The Florida Museum of Natural History inspires people to care about life on Earth. Located on the University of Florida campus, we are also the state museum.https://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mjxbkiomlc2jRice fueled many of the earliest civilizations and remains an indispensable source of food in the modern world. That might be about to change. Scientists warn that after 9,000 years of cultivation, rice has reached its thermal limit: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/after-9000-years-of-cultivation-rice-has-reached-its-thermal-limit/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky Photo: Jialiang Gao20 Apr 2026 20:09 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjxbkiomlc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mjpchqzpuc23Museum Resource 🐍 Florida Snake ID Guide Easy visual ID and searchable tool for learning about our state's snakes including habitat, range, diet and lookalike species. Featured: Southern Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) Snake profile: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/snake/southern-watersnake/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky NON-VENOMOUS17 Apr 2026 16:04 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjpchqzpuc23https://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mjndoky7ek23Museum Resource 🎶🐦 Florida Bird Sounds Learn to ID Florida’s birds by their calls! Our online guide has audio samples of birds like vireos, warblers, owls, herons and the iconic Florida Scrub Jay. https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/birds/florida-bird-sounds/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky Bonus: listen to the now-extinct Dusky Seaside Sparrow16 Apr 2026 21:21 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjndoky7ek23https://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mjichnlmyc2zScientists warn that over the next 50 years, global warming caused by the emission of greenhouse gases will accelerate to a pace that is 5,000 times faster than cultivated rice has ever had to contend with. Story: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/after-9000-years-of-cultivation-rice-has-reached-its-thermal-limit/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky Study: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-03108-014 Apr 2026 21:16 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjichnlmyc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mj5yzquucs2zMuseum Resource 🐟 Fishes in the Fresh Waters of Florida Explore our state's freshwater fish species, including our collection records, photos and map. Shown: Gulf Pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli), a marine invader to Florida's freshwaters 🔗 Info & browse: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/florida-fishes-gallery/gulf-pipefish/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky10 Apr 2026 19:00 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj5yzquucs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mj2zu4upfc2zOnline Exhibit 🌿 Rare, Beautiful & Fascinating Feature: Rugel’s Pawpaw (Deeringothamnus rugelii) Our oldest Herbarium specimens were collected by Ferdinand Rugel and document Florida flora in the 1840s -- and much more. 🎧 Story & more with Mark Whitten: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/100-years/object/ferdinand-rugel-collection/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky09 Apr 2026 14:37 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj2zu4upfc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3miwq2ugwbk2gAfrican frogs haven’t forgotten the ice ages. 🐸🧊 A new study shows ancient forest refugia in Central Africa align with the modern diversity of frogs. Story: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/african-frogs-havent-forgotten-the-ice-ages-scientists-can-tell-by-where-they-live/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky Study: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7320707 Apr 2026 21:31 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwq2ugwbk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mititatxoc2fCity Nature Challenge 🌎 April 24–27, 2026 Are you participating this year? The worldwide collaboration to share nature observations to the iNaturalist app helps researchers understand species populations, habitat biodiversity or seasonal variations. Details: www.citynaturechallenge.org06 Apr 2026 14:43 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mititatxoc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mimmvu6f5c2qWisteria has become somewhat iconic in lush gardens in the Southeastern United States, but many plants you see are invasive in Florida. 🌿 There is a native species -- American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)! Five Facts: Wisteria in Florida https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/five-facts-wisteria-in-florida/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky03 Apr 2026 21:08 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mimmvu6f5c2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mije3hsvsc2q“I realized we actually didn’t know how the whole ecosystem worked at all,” said Felicity Newell. A new study of the breeding seasons of tropical birds shows nearby communities can breed in opposite seasons in response to rainfall & resources. 🦗 Story: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/study-in-search-of-a-tropical-spring-is-the-first-to-show-some-birds-flip-their-breeding-season-in-response-to-climate/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky02 Apr 2026 13:52 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mije3hsvsc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mih723qyhs2qPottery has been made all over the world for thousands of years, independently invented in multiple places. The first people inhabiting the Turks & Caicos Islands faced a number of technological challenges. https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/clear-as-mud-the-origins-of-early-pottery-in-the-lucayan-islands/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky01 Apr 2026 17:16 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mih723qyhs2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mieugsnv7s2p“There’s often this idea that we want everyone to be as highly active as possible and collect the most amount of data,” Erin Grady said. “Every type of observation and way of observing counts, which sounds cheesy, but it’s true.” Story + study: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/highly-and-casually-active-citizen-scientists-contribute-equally-valuable-data/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky31 Mar 2026 19:01 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mieugsnv7s2phttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3micjudjgzk2p#MondayMood 🐠 Museum technology is shifting how specimens are processed, providing more accessibility for research, education, outreach and collaboration. Explore our online exhibit: Inner Beauty 🩻 Skeletons Revealed from the Museum’s Fish Collection https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/online/inner-beauty/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky30 Mar 2026 20:47 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3micjudjgzk2phttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mi2sasksj22pCongratulations! 