Jack Ashby
@jackdashby.bsky.social
Award-winning author #PlatypusMatters & #NaturesMemory. Assistant Director of @ZoologyMuseum.bsky.social at Cambridge Uni. President of the Society for the History of Natural History. Australian mammal nerd. He/him. Own views.
January 28, 2026 at 10:44 AM
A new addition to the #platypus art collection: a gorgeous 1838 French print showing a burrow, a little chap frolicking on the bank with a curiously pink hindfoot (with his venom spur out), an eagle overhead that appears to be the same size as the platypus, & a newly hatched platypup (baby platypus)
January 27, 2026 at 9:13 AM
A new addition to the #platypus art collection: a gorgeous 1838 French print showing a burrow, a little chap frolicking on the bank with a curiously pink hindfoot (with his venom spur out), an eagle overhead that appears to be the same size as the platypus, & a newly hatched platypup (baby platypus)
Folks near #Cambridge, on Thursday I'm chatting about my book #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History Museums, asking how well these #museums truly represent nature, how did they really come together, & how can they help save the world.
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
January 26, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Folks near #Cambridge, on Thursday I'm chatting about my book #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History Museums, asking how well these #museums truly represent nature, how did they really come together, & how can they help save the world.
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
Come! www.cnhs.org.uk/diary-of-eve...
A #platypus waddles her way upstream, constantly foraging. As well as using touch to find food, platypus bills can detect the electrical impulses given off by their prey's muscular contractions.
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
January 23, 2026 at 7:45 AM
A #platypus waddles her way upstream, constantly foraging. As well as using touch to find food, platypus bills can detect the electrical impulses given off by their prey's muscular contractions.
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
#Tasmania #MammalWatching #WildOz #platypuses #fieldwork
January 21, 2026 at 9:42 AM
So cool to see #beavers making themselves very much at home in an urban nature reserve in West London. These epic #rodents were extinct in Britain 400 years ago, and know they're back in our cities. 🦫🌃 #rewilding #UrbanWildlife
January 19, 2026 at 9:01 AM
So cool to see #beavers making themselves very much at home in an urban nature reserve in West London. These epic #rodents were extinct in Britain 400 years ago, and know they're back in our cities. 🦫🌃 #rewilding #UrbanWildlife
Wombats: big head, big body, tiny legs.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
January 14, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Wombats: big head, big body, tiny legs.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz #wombat
My favourite fact from reading this is that some populations of Labord's #chameleon hatch in November, start mating in January, then lay eggs by March, when all adults die. They then only exist as eggs until thy cycle restarts. They're the shortest living of any reptile, bird, amphibian or mammal.🦎
January 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM
My favourite fact from reading this is that some populations of Labord's #chameleon hatch in November, start mating in January, then lay eggs by March, when all adults die. They then only exist as eggs until thy cycle restarts. They're the shortest living of any reptile, bird, amphibian or mammal.🦎
This is an exceptional book about an exceptional story.
Tongerlongeter led the most significant resistance against British invasion in Australia, before leading #Tasmania's exiled community. The campaign he championed then influenced British policy towards Indigenous peoples across the Empire.
Tongerlongeter led the most significant resistance against British invasion in Australia, before leading #Tasmania's exiled community. The campaign he championed then influenced British policy towards Indigenous peoples across the Empire.
January 12, 2026 at 8:02 AM
This is an exceptional book about an exceptional story.
Tongerlongeter led the most significant resistance against British invasion in Australia, before leading #Tasmania's exiled community. The campaign he championed then influenced British policy towards Indigenous peoples across the Empire.
Tongerlongeter led the most significant resistance against British invasion in Australia, before leading #Tasmania's exiled community. The campaign he championed then influenced British policy towards Indigenous peoples across the Empire.
Everyone loves a list. 🤓🗒️
I've done my #MammalWatching tally for 2025 & it was a quiet one: just 40 species, & one first-timer (I was lucky to make two mammal trips to Australia this year, but nowhere else).
But that newbie was the #numbat - a beast that's been on my wish-list for decades.😀 #WildOz
I've done my #MammalWatching tally for 2025 & it was a quiet one: just 40 species, & one first-timer (I was lucky to make two mammal trips to Australia this year, but nowhere else).
But that newbie was the #numbat - a beast that's been on my wish-list for decades.😀 #WildOz
January 8, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Everyone loves a list. 🤓🗒️
I've done my #MammalWatching tally for 2025 & it was a quiet one: just 40 species, & one first-timer (I was lucky to make two mammal trips to Australia this year, but nowhere else).
