Ted Stankowich
@tedstankowich.bsky.social
Professor & Curator of Vertebrates @ Cal State Univ Long Beach
Evol Behavioral Ecol of armor, weaponry, aposematism, antipredator behavior, urban ecology https://www.csulb.edu/mammal-lab
Creator https://themammallab.com/ an online mammalogy lab manual
Evol Behavioral Ecol of armor, weaponry, aposematism, antipredator behavior, urban ecology https://www.csulb.edu/mammal-lab
Creator https://themammallab.com/ an online mammalogy lab manual
Pinned
Ted Stankowich
@tedstankowich.bsky.social
· Apr 21
Honored to be awarded the 2025 @CSULB Distinguished Faculty Research, Scholarly, & Creative Achievement Award for my scientific research. I wasn't able to attend the ceremony last week, but I'm grateful for the recognition of my efforts & the hard work of my students and collabs.
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎, the chamois. This agile caprine inhabits rugged mountain terrain across Europe and parts of Asia, adapted for steep slopes and harsh alpine climates. #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday Photo: Giles Laurent
November 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎 𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑟𝑎, the chamois. This agile caprine inhabits rugged mountain terrain across Europe and parts of Asia, adapted for steep slopes and harsh alpine climates. #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday Photo: Giles Laurent
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎, the #angelshark. This critically #endangered species is a flat-bodied shark that resembles a ray, inhabiting sandy seabeds in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #sharks Photo: Philippe Guillaume
October 29, 2025 at 3:51 AM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎, the #angelshark. This critically #endangered species is a flat-bodied shark that resembles a ray, inhabiting sandy seabeds in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #sharks Photo: Philippe Guillaume
We had a great mammalogy field trip this weekend with bat mist netting, small mammal trapping, track plates, and telemetry!
October 28, 2025 at 7:52 PM
We had a great mammalogy field trip this weekend with bat mist netting, small mammal trapping, track plates, and telemetry!
Today we celebrate two icons of biodiversity:
The graceful and endangered freshwater dolphin.
The acrobatic and vocal gibbon.
From river currents to forest canopies, these species show us why conservation matters everywhere.
#FreshwaterDolphinDay #InternationalGibbonDay
The graceful and endangered freshwater dolphin.
The acrobatic and vocal gibbon.
From river currents to forest canopies, these species show us why conservation matters everywhere.
#FreshwaterDolphinDay #InternationalGibbonDay
October 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Today we celebrate two icons of biodiversity:
The graceful and endangered freshwater dolphin.
The acrobatic and vocal gibbon.
From river currents to forest canopies, these species show us why conservation matters everywhere.
#FreshwaterDolphinDay #InternationalGibbonDay
The graceful and endangered freshwater dolphin.
The acrobatic and vocal gibbon.
From river currents to forest canopies, these species show us why conservation matters everywhere.
#FreshwaterDolphinDay #InternationalGibbonDay
Happy #MoleDay! 🕳️🐾
Today we celebrate Avogadro’s number: 6.02 × 10²³ things… and one very determined mammal.
Whether you’re counting atoms or digging tunnels, remember: science is everywhere! So grab your goggles and your sense of humor, and let’s celebrate moles!
#Chemistry #BlueskyScience #STEMFun
Today we celebrate Avogadro’s number: 6.02 × 10²³ things… and one very determined mammal.
Whether you’re counting atoms or digging tunnels, remember: science is everywhere! So grab your goggles and your sense of humor, and let’s celebrate moles!
#Chemistry #BlueskyScience #STEMFun
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Happy #MoleDay! 🕳️🐾
Today we celebrate Avogadro’s number: 6.02 × 10²³ things… and one very determined mammal.
Whether you’re counting atoms or digging tunnels, remember: science is everywhere! So grab your goggles and your sense of humor, and let’s celebrate moles!
#Chemistry #BlueskyScience #STEMFun
Today we celebrate Avogadro’s number: 6.02 × 10²³ things… and one very determined mammal.
Whether you’re counting atoms or digging tunnels, remember: science is everywhere! So grab your goggles and your sense of humor, and let’s celebrate moles!
#Chemistry #BlueskyScience #STEMFun
Today we celebrate the elusive, high-altitude icon: the snow leopard🐆❄️
Solitary, stealthy, and stunning, these big cats remind us that conservation is as much about awe as it is about action.
