Jeff Dukes
@dukesjeff.bsky.social
🌎🌱Climate change science and global change ecology at Carnegie Science. Professor (by courtesy) at Stanford.
[Private account, not representing employer]
[Private account, not representing employer]
The scientist walked on down the trail, carrying the box and wondering if mimicking snakes was something California newts even did. When, all of a sudden…
“Whoa! A banana slug!”
But that’s another story.
Happy Sunday!
16/16
“Whoa! A banana slug!”
But that’s another story.
Happy Sunday!
16/16
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The scientist walked on down the trail, carrying the box and wondering if mimicking snakes was something California newts even did. When, all of a sudden…
“Whoa! A banana slug!”
But that’s another story.
Happy Sunday!
16/16
“Whoa! A banana slug!”
But that’s another story.
Happy Sunday!
16/16
“Wheeew!” The newt thought, as the scientist walked away. “That was close!” And it promptly fell fast asleep under the mushroom.
15/16
15/16
November 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
“Wheeew!” The newt thought, as the scientist walked away. “That was close!” And it promptly fell fast asleep under the mushroom.
15/16
15/16
The newt wondered if the scientist was about to grab him.
“Well, that’s probably as much excitement as that newt wants to have today,” the scientist thought. The box he was carrying had nothing to do with newts. “I should probably leave it alone now.”
14/??
“Well, that’s probably as much excitement as that newt wants to have today,” the scientist thought. The box he was carrying had nothing to do with newts. “I should probably leave it alone now.”
14/??
November 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The newt wondered if the scientist was about to grab him.
“Well, that’s probably as much excitement as that newt wants to have today,” the scientist thought. The box he was carrying had nothing to do with newts. “I should probably leave it alone now.”
14/??
“Well, that’s probably as much excitement as that newt wants to have today,” the scientist thought. The box he was carrying had nothing to do with newts. “I should probably leave it alone now.”
14/??
The hiker, who was in fact a scientist, was impressed. “I didn’t know that newts could make their tails look like snakes, he thought. Is that even what this one is trying to do? Amazing.”
13/??
13/??
November 23, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The hiker, who was in fact a scientist, was impressed. “I didn’t know that newts could make their tails look like snakes, he thought. Is that even what this one is trying to do? Amazing.”
13/??
13/??
The newt was creative. I will make my tail look like a ferocious snake, it thought. It wasn’t sure if that was something newts even did. But it was worth a try. It carefully curved its tail and poked out the tip.
12/??
12/??
November 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The newt was creative. I will make my tail look like a ferocious snake, it thought. It wasn’t sure if that was something newts even did. But it was worth a try. It carefully curved its tail and poked out the tip.
12/??
12/??
But what if he doesn’t understand my warning colors, the newt wondered? He’s not going away! And I saw he was carrying a big box. I don’t want to be caught!
11/??
11/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:53 PM
But what if he doesn’t understand my warning colors, the newt wondered? He’s not going away! And I saw he was carrying a big box. I don’t want to be caught!
11/??
11/??
I know he saw me, the newt thought. I better show him I am not afraid. I will stick out my tail with its warning colors, it thought. Then he will know not to mess with me.
10/??
10/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I know he saw me, the newt thought. I better show him I am not afraid. I will stick out my tail with its warning colors, it thought. Then he will know not to mess with me.
10/??
10/??
The newt made it completely under the mushroom! It was totally hidden. But now, it started to wonder. What’s happening out there? That hiker looked like a scientist. Will it grab me? Does it realize I am toxic?
(Actually 9/??)
(Actually 9/??)
November 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The newt made it completely under the mushroom! It was totally hidden. But now, it started to wonder. What’s happening out there? That hiker looked like a scientist. Will it grab me? Does it realize I am toxic?
(Actually 9/??)
(Actually 9/??)
The mushroom was perfect cover. But it was a little small. The newt scrunched all the way in, trying to figure out how to fit its tail.
9/??
9/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The mushroom was perfect cover. But it was a little small. The newt scrunched all the way in, trying to figure out how to fit its tail.
9/??
9/??
The hideout was a brand new mushroom that had just pushed up from the soil. It made a little cave. And the newt thought it could fit underneath.
7/??
7/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The hideout was a brand new mushroom that had just pushed up from the soil. It made a little cave. And the newt thought it could fit underneath.
7/??
7/??
It hadn’t seen this hideout before. But just maybe it would work.
6/??
6/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:26 PM
It hadn’t seen this hideout before. But just maybe it would work.
6/??
6/??
Off the side of the trail, it spied a promising possibility. But could it get there before disaster struck?
5/??
5/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Off the side of the trail, it spied a promising possibility. But could it get there before disaster struck?
5/??
5/??
The newt decided its best option was to take cover. But where?
4/??
4/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
The newt decided its best option was to take cover. But where?
4/??
4/??
It came across a hiker. I’m not sure what to make of him, it thought.
3/??
3/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:18 PM
It came across a hiker. I’m not sure what to make of him, it thought.
3/??
3/??
It was a perfectly happy newt, minding its own business
2/??
2/??
November 23, 2025 at 8:14 PM
It was a perfectly happy newt, minding its own business
2/??
2/??