Father, biologist, and professor, specializing in #ecology, #herpetology, #animalbehavior. Work at #WabashCollege. Lover of funny things.https://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3m5tukupxr22lCan anyone help explain this behavior of pigeons circling for a tower for at least several minutes? Seems like a massive waste of energy (but I mostly work with animals concerned wjth energy conservation). #birds #behavior #ornithology #birders #animalbehavior17 Nov 2025 18:36 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5tukupxr22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lq5rc5s7fk2dNew paper with 6 of my undergrads: box turtle blood samples perform better in immune tests if stored frozen, and the sexes (and individuals) differ in immune performance: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jez.292627 May 2025 13:12 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lq5rc5s7fk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lj6bl5d3es25People naming the siren, an elongated and drab aquatic salamander: "What's that word for something that is irresistibly alluring yet dangerous?" "You okay?"27 Feb 2025 16:07 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lj6bl5d3es25https://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lhhkgrzklc2fMany snakes use a defense in which they spray feces, urine, and glandular secretions from their butt. This produces a revolting, hard-to-remove scent. Herp people call this stink "musk" and being hit with it "getting musked". Just a random snake fact that's come to mind lately for some reason.05 Feb 2025 21:49 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lhhkgrzklc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3ldeqaxow5k2kLinnaeus gave domestic cats the Latin name Felis catus. I think this proves that he forgot to name them, and then somebody asked about them so he panicked and named them on the fly.15 Dec 2024 21:14 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3ldeqaxow5k2khttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lcyxsy6kys2gThe thing about venomous American snakes versus venomous Australian snakes is that the American ones have rattles and big white mouths and bright primary color banding, whereas the Australian ones look like the result of an AI prompt for "generic brownish snake"11 Dec 2024 04:58 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcyxsy6kys2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lco3qilnrs2cI am normally disciplined about not accepting peer review invitations that I don't have time for, but apparently I will throw that rule out the window if the topic is orangutan. I will make the time for those sweet, lanky armed goofballs of the forest.06 Dec 2024 21:09 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lco3qilnrs2chttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lcgmxenark2oWith snow on the ground now, here is the last box turtle found during my research season. He was at the bottom of a small gorge at my study site. Did he tumble down or climb down, and how much energy will it take to get out of the gorge? It's a struggle for me. #herpetology #ecology #turtles03 Dec 2024 21:55 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lcgmxenark2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lbfyrrumi22uIs it even a grant proposal if you don't say "leveraging"?20 Nov 2024 22:29 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lbfyrrumi22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lba65a2bfs25And here's my most recent paper, with a big assist from many colleagues. Takeaway: no matter where you go, some #turtles are shy and some are bold. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00265-024-03480-518 Nov 2024 14:49 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lba65a2bfs25https://bsky.app/profile/bradcarlson.bsky.social/post/3lba5unhatm2jNew here, and to outward facing social media. I'm a biology professor, researching #ecology and animal personality in #herps. Mostly focused on box turtles these days. This guy is my favorite - a 76+ year old named Robin who has graced a journal cover and been the subject of a published poem.18 Nov 2024 14:44 +0000at://did:plc:mesbe44rgmk54optl3ke63fu/app.bsky.feed.post/3lba5unhatm2j