Jack Ashby
@jackdashby.bsky.social
Award-winning author #PlatypusMatters & #NaturesMemory. Assistant Director of @ZoologyMuseum.bsky.social at Cambridge Uni. President of the Society for the History of Natural History. Australian mammal nerd. He/him. Own views.
Pinned
Jack Ashby
@jackdashby.bsky.social
· Nov 13
OK here I go. Expect posts about the wonderful world of Australian mammals, the quirks of natural history museums, and chasing beasts around the place.
Two of the UK's great #conservation success stories: both #birds in this video were extinct in England.
White storks are now breeding here at @kneppwilding.bsky.social, and red kites are so common that I see them everyday (and I get told off by @flygirlnhm.bsky.social for being blasé about them).
White storks are now breeding here at @kneppwilding.bsky.social, and red kites are so common that I see them everyday (and I get told off by @flygirlnhm.bsky.social for being blasé about them).
February 10, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Two of the UK's great #conservation success stories: both #birds in this video were extinct in England.
White storks are now breeding here at @kneppwilding.bsky.social, and red kites are so common that I see them everyday (and I get told off by @flygirlnhm.bsky.social for being blasé about them).
White storks are now breeding here at @kneppwilding.bsky.social, and red kites are so common that I see them everyday (and I get told off by @flygirlnhm.bsky.social for being blasé about them).
It was incredible to see the white storks bickering over a giant nest at @kneppwilding.bsky.social with @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. This patch of English farmland is being converted into a genuine haven for returning wildlife, including these mega-birds. #rewilding #UKwildlife #birds #birding
February 9, 2026 at 8:08 AM
It was incredible to see the white storks bickering over a giant nest at @kneppwilding.bsky.social with @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. This patch of English farmland is being converted into a genuine haven for returning wildlife, including these mega-birds. #rewilding #UKwildlife #birds #birding
Reposted by Jack Ashby
A #platypus waddles her way upstream, constantly foraging. As well as using touch to find food, platypus bills can detect the electrical impulses given off by their prey's muscular contractions.
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
February 5, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Reposted by Jack Ashby
January 28, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Wombats have the largest brain of any #marsupial. Their blank expressions are just a reflection of the fact that they know they can outsmart you.🧠
#WombatWednesday #fieldwork #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
#WombatWednesday #fieldwork #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
February 4, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Wombats have the largest brain of any #marsupial. Their blank expressions are just a reflection of the fact that they know they can outsmart you.🧠
#WombatWednesday #fieldwork #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
#WombatWednesday #fieldwork #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
It's a bloomin' outrage.
February 3, 2026 at 8:26 AM
It's a bloomin' outrage.
Not many animals are the shape of an #echidna, which is a shame.
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #echidnas
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #echidnas
February 2, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Not many animals are the shape of an #echidna, which is a shame.
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #echidnas
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #echidnas
This is tomorrow (Thursday) 📅
For any museum nerds (and museum-sceptics), do come along.
For any museum nerds (and museum-sceptics), do come along.
Folks near #Cambridge, on Thursday I'm chatting about my book #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History Museums, asking how well these #museums truly represent nature, how did they really come together, & how can they help save the world.
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
January 28, 2026 at 4:25 PM
This is tomorrow (Thursday) 📅
For any museum nerds (and museum-sceptics), do come along.
For any museum nerds (and museum-sceptics), do come along.
Reposted by Jack Ashby
Oh to live the life of a wombat!
January 21, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Oh to live the life of a wombat!
Reposted by Jack Ashby
We're excited to be supporting the Early Career Researcher Symposium from @sochistnathist.bsky.social.
Taking place on 19 February, the programme showcases research into the study of natural history through time, done by early career researchers across the globe.
Book:
Taking place on 19 February, the programme showcases research into the study of natural history through time, done by early career researchers across the globe.
Book:
SHNH Early Career Researcher Symposium 2026 - Society for the History of Natural History
For this symposium we have welcomed papers from across the field which speak to any aspects of the history of natural history. The speakers have been drawn from individuals registered for PhD…
buff.ly
January 28, 2026 at 12:11 PM
We're excited to be supporting the Early Career Researcher Symposium from @sochistnathist.bsky.social.
Taking place on 19 February, the programme showcases research into the study of natural history through time, done by early career researchers across the globe.
Book:
Taking place on 19 February, the programme showcases research into the study of natural history through time, done by early career researchers across the globe.
Book:
January 28, 2026 at 10:44 AM
A new addition to the #platypus art collection: a gorgeous 1838 French print showing a burrow, a little chap frolicking on the bank with a curiously pink hindfoot (with his venom spur out), an eagle overhead that appears to be the same size as the platypus, & a newly hatched platypup (baby platypus)
January 27, 2026 at 9:13 AM
A new addition to the #platypus art collection: a gorgeous 1838 French print showing a burrow, a little chap frolicking on the bank with a curiously pink hindfoot (with his venom spur out), an eagle overhead that appears to be the same size as the platypus, & a newly hatched platypup (baby platypus)
Folks near #Cambridge, on Thursday I'm chatting about my book #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History Museums, asking how well these #museums truly represent nature, how did they really come together, & how can they help save the world.
