Leslie Anthony
@docleslie.bsky.social
Biologist and science/environment/adventure travel writer for Canadian Geographic and others, tracking the intersecting climate and biodiversity crises; my books stray into fields like herpetology, invasive species and... skiing (weird, eh?).
Just going to leave this rather frightening reference about the change in global mammalian biomass from 1860 to now here. 😳🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Just going to leave this rather frightening reference about the change in global mammalian biomass from 1860 to now here. 😳🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Of course, some folks know me more as a ski journalist of 35 years standing—an experiential writer, columnist and editor at cherished ski magazines like Powder and sbcSKIER.
Oh yeah, I wrote a book about my time in that world, too. "White Planet: A Mad Dash through Modern Global Ski Culture."
Oh yeah, I wrote a book about my time in that world, too. "White Planet: A Mad Dash through Modern Global Ski Culture."
July 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Of course, some folks know me more as a ski journalist of 35 years standing—an experiential writer, columnist and editor at cherished ski magazines like Powder and sbcSKIER.
Oh yeah, I wrote a book about my time in that world, too. "White Planet: A Mad Dash through Modern Global Ski Culture."
Oh yeah, I wrote a book about my time in that world, too. "White Planet: A Mad Dash through Modern Global Ski Culture."
I also wrote a popular book (weird phrase, I know) about invasive species: "The Aliens Among Us; How Invasive Species are Transforming the Planet—and Ourselves."
That came about after years of global travel assignments on other topics that all seemed to have an invasive species component.
That came about after years of global travel assignments on other topics that all seemed to have an invasive species component.
July 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I also wrote a popular book (weird phrase, I know) about invasive species: "The Aliens Among Us; How Invasive Species are Transforming the Planet—and Ourselves."
That came about after years of global travel assignments on other topics that all seemed to have an invasive species component.
That came about after years of global travel assignments on other topics that all seemed to have an invasive species component.
Of course, regardless of whether amphibians or reptiles are your study organisms, herpetologists are always guilty by association with the snake guys—who are a whole other level of weird.
I dig into this subculture—and some fun science—in my 2008 book "Snakebit: Confessions of a Herpetologist."
I dig into this subculture—and some fun science—in my 2008 book "Snakebit: Confessions of a Herpetologist."
July 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Of course, regardless of whether amphibians or reptiles are your study organisms, herpetologists are always guilty by association with the snake guys—who are a whole other level of weird.
I dig into this subculture—and some fun science—in my 2008 book "Snakebit: Confessions of a Herpetologist."
I dig into this subculture—and some fun science—in my 2008 book "Snakebit: Confessions of a Herpetologist."
I'm a biologist by training (BSc, Waterloo, MSc, Guelph, PhD, Toronto, Postdoc, McGill) w a focus on herpetology.
As Dr. Leslie Anthony Lowcock, I worked on salamander complexes containing hybrid, polyploid unisexual forms. Some pretty arcane stuff—but a great window into evolutionary ecology.
As Dr. Leslie Anthony Lowcock, I worked on salamander complexes containing hybrid, polyploid unisexual forms. Some pretty arcane stuff—but a great window into evolutionary ecology.
July 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
I'm a biologist by training (BSc, Waterloo, MSc, Guelph, PhD, Toronto, Postdoc, McGill) w a focus on herpetology.
As Dr. Leslie Anthony Lowcock, I worked on salamander complexes containing hybrid, polyploid unisexual forms. Some pretty arcane stuff—but a great window into evolutionary ecology.
As Dr. Leslie Anthony Lowcock, I worked on salamander complexes containing hybrid, polyploid unisexual forms. Some pretty arcane stuff—but a great window into evolutionary ecology.
Being a dad is awesome. Having an awesome daughter is even better.
June 16, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Being a dad is awesome. Having an awesome daughter is even better.
World Turtle Day reminds me of the awesome teaching moments these ancient and stoic animals gifted my daughter and I when she was young and wowed by the world. 🐢🧪
May 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
World Turtle Day reminds me of the awesome teaching moments these ancient and stoic animals gifted my daughter and I when she was young and wowed by the world. 🐢🧪
Stoked to see my story on transboundary #conservation issues under Trump in @cangeo.bsky.social make the Earth Day Apple News Roundup!
April 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Stoked to see my story on transboundary #conservation issues under Trump in @cangeo.bsky.social make the Earth Day Apple News Roundup!
April 20, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I've got no bones to share for #FossilFriday, but can report I've finished initial reading for a new @cangeo.bsky.social piece on how we know what we know about dinosaurs.
My process starts w books (in this case abundant), then moves on to recent news/primary literature, then interviews. 🤓🧪🦕
My process starts w books (in this case abundant), then moves on to recent news/primary literature, then interviews. 🤓🧪🦕
March 28, 2025 at 9:47 PM
I've got no bones to share for #FossilFriday, but can report I've finished initial reading for a new @cangeo.bsky.social piece on how we know what we know about dinosaurs.
