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Ted Stankowich

@tedstankowich.bsky.social

870 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

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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

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

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 2d

#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 · 2d

#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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 2d

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

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Reposted by Ted Stankowich

Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 10d

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 · 6d

NEW CRITTER ALERT

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution @whoi.edu · 6d

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 · 6d

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 · 7d

#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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 7d

#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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 7d

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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 7d

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

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 8d

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 · 29d

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 · 8d

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 · 8d

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 · 8d

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 · 10d

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 12d

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 · 14d

#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 · 14d

#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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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 14d

It’s #WorldGorillaDay! #Gorillas are our close relatives, sharing ~98% of our DNA. These gentle giants live in cohesive groups led by silverbacks and play key roles in forest #ecology. #Primatology #GreatApes #Conservation

a gorilla is sitting in the grass near a large rock

ALT: a gorilla is sitting in the grass near a large rock

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Ted Stankowich @tedstankowich.bsky.social · 14d

Some recent additions to my collection show how differences in locomotion styles create amazing diversity in limb morphology! Suspensorial sloths have gracile arms, fossorial tamanduas have short, thick bones to support large muscles. Giraffes have long limbs with cannon bones (fused metatarsals)!

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