Protect the ghost of the mountains.
#InternationalSnowLeopardDay #WildlifeConservation #BigCats
Solitary, stealthy, and stunning, these big cats remind us that conservation is as much about awe as it is about action.
Protect the ghost of the mountains.
#InternationalSnowLeopardDay #WildlifeConservation #BigCats
a snow leopard is walking through the snow with its tail hanging over the ground .
ALT: a snow leopard is walking through the snow with its tail hanging over the ground .
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Today we celebrate the elusive, high-altitude icon: the snow leopard🐆❄️
Solitary, stealthy, and stunning, these big cats remind us that conservation is as much about awe as it is about action.
Protect the ghost of the mountains.
#InternationalSnowLeopardDay #WildlifeConservation #BigCats
Solitary, stealthy, and stunning, these big cats remind us that conservation is as much about awe as it is about action.
Protect the ghost of the mountains.
#InternationalSnowLeopardDay #WildlifeConservation #BigCats
Happy #Wombat Day! I had the amazing chance to see these critters up close and personal in the wild on my sabbatical in Australia in 2019!
October 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Happy #Wombat Day! I had the amazing chance to see these critters up close and personal in the wild on my sabbatical in Australia in 2019!
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠, the red-backed bearded saki. This Neotropical #primate inhabits Amazonian forests and is recognized for its thick beard and strong jaws adapted for cracking hard seeds. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #Primates #Mammals Photo: Allan Hopkins
October 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝐶ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠, the red-backed bearded saki. This Neotropical #primate inhabits Amazonian forests and is recognized for its thick beard and strong jaws adapted for cracking hard seeds. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics #Primates #Mammals Photo: Allan Hopkins
Reposted by Ted Stankowich
Reminder that The Gateway Arch in St. Louis was built on Mill Creek Valley, a Black neighborhood. To clear land for construction, more than 20,000 residents, 95% of whom were Black, were displaced. Further, nearly 300 Black businesses were destroyed.
www.pushblack.us/news/hidden-...
www.pushblack.us/news/hidden-...
The Hidden Black History Behind The St. Louis Gateway Arch
St. Louis is often called the “Gateway to the West.” The Gateway Arch doubles down on this expression of westward expansion as the federal government ...
www.pushblack.us
October 21, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Reminder that The Gateway Arch in St. Louis was built on Mill Creek Valley, a Black neighborhood. To clear land for construction, more than 20,000 residents, 95% of whom were Black, were displaced. Further, nearly 300 Black businesses were destroyed.
www.pushblack.us/news/hidden-...
www.pushblack.us/news/hidden-...
New in rodent forensics: Turns out Chicago’s viral “rat hole” in fresh concrete wasn’t a rat. It was probably an E Grey Squirrel! This paper is a love letter to curiosity. Sometimes science starts w/ a viral concrete smudge & ends w/ multivariate analysis. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Rodent indent not self-evident: a case of mistaken identity of the ‘Chicago Rat Hole’ | Biology Letters
The ‘Chicago Rat Hole’ is a remarkable full body impression ostensibly created by
a brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) crossing fresh concrete in Chicago’s Roscoe Village that became a viral sensation.
Whi...
royalsocietypublishing.org
October 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
New in rodent forensics: Turns out Chicago’s viral “rat hole” in fresh concrete wasn’t a rat. It was probably an E Grey Squirrel! This paper is a love letter to curiosity. Sometimes science starts w/ a viral concrete smudge & ends w/ multivariate analysis. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠, the goldcrest. This tiny #passerine is Europe’s smallest #bird, at just 5–7g. Despite its size, it maintains high metabolic rates & is remarkably cold-tolerant, surviving harsh winters in coniferous forests. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: Alpsdake
October 14, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠, the goldcrest. This tiny #passerine is Europe’s smallest #bird, at just 5–7g. Despite its size, it maintains high metabolic rates & is remarkably cold-tolerant, surviving harsh winters in coniferous forests. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: Alpsdake
Eclipses fool birds into thinking it's morning!
Congrats to @rosvall-lab.bsky.social for this amazing work!
Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds: Insights from acoustic recordings and community science | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Congrats to @rosvall-lab.bsky.social for this amazing work!
Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds: Insights from acoustic recordings and community science | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds: Insights from acoustic recordings and community science
On 8 April 2024, a total solar eclipse disrupted light-dark cycles for North American birds during the lead-up to spring reproduction. Compiling more than 10,000 community observations and artificial ...
www.science.org
October 9, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Eclipses fool birds into thinking it's morning!
Congrats to @rosvall-lab.bsky.social for this amazing work!
Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds: Insights from acoustic recordings and community science | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Congrats to @rosvall-lab.bsky.social for this amazing work!
Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds: Insights from acoustic recordings and community science | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Our work on integrated pest management in orchards on mammals was featured in this new article! www.calstate.edu/csu-system/n...
CSU Research Cultivates Sustainable Future for Agriculture
| CSU
The CSU Agricultural Research Institute supports hundreds of multidisciplinary research projects across the system, finding solutions to pressing challenges in the agricultural industry.
www.calstate.edu
October 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Our work on integrated pest management in orchards on mammals was featured in this new article! www.calstate.edu/csu-system/n...
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠, the black rat. This globally distributed rodent is a classic tautonym and a key species in studies of #urbanecology, invasive biology, and zoonotic disease transmission. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: H. Zell
October 7, 2025 at 10:24 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠, the black rat. This globally distributed rodent is a classic tautonym and a key species in studies of #urbanecology, invasive biology, and zoonotic disease transmission. #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: H. Zell
It’s National Badger Day! 𝑀𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑠, the European #badger, is a nocturnal omnivore known for its powerful digging and complex social structure. #Badgers live in setts and play key roles in soil turnover and ecosystem health. #NationalBadgerDay #Wildlife #Mammalogy
a badger looks out of a hole in the ground
ALT: a badger looks out of a hole in the ground
media.tenor.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:12 PM
It’s National Badger Day! 𝑀𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑠, the European #badger, is a nocturnal omnivore known for its powerful digging and complex social structure. #Badgers live in setts and play key roles in soil turnover and ecosystem health. #NationalBadgerDay #Wildlife #Mammalogy
Reposted by Ted Stankowich
Look who came by for a chat! Maybe you'll hear what we talked about in a couple of months...
Thanks @ologies.bsky.social and @alieward.bsky.social for a great conversation and visit to California State University, Long Beach
Thanks @ologies.bsky.social and @alieward.bsky.social for a great conversation and visit to California State University, Long Beach
September 28, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Look who came by for a chat! Maybe you'll hear what we talked about in a couple of months...
Thanks @ologies.bsky.social and @alieward.bsky.social for a great conversation and visit to California State University, Long Beach
Thanks @ologies.bsky.social and @alieward.bsky.social for a great conversation and visit to California State University, Long Beach
Reposted by Ted Stankowich
NEW CRITTER ALERT
Meet the “squidworm” 🦑🪱
Discovered by WHOI biologist Larry Madin and colleagues, this 4-inch-long animal was just one of roughly 6,000 new species uncovered during the Census of Marine Life, a decade-long global effort involving more than 2,700 scientists to explore and document ocean life.
Discovered by WHOI biologist Larry Madin and colleagues, this 4-inch-long animal was just one of roughly 6,000 new species uncovered during the Census of Marine Life, a decade-long global effort involving more than 2,700 scientists to explore and document ocean life.
