Reader of Entrails
@haruspex.bsky.social
Zoo pathologist 🧪💀🧑🏻⚕️ She/her 🏳️🌈
Unsettling animal facts, inadvisable humor, & ridiculous cat pics.
Posts are my own and do not represent current, past, or future employers.
My day job: https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/zoo-animal-deaths
Unsettling animal facts, inadvisable humor, & ridiculous cat pics.
Posts are my own and do not represent current, past, or future employers.
My day job: https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/zoo-animal-deaths
Pinned
🧪 spines are a stack of interlocking bones with tons of oblique angles. They are hella difficult to cut through cleanly. You’re either shattering bone or spending a LOT of time digging around trying to cut all the soft bits (muscles, tendons, ligaments) to separate the bones (disarticulation).
2/?
2/?
Throwback to that time when I, random zoo pathologist on the internet, gave everyone a Lessons in Decapitation and Disarticulation™️.
Because spines are a pain in the ass, but badly-done decapitation scenes are a solvable problem.
Because spines are a pain in the ass, but badly-done decapitation scenes are a solvable problem.
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
Unfortunate update: Link reached out to BlueSky and got email back now on reason.
His appeal is denied. He will remain permanently banned on BlueSky’s side.
Here are the screenshots he just sent me as of 8:22 AM EST(my time)
His appeal is denied. He will remain permanently banned on BlueSky’s side.
Here are the screenshots he just sent me as of 8:22 AM EST(my time)
October 6, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Unfortunate update: Link reached out to BlueSky and got email back now on reason.
His appeal is denied. He will remain permanently banned on BlueSky’s side.
Here are the screenshots he just sent me as of 8:22 AM EST(my time)
His appeal is denied. He will remain permanently banned on BlueSky’s side.
Here are the screenshots he just sent me as of 8:22 AM EST(my time)
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
I wonder: Where is the place that isn’t Problematic? Every place seems to become a Nazi bar, over and over.
And we, the rats, scuttle away, ever smaller. We have our principle. We have our pride. But we no longer have a place.
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/backed-int...
And we, the rats, scuttle away, ever smaller. We have our principle. We have our pride. But we no longer have a place.
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/backed-int...
Backed into a corner
Where do I share, when every "where" is terrible?
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I wonder: Where is the place that isn’t Problematic? Every place seems to become a Nazi bar, over and over.
And we, the rats, scuttle away, ever smaller. We have our principle. We have our pride. But we no longer have a place.
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/backed-int...
And we, the rats, scuttle away, ever smaller. We have our principle. We have our pride. But we no longer have a place.
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/backed-int...
A friend described me yesterday as, “She slices, she dices, she diagnoses!”
And, thank you, that is my new short bio forever.
👩🏻🔬 🔪 🔬
And, thank you, that is my new short bio forever.
👩🏻🔬 🔪 🔬
October 2, 2025 at 10:56 AM
A friend described me yesterday as, “She slices, she dices, she diagnoses!”
And, thank you, that is my new short bio forever.
👩🏻🔬 🔪 🔬
And, thank you, that is my new short bio forever.
👩🏻🔬 🔪 🔬
Holy moly! Personal best crocodilian tooth!
No idea what kind of crocodilian, but a big one. We find a lot of shark teeth, but the crocs are rarer, so we get more excited. And I’ve only ever found ones half this long on a good day.
Found at Purse State Park, Nanjemoy, MD
No idea what kind of crocodilian, but a big one. We find a lot of shark teeth, but the crocs are rarer, so we get more excited. And I’ve only ever found ones half this long on a good day.
Found at Purse State Park, Nanjemoy, MD
September 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Holy moly! Personal best crocodilian tooth!
No idea what kind of crocodilian, but a big one. We find a lot of shark teeth, but the crocs are rarer, so we get more excited. And I’ve only ever found ones half this long on a good day.