My process starts w books (in this case abundant), then moves on to recent news/primary literature, then interviews. 🤓🧪🦕
My process starts w books (in this case abundant), then moves on to recent news/primary literature, then interviews. 🤓🧪🦕
I've written plenty about #H5N1 since spring 2024. Pretty much everything people I talked to—as well as what I could deduce for the near future from existing data—has materialized.
Except, as far as we know, human-to-human transmission...
www.ginkgobiosecurity.com/h5n1-us-trac...
Except, as far as we know, human-to-human transmission...
www.ginkgobiosecurity.com/h5n1-us-trac...
February 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I've written plenty about #H5N1 since spring 2024. Pretty much everything people I talked to—as well as what I could deduce for the near future from existing data—has materialized.
Except, as far as we know, human-to-human transmission...
www.ginkgobiosecurity.com/h5n1-us-trac...
Except, as far as we know, human-to-human transmission...
www.ginkgobiosecurity.com/h5n1-us-trac...
Also, since it's #FossilFriday, how about a throwback to this massive #hadrosaur footprint — conveniently filled in and defined by rainwater — discovered during a wilderness paleo expedition by raft on assignment for @cangeo.bsky.social back in 2012. 🤓
February 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Also, since it's #FossilFriday, how about a throwback to this massive #hadrosaur footprint — conveniently filled in and defined by rainwater — discovered during a wilderness paleo expedition by raft on assignment for @cangeo.bsky.social back in 2012. 🤓
Starting the research phase for an upcoming feature in @cangeo.bsky.social. I love writing ✍️, of course, as well as reporting on the ground, but TBH, this is my favourite part of the process.
February 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Starting the research phase for an upcoming feature in @cangeo.bsky.social. I love writing ✍️, of course, as well as reporting on the ground, but TBH, this is my favourite part of the process.
This came out of a deep-cut riverbank in a Toronto ravine. It was in a clay horizon close to river level, and there's significant mineralization (it's heavy), so I'm guessing likely pre-, early- or mid-Pleistocene as opposed to later. Anyone recognize its likely owner right away? #FossilFriday
January 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
This came out of a deep-cut riverbank in a Toronto ravine. It was in a clay horizon close to river level, and there's significant mineralization (it's heavy), so I'm guessing likely pre-, early- or mid-Pleistocene as opposed to later. Anyone recognize its likely owner right away? #FossilFriday
Once upon a time in Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark... examining theropod footprints in sandstone by lantern light. #FossilFriday
January 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Once upon a time in Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark... examining theropod footprints in sandstone by lantern light. #FossilFriday
This is the cartoon that celebrated editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes is quitting the @washingtonpost.com over.
January 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This is the cartoon that celebrated editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes is quitting the @washingtonpost.com over.
I'm really beginning to enjoy #FossilFriday.
For one, it reminds me of that time I climbed to and camped out at a new Burgess Shale site in the Canadian Rockies on assignment for @cangeo.bsky.social and saw some little thingies... (all-star points awarded if you know what they are).
For one, it reminds me of that time I climbed to and camped out at a new Burgess Shale site in the Canadian Rockies on assignment for @cangeo.bsky.social and saw some little thingies... (all-star points awarded if you know what they are).
December 20, 2024 at 7:28 PM
I'm really beginning to enjoy #FossilFriday.
For one, it reminds me of that time I climbed to and camped out at a new Burgess Shale site in the Canadian Rockies on assignment for @cangeo.bsky.social and saw some little thingies... (all-star points awarded if you know what they are).
For one, it reminds me of that time I climbed to and camped out at a new Burgess Shale site in the Canadian Rockies on assignment for @cangeo.bsky.social and saw some little thingies... (all-star points awarded if you know what they are).
Was going through old photos of garter snakes and came across this shot of a perky Valley Gartersnake in Pemberton, B.C., that really shows off the locally vibrant red cheek-patch. Definitely one of my favourites of Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi!
December 18, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Was going through old photos of garter snakes and came across this shot of a perky Valley Gartersnake in Pemberton, B.C., that really shows off the locally vibrant red cheek-patch. Definitely one of my favourites of Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi!
Here's a lovely #FossilFriday mystery for ya'll from the Peace Region Paleontological Research Centre in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., part of the thoroughly excellent Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark.
Have a best guess of what the first photo depicts, then check out the second for an answer.
Have a best guess of what the first photo depicts, then check out the second for an answer.
December 13, 2024 at 7:45 PM
Here's a lovely #FossilFriday mystery for ya'll from the Peace Region Paleontological Research Centre in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., part of the thoroughly excellent Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark.
Have a best guess of what the first photo depicts, then check out the second for an answer.
Have a best guess of what the first photo depicts, then check out the second for an answer.
Low winter light is the best light.
December 12, 2024 at 9:17 PM
Low winter light is the best light.