Maija Karala
@maijakarala.bsky.social
Illustrator, science writer and a bit of a crazy rat lady. Paleontology, biodiversity, animal behaviour.
Flirting Diplodocus.
A new study was able to locate melanosomes inside fossilized diplodocid scales. It concluded they had patterns and several types of pigment. Here's a somewhat creative interpretation on their possible appearance. #SciArt
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
A new study was able to locate melanosomes inside fossilized diplodocid scales. It concluded they had patterns and several types of pigment. Here's a somewhat creative interpretation on their possible appearance. #SciArt
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
December 14, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Flirting Diplodocus.
A new study was able to locate melanosomes inside fossilized diplodocid scales. It concluded they had patterns and several types of pigment. Here's a somewhat creative