Jason GRIZZLED Bittel
@bittelmethis.bsky.social
Wild animal & author of GRIZZLED (March 3, 2026). Science Writer @ Nat Geo, NYT, WashPo, etc. Prev: KSJ @ MIT, Nat Geo Explorers. He/him. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002/grizzled-by-jason-bittel/
Pinned
Grizzled by Jason Bittel: 9781426223358 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
Funny, fascinating, and scientifically grounded, this charming book reveals unknown details about 50 well-known animals. Effortlessly readable, Grizzled reintroduces nature lovers to species they th...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
🐻GRIZZLED🐻: Love Letters to 50 of North America's Least Understood Animals
Def the biggest & most personal project of my career. Featuring artwork & foreword by Joel Sartore, as well as insights from a bajillion amazing scientists. 🧪
❤️🔥I HOPE YOU LOVE IT❤️🔥
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002...
Def the biggest & most personal project of my career. Featuring artwork & foreword by Joel Sartore, as well as insights from a bajillion amazing scientists. 🧪
❤️🔥I HOPE YOU LOVE IT❤️🔥
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002...
When it feels like nothing matters and everything is temporary, remember that we still have ART FROM 67,000 YEARS AGO. 🧪
This 67,800-year-old hand stencil is the world's oldest human-made art arstechnica.com/science/2026...
This 67,800-year-old hand stencil is the world's oldest human-made art
The world's oldest art has an unintentional story to tell about human exploration.
arstechnica.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:59 PM
When it feels like nothing matters and everything is temporary, remember that we still have ART FROM 67,000 YEARS AGO. 🧪
Would definitely read/watch a story about how this mushroom reveals the beings living all around us in an alternate dimension or some such. 🍄🧪
By @rachelnuwer.bsky.social www.bbc.com/future/artic...
By @rachelnuwer.bsky.social www.bbc.com/future/artic...
'They saw them on their dishes when eating': The mushroom making people hallucinate dozens of tiny humans
Only recently described by science, the mysterious mushrooms are found in different parts of the world, but they give people the same exact visions.
www.bbc.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Would definitely read/watch a story about how this mushroom reveals the beings living all around us in an alternate dimension or some such. 🍄🧪
By @rachelnuwer.bsky.social www.bbc.com/future/artic...
By @rachelnuwer.bsky.social www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Reposted by Jason GRIZZLED Bittel
January 22, 2026 at 6:59 PM
When map turtles started showing up dead with their shells crushed, scientists set out to solve the whodunnit.
@jesstaylorprice.bsky.social has the story for Nat Geo! 🧪🐍
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
@jesstaylorprice.bsky.social has the story for Nat Geo! 🧪🐍
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
What scientists learned from a mysterious surge in Canadian turtle deaths
Scientists have been closely monitoring a map turtle population after 10 percent died in 2022. They found a surprising culprit, and are left concerned for the future.
www.nationalgeographic.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:29 PM
When map turtles started showing up dead with their shells crushed, scientists set out to solve the whodunnit.
@jesstaylorprice.bsky.social has the story for Nat Geo! 🧪🐍
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
@jesstaylorprice.bsky.social has the story for Nat Geo! 🧪🐍
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
Bandicoots, we hardly knew thee.
Via @johnrplatt.bsky.social @therevelator.org 🧪
therevelator.org/extinct-2025...
Via @johnrplatt.bsky.social @therevelator.org 🧪
therevelator.org/extinct-2025...
Rocket Frog, Damselfish, and Bandicoots: The Species Declared Extinct in 2025 • The Revelator
This year’s list includes a notable extinction caused by climate change — and several caused by introduced predators.
therevelator.org
January 22, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Bandicoots, we hardly knew thee.
Via @johnrplatt.bsky.social @therevelator.org 🧪
therevelator.org/extinct-2025...
Via @johnrplatt.bsky.social @therevelator.org 🧪
therevelator.org/extinct-2025...
Not sure what I love more, these drawings of birbs, or the absolutely necessary explanation for what a king eider *actually* looks like. 😂 #birds
Drawing some of the #birbfest2026 prompts again this year - really fun! 🐦🎨 (And yes, the duck’s eye is supposed to be that far up, and his forehead that big!) #illustration #kidlitart
January 21, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Not sure what I love more, these drawings of birbs, or the absolutely necessary explanation for what a king eider *actually* looks like. 😂 #birds
👋
Nothing to see here... 👀
2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest Honorable Mentions 📲: https://ow.ly/pcsz50XUab2
📸 Yuan Minghui
📝 Hunstman spider on bark lichens in Xishuangbanna, China
2024 National Wildlife Photo Contest Honorable Mentions 📲: https://ow.ly/pcsz50XUab2
📸 Yuan Minghui
📝 Hunstman spider on bark lichens in Xishuangbanna, China
January 19, 2026 at 2:13 PM
👋
Reposted by Jason GRIZZLED Bittel
January 17, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Has anyone swam with manatees in Crystal River, FL? Can you recommend a reliable, reputable, and ethical tour outfit?