👏👏👏 Michal Kowalewski has been selected as a 2025 fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science! Michal is the Thompson chair of invertebrate paleontology here at the Florida Museum. Read: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/michal-kowalewski-selected-as-2025-fellow-of-the-american-association-for-the-advancement-of-science/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky27 Mar 2026 18:56 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi2sasksj22phttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mhvrwt27tc2pCitizen science contributions from both casual observers and highly active users can be equally valuable and even complement each other, says a new study of iNaturalist data. Story: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/highly-and-casually-active-citizen-scientists-contribute-equally-valuable-data/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky Study: https://theoryandpractice.citizenscienceassociation.org/articles/10.5334/cstp.86825 Mar 2026 19:07 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvrwt27tc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mhqgiyy2y223Museum Resource 🐚 #MolluskMonday Who doesn't love a dichotomous key? The aquatic snail fauna of the southeastern United States has long been recognized for its richness and diversity. Check out our 👇 Freshwater Snails of Florida ID Guide: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/iz/resources/florida-snails/23 Mar 2026 15:59 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhqgiyy2y223https://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mhjchdio7c23March 20 🐸 World Frog Day! Learn to ID Florida's frogs by their calls with our online guide 🐸🎶 Florida Frog Calls: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-herps/florida-frog-calls/ Also: March 24 📌 Science on Tap: Ribbit & Sip It Frogs + beer + herpetologist Dave Blackburn! Info: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/science-on-tap-ribbit-sip-it-3-24-2026/20 Mar 2026 19:58 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhjchdio7c23https://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mhgdy33a3223The evolutionary path that brought us to butterflies is intriguing. Moths originated 300 million years ago and diversified with a little help from a fungus and bacterium. Then... Scientists lay out what we do & don’t yet know about moths and butterflies: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/scientists-lay-out-what-we-do-and-dont-yet-know-about-moths-and-butterflies/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky19 Mar 2026 15:47 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhgdy33a3223https://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mhdtmtxxc223#ICYMI 👏👏👏 Our Herbarium recently accessioned their 300,000th vascular plant specimen into the collection! Founded in 1891, the University of Florida Herbarium (FLAS) here at the Florida Museum houses over 530,000 preserved plant specimens. More: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/museum-blog/barcode-milestone-a-special-saw-palmetto-specimen/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky18 Mar 2026 15:49 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhdtmtxxc223https://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mhbjzwanss2aBecause their seeds are primarily dispersed by birds, a melastome species jumping from one island to another points to a bird making the journey, too. Mapping the results reveal ancient flight paths that fan out in all directions across the Caribbean. https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/scientists-trace-ancient-bird-flight-paths-using-modern-plant-diversity/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky17 Mar 2026 17:52 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhbjzwanss2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mh7e7y6ig22aOnline Exhibit 🪱 Rare, Beautiful & Fascinating Feature: Giant Seep Worms (Lamellibrachia luymesi) Giant Seep Worms can have very long life spans, growing to 2 meters long over 170 to 250 years. 🎧 Story and more with Jenna Moore: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/100-years/object/giant-seep-worms/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky16 Mar 2026 21:03 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh7e7y6ig22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mgxgdff3u22aExhibit Spotlight 🎨 Florida Oligocene #SciArt in our Florida Fossils exhibit helps to illustrate Florida's evolving ecosystems, bringing life to the fossils we display in exhibits. 🗝️ Check out the art and key + fossils from our collections: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/blog/florida-oligocene-painting-by-david-miller/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky13 Mar 2026 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgxgdff3u22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mguwjqvr2c2aMuseum Resources 🩻 Digital Imaging Our Digital Imaging Division facilitates the production, processing and analysis of two- and three-dimensional digital image data. 🌈 Browse some of the many museum specimens they have worked on: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/digital-lab/gallery/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky12 Mar 2026 17:31 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mguwjqvr2c2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mgsnsru4yc2aScientist Spotted 🦟 Our interim director David Reed talked to CNN for an article about how studying the DNA of pests like mosquitoes - and in David's research, head lice - can help us map the timeline and locations prehistoric humans: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/11/science/mosquitoes-human-evolution-homo-erectus11 Mar 2026 19:50 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgsnsru4yc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mgq4hytb4k2xThe arogos skipper is an endangered butterfly that was once common throughout much of the U.S. but is now reduced to a few small populations. Researchers are studying a population in Florida to learn more about its life cycle and conservation needs. https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/chasing-the-rare-arogos-skipper-butterfly-from-florida-fields-to-lab/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky10 Mar 2026 19:34 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgq4hytb4k2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mgn42kvj6c27The University of Florida Herbarium (FLAS) here at the Florida Museum, a collection of over 530,000 preserved plant specimens, marked a major milestone with their 300,000th vascular plant specimen being accessioned into the collection! 👏👏👏 What was it? https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/museum-blog/barcode-milestone-a-special-saw-palmetto-specimen/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky09 Mar 2026 14:49 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgn42kvj6c27https://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mgftsc2zqk2x#ICYMI 🦋 Scientists lay out what we do and don’t yet know about moths and butterflies. Catch up on rare species with jaws, caddisfly carpentry, pollination before flowers evolved, carnivorous wasps, and a wild variety of hearing and sound-producing organs: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/scientists-lay-out-what-we-do-and-dont-yet-know-about-moths-and-butterflies/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky06 Mar 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgftsc2zqk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mgapqyxk6c2xNew museum resource just dropped 📍 Interactive Digital St. Augustine, or iDigStAug, is an online database dedicated exclusively to the archaeology of colonial household sites in St. Augustine. Story: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/archaeologists-upload-the-history-of-north-americas-oldest-colonial-city/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky Site: idigstaug.ufarch.org04 Mar 2026 16:37 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgapqyxk6c2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/floridamuseum.bsky.social/post/3mg6ijrdbck2x#ICYMI Fossils + Technology 🔬 A new study indicates it takes significantly fewer fossils than initially thought to accurately train an image-based AI algorithm, with big implications for paleontology. Story: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/vertebrate-paleontology-has-a-numbers-problem-computer-vision-can-help/?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=clk&utm_campaign=bsky03 Mar 2026 19:22 +0000at://did:plc:33gr3f7pxposyd4sgdmbvfda/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg6ijrdbck2x