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
January 26, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Folks near #Cambridge, on Thursday I'm chatting about my book #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History Museums, asking how well these #museums truly represent nature, how did they really come together, & how can they help save the world.
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
A #platypus waddles her way upstream, constantly foraging. As well as using touch to find food, platypus bills can detect the electrical impulses given off by their prey's muscular contractions.
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
January 23, 2026 at 7:45 AM
A #platypus waddles her way upstream, constantly foraging. As well as using touch to find food, platypus bills can detect the electrical impulses given off by their prey's muscular contractions.
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
January 21, 2026 at 9:42 AM
A bunch of species here - particularly the #bandicoots - were recently described as new species, based on historic museum specimens, but they were driven to #extinction decades ago. Lost before western science even knew they existed. We are both richer and poorer for that knowledge.
The Species Declared Extinct in 2025
My annual look back is, of course, heartbreaking -- but it's also a reminder and encouragement that we can do more to prevent future extinctions:
therevelator.org/extinct-2025/
My annual look back is, of course, heartbreaking -- but it's also a reminder and encouragement that we can do more to prevent future extinctions:
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 20, 2026 at 10:44 PM
A bunch of species here - particularly the #bandicoots - were recently described as new species, based on historic museum specimens, but they were driven to #extinction decades ago. Lost before western science even knew they existed. We are both richer and poorer for that knowledge.
So cool to see #beavers making themselves very much at home in an urban nature reserve in West London. These epic #rodents were extinct in Britain 400 years ago, and know they're back in our cities. 🦫🌃 #rewilding #UrbanWildlife
January 19, 2026 at 9:01 AM
So cool to see #beavers making themselves very much at home in an urban nature reserve in West London. These epic #rodents were extinct in Britain 400 years ago, and know they're back in our cities. 🦫🌃 #rewilding #UrbanWildlife
This is a great book about a fascinating topic - what do specimens on display in #museums use to tell us the story of #extinction? If you're around #Cambridge, come along and hear @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social talking about Ghosts Behind Glass.🦤 (I'm really looking forward to introducing the event!)
Around 99% of all species to have existed on Earth are now extinct, find out more as Dolly Jørgensen shares insights from her book 'Ghosts Behind Glass', exploring how museums display extinct species. 11 Feb 2026, 7pm Tickets FREE, please book https://ow.ly/5EsK50XWE6X
January 15, 2026 at 1:44 PM
This is a great book about a fascinating topic - what do specimens on display in #museums use to tell us the story of #extinction? If you're around #Cambridge, come along and hear @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social talking about Ghosts Behind Glass.🦤 (I'm really looking forward to introducing the event!)
Reposted by Jack Ashby
Australia's Main Battle Tank!
Wombats: big head, big body, tiny legs.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
January 14, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Australia's Main Battle Tank!
Wombats: big head, big body, tiny legs.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
January 14, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Wombats: big head, big body, tiny legs.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
My favourite fact from reading this is that some populations of Labord's #chameleon hatch in November, start mating in January, then lay eggs by March, when all adults die. They then only exist as eggs until thy cycle restarts. They're the shortest living of any reptile, bird, amphibian or mammal.🦎
January 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM
My favourite fact from reading this is that some populations of Labord's #chameleon hatch in November, start mating in January, then lay eggs by March, when all adults die. They then only exist as eggs until thy cycle restarts. They're the shortest living of any reptile, bird, amphibian or mammal.🦎
And even fewer Brits, sadly.
January 12, 2026 at 8:33 AM
And even fewer Brits, sadly.
This is an exceptional book about an exceptional story.
Tongerlongeter led the most significant resistance against British invasion in Australia, before leading #Tasmania's exiled community. The campaign he championed then influenced British policy towards Indigenous peoples across the Empire.
Tongerlongeter led the most significant resistance against British invasion in Australia, before leading #Tasmania's exiled community. The campaign he championed then influenced British policy towards Indigenous peoples across the Empire.
January 12, 2026 at 8:02 AM
This is an exceptional book about an exceptional story.
Tongerlongeter led the most significant resistance against British invasion in Australia, before leading #Tasmania's exiled community. The campaign he championed then influenced British policy towards Indigenous peoples across the Empire.
Tongerlongeter led the most significant resistance against British invasion in Australia, before leading #Tasmania's exiled community. The campaign he championed then influenced British policy towards Indigenous peoples across the Empire.
Reposted by Jack Ashby
Call now open for Visiting Fellowships in our Natural History Humanities programme! Building long-term collaborations with early career researchers on Cambridge GLAM collections.
@camunivmuseums.bsky.social @theul.bsky.social @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social
www.ccc.cam.ac.uk/initiatives/...
@camunivmuseums.bsky.social @theul.bsky.social @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social
www.ccc.cam.ac.uk/initiatives/...
Natural History Humanities - Collections Connections Communities
www.ccc.cam.ac.uk
January 9, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Call now open for Visiting Fellowships in our Natural History Humanities programme! Building long-term collaborations with early career researchers on Cambridge GLAM collections.
@camunivmuseums.bsky.social @theul.bsky.social @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social
www.ccc.cam.ac.uk/initiatives/...
@camunivmuseums.bsky.social @theul.bsky.social @cubotanicgarden.bsky.social
www.ccc.cam.ac.uk/initiatives/...