Found at Purse State Park, Nanjemoy, MD
No idea what kind of crocodilian, but a big one. We find a lot of shark teeth, but the crocs are rarer, so we get more excited. And I’ve only ever found ones half this long on a good day.
Found at Purse State Park, Nanjemoy, MD
This bobcat is an absolute mood.
I'm offering a 20" X 16" canvas print of this bobcat portrait on sale now through Sept 27 or while supplies last.
(My watermark will not appear on the print!)
laurel-gale.pixels.com/weeklypromot...
#wildlife #nature #wallart 📷
(My watermark will not appear on the print!)
laurel-gale.pixels.com/weeklypromot...
#wildlife #nature #wallart 📷
September 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This bobcat is an absolute mood.
Oooh, this was a good one! Murky morals, machinations, class struggle, blood magic, and extremely messy queers.
So, for reasons unknown to me, MISTRESS OF LIES is currently on sale for $2.99 in ebook on all the major platforms.
Now is a really great time to grab this gothic fantasy romance and support a trans author, if you're into vampires, murder, and kissing!
Now is a really great time to grab this gothic fantasy romance and support a trans author, if you're into vampires, murder, and kissing!
September 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Oooh, this was a good one! Murky morals, machinations, class struggle, blood magic, and extremely messy queers.
Come to the MAGICAL local bookstore!!!
Contains many BOOKS and at least one Genuine Certified Live Author!
Likelihood of cursed knowledge: 95%
Also, I will be there nerding.
Contains many BOOKS and at least one Genuine Certified Live Author!
Likelihood of cursed knowledge: 95%
Also, I will be there nerding.
Heyyyyyy if you're in Takoma Park next Thursday and want to support a small bookstore, head to People's Book, where I will be talking with @haruspex.bsky.social about my BOOK at 6pm on 9/25!!!
peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/animal...
peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/animal...
Bethany Brookshire for Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains
An engrossing and revealing study of why we deem certain animals “pests” and others not—from cats to rats, elephants to pigeons—and what this tells us about our own perceptions, beliefs, and action…
peoplesbooktakoma.com
September 16, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Come to the MAGICAL local bookstore!!!
Contains many BOOKS and at least one Genuine Certified Live Author!
Likelihood of cursed knowledge: 95%
Also, I will be there nerding.
Contains many BOOKS and at least one Genuine Certified Live Author!
Likelihood of cursed knowledge: 95%
Also, I will be there nerding.
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
I got yer timeline cleanse right here, folks. A whole clutch of teeny tiny snapping turtle behbehs emerged one at a time from their underground nest and crossed the gravel road while I and a couple other humans watched and made sure they were safe from anyone else coming along.
September 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I got yer timeline cleanse right here, folks. A whole clutch of teeny tiny snapping turtle behbehs emerged one at a time from their underground nest and crossed the gravel road while I and a couple other humans watched and made sure they were safe from anyone else coming along.
None of my cases today were fuzzy, but I was tempted by fuzz anyway.
Did I touch:
1) A fluffy Aspergillus colony growing inside an animal?
2) A chonky carpenter bee, sunning itself on this lovely day?
3) Both?
Did I touch:
1) A fluffy Aspergillus colony growing inside an animal?
2) A chonky carpenter bee, sunning itself on this lovely day?
3) Both?
September 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
None of my cases today were fuzzy, but I was tempted by fuzz anyway.
Did I touch:
1) A fluffy Aspergillus colony growing inside an animal?
2) A chonky carpenter bee, sunning itself on this lovely day?
3) Both?
Did I touch:
1) A fluffy Aspergillus colony growing inside an animal?
2) A chonky carpenter bee, sunning itself on this lovely day?
3) Both?
So excited that this exhibit will still happen, and delighted that Baltimore gets to host.
Selfishly, I’m excited to see it myself. I’m also happy that tensions with and pressures at the Smithsonian didn’t stop the art from reaching people.
Selfishly, I’m excited to see it myself. I’m also happy that tensions with and pressures at the Smithsonian didn’t stop the art from reaching people.
