Sal
@thesalamander.bsky.social
Turtle nerd and music lover. Texas Master Naturalist and general enjoyer of the outdoors. Pictures from Nikon P1000 and Pixel 8 Pro.
I'm not a paleontologist, but I am a biologist The difference number in teeth thing put me on team Nanotyrannus. I also think I read something that the brain case had a different orientation in the skull I may be mistaken on that one. It is cool to see a discovery solve a puzzle. Do Spinosaurus next
Nanotyrannus is real.
For years I’ve considered many mid-sized gracile tyrannosaurs to be juvenile T. rex.
But I was wrong. This stunning new skeleton of a mature long-armed small tyrannosaur is clearly a different species.
Isn’t science fun?!
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
For years I’ve considered many mid-sized gracile tyrannosaurs to be juvenile T. rex.
But I was wrong. This stunning new skeleton of a mature long-armed small tyrannosaur is clearly a different species.
Isn’t science fun?!
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Researchers discover new tyrannosaur species in ‘duelling dinosaurs’ fossil
Analysis of Montana fossils shows the battling predator was a fully grown Nanotyrannus, not a young T rex
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:12 AM
I'm not a paleontologist, but I am a biologist The difference number in teeth thing put me on team Nanotyrannus. I also think I read something that the brain case had a different orientation in the skull I may be mistaken on that one. It is cool to see a discovery solve a puzzle. Do Spinosaurus next
Turtles are resilient animals. It's frustrating when one is "rescued" Usually the stress of being put in captivity and the medical procedures to "fix" it are even worse. For example this wild softshell turtle living his best life with the front of his face missing #herps #turtles #herpetology
October 6, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Turtles are resilient animals. It's frustrating when one is "rescued" Usually the stress of being put in captivity and the medical procedures to "fix" it are even worse. For example this wild softshell turtle living his best life with the front of his face missing #herps #turtles #herpetology
I just love the fact I get to work with this incredible species that lives right where I do! This light color is unusual in Texas Tortoises. They usually have more of the darker scales with some spots of the cream color. This one has a very unique coloration! #herps #tortoises #herpetology 🐢
September 26, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I just love the fact I get to work with this incredible species that lives right where I do! This light color is unusual in Texas Tortoises. They usually have more of the darker scales with some spots of the cream color. This one has a very unique coloration! #herps #tortoises #herpetology 🐢
This has been a crazy month for me. Alligator Snapping Turtle survey, weeklong camping trip to the Chiricahua Mountains, Texas Tortoise survey and now I begin my Masters in Wildlife Management. I'm excited for this new phase. Gonna have to cut back on the camping and hiking trips for a while!
September 24, 2025 at 3:01 AM
This has been a crazy month for me. Alligator Snapping Turtle survey, weeklong camping trip to the Chiricahua Mountains, Texas Tortoise survey and now I begin my Masters in Wildlife Management. I'm excited for this new phase. Gonna have to cut back on the camping and hiking trips for a while!
If you see this, post a concert picture you took.
This is Melissa Bonny singing with Kamelot.
This is Melissa Bonny singing with Kamelot.
September 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
If you see this, post a concert picture you took.
This is Melissa Bonny singing with Kamelot.
This is Melissa Bonny singing with Kamelot.
For the tiny Ant on top of Sugarloaf Mountain. How did you get here? Did you walk? Was it many generations of your ancestors that moved up the mountain? Did you hitch a ride? #insects #ants #entomology #naturepondering
September 14, 2025 at 8:34 PM
For the tiny Ant on top of Sugarloaf Mountain. How did you get here? Did you walk? Was it many generations of your ancestors that moved up the mountain? Did you hitch a ride? #insects #ants #entomology #naturepondering
Back from another turtle survey weekend. It was the first time at this site where both species of snapping turtle were caught. While it isn't unheard of, it is unusual to find both the Alligator Snapping Turtle and the Common Snapping Turtle in the same location. #herps #turtles #herpetology 🐢
September 8, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Back from another turtle survey weekend. It was the first time at this site where both species of snapping turtle were caught. While it isn't unheard of, it is unusual to find both the Alligator Snapping Turtle and the Common Snapping Turtle in the same location. #herps #turtles #herpetology 🐢
I've just been lurking here and not posting much. Lots of cool stuff going on this month. Actually going to be a really big month for me. Really excited for all the activities and to see what the next steps will be. Until then, here's a cool Map turtle basking in the Angelina River. #herps 🐢 #turtle
September 4, 2025 at 2:57 AM
I've just been lurking here and not posting much. Lots of cool stuff going on this month. Actually going to be a really big month for me. Really excited for all the activities and to see what the next steps will be. Until then, here's a cool Map turtle basking in the Angelina River. #herps 🐢 #turtle
Braved the heat and went for a bike ride. Fortune the best doesn't bother me. Would be tough to be into the outdoors and unable to tolerate the heat of South Texas. It's actually not too bad this year though. Like being able to get 8 off road miles right from my house.
August 8, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Braved the heat and went for a bike ride. Fortune the best doesn't bother me. Would be tough to be into the outdoors and unable to tolerate the heat of South Texas. It's actually not too bad this year though. Like being able to get 8 off road miles right from my house.
I think this was the first time we caught and recorded data from an Alligator Snapping Turtle at night (under TPWD permits). This turtle was very feisty. The 33 pound male (15.2kg) was released into the same pound he was found. (The picture says 16.3kg, the sling weighs 1.1) 🐢 #herps #herpetology
August 7, 2025 at 2:26 AM
I think this was the first time we caught and recorded data from an Alligator Snapping Turtle at night (under TPWD permits). This turtle was very feisty. The 33 pound male (15.2kg) was released into the same pound he was found. (The picture says 16.3kg, the sling weighs 1.1) 🐢 #herps #herpetology
New herp accomplishment for me today. Found an Alligator Snapping Turtle on the road!
August 3, 2025 at 12:34 AM
New herp accomplishment for me today. Found an Alligator Snapping Turtle on the road!
It's been 20 years since I finished my (second) undergraduate degree. Today I just registered for online classes to start my Masters. Excited for this new adventure. Let's see where it goes!
May 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
It's been 20 years since I finished my (second) undergraduate degree. Today I just registered for online classes to start my Masters. Excited for this new adventure. Let's see where it goes!
Got a quick kayak paddle in the local lake yesterday. I love the different perspectives kayaking gives you. You're much lower than normal and feel more part of nature instead of above it. Also, the turtles aren't as shy when you're in a kayak so you can get closer. #herps 🐢
April 23, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Got a quick kayak paddle in the local lake yesterday. I love the different perspectives kayaking gives you. You're much lower than normal and feel more part of nature instead of above it. Also, the turtles aren't as shy when you're in a kayak so you can get closer. #herps 🐢
Spent the weekend in East Texas looking for my favorite animals🐢🐢! Two new individuals and a new species at this study site. Four species for the weekend. Not too bad. #herps
April 14, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Spent the weekend in East Texas looking for my favorite animals🐢🐢! Two new individuals and a new species at this study site. Four species for the weekend. Not too bad. #herps
A friend texted me asking if I have plans this weekend. Dude, it's turtle season. My weekends are booked for the next 3 months. Gonna have to get on my calendar a helluva lot earlier than the day before. In other news...turtle season starts tomorrow!!🐢🐢
April 4, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A friend texted me asking if I have plans this weekend. Dude, it's turtle season. My weekends are booked for the next 3 months. Gonna have to get on my calendar a helluva lot earlier than the day before. In other news...turtle season starts tomorrow!!🐢🐢
Got out and did some kayaking today. The creek is a great spot to see the endemic Texas Cooter. It's exciting to think that this super common turtle is found no where else in the world but central Texas! 🐢 #herps
April 2, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Got out and did some kayaking today. The creek is a great spot to see the endemic Texas Cooter. It's exciting to think that this super common turtle is found no where else in the world but central Texas! 🐢 #herps
Something for all you biologists out there. If you ever name a species and it happens to change colors, PLEASE don't name it just one of the colors they change into. I'm looking at you Green Anole and Gray Tree Frog.
March 30, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Something for all you biologists out there. If you ever name a species and it happens to change colors, PLEASE don't name it just one of the colors they change into. I'm looking at you Green Anole and Gray Tree Frog.
I loved working with these lizards when I was at the zoo. We had 5 different species and literally a large room filled with them. They are very interesting lizards, probably too interesting as they are being illegally pillaged from the wild. Also suffering from habitat loss as well.
Lizard week rolls on - here's Abronia graminea, an arboreal Alligator Lizard from Veracruz, Mexico. These lizards live at high altitude in cloud forests and pine-oak woodlands. They are viviparous, giving birth to live young. #lizards #herps #NaturePhotography 🌿
March 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I loved working with these lizards when I was at the zoo. We had 5 different species and literally a large room filled with them. They are very interesting lizards, probably too interesting as they are being illegally pillaged from the wild. Also suffering from habitat loss as well.
Six years ago today, I received a bone marrow transplant from my sister. Very likely saved my life. Another way to say this is today is the 6th anniversary of me being part girl.
When you receive a bone marrow transplant you basically start making the donor's blood, and keep their DNA. I'm a chimera
When you receive a bone marrow transplant you basically start making the donor's blood, and keep their DNA. I'm a chimera
March 27, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Six years ago today, I received a bone marrow transplant from my sister. Very likely saved my life. Another way to say this is today is the 6th anniversary of me being part girl.
When you receive a bone marrow transplant you basically start making the donor's blood, and keep their DNA. I'm a chimera
When you receive a bone marrow transplant you basically start making the donor's blood, and keep their DNA. I'm a chimera
Took these last week when doing a black lighting event with the local Master Naturalists. I need to make a setup like this so I can do this on my own. So here are some cool #bugs #insects Not only #moths at the black light. #Pixel8pro
March 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Took these last week when doing a black lighting event with the local Master Naturalists. I need to make a setup like this so I can do this on my own. So here are some cool #bugs #insects Not only #moths at the black light. #Pixel8pro
One of my mottos with feeding tortoises is variation and moderation. Feed lots of different things and don't feed one thing too often. Mix it up. With spring settling in, the "weeds" are popping up. This means fresh food for the tortoises. #herps
March 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
One of my mottos with feeding tortoises is variation and moderation. Feed lots of different things and don't feed one thing too often. Mix it up. With spring settling in, the "weeds" are popping up. This means fresh food for the tortoises. #herps
Really enjoyed doing my herp presentation for the master naturalist group. Of course, went a little over. I kind of get too exciting talking about turtles and snakes. Hope it was educational and maybe a little entertaining.
March 21, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Really enjoyed doing my herp presentation for the master naturalist group. Of course, went a little over. I kind of get too exciting talking about turtles and snakes. Hope it was educational and maybe a little entertaining.