsy.com/listing/4366...

Oh hey it's still #WildlifeWednesday (if only just barely...) I don't quite have the bandwidth for a full thread this week what with all the everything that keeps happening, but while in Europe last week I finally got to see a hooded crow! Several, even! Here's one :>

For this week's #WildlifeWednesday we aren't meeting any wildlife, but we are meeting some life that is rather wild! Meet corn smut

Today's nature friend is also my new coworker

Anyways in other news, I (Arras, the owner) will be at DragonCon! Friday: Nature's Queerest Creatures 2:30p, Hilton Grand East Are You Really Gonna Eat That? 7p, Hilton 209-211 Saturday: Wild Butts of the Animal Kingdom! 7p, Hilton Grand East Sunday: Would it Zoo? 5:30p, Hilton Grand East