Rick Schwartz
@zoologyrick.bsky.social
🌍 Independent spokesperson for wildlife.
❤️’er of nature & conservation.
🐨Always with animals.
🎤Podcaster.
❤️’er of nature & conservation.
🐨Always with animals.
🎤Podcaster.
#SnakeFact: A brightly colored reptile or amphibian usually means poisonous or venomous. But this mountain kingsnake is just hoping to fool you & (predators) into thinking he's like the venomous coral snake. Best rule of thumb: No touchy the reptile.
#KingSnake #AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation
#KingSnake #AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation
November 12, 2025 at 5:35 PM
#SnakeFact: A brightly colored reptile or amphibian usually means poisonous or venomous. But this mountain kingsnake is just hoping to fool you & (predators) into thinking he's like the venomous coral snake. Best rule of thumb: No touchy the reptile.
#KingSnake #AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation
#KingSnake #AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation
The very first time I saw an osprey, I was a teenager canoeing on a lake in Washington. I was in awe watching them hunt; soaring, diving, flying back to the tree tops with a fresh fish.
What I didn’t know…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #Osprey #AnimalFacts #SeaHawk
What I didn’t know…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #Osprey #AnimalFacts #SeaHawk
November 12, 2025 at 3:50 AM
The very first time I saw an osprey, I was a teenager canoeing on a lake in Washington. I was in awe watching them hunt; soaring, diving, flying back to the tree tops with a fresh fish.
What I didn’t know…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #Osprey #AnimalFacts #SeaHawk
What I didn’t know…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #Osprey #AnimalFacts #SeaHawk
Weighing between 3,700-5,000 pounds, and able to reach speeds over 25 miles per hour, white rhinos are impressive on many levels. (1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#WhiteRhino #Rhinoceros #WildlifeFact #AnimalFact
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#WhiteRhino #Rhinoceros #WildlifeFact #AnimalFact
November 6, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Weighing between 3,700-5,000 pounds, and able to reach speeds over 25 miles per hour, white rhinos are impressive on many levels. (1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#WhiteRhino #Rhinoceros #WildlifeFact #AnimalFact
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#WhiteRhino #Rhinoceros #WildlifeFact #AnimalFact
Ever heard of disruptive coloration? How about environmental mimicry? These are things that the tiger’s color and black stripes create. Yes, you and I see the contrast of…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation #Tiger #WildlifeFact
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation #Tiger #WildlifeFact
November 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Ever heard of disruptive coloration? How about environmental mimicry? These are things that the tiger’s color and black stripes create. Yes, you and I see the contrast of…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation #Tiger #WildlifeFact
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation #Tiger #WildlifeFact
Happy Stick Insect Day!
I know some people are bugged when they see insects, but insects are the cornerstone of life on earth AND they are really awesome once you…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#StickInsects #StickBug #StickInsect #AnimalFact #WalkingStick #WildlifeEducation
I know some people are bugged when they see insects, but insects are the cornerstone of life on earth AND they are really awesome once you…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#StickInsects #StickBug #StickInsect #AnimalFact #WalkingStick #WildlifeEducation
November 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Happy Stick Insect Day!
I know some people are bugged when they see insects, but insects are the cornerstone of life on earth AND they are really awesome once you…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#StickInsects #StickBug #StickInsect #AnimalFact #WalkingStick #WildlifeEducation
I know some people are bugged when they see insects, but insects are the cornerstone of life on earth AND they are really awesome once you…
(1/3)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#StickInsects #StickBug #StickInsect #AnimalFact #WalkingStick #WildlifeEducation
I absolutely LOVE this image of an alligator, just hanging out, right below the surface of the water. It really helps accentuate the bumps that run from the head to the tail. (More⤵️)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #Alligator #WildlifeEducation #Alligators #AnimalEducation
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #Alligator #WildlifeEducation #Alligators #AnimalEducation
October 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I absolutely LOVE this image of an alligator, just hanging out, right below the surface of the water. It really helps accentuate the bumps that run from the head to the tail. (More⤵️)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #Alligator #WildlifeEducation #Alligators #AnimalEducation
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#AnimalFact #Alligator #WildlifeEducation #Alligators #AnimalEducation
Happy National Cat Day!