Amy Sherald’s ‘American Sublime’ lands at the BMA after Smithsonian fallout
Amy Sherald’s “American Sublime” needed a new home after the artist pulled the exhibit from the National Portrait Gallery. Enter the Baltimore Museum of Art.
www.thebanner.com
September 3, 2025 at 9:50 PM
So excited that this exhibit will still happen, and delighted that Baltimore gets to host.
Selfishly, I’m excited to see it myself. I’m also happy that tensions with and pressures at the Smithsonian didn’t stop the art from reaching people.
Selfishly, I’m excited to see it myself. I’m also happy that tensions with and pressures at the Smithsonian didn’t stop the art from reaching people.
The correct answer provided by our @dconscitrack.bsky.social experts was: Billionaires
Just asked at the @dragoncon.org @dconscitrack.bsky.social panel "Will it Zoo" the following question was just asked...
"What would you feed a Xenomorph?"
And I'm going to be thinking about that question for days.
"What would you feed a Xenomorph?"
And I'm going to be thinking about that question for days.
September 2, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The correct answer provided by our @dconscitrack.bsky.social experts was: Billionaires
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
Had a blast after Solve for X at DragonCon sharing distressing animal facts with @dmos150.bsky.social @haruspex.bsky.social @panic.gay and @tkingfisher.com
I love this place.
I love this place.
August 31, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Had a blast after Solve for X at DragonCon sharing distressing animal facts with @dmos150.bsky.social @haruspex.bsky.social @panic.gay and @tkingfisher.com
I love this place.
I love this place.
This. Was. Epic.
I'm still agog and agag and agiddy about this lineup.
@siliconchef.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
@effinbirds.com
@dmos150.bsky.social
@haruspex.bsky.social
@stealingfromwizards.com
All on one show (plus other very cool people who I don't think are on bsky)!!!
@siliconchef.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
@effinbirds.com
@dmos150.bsky.social
@haruspex.bsky.social
@stealingfromwizards.com
All on one show (plus other very cool people who I don't think are on bsky)!!!
August 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
This. Was. Epic.
If you like words AND cursed knowledge, I’m the friend for you!
(If you like words and *curse* knowledge, you should probably read Ryan’s books, which have magic spells and hilarious hijinks. If you just like curse words, it’s back to me.)
(If you like words and *curse* knowledge, you should probably read Ryan’s books, which have magic spells and hilarious hijinks. If you just like curse words, it’s back to me.)
I learned a new word from @haruspex.bsky.social :snarge
It's the remnants of birdstrike on planes. The bird part...
It's the remnants of birdstrike on planes. The bird part...
August 31, 2025 at 3:19 PM
If you like words AND cursed knowledge, I’m the friend for you!
(If you like words and *curse* knowledge, you should probably read Ryan’s books, which have magic spells and hilarious hijinks. If you just like curse words, it’s back to me.)
(If you like words and *curse* knowledge, you should probably read Ryan’s books, which have magic spells and hilarious hijinks. If you just like curse words, it’s back to me.)
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
Here's what the third day of elementary school looked like in Mount Pleasant, Washington DC.
August 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Here's what the third day of elementary school looked like in Mount Pleasant, Washington DC.
Feel good moment! So proud of my awesome cousin Alexis for being the kind of person who will show up and do the work! (She’s always been like that.) But also delighted that there’s a pipeline and support structure to help trans folks get elected.
Inside trainings for trans candidates running for public office
LGBTQ Victory Institute debuts program for trans and gender diverse candidates
www.washingtonblade.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Feel good moment! So proud of my awesome cousin Alexis for being the kind of person who will show up and do the work! (She’s always been like that.) But also delighted that there’s a pipeline and support structure to help trans folks get elected.
Super excited to be in on this nonsense!
I'm still agog and agag and agiddy about this lineup.
@siliconchef.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
@effinbirds.com
@dmos150.bsky.social
@haruspex.bsky.social
@stealingfromwizards.com
All on one show (plus other very cool people who I don't think are on bsky)!!!