(It's my understanding that this can be done ethically, but also, if you're an expert and know better, tell me otherwise!) 🧪
(It's my understanding that this can be done ethically, but also, if you're an expert and know better, tell me otherwise!) 🧪
January 15, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Has anyone swam with manatees in Crystal River, FL? Can you recommend a reliable, reputable, and ethical tour outfit?
(It's my understanding that this can be done ethically, but also, if you're an expert and know better, tell me otherwise!) 🧪
(It's my understanding that this can be done ethically, but also, if you're an expert and know better, tell me otherwise!) 🧪
LOVE.
I dug up an old art i did of my favorite cephalopod the vampire squid, maybe j will thrn it into the lino art it was meant to be
January 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM
LOVE.
This is a fun, contemplative piece about the context 6-7 fits into... theconversation.com/the-6-7-craz...
The 6-7 craze offered a brief window into the hidden world of children
From Pig Latin to Punch Buggy, kids have long used nonsensical language, gestures and games to carve out cultures of their own.
theconversation.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:54 PM
This is a fun, contemplative piece about the context 6-7 fits into... theconversation.com/the-6-7-craz...
“Snailed it!”
I love how @ryanfm.bsky.social’s newest post feels like reporting a particularly thorny “new species” story.
Species are weird, not everyone agrees, and some people REALLY DON’T AGREE.
But that’s science, babe. 🧪
open.substack.com/pub/ryanmand...
I love how @ryanfm.bsky.social’s newest post feels like reporting a particularly thorny “new species” story.
Species are weird, not everyone agrees, and some people REALLY DON’T AGREE.
But that’s science, babe. 🧪
open.substack.com/pub/ryanmand...
that time we rediscovered endangered snails for fun
you're welcome, michigan
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:41 PM
“Snailed it!”
I love how @ryanfm.bsky.social’s newest post feels like reporting a particularly thorny “new species” story.
Species are weird, not everyone agrees, and some people REALLY DON’T AGREE.
But that’s science, babe. 🧪
open.substack.com/pub/ryanmand...
I love how @ryanfm.bsky.social’s newest post feels like reporting a particularly thorny “new species” story.
Species are weird, not everyone agrees, and some people REALLY DON’T AGREE.
But that’s science, babe. 🧪
open.substack.com/pub/ryanmand...
Are you a freelancer who is kind of terrible about the business side of things -- you know, like how to do a job you love while also planning for retirement? Me, too!
Good news! @robertakwok.bsky.social is offering a new Investing & Retirement Planning Workshop! 🧪
www.robertakwok.com/teaching
Good news! @robertakwok.bsky.social is offering a new Investing & Retirement Planning Workshop! 🧪
www.robertakwok.com/teaching
Teaching — Roberta Kwok
www.robertakwok.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Are you a freelancer who is kind of terrible about the business side of things -- you know, like how to do a job you love while also planning for retirement? Me, too!
Good news! @robertakwok.bsky.social is offering a new Investing & Retirement Planning Workshop! 🧪
www.robertakwok.com/teaching
Good news! @robertakwok.bsky.social is offering a new Investing & Retirement Planning Workshop! 🧪
www.robertakwok.com/teaching
Reposted by Jason GRIZZLED Bittel
Dian Fossey worked very hard to keep this species from going extinct.
Look, I don't know, but this slowly-reproducing and highly endangered species just had twins in the wild. Dian Fossey thought mountain gorillas would be extinct by 2000.
So there's that. 🧪
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
So there's that. 🧪
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Congo's Virunga Park: 'It’s kind of miraculous'
The twins were born to a 22-year-old female named Mafuko, who lost her own mother to armed individuals. The extremely endangered species currently numbers at just over 1,000.
www.nationalgeographic.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Dian Fossey worked very hard to keep this species from going extinct.
Reposted by Jason GRIZZLED Bittel
#GoodNews on #biodiversity, because we all need some
Look, I don't know, but this slowly-reproducing and highly endangered species just had twins in the wild. Dian Fossey thought mountain gorillas would be extinct by 2000.
So there's that. 🧪
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
So there's that. 🧪
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Congo's Virunga Park: 'It’s kind of miraculous'
The twins were born to a 22-year-old female named Mafuko, who lost her own mother to armed individuals. The extremely endangered species currently numbers at just over 1,000.
www.nationalgeographic.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:23 PM
#GoodNews on #biodiversity, because we all need some
Look, I don't know, but this slowly-reproducing and highly endangered species just had twins in the wild. Dian Fossey thought mountain gorillas would be extinct by 2000.
So there's that. 🧪
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
So there's that. 🧪
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Congo's Virunga Park: 'It’s kind of miraculous'
The twins were born to a 22-year-old female named Mafuko, who lost her own mother to armed individuals. The extremely endangered species currently numbers at just over 1,000.
www.nationalgeographic.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Look, I don't know, but this slowly-reproducing and highly endangered species just had twins in the wild. Dian Fossey thought mountain gorillas would be extinct by 2000.
