Reader of Entrails
@haruspex.bsky.social
Zoo pathologist 🧪💀🧑🏻⚕️ She/her 🏳️🌈
Unsettling animal facts, inadvisable humor, & ridiculous cat pics.
Posts are my own and do not represent current, past, or future employers.
My day job: https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/zoo-animal-deaths
Unsettling animal facts, inadvisable humor, & ridiculous cat pics.
Posts are my own and do not represent current, past, or future employers.
My day job: https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/zoo-animal-deaths
Pinned
🧪 spines are a stack of interlocking bones with tons of oblique angles. They are hella difficult to cut through cleanly. You’re either shattering bone or spending a LOT of time digging around trying to cut all the soft bits (muscles, tendons, ligaments) to separate the bones (disarticulation).
2/?
2/?
Throwback to that time when I, random zoo pathologist on the internet, gave everyone a Lessons in Decapitation and Disarticulation™️.
Because spines are a pain in the ass, but badly-done decapitation scenes are a solvable problem.
Because spines are a pain in the ass, but badly-done decapitation scenes are a solvable problem.
For me, it’s chocolate cake.
Someone had all the ingredients to make brownies and chose violence.
Do not @ me with your weak excuses about the platonic ideal of chocolate cake being nice to eat. The best chocolate cake struggles to compete with a bog standard brownie.
Life’s hard. Make brownies.
Someone had all the ingredients to make brownies and chose violence.
Do not @ me with your weak excuses about the platonic ideal of chocolate cake being nice to eat. The best chocolate cake struggles to compete with a bog standard brownie.
Life’s hard. Make brownies.
Guys, I really need to talk about something dumb and meaningless. What's a universally beloved sweet treat that you think is just mid? For me, it's meringue.
February 3, 2026 at 8:36 PM
For me, it’s chocolate cake.
Someone had all the ingredients to make brownies and chose violence.
Do not @ me with your weak excuses about the platonic ideal of chocolate cake being nice to eat. The best chocolate cake struggles to compete with a bog standard brownie.
Life’s hard. Make brownies.
Someone had all the ingredients to make brownies and chose violence.
Do not @ me with your weak excuses about the platonic ideal of chocolate cake being nice to eat. The best chocolate cake struggles to compete with a bog standard brownie.
Life’s hard. Make brownies.
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
"We've secretly replaced Punxatawney Phil with an American Badger. We'll see if they notice"
(Sounds of badger violence)
"uh.....yeah.....looks like they did"
(Sounds of badger violence)
"uh.....yeah.....looks like they did"
Groundhog Day is an early German American adaptation of medieval German custom where badgers were said to predict the weather on Candlemas. other countries in Europe used other animals, and the English tradition simply treated the weather on Candlemas as predictive: a clear day meant a longer winter
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Punxsutawney Phil is said to have seen his shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of winter weather.
February 2, 2026 at 8:37 PM
"We've secretly replaced Punxatawney Phil with an American Badger. We'll see if they notice"
(Sounds of badger violence)
"uh.....yeah.....looks like they did"
(Sounds of badger violence)
"uh.....yeah.....looks like they did"
It’s Groundhog Day! Groundhogs (aka woodchucks) are members of the squirrel family of rodents. They’re one of the chonky ground squirrels in the genus Marmota (marmots).
In 2010, Alaska began celebrating Feb 2 as “Marmot Day” to celebrate all 3 native marmots in Alaska instead of solely groundhogs.
In 2010, Alaska began celebrating Feb 2 as “Marmot Day” to celebrate all 3 native marmots in Alaska instead of solely groundhogs.
February 2, 2026 at 1:23 PM
It’s Groundhog Day! Groundhogs (aka woodchucks) are members of the squirrel family of rodents. They’re one of the chonky ground squirrels in the genus Marmota (marmots).
In 2010, Alaska began celebrating Feb 2 as “Marmot Day” to celebrate all 3 native marmots in Alaska instead of solely groundhogs.
In 2010, Alaska began celebrating Feb 2 as “Marmot Day” to celebrate all 3 native marmots in Alaska instead of solely groundhogs.
If you're living in frozen conditions right now, post the must summery picture in your photo library.
January 30, 2026 at 6:31 PM
If you're living in frozen conditions right now, post the must summery picture in your photo library.
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
Mutual Aid by Dean Spade is free on Libro for the next week (until 2/2).
We know that books can't fix everything, but they can help us show up for and strengthen our communities. Our employee book club read this last year, leading to a great discussion. We hope that it helps others do the same 💗 ⏬
We know that books can't fix everything, but they can help us show up for and strengthen our communities. Our employee book club read this last year, leading to a great discussion. We hope that it helps others do the same 💗 ⏬
January 26, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Mutual Aid by Dean Spade is free on Libro for the next week (until 2/2).