@siliconchef.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
@effinbirds.com
@dmos150.bsky.social
@haruspex.bsky.social
@stealingfromwizards.com
All on one show (plus other very cool people who I don't think are on bsky)!!!
August 20, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Super excited to be in on this nonsense!
In my safety briefing for pathology trainees in the autopsy lab:
Communication is key! Expect to say things like, “I’m behind you with a knife.” Anywhere else, that would be creepy. Here, it’s just a friendly howdy. 🤠 🔪
Communication is key! Expect to say things like, “I’m behind you with a knife.” Anywhere else, that would be creepy. Here, it’s just a friendly howdy. 🤠 🔪
August 19, 2025 at 11:26 AM
In my safety briefing for pathology trainees in the autopsy lab:
Communication is key! Expect to say things like, “I’m behind you with a knife.” Anywhere else, that would be creepy. Here, it’s just a friendly howdy. 🤠 🔪
Communication is key! Expect to say things like, “I’m behind you with a knife.” Anywhere else, that would be creepy. Here, it’s just a friendly howdy. 🤠 🔪
Post your last photo of DC to show what a hellhole it is.
(A lovely Clematis from a local yard.)
(A lovely Clematis from a local yard.)
August 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Post your last photo of DC to show what a hellhole it is.
(A lovely Clematis from a local yard.)
(A lovely Clematis from a local yard.)
My dad read me A Princess of Mars practically as soon as I was out of Dick and Janes.
For reading on my own power I think my first sci-fis were all McCaffrey. Definitely Pern and Talents books with a smattering of others. I think I started them in 6th or 7th grade?
Crichton was shortly after.
For reading on my own power I think my first sci-fis were all McCaffrey. Definitely Pern and Talents books with a smattering of others. I think I started them in 6th or 7th grade?
Crichton was shortly after.
Inspired by @scalzi.com on reading or not the Canon of science fiction...
What, bluesky scifi fans ,were the first science fiction books that you can remember reading?
For me it was
* Adrift in the Stratosphere, by AM Low
* Lensman series by EE Smith
What, bluesky scifi fans ,were the first science fiction books that you can remember reading?
For me it was
* Adrift in the Stratosphere, by AM Low
* Lensman series by EE Smith
August 12, 2025 at 12:48 AM
My dad read me A Princess of Mars practically as soon as I was out of Dick and Janes.
For reading on my own power I think my first sci-fis were all McCaffrey. Definitely Pern and Talents books with a smattering of others. I think I started them in 6th or 7th grade?
Crichton was shortly after.
For reading on my own power I think my first sci-fis were all McCaffrey. Definitely Pern and Talents books with a smattering of others. I think I started them in 6th or 7th grade?
Crichton was shortly after.
🧪 I’m a big fan of the USFWS Feather Atlas.
If you’ve ever wanted a great resource for identifying a feather you found in North America, I am so excited for you!
I use this all the time at work when someone gives me, say, a partially eaten wild bird.
If you’ve ever wanted a great resource for identifying a feather you found in North America, I am so excited for you!
I use this all the time at work when someone gives me, say, a partially eaten wild bird.
With all the moulting going on there are lots of feathers to ID. Do you know the Feather Atlas? If you want to try it out, use this feather I found today to see if you can use the key (“identify my feather”) to get to an ID. I’ll update later with my results #birds www.fws.gov/lab/feathera...
August 2, 2025 at 1:33 AM
🧪 I’m a big fan of the USFWS Feather Atlas.
If you’ve ever wanted a great resource for identifying a feather you found in North America, I am so excited for you!
I use this all the time at work when someone gives me, say, a partially eaten wild bird.
If you’ve ever wanted a great resource for identifying a feather you found in North America, I am so excited for you!
I use this all the time at work when someone gives me, say, a partially eaten wild bird.
1)This book is excellent!
2) The People’s Book is spectacular.