But that newbie was the #numbat - a beast that's been on my wish-list for decades.😀 #WildOz
I've done my #MammalWatching tally for 2025 & it was a quiet one: just 40 species, & one first-timer (I was lucky to make two mammal trips to Australia this year, but nowhere else).
But that newbie was the #numbat - a beast that's been on my wish-list for decades.😀 #WildOz
That feeling when you're looking for #otters & you spot a long, dark sinewy mammal slinking along the stream, but it turns out to be a mink.
These are invasive species in Britain. When I first saw this one it had a small mammal in its mouth. Cute though. #BreconBeacons #WildWales #MammalWatching
These are invasive species in Britain. When I first saw this one it had a small mammal in its mouth. Cute though. #BreconBeacons #WildWales #MammalWatching
January 2, 2026 at 9:26 AM
That feeling when you're looking for #otters & you spot a long, dark sinewy mammal slinking along the stream, but it turns out to be a mink.
These are invasive species in Britain. When I first saw this one it had a small mammal in its mouth. Cute though. #BreconBeacons #WildWales #MammalWatching
These are invasive species in Britain. When I first saw this one it had a small mammal in its mouth. Cute though. #BreconBeacons #WildWales #MammalWatching
Happy New Year, mammal-watchers! 🦫🦌🐨🐀
I'm desperately hoping that my first mammal of 2026 will be an #otter. 🤞🦦🤞
#BreconBeacons #WildWales
I'm desperately hoping that my first mammal of 2026 will be an #otter. 🤞🦦🤞
#BreconBeacons #WildWales
January 1, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Happy New Year, mammal-watchers! 🦫🦌🐨🐀
I'm desperately hoping that my first mammal of 2026 will be an #otter. 🤞🦦🤞
#BreconBeacons #WildWales
I'm desperately hoping that my first mammal of 2026 will be an #otter. 🤞🦦🤞
#BreconBeacons #WildWales
There was some excellent, crazy frost in Bannau Brycheiniog today. The ice was forming like flags on the windward side of the grass stems! Does anyone know what that's called? ❄️❄️❄️
#BreconBeacons #WildWales
#BreconBeacons #WildWales
December 29, 2025 at 6:13 PM
There was some excellent, crazy frost in Bannau Brycheiniog today. The ice was forming like flags on the windward side of the grass stems! Does anyone know what that's called? ❄️❄️❄️
#BreconBeacons #WildWales
#BreconBeacons #WildWales
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,
Walking in a #wombat wonderland.
Happy Wombatmas on this #WombatWednesday.
#Tasmania #mammalwatching #WildOz #wombats
Walking in a #wombat wonderland.
Happy Wombatmas on this #WombatWednesday.
#Tasmania #mammalwatching #WildOz #wombats
December 24, 2025 at 11:35 AM
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,
Walking in a #wombat wonderland.
Happy Wombatmas on this #WombatWednesday.
#Tasmania #mammalwatching #WildOz #wombats
Walking in a #wombat wonderland.
Happy Wombatmas on this #WombatWednesday.
#Tasmania #mammalwatching #WildOz #wombats
There are many books about #extinction, but this one is different.
"Ghosts Behind Glass" is a brilliant reflection on the specimens of extinct species that @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social encountered on display in #museums around the world: what are the stories being told, and why are they important?
"Ghosts Behind Glass" is a brilliant reflection on the specimens of extinct species that @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social encountered on display in #museums around the world: what are the stories being told, and why are they important?
December 19, 2025 at 7:38 AM
There are many books about #extinction, but this one is different.
"Ghosts Behind Glass" is a brilliant reflection on the specimens of extinct species that @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social encountered on display in #museums around the world: what are the stories being told, and why are they important?
"Ghosts Behind Glass" is a brilliant reflection on the specimens of extinct species that @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social encountered on display in #museums around the world: what are the stories being told, and why are they important?
Name a mammal that's more perfectly rounded than a young #wombat. I'll wait.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz
December 17, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Name a mammal that's more perfectly rounded than a young #wombat. I'll wait.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #wombats #MammalWatching #WildOz
In my humble opinion, #marmots are the world's best non-Australian #mammals (they're basically Northern Hemisphere #wombats), and this one in Birmingham Museums stores perfectly captures their dumpy little character. #taxidermy
December 16, 2025 at 7:31 AM
In my humble opinion, #marmots are the world's best non-Australian #mammals (they're basically Northern Hemisphere #wombats), and this one in Birmingham Museums stores perfectly captures their dumpy little character. #taxidermy
There really is no doubt - #wombats are among the greatest things there have ever been. Even just stood around eating grass, they are glorious.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #MammalWatching #wombat #WildOz
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #MammalWatching #wombat #WildOz
December 10, 2025 at 8:24 AM
There really is no doubt - #wombats are among the greatest things there have ever been. Even just stood around eating grass, they are glorious.