October 2, 2025 at 8:55 PM
NEW CRITTER ALERT
Rest in peace, Dr. Goodall! I had the pleasure of meeting her and hearing her speak at a book signing as an undergrad about 25 years ago. I still treasure my signed copy of In the Shadow of Man. The world has lost a giant in the world of conservation and a fierce voice for all living creatures. 💔💔
October 2, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Rest in peace, Dr. Goodall! I had the pleasure of meeting her and hearing her speak at a book signing as an undergrad about 25 years ago. I still treasure my signed copy of In the Shadow of Man. The world has lost a giant in the world of conservation and a fierce voice for all living creatures. 💔💔
It’s #NationalRaccoonDay! 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑦𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟, the common #raccoon ( #trashpanda ), is a highly adaptable omnivore found across North America. Known for its dexterous front paws and intelligence, it thrives in both wild and urban habitats. #Wildlife #Mammalogy #Raccoon
a raccoon sitting on a rock with its paws on its hips
ALT: a raccoon sitting on a rock with its paws on its hips
media.tenor.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:43 PM
It’s #NationalRaccoonDay! 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑦𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟, the common #raccoon ( #trashpanda ), is a highly adaptable omnivore found across North America. Known for its dexterous front paws and intelligence, it thrives in both wild and urban habitats. #Wildlife #Mammalogy #Raccoon
Reposted by Ted Stankowich
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet Martes martes, the European pine marten. This agile #mustelid roams woodlands across Europe, known for its chestnut fur, bushy tail, and creamy throat patch. A classic tautonym in mammalian #taxonomy! #MartesMartes #CarnivoreEcology Photo: Dani Kropivnik
September 9, 2025 at 9:12 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet Martes martes, the European pine marten. This agile #mustelid roams woodlands across Europe, known for its chestnut fur, bushy tail, and creamy throat patch. A classic tautonym in mammalian #taxonomy! #MartesMartes #CarnivoreEcology Photo: Dani Kropivnik
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝐴𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑎 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑎, the red avadavat. This small, brilliantly colored estrildid #finch is native to open fields and grasslands of tropical South Asia. They have rounded black tails and the bill that is seasonally red. #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday Photo: Shantanu Kuveskar
September 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
It’s #TautonymTuesday! Meet 𝐴𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑎 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑎, the red avadavat. This small, brilliantly colored estrildid #finch is native to open fields and grasslands of tropical South Asia. They have rounded black tails and the bill that is seasonally red. #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday Photo: Shantanu Kuveskar
Look who came by for a chat! Maybe you'll hear what we talked about in a couple of months...
Thanks @ologies.bsky.social and @alieward.bsky.social for a great conversation and visit to California State University, Long Beach
Thanks @ologies.bsky.social and @alieward.bsky.social for a great conversation and visit to California State University, Long Beach
September 28, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Look who came by for a chat! Maybe you'll hear what we talked about in a couple of months...
Thanks @ologies.bsky.social and @alieward.bsky.social for a great conversation and visit to California State University, Long Beach
Thanks @ologies.bsky.social and @alieward.bsky.social for a great conversation and visit to California State University, Long Beach
Today’s a double dose of adorable!
🎉 Save the #Koala Day🐨
🎉 Black-footed Ferret Day
Two conservation champs, one epic high five. Let’s celebrate and protect these furry icons! 🌿💚
#KoalaDay #BlackFootedFerret #Wildlife #Conservation
🎉 Save the #Koala Day🐨
🎉 Black-footed Ferret Day
Two conservation champs, one epic high five. Let’s celebrate and protect these furry icons! 🌿💚
#KoalaDay #BlackFootedFerret #Wildlife #Conservation
September 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Today’s a double dose of adorable!
🎉 Save the #Koala Day🐨
🎉 Black-footed Ferret Day
Two conservation champs, one epic high five. Let’s celebrate and protect these furry icons! 🌿💚
#KoalaDay #BlackFootedFerret #Wildlife #Conservation
🎉 Save the #Koala Day🐨
🎉 Black-footed Ferret Day
Two conservation champs, one epic high five. Let’s celebrate and protect these furry icons! 🌿💚
#KoalaDay #BlackFootedFerret #Wildlife #Conservation
It’s #WorldGorillaDay! #Gorillas are our close relatives, sharing ~98% of our DNA. These gentle giants live in cohesive groups led by silverbacks and play key roles in forest #ecology. #Primatology #GreatApes #Conservation
a gorilla is sitting in the grass near a large rock
ALT: a gorilla is sitting in the grass near a large rock
media.tenor.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:24 PM
It’s #WorldGorillaDay! #Gorillas are our close relatives, sharing ~98% of our DNA. These gentle giants live in cohesive groups led by silverbacks and play key roles in forest #ecology. #Primatology #GreatApes #Conservation
Some recent additions to my collection show how differences in locomotion styles create amazing diversity in limb morphology! Suspensorial sloths have gracile arms, fossorial tamanduas have short, thick bones to support large muscles. Giraffes have long limbs with cannon bones (fused metatarsals)!
September 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Some recent additions to my collection show how differences in locomotion styles create amazing diversity in limb morphology! Suspensorial sloths have gracile arms, fossorial tamanduas have short, thick bones to support large muscles. Giraffes have long limbs with cannon bones (fused metatarsals)!