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Ted Stankowich

@tedstankowich.bsky.social

880 followers 470 following 170 posts

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

www.csulb.edu

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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.

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 1d

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/...

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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 2d

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

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 3d

Aack! oh well. Sorry. Serves me right for trusting the wikimedia pages...

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 3d

A 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦! The nominate subspecies 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠, aka roof rat, thrives in warm climates across Pakistan, India, Nepal, & Bangladesh. Agile & arboreal, it prefers elevated spaces & is a major vector in human-wildlife interface studies. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics #TaxonomyTuesday

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 3d

𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 is slender, with large ears, a pointed snout, and a long tail often longer than its body. It differs from 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑠 (brown rat) in size, behavior, and habitat preference. Its adaptability has led to multiple subspecies worldwide. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Kilessan

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 3d

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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 5d

#Badgers belong to the family Mustelidae, sharing ancestry with #otters, #weasels, and #wolverines. European badgers diverged from other mustelids ~10–15 million years ago, evolving traits suited for fossorial life and social living. #NationalBadgerDay #Evolution #Systematics

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 5d

#Badgers are robust #mammals with powerful limbs, long claws for digging, and coarse fur. Badgers are found worldwide, including the American #badger (𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎 𝑡𝑎𝑥𝑢𝑠) and #honeybadger (𝑀𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠), each adapted to different habitats. #NationalBadgerDay #Systematics

a blurred image of a sheep walking in the grass

ALT: a blurred image of a sheep walking in the grass

media.tenor.com

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 5d

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

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Reposted by Ted Stankowich

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 12d

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

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Reposted by Ted Stankowich

🕷️Gory Thing🕷️ @korybing.bsky.social · 9d

NEW CRITTER ALERT

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution @whoi.edu · 9d

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.

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 9d

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. 💔💔

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 10d

#Raccoons belong to the family #Procyonidae, diverging from other carnivorans ~25 million years ago. Their closest relatives include #coatis and #kinkajous. #Evolution shaped their #intelligence and adaptability. #NationalRaccoonDay #Systematics #EvolutionaryBiology

a raccoon and a dog are standing next to each other

ALT: a raccoon and a dog are standing next to each other

media.tenor.com

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 10d

#Raccoons have a distinctive mask-like facial pattern, ringed tail, and dense fur. Their forepaws resemble human hands, aiding in foraging and manipulation. Recent research has shown they are cognitively advanced and can solve puzzles! #NationalRaccoonDay #Morphology #UrbanEcology

a close up of a raccoon wearing headphones on its head

ALT: a close up of a raccoon wearing headphones on its head

media.tenor.com

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 10d

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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 10d

I'll be posting a new animal every week! Stay tuned!

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 10d

Thanks! I just started it a couple of months ago. Doing one reach week. Just leave me the mammals! 😆

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Reposted by Ted Stankowich

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · Sep 9

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

Pine marten standing at the base of a tree or log.

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 11d

There’s a 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦: 𝐴𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑎 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑎 𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑎! This nominate subspecies ranges across Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The genus name derives from “Amandavad,” an old name for Ahmedabad, India—its type locality.. #TautonymTuesday #TaxonomyTuesday #Systematics Photo: Savithri Singh

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 11d

Male red avadavats develop vivid red #plumage with white spotting during the breeding season, while females remain olive-brown year-round. These finches are highly social, often forming flocks, and communicate with soft, high-pitched calls. #TautonymTuesday #Systematics Photo: Sifat Sharker

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 11d

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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 12d

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 15d

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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 17d

#Gorillas face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and disease. #Conservation efforts honor Dian Fossey’s legacy and protect these keystone species. Support science-based action today! #WorldGorillaDay #WildlifeConservation #GorillaProtection Photo: Charles J. Sharp

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 17d

#Gorillas are the largest #primates, with robust builds, opposable thumbs, and expressive faces. They diverged from humans ~8–10 million years ago, offering insights into #hominid ancestry. #WorldGorillaDay #Evolution #Anthropology Photo: Tuxyso

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