3) They let me be weird and nerdy with author Bethany Brookshire entirely because I have ZERO CHILL about how fun this book is.
4) Event is free! I make no promises about the state of your finances after being in a rad bookshop.
📚 🐀 🐍
2) The People’s Book is spectacular.
3) They let me be weird and nerdy with author Bethany Brookshire entirely because I have ZERO CHILL about how fun this book is.
4) Event is free! I make no promises about the state of your finances after being in a rad bookshop.
📚 🐀 🐍
HELLO DC DENIZENS. YE SWAMP PEOPLES. HEAR YE!
I will be giving a BOOK TALK at The People's Book in Takoma Park! With the wonderful, wild, delightfully weird Kali Holder!
It is FREE! September 25, 7pm peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/animal...
I will be giving a BOOK TALK at The People's Book in Takoma Park! With the wonderful, wild, delightfully weird Kali Holder!
It is FREE! September 25, 7pm peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/animal...
Bethany Brookshire for Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains
An engrossing and revealing study of why we deem certain animals “pests” and others not—from cats to rats, elephants to pigeons—and what this tells us about our own perceptions, beliefs, and action…
peoplesbooktakoma.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:34 PM
1)This book is excellent!
2) The People’s Book is spectacular.
3) They let me be weird and nerdy with author Bethany Brookshire entirely because I have ZERO CHILL about how fun this book is.
4) Event is free! I make no promises about the state of your finances after being in a rad bookshop.
📚 🐀 🐍
2) The People’s Book is spectacular.
3) They let me be weird and nerdy with author Bethany Brookshire entirely because I have ZERO CHILL about how fun this book is.
4) Event is free! I make no promises about the state of your finances after being in a rad bookshop.
📚 🐀 🐍
Paging @beebrookshire.bsky.social
Robot bunnies for invasive python defense.
My inner tween was devastated that this is not an attack bunny à la Monty Python, but that coulda gotten out of hand.
Then we’d have giant snakes, murderbot bunnies, and probably *knights*.
Robot bunnies for invasive python defense.
My inner tween was devastated that this is not an attack bunny à la Monty Python, but that coulda gotten out of hand.
Then we’d have giant snakes, murderbot bunnies, and probably *knights*.
Robot bunnies deployed in Florida to fight invasive pythons www.popsci.com/environment/...
Robot bunnies deployed in Florida to fight invasive pythons
Researchers found a creative new solution to track down the snakes.
www.popsci.com
July 28, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Paging @beebrookshire.bsky.social
Robot bunnies for invasive python defense.
My inner tween was devastated that this is not an attack bunny à la Monty Python, but that coulda gotten out of hand.
Then we’d have giant snakes, murderbot bunnies, and probably *knights*.
Robot bunnies for invasive python defense.
My inner tween was devastated that this is not an attack bunny à la Monty Python, but that coulda gotten out of hand.
Then we’d have giant snakes, murderbot bunnies, and probably *knights*.
I love StoryGraph deeply and have zero chill about it.
It has come to my attention that a bunch of you beautiful #booksky besties don't know about @thestorygraph.com and its killing me.
Please! I Beg Of You! Check it out!!
Great alternative to GoodReads, AND has so many incredible features like trigger warnings, content flags, expanded stats....
Please! I Beg Of You! Check it out!!
Great alternative to GoodReads, AND has so many incredible features like trigger warnings, content flags, expanded stats....
July 23, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I love StoryGraph deeply and have zero chill about it.
Reposted by Reader of Entrails
Generally we think of alt-text as the domain of those with accessibility needs.
However alt-text is useful for many reasons, which benefit your viewers, as well as you, the creator!
However alt-text is useful for many reasons, which benefit your viewers, as well as you, the creator!
October 28, 2024 at 10:20 PM
Generally we think of alt-text as the domain of those with accessibility needs.
However alt-text is useful for many reasons, which benefit your viewers, as well as you, the creator!
However alt-text is useful for many reasons, which benefit your viewers, as well as you, the creator!