We know that books can't fix everything, but they can help us show up for and strengthen our communities. Our employee book club read this last year, leading to a great discussion. We hope that it helps others do the same 💗 ⏬
We know that books can't fix everything, but they can help us show up for and strengthen our communities. Our employee book club read this last year, leading to a great discussion. We hope that it helps others do the same 💗 ⏬
Good for her!
A MASSIVE MOMENT FOR THE NWSL & FOR WOMEN'S SOCCER 👏
Trinity Rodman has become the highest-paid women's soccer player in the WORLD after re-signing with the Spirit. Her multi-million dollar deal comes with an annual salary of $1 million, according to her agent.
Trinity Rodman has become the highest-paid women's soccer player in the WORLD after re-signing with the Spirit. Her multi-million dollar deal comes with an annual salary of $1 million, according to her agent.
January 23, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Good for her!
I don’t think I’ve ever needed a star/Torx screwdriver, but I’m so glad I had one in my office toolbox when the water fountain in the hall started POURING water and we needed to get to the shutoff valve.
I’m a little damp, but the flood has stopped.
I’m a little damp, but the flood has stopped.
January 15, 2026 at 8:57 PM
I don’t think I’ve ever needed a star/Torx screwdriver, but I’m so glad I had one in my office toolbox when the water fountain in the hall started POURING water and we needed to get to the shutoff valve.
I’m a little damp, but the flood has stopped.
I’m a little damp, but the flood has stopped.
Every time I see cool science with people doing postmortem exams on defrosted Ice Age mammals, I’m like… <waves hands> HEY! IF ANYONE WANTS A ZOO PATHOLOGIST TO HELP WITH THAT, PLEASE CALL ME, OMG, SERIOUSLY, I WOULD BE SO DELIGHTED.
In my latest for @arstechnica.com, researchers sequenced a complete woolly rhino genome from a 14,000-year-old bit of meat found in the stomach of a frozen wolf puppy, and it sheds some light on megafaunal extinction. 🧪
Scientists sequence a woolly rhino genome from a 14,400-year-old wolf’s stomach
Fortunately for paleogeneticists, wolf puppies don't chew their food thoroughly.
arstechnica.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Every time I see cool science with people doing postmortem exams on defrosted Ice Age mammals, I’m like… <waves hands> HEY! IF ANYONE WANTS A ZOO PATHOLOGIST TO HELP WITH THAT, PLEASE CALL ME, OMG, SERIOUSLY, I WOULD BE SO DELIGHTED.
‘Round here we have a healthy respect for the wolf-bird.
I remember once reading about a bald eagle that had made the poor decision to go for a loonchick snack too close to loonparent.
Per the eagle’s autopsy report, cause of death was loon bill STAB THROUGH THE HEART.
I remember once reading about a bald eagle that had made the poor decision to go for a loonchick snack too close to loonparent.
Per the eagle’s autopsy report, cause of death was loon bill STAB THROUGH THE HEART.
No idea who the artist is, but this is awesome.
January 8, 2026 at 10:27 PM
‘Round here we have a healthy respect for the wolf-bird.
I remember once reading about a bald eagle that had made the poor decision to go for a loonchick snack too close to loonparent.
Per the eagle’s autopsy report, cause of death was loon bill STAB THROUGH THE HEART.
I remember once reading about a bald eagle that had made the poor decision to go for a loonchick snack too close to loonparent.
Per the eagle’s autopsy report, cause of death was loon bill STAB THROUGH THE HEART.
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
Unsettling 🧪 fact!
Tiger salamanders have a “cannibal morph.”
Yepper, sometimes larval tiger salamanders get competitive & develop into their Pokémon battle-variant beast mode.
Bigger heads, more developed teeth, teeth in the roof of the mouth.
And then they hunt smaller typical larvae. 😳
Tiger salamanders have a “cannibal morph.”
Yepper, sometimes larval tiger salamanders get competitive & develop into their Pokémon battle-variant beast mode.
Bigger heads, more developed teeth, teeth in the roof of the mouth.
And then they hunt smaller typical larvae. 😳
June 8, 2023 at 3:46 PM
Unsettling 🧪 fact!
Tiger salamanders have a “cannibal morph.”
Yepper, sometimes larval tiger salamanders get competitive & develop into their Pokémon battle-variant beast mode.
Bigger heads, more developed teeth, teeth in the roof of the mouth.
And then they hunt smaller typical larvae. 😳
Tiger salamanders have a “cannibal morph.”
Yepper, sometimes larval tiger salamanders get competitive & develop into their Pokémon battle-variant beast mode.
Bigger heads, more developed teeth, teeth in the roof of the mouth.