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #MammalWatching #wombat #WildOz
#WombatWednesday #Tasmania #MammalWatching #wombat #WildOz
My children's book WILD encourages kids to spot similar features in completely different groups of animals, and to wonder why. Why are so many animals spiky?🦔🦔 Or have white bellies and black backs?🐧🐳 Or paddles?🦭🦆 Or venom?🐍🐝🕷️ Or eyes on tops of their heads?🐊🦫🦛
I hope your little people enjoy it!🎁
I hope your little people enjoy it!🎁
December 8, 2025 at 8:02 AM
My children's book WILD encourages kids to spot similar features in completely different groups of animals, and to wonder why. Why are so many animals spiky?🦔🦔 Or have white bellies and black backs?🐧🐳 Or paddles?🦭🦆 Or venom?🐍🐝🕷️ Or eyes on tops of their heads?🐊🦫🦛
I hope your little people enjoy it!🎁
I hope your little people enjoy it!🎁
What's the only ethical way to fit #OneHundredAnimals in a Christmas stocking? 🎁🎄🎅
"Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects" tells 100 of nature's most incredible stories, through specimens in natural history #museums. 🐹🐨🐒🦍🐣🦟🦋🐝🐍🐛🦄🦫🦘
"Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects" tells 100 of nature's most incredible stories, through specimens in natural history #museums. 🐹🐨🐒🦍🐣🦟🦋🐝🐍🐛🦄🦫🦘
December 8, 2025 at 8:02 AM
What's the only ethical way to fit #OneHundredAnimals in a Christmas stocking? 🎁🎄🎅
"Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects" tells 100 of nature's most incredible stories, through specimens in natural history #museums. 🐹🐨🐒🦍🐣🦟🦋🐝🐍🐛🦄🦫🦘
"Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects" tells 100 of nature's most incredible stories, through specimens in natural history #museums. 🐹🐨🐒🦍🐣🦟🦋🐝🐍🐛🦄🦫🦘
The multi-award winning🏅 #PlatypusMatters tells the story of the world's best animals - the #platypus & its Aussie buddies - exploring not only the incredible ways they live their lives, but also how the wider world came to know them, and how this history shapes their conservation today.
December 8, 2025 at 8:02 AM
The multi-award winning🏅 #PlatypusMatters tells the story of the world's best animals - the #platypus & its Aussie buddies - exploring not only the incredible ways they live their lives, but also how the wider world came to know them, and how this history shapes their conservation today.
Out this year, #NaturesMemory is an insider's guide to the world's natural history #museums. It explores:
🪰what you see (& don't see) when visiting.
🪓honest histories of how collections were made.
🌍how they can help save the world.
It's the first book to combine these social and scientific stories
🪰what you see (& don't see) when visiting.
🪓honest histories of how collections were made.
🌍how they can help save the world.
It's the first book to combine these social and scientific stories
December 8, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Out this year, #NaturesMemory is an insider's guide to the world's natural history #museums. It explores:
🪰what you see (& don't see) when visiting.
🪓honest histories of how collections were made.
🌍how they can help save the world.
It's the first book to combine these social and scientific stories
🪰what you see (& don't see) when visiting.
🪓honest histories of how collections were made.
🌍how they can help save the world.
It's the first book to combine these social and scientific stories
Books make the best gifts🎁. Might I suggest these for the curious, inquisitive folk in your life:
🏛️ #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History #Museums.
🦘 #PlatypusMatters: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals.
💯 Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects.
🦇 Wild
🏛️ #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History #Museums.
🦘 #PlatypusMatters: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals.
💯 Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects.
🦇 Wild
December 8, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Books make the best gifts🎁. Might I suggest these for the curious, inquisitive folk in your life:
🏛️ #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History #Museums.
🦘 #PlatypusMatters: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals.
💯 Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects.
🦇 Wild
🏛️ #NaturesMemory: Behind the Scenes at the World's Natural History #Museums.
🦘 #PlatypusMatters: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals.
💯 Animal Kingdom: A Natural History in 100 Objects.
🦇 Wild
Australia has no woodpeckers, but striped #possums are tropical #marsupials that do the same job: their big ears detect beetle grubs tunnelling in wood, which they chip out with large incisors, then use their elongated 4th finger to hook them out of the tunnels (just like aye-ayes do in Madagascar).
December 5, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Australia has no woodpeckers, but striped #possums are tropical #marsupials that do the same job: their big ears detect beetle grubs tunnelling in wood, which they chip out with large incisors, then use their elongated 4th finger to hook them out of the tunnels (just like aye-ayes do in Madagascar).