So there's that. 🧪
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
So there's that. 🧪
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
Can I offer you some potentially cooperating orcas and dolphins in these trying times?
🧪 via @scinews.bsky.social
www.sciencenews.org/article/orca...
🧪 via @scinews.bsky.social
www.sciencenews.org/article/orca...
In a first, orcas and dolphins seen possibly hunting together
New footage shows orcas and dolphins coordinating hunts, hinting at interspecies teamwork to track and catch salmon off British Columbia.
www.sciencenews.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Can I offer you some potentially cooperating orcas and dolphins in these trying times?
🧪 via @scinews.bsky.social
www.sciencenews.org/article/orca...
🧪 via @scinews.bsky.social
www.sciencenews.org/article/orca...
💔
Sitting here with friends, scheming to bring more beautiful things into the world.
I open bluesky, am met with more horror. Every day more horror.
On Sunday, I gave a talk to the scientists where I implored everyone to do *anything*.
It's easier to break than make things. Please make something.
I open bluesky, am met with more horror. Every day more horror.
On Sunday, I gave a talk to the scientists where I implored everyone to do *anything*.
It's easier to break than make things. Please make something.
January 7, 2026 at 7:05 PM
💔
This Just In: Birbs Still Good
I PROMISE this bird is completely uninjured.
It's a Luzon Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), a type of ground-dwelling dove native to the Philippine Islands.
The red spot has led to this group being known as the "bleeding hearts" or 'paloma de punalada' = "stabbed pigeon."
(📷: Kao-Tai)
It's a Luzon Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba luzonica), a type of ground-dwelling dove native to the Philippine Islands.
The red spot has led to this group being known as the "bleeding hearts" or 'paloma de punalada' = "stabbed pigeon."
(📷: Kao-Tai)
January 6, 2026 at 3:39 PM
This Just In: Birbs Still Good
Um, cookie cutter shark teeth are a single, intact unit!? And when it needs to be replaced, they swallow it whole?! What! 🧪
Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Shark That Bites Perfect Circles gizmodo.com/scientists-f...
Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Shark That Bites Perfect Circles
A detailed investigation into these strange creatures is finally giving scientists and fishermen valuable clues about when and where they strike.
gizmodo.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Um, cookie cutter shark teeth are a single, intact unit!? And when it needs to be replaced, they swallow it whole?! What! 🧪
Today is the LAST DAY to save 25% on your @barnesandnoble.com pre-order of GRIZZLED: Love Letters to 50 of North America's Least Understood Animals!
And what is that, you might ask? Well, I have a whole thread about it below!
Animals! Science! Explosions! 🧪
And what is that, you might ask? Well, I have a whole thread about it below!
Animals! Science! Explosions! 🧪
January 1, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Today is the LAST DAY to save 25% on your @barnesandnoble.com pre-order of GRIZZLED: Love Letters to 50 of North America's Least Understood Animals!
And what is that, you might ask? Well, I have a whole thread about it below!
Animals! Science! Explosions! 🧪
And what is that, you might ask? Well, I have a whole thread about it below!
Animals! Science! Explosions! 🧪
Reposted by Jason GRIZZLED Bittel
Just came across this guy... super interesting. He's obviously done a ton of research and writes well. Here's a sample:
jasonbittel.substack.com/i/96071669/f...
I've known that getting wildlife overdependent on human handouts is bad for several reasons but this is a killer. Literally.
jasonbittel.substack.com/i/96071669/f...
I've known that getting wildlife overdependent on human handouts is bad for several reasons but this is a killer. Literally.
January 1, 2026 at 5:49 AM
Just came across this guy... super interesting. He's obviously done a ton of research and writes well. Here's a sample:
jasonbittel.substack.com/i/96071669/f...
I've known that getting wildlife overdependent on human handouts is bad for several reasons but this is a killer. Literally.
jasonbittel.substack.com/i/96071669/f...
I've known that getting wildlife overdependent on human handouts is bad for several reasons but this is a killer. Literally.
Oh man, what a treat!
My best photographs of 2025, a short thread.
A tobacco hornworm on one of its favorite foods, a garden tomato plant (Texas, May 2025). This one makes the cut because it is more aesthetically pleasing than I was aiming for, somehow.
A tobacco hornworm on one of its favorite foods, a garden tomato plant (Texas, May 2025). This one makes the cut because it is more aesthetically pleasing than I was aiming for, somehow.
December 31, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Oh man, what a treat!
Oh my. We have effin crabs now! Cc @franzanth.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Oh my. We have effin crabs now! Cc @franzanth.bsky.social
Reposted by Jason GRIZZLED Bittel
Desert lily flowering on a dune at sunrise on Sunday (Photo: Sicco Rood).
December 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Desert lily flowering on a dune at sunrise on Sunday (Photo: Sicco Rood).