And then they hunt smaller typical larvae. 😳
Yesterday, I received a white-throated sparrow (white-striped), and the everyone in the office learned about the non-sexual dimorphism of this bird and its mating dynamics thanks to that time @tkingfisher.com wowed an auditorium with ornithological truth bombs at @panic.gay’s Solve for X.
December 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Yesterday, I received a white-throated sparrow (white-striped), and the everyone in the office learned about the non-sexual dimorphism of this bird and its mating dynamics thanks to that time @tkingfisher.com wowed an auditorium with ornithological truth bombs at @panic.gay’s Solve for X.
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
I am also known to nerd out about ostrich penises when drinking. @haruspex.bsky.social and @dianeakelly.bsky.social can attest to that 😂
November 22, 2025 at 8:21 AM
I am also known to nerd out about ostrich penises when drinking. @haruspex.bsky.social and @dianeakelly.bsky.social can attest to that 😂
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
Unfortunate update: Link reached out to BlueSky and got email back now on reason.
His appeal is denied. He will remain permanently banned on BlueSky’s side.
Here are the screenshots he just sent me as of 8:22 AM EST(my time)
His appeal is denied. He will remain permanently banned on BlueSky’s side.
Here are the screenshots he just sent me as of 8:22 AM EST(my time)
October 6, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Unfortunate update: Link reached out to BlueSky and got email back now on reason.
His appeal is denied. He will remain permanently banned on BlueSky’s side.
Here are the screenshots he just sent me as of 8:22 AM EST(my time)
His appeal is denied. He will remain permanently banned on BlueSky’s side.
Here are the screenshots he just sent me as of 8:22 AM EST(my time)
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
I wonder: Where is the place that isn’t Problematic? Every place seems to become a Nazi bar, over and over.
And we, the rats, scuttle away, ever smaller. We have our principle. We have our pride. But we no longer have a place.
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/backed-int...
And we, the rats, scuttle away, ever smaller. We have our principle. We have our pride. But we no longer have a place.
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/backed-int...
Backed into a corner
Where do I share, when every "where" is terrible?
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I wonder: Where is the place that isn’t Problematic? Every place seems to become a Nazi bar, over and over.
And we, the rats, scuttle away, ever smaller. We have our principle. We have our pride. But we no longer have a place.
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/backed-int...
And we, the rats, scuttle away, ever smaller. We have our principle. We have our pride. But we no longer have a place.
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/backed-int...
A friend described me yesterday as, “She slices, she dices, she diagnoses!”
And, thank you, that is my new short bio forever.
👩🏻🔬 🔪 🔬
And, thank you, that is my new short bio forever.
👩🏻🔬 🔪 🔬
October 2, 2025 at 10:56 AM
A friend described me yesterday as, “She slices, she dices, she diagnoses!”
And, thank you, that is my new short bio forever.
👩🏻🔬 🔪 🔬
And, thank you, that is my new short bio forever.
👩🏻🔬 🔪 🔬
Holy moly! Personal best crocodilian tooth!
No idea what kind of crocodilian, but a big one. We find a lot of shark teeth, but the crocs are rarer, so we get more excited. And I’ve only ever found ones half this long on a good day.
Found at Purse State Park, Nanjemoy, MD
No idea what kind of crocodilian, but a big one. We find a lot of shark teeth, but the crocs are rarer, so we get more excited. And I’ve only ever found ones half this long on a good day.
Found at Purse State Park, Nanjemoy, MD
September 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Holy moly! Personal best crocodilian tooth!
No idea what kind of crocodilian, but a big one. We find a lot of shark teeth, but the crocs are rarer, so we get more excited. And I’ve only ever found ones half this long on a good day.
Found at Purse State Park, Nanjemoy, MD
No idea what kind of crocodilian, but a big one. We find a lot of shark teeth, but the crocs are rarer, so we get more excited. And I’ve only ever found ones half this long on a good day.
Found at Purse State Park, Nanjemoy, MD
This bobcat is an absolute mood.
I'm offering a 20" X 16" canvas print of this bobcat portrait on sale now through Sept 27 or while supplies last.
(My watermark will not appear on the print!)
laurel-gale.pixels.com/weeklypromot...
#wildlife #nature #wallart 📷
(My watermark will not appear on the print!)
laurel-gale.pixels.com/weeklypromot...
#wildlife #nature #wallart 📷
September 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This bobcat is an absolute mood.
Oooh, this was a good one! Murky morals, machinations, class struggle, blood magic, and extremely messy queers.
So, for reasons unknown to me, MISTRESS OF LIES is currently on sale for $2.99 in ebook on all the major platforms.
Now is a really great time to grab this gothic fantasy romance and support a trans author, if you're into vampires, murder, and kissing!
Now is a really great time to grab this gothic fantasy romance and support a trans author, if you're into vampires, murder, and kissing!
September 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Oooh, this was a good one! Murky morals, machinations, class struggle, blood magic, and extremely messy queers.
