Author | Lightnews

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 1d

However, when said out loud, it sounds close to the English word ”white” and apparently that name stuck.
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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 1d

But, they look more gray than white… what’s up with that? Well get this, it is widely believed that their name comes from the Dutch-based Afrikaans word “wyd” (sometime spelled “weit”) and it translates to wide, referring to the wide mouth. (2/3)

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 1d

Weighing between 3,700-5,000 pounds, and able to reach speeds over 25 miles per hour, white rhinos are impressive on many levels. (1/3)

📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com

#WhiteRhino #Rhinoceros #WildlifeFact #AnimalFact

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 3d

second picture in black & white… Well, it seems the tiger is in fact well camouflaged.
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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 3d

green and orange, but in the twilight hours and at night, we lack the ability to distinguish between colors. Many species lack the ability to see the full range of colors, even during the day. Looking at the first picture in color, then the…
(2/3)

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 3d

Ever heard of disruptive coloration? How about environmental mimicry? These are things that the tiger’s color and black stripes create. Yes, you and I see the contrast of…
(1/3)

📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com

#AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation #Tiger #WildlifeFact

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 5d

…sway while slowly walking, looking more like a twig moving the breeze than an insect walking. Brilliant!

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 5d

…get to know them. Now, to be clear, I am no entomologist, but I do find stick insects fascinating! These herbivores not only look like sticks thanks to their perfect camouflage, but some species will…

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 5d

Happy Stick Insect Day!
I know some people are bugged when they see insects, but insects are the cornerstone of life on earth AND they are really awesome once you…
(1/3)

📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com

#StickInsects #StickBug #StickInsect #AnimalFact #WalkingStick #WildlifeEducation

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 6d

…thermoregulation. After a day of basking in the sun, the boney plates retain heat, staying warm after sunset. Much like a rock that has been in the sun all day stays warm.

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 6d

These are made of boney plates under the skin, called osteoderms. (osteo-“ Greek word for bone and “-derm” Greek word for skin.) Osteoderms not only act like armor to protect the alligator, but they also help with…⤵️

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 6d

I absolutely LOVE this image of an alligator, just hanging out, right below the surface of the water. It really helps accentuate the bumps that run from the head to the tail. (More⤵️)

📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com

#AnimalFact #Alligator #WildlifeEducation #Alligators #AnimalEducation

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 8d

…of wildcat is the ancestral species of the domestic cat.

(BTW - Shelter pets are the best pets. There are thousands of domestic dogs and cats just waiting for their forever family to come adopt them. I hope, if you are looking for a new furry friend, you will go visit your local shelter.)

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 8d

…shelter and of course it stuck, because it is purrfect!

Fun Fact: Studies show us that the DNA of today’s domestic cats is almost identical to that of the African-Asiatic Wildcat, aka. Felis silvestris lybica (3rd pic). Under current scientific practices that means that this specie…

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 8d

Happy National Cat Day!
Although there are a lot of non-domestic cats to celebrate today, I decided to celebrate my best buddy, Panda the cat (1st & 2nd pic). Yes, it’s true, I have a cat named Panda. It was a name they gave him at the…

#NationalCatDay #BestFriend #PurrfectPal ##Wildcat

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 9d

To hold their breath for long periods of time so they can swim underwater into the tidal zones of the ocean. Why would they do this? To feast on algae in an otherwise food sparse environment. And don’t even get me started on how they “sneeze” the excess salt out of their system.
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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 9d

Of the 30+ species of iguana, I find the marine iguana of the Galapagos Islands the most fascinating. Sure, they look like any other iguana, however they have a rather unique ability. That ability?
(1/2)

#AnimalFact #Iguana #GalapagosIslands #AwesomeAnimal

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 9d

Ahhhh… what?
Glowing bats? 🦇
www.sciencealert.com/bats-in-the-...

Bats in The US Can Glow Ghostly Green, And Scientists Have No Idea Why

The glow-in-the-dark bats you're hanging to decorate for Halloween might be more biologically accurate than you thought.

www.sciencealert.com

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 10d

However, different flamingo species process and metabolize the beta-carotene differently and this influences the coloration of their feathers.
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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 10d

Why do flamingos come in different shades of pink? Flamingos are well known for their classic pink color that comes from the beta-carotene found in the food they eat. (1/2)⤵️
(Greater flamingo pictured here.)

📸via photo sharing site, Unsplash. com

#Flamingo #GreaterFlamingo #AnimalFact #Flamingos

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 11d

the students, it ended up it was for me too.
Seeing this presentation through their eyes, & answering their questions, reminded me that we must support the next generation. Want to make a difference in the world? Then we need to acknowledge our responsibly to those who will be here once we are gone.

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 11d

I dropped this image into my IG stories after my speaking engagement at MoorparkCollege’s TeachingZoo. I decided to make it a post as well because IG stories expire & disappear. But I want to be able to go back and remember this moment. You see, as much as this talk was for
(1/2)
#MakingADifference

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 13d

As a former instructor and former student, it is always a pleasure to go back and spend time with the next generation of animal care professionals.

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 13d

Today I am heading back to my alma mater, The Teaching Zoo at at Moorpark College for a speaking engagement with the students.

📸FlashBack Friday fun, enjoy these old photos of a younger version of me learning from some of the best animals and instructors.

#FlashbackFriday #MoorparkCollege

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Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 16d

…you can’t rely on strength to survive. Especially when you share habitat with bears, wolves, mountain lions, coyotes and humans. Many zoologists agree, the cunning mind of the fox is one of its number one survival tools.