Although there are a lot of non-domestic cats to celebrate today, I decided to celebrate my best buddy, Panda the cat (1st & 2nd pic). Yes, it’s true, I have a cat named Panda. It was a name they gave him at the…
#NationalCatDay #BestFriend #PurrfectPal ##Wildcat
Although there are a lot of non-domestic cats to celebrate today, I decided to celebrate my best buddy, Panda the cat (1st & 2nd pic). Yes, it’s true, I have a cat named Panda. It was a name they gave him at the…
#NationalCatDay #BestFriend #PurrfectPal ##Wildcat
October 29, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Happy National Cat Day!
Although there are a lot of non-domestic cats to celebrate today, I decided to celebrate my best buddy, Panda the cat (1st & 2nd pic). Yes, it’s true, I have a cat named Panda. It was a name they gave him at the…
#NationalCatDay #BestFriend #PurrfectPal ##Wildcat
Although there are a lot of non-domestic cats to celebrate today, I decided to celebrate my best buddy, Panda the cat (1st & 2nd pic). Yes, it’s true, I have a cat named Panda. It was a name they gave him at the…
#NationalCatDay #BestFriend #PurrfectPal ##Wildcat
Of the 30+ species of iguana, I find the marine iguana of the Galapagos Islands the most fascinating. Sure, they look like any other iguana, however they have a rather unique ability. That ability?
(1/2)
#AnimalFact #Iguana #GalapagosIslands #AwesomeAnimal
(1/2)
#AnimalFact #Iguana #GalapagosIslands #AwesomeAnimal
October 29, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Of the 30+ species of iguana, I find the marine iguana of the Galapagos Islands the most fascinating. Sure, they look like any other iguana, however they have a rather unique ability. That ability?
(1/2)
#AnimalFact #Iguana #GalapagosIslands #AwesomeAnimal
(1/2)
#AnimalFact #Iguana #GalapagosIslands #AwesomeAnimal
Why do flamingos come in different shades of pink? Flamingos are well known for their classic pink color that comes from the beta-carotene found in the food they eat. (1/2)⤵️
(Greater flamingo pictured here.)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#Flamingo #GreaterFlamingo #AnimalFact #Flamingos
(Greater flamingo pictured here.)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#Flamingo #GreaterFlamingo #AnimalFact #Flamingos
October 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Why do flamingos come in different shades of pink? Flamingos are well known for their classic pink color that comes from the beta-carotene found in the food they eat. (1/2)⤵️
(Greater flamingo pictured here.)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#Flamingo #GreaterFlamingo #AnimalFact #Flamingos
(Greater flamingo pictured here.)
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#Flamingo #GreaterFlamingo #AnimalFact #Flamingos
I dropped this image into my IG stories after my speaking engagement at MoorparkCollege’s TeachingZoo. I decided to make it a post as well because IG stories expire & disappear. But I want to be able to go back and remember this moment. You see, as much as this talk was for
(1/2)
#MakingADifference
(1/2)
#MakingADifference
October 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I dropped this image into my IG stories after my speaking engagement at MoorparkCollege’s TeachingZoo. I decided to make it a post as well because IG stories expire & disappear. But I want to be able to go back and remember this moment. You see, as much as this talk was for
(1/2)
#MakingADifference
(1/2)
#MakingADifference
Today I am heading back to my alma mater, The Teaching Zoo at at Moorpark College for a speaking engagement with the students.
📸FlashBack Friday fun, enjoy these old photos of a younger version of me learning from some of the best animals and instructors.
#FlashbackFriday #MoorparkCollege
📸FlashBack Friday fun, enjoy these old photos of a younger version of me learning from some of the best animals and instructors.
#FlashbackFriday #MoorparkCollege
October 24, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Today I am heading back to my alma mater, The Teaching Zoo at at Moorpark College for a speaking engagement with the students.
📸FlashBack Friday fun, enjoy these old photos of a younger version of me learning from some of the best animals and instructors.
#FlashbackFriday #MoorparkCollege
📸FlashBack Friday fun, enjoy these old photos of a younger version of me learning from some of the best animals and instructors.
#FlashbackFriday #MoorparkCollege
You have probably heard of the term, sly as a fox. Meaning they are smart, sneaky, cleaver and even a trickster. Odds are that term came about because of the red fox. Being a smaller member of the canid family… 🪡⬇️
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#RedFox #AnimalFact #Fox #wildlife
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#RedFox #AnimalFact #Fox #wildlife
October 22, 2025 at 2:42 AM
You have probably heard of the term, sly as a fox. Meaning they are smart, sneaky, cleaver and even a trickster. Odds are that term came about because of the red fox. Being a smaller member of the canid family… 🪡⬇️
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#RedFox #AnimalFact #Fox #wildlife
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#RedFox #AnimalFact #Fox #wildlife
Happy #ReptileAndAmphibianAwarenessDay!
Did you know that axolotls are very immature for their age? It’s true! Unlike other amphibians they do not undergo the last metamorphosis stage into adulthood. Most amphibians start off with gills for lifer underwater. (1/3)
📸via photo site, Unsplash. com
Did you know that axolotls are very immature for their age? It’s true! Unlike other amphibians they do not undergo the last metamorphosis stage into adulthood. Most amphibians start off with gills for lifer underwater. (1/3)
📸via photo site, Unsplash. com
October 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Happy #ReptileAndAmphibianAwarenessDay!
Did you know that axolotls are very immature for their age? It’s true! Unlike other amphibians they do not undergo the last metamorphosis stage into adulthood. Most amphibians start off with gills for lifer underwater. (1/3)
📸via photo site, Unsplash. com
Did you know that axolotls are very immature for their age? It’s true! Unlike other amphibians they do not undergo the last metamorphosis stage into adulthood. Most amphibians start off with gills for lifer underwater. (1/3)
📸via photo site, Unsplash. com
If you ever see an all brown bird that otherwise looks like a bald eagle, hunts like a bald eagle, and even sounds like a bald eagle… It probably is a bald eagle!
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BaldEagle #AnimalFact #BaldIdBeautiful #AnimalFacts
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BaldEagle #AnimalFact #BaldIdBeautiful #AnimalFacts
October 20, 2025 at 11:07 PM
If you ever see an all brown bird that otherwise looks like a bald eagle, hunts like a bald eagle, and even sounds like a bald eagle… It probably is a bald eagle!
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BaldEagle #AnimalFact #BaldIdBeautiful #AnimalFacts
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BaldEagle #AnimalFact #BaldIdBeautiful #AnimalFacts
Clearly whoever bestowed the common name of this species, on to this lizard, was a “call it like I see it” kind of a person. The keeled earless lizard quite literally has a line of small pointed dorsal (back) scales that look similar to the keel of a boat.(1/2)⬇️
📸via photo site, Unsplash. com.
📸via photo site, Unsplash. com.
October 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Clearly whoever bestowed the common name of this species, on to this lizard, was a “call it like I see it” kind of a person. The keeled earless lizard quite literally has a line of small pointed dorsal (back) scales that look similar to the keel of a boat.(1/2)⬇️
📸via photo site, Unsplash. com.
📸via photo site, Unsplash. com.
Happy #WorldOkapiDay!
“The day highlights the importance of protecting the okapi’s rainforest habitat and its ecosystem. It also celebrates the local culture, particularly the Mbuti people. (1/2)
📸via Okapi Conservation Project Please follow them to learn more about these amazing animals.
#Okapi
“The day highlights the importance of protecting the okapi’s rainforest habitat and its ecosystem. It also celebrates the local culture, particularly the Mbuti people. (1/2)
📸via Okapi Conservation Project Please follow them to learn more about these amazing animals.
#Okapi
October 18, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Happy #WorldOkapiDay!
“The day highlights the importance of protecting the okapi’s rainforest habitat and its ecosystem. It also celebrates the local culture, particularly the Mbuti people. (1/2)
📸via Okapi Conservation Project Please follow them to learn more about these amazing animals.
#Okapi
“The day highlights the importance of protecting the okapi’s rainforest habitat and its ecosystem. It also celebrates the local culture, particularly the Mbuti people. (1/2)
📸via Okapi Conservation Project Please follow them to learn more about these amazing animals.
#Okapi
Garter snakes are not venomous, but they could be poisonous…
The terms, venomous and poisonous are often used interchangeably when talking about snakes. But here’s the deal… A venomous snake injects venom when it bites. The venom enters the other animal from the snake biting it.
(1/3)
#AnimalFact
The terms, venomous and poisonous are often used interchangeably when talking about snakes. But here’s the deal… A venomous snake injects venom when it bites. The venom enters the other animal from the snake biting it.
(1/3)
#AnimalFact
October 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Garter snakes are not venomous, but they could be poisonous…
The terms, venomous and poisonous are often used interchangeably when talking about snakes. But here’s the deal… A venomous snake injects venom when it bites. The venom enters the other animal from the snake biting it.
(1/3)
#AnimalFact
The terms, venomous and poisonous are often used interchangeably when talking about snakes. But here’s the deal… A venomous snake injects venom when it bites. The venom enters the other animal from the snake biting it.
(1/3)
#AnimalFact
Yes, today is #BossDay. But we all know it is the Administrative Assistant that runs the place. Formally known as the Secretary, the Administrative Assistant walks the open savanna of the office with a powerful stride. Much like the #SecretaryBird that is…🧵⬇️
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
October 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Yes, today is #BossDay. But we all know it is the Administrative Assistant that runs the place. Formally known as the Secretary, the Administrative Assistant walks the open savanna of the office with a powerful stride. Much like the #SecretaryBird that is…🧵⬇️
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
I mustache you a question… Fun fact: There is a species known as a mustache tamarin, but this isn’t it! Although this little monkey seems to have a fancy mustache, this the Bearded Emperor Tamarin.
(1/2)⬇️
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BeardedTamarin #BeardedEmperorTamarin #AnimalFact
(1/2)⬇️
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BeardedTamarin #BeardedEmperorTamarin #AnimalFact
October 15, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I mustache you a question… Fun fact: There is a species known as a mustache tamarin, but this isn’t it! Although this little monkey seems to have a fancy mustache, this the Bearded Emperor Tamarin.
(1/2)⬇️
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BeardedTamarin #BeardedEmperorTamarin #AnimalFact
(1/2)⬇️
📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BeardedTamarin #BeardedEmperorTamarin #AnimalFact
One of my favorite questions I had while doing a wildlife education talk about snakes was one asked by a very young boy, “Do snakes yawn?” I had never been asked that before and have never had the question since…🧵⬇️
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
October 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
One of my favorite questions I had while doing a wildlife education talk about snakes was one asked by a very young boy, “Do snakes yawn?” I had never been asked that before and have never had the question since…🧵⬇️
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
Whooo knew there were so many awesome burrowing owl facts? (Sadly, we can’t cover them all here.) Burrowing owls are a species that you can’t really call a night owl. 🧵⬇️
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BurrowingOwl #OwlFacts #AnimalFact
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BurrowingOwl #OwlFacts #AnimalFact
October 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Whooo knew there were so many awesome burrowing owl facts? (Sadly, we can’t cover them all here.) Burrowing owls are a species that you can’t really call a night owl. 🧵⬇️
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BurrowingOwl #OwlFacts #AnimalFact
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com.
#BurrowingOwl #OwlFacts #AnimalFact
It takes a village to raise a pup… Or in this case it takes a mob. The banded mongoose uses communal care to raise their young. Females in the mob (family group) give birth around the same time. 🧵⬇️
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#BandedMongoose #CutePup #AnimalFact
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#BandedMongoose #CutePup #AnimalFact
October 13, 2025 at 2:28 AM
It takes a village to raise a pup… Or in this case it takes a mob. The banded mongoose uses communal care to raise their young. Females in the mob (family group) give birth around the same time. 🧵⬇️
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#BandedMongoose #CutePup #AnimalFact
📸via free photo sharing site, Unsplash. com
#BandedMongoose #CutePup #AnimalFact
Imagine being able to look where you are going while hiking AND look up in the trees, birdwatching at the same time!
There are so many fun facts when it comes to #chameleons: Color changing. Lightning fast, bug catching tongue. Zygodactyl feet. But I’m focused on the eyes!
⬇️ (more)
There are so many fun facts when it comes to #chameleons: Color changing. Lightning fast, bug catching tongue. Zygodactyl feet. But I’m focused on the eyes!
⬇️ (more)
October 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Imagine being able to look where you are going while hiking AND look up in the trees, birdwatching at the same time!
There are so many fun facts when it comes to #chameleons: Color changing. Lightning fast, bug catching tongue. Zygodactyl feet. But I’m focused on the eyes!
⬇️ (more)
There are so many fun facts when it comes to #chameleons: Color changing. Lightning fast, bug catching tongue. Zygodactyl feet. But I’m focused on the eyes!
⬇️ (more)
Looks like it’s time to intensify conservation efforts for the lion🦁
A new IUCN Green Status Assessment, co-authored by WCS, reveals that both lion subspecies remain Largely Depleted. Intensified conservation over the next century could restore lions to more of their former range. #IUCNcongress
October 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Looks like it’s time to intensify conservation efforts for the lion🦁