Come to the MAGICAL local bookstore!!!
Contains many BOOKS and at least one Genuine Certified Live Author!
Likelihood of cursed knowledge: 95%
Also, I will be there nerding.
Contains many BOOKS and at least one Genuine Certified Live Author!
Likelihood of cursed knowledge: 95%
Also, I will be there nerding.
Heyyyyyy if you're in Takoma Park next Thursday and want to support a small bookstore, head to People's Book, where I will be talking with @haruspex.bsky.social about my BOOK at 6pm on 9/25!!!
peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/animal...
peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/animal...
Bethany Brookshire for Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains
An engrossing and revealing study of why we deem certain animals “pests” and others not—from cats to rats, elephants to pigeons—and what this tells us about our own perceptions, beliefs, and action…
peoplesbooktakoma.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Come to the MAGICAL local bookstore!!!
Contains many BOOKS and at least one Genuine Certified Live Author!
Likelihood of cursed knowledge: 95%
Also, I will be there nerding.
Contains many BOOKS and at least one Genuine Certified Live Author!
Likelihood of cursed knowledge: 95%
Also, I will be there nerding.
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
I got yer timeline cleanse right here, folks. A whole clutch of teeny tiny snapping turtle behbehs emerged one at a time from their underground nest and crossed the gravel road while I and a couple other humans watched and made sure they were safe from anyone else coming along.
September 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I got yer timeline cleanse right here, folks. A whole clutch of teeny tiny snapping turtle behbehs emerged one at a time from their underground nest and crossed the gravel road while I and a couple other humans watched and made sure they were safe from anyone else coming along.
None of my cases today were fuzzy, but I was tempted by fuzz anyway.
Did I touch:
1) A fluffy Aspergillus colony growing inside an animal?
2) A chonky carpenter bee, sunning itself on this lovely day?
3) Both?
Did I touch:
1) A fluffy Aspergillus colony growing inside an animal?
2) A chonky carpenter bee, sunning itself on this lovely day?
3) Both?
September 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
None of my cases today were fuzzy, but I was tempted by fuzz anyway.
Did I touch:
1) A fluffy Aspergillus colony growing inside an animal?
2) A chonky carpenter bee, sunning itself on this lovely day?
3) Both?
Did I touch:
1) A fluffy Aspergillus colony growing inside an animal?
2) A chonky carpenter bee, sunning itself on this lovely day?
3) Both?
So excited that this exhibit will still happen, and delighted that Baltimore gets to host.
Selfishly, I’m excited to see it myself. I’m also happy that tensions with and pressures at the Smithsonian didn’t stop the art from reaching people.
Selfishly, I’m excited to see it myself. I’m also happy that tensions with and pressures at the Smithsonian didn’t stop the art from reaching people.
Amy Sherald’s ‘American Sublime’ lands at the BMA after Smithsonian fallout
Amy Sherald’s “American Sublime” needed a new home after the artist pulled the exhibit from the National Portrait Gallery. Enter the Baltimore Museum of Art.
www.thebanner.com
September 3, 2025 at 9:50 PM
So excited that this exhibit will still happen, and delighted that Baltimore gets to host.
Selfishly, I’m excited to see it myself. I’m also happy that tensions with and pressures at the Smithsonian didn’t stop the art from reaching people.
Selfishly, I’m excited to see it myself. I’m also happy that tensions with and pressures at the Smithsonian didn’t stop the art from reaching people.
The correct answer provided by our @dconscitrack.bsky.social experts was: Billionaires
Just asked at the @dragoncon.org @dconscitrack.bsky.social panel "Will it Zoo" the following question was just asked...
"What would you feed a Xenomorph?"
And I'm going to be thinking about that question for days.
"What would you feed a Xenomorph?"
And I'm going to be thinking about that question for days.
September 2, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The correct answer provided by our @dconscitrack.bsky.social experts was: Billionaires
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
Had a blast after Solve for X at DragonCon sharing distressing animal facts with @dmos150.bsky.social @haruspex.bsky.social @panic.gay and @tkingfisher.com
I love this place.
I love this place.
August 31, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Had a blast after Solve for X at DragonCon sharing distressing animal facts with @dmos150.bsky.social @haruspex.bsky.social @panic.gay and @tkingfisher.com
I love this place.
I love this place.
This. Was. Epic.
I'm still agog and agag and agiddy about this lineup.
@siliconchef.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
@effinbirds.com
@dmos150.bsky.social
@haruspex.bsky.social
@stealingfromwizards.com
All on one show (plus other very cool people who I don't think are on bsky)!!!
@siliconchef.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
@effinbirds.com
@dmos150.bsky.social
@haruspex.bsky.social
@stealingfromwizards.com
All on one show (plus other very cool people who I don't think are on bsky)!!!
August 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
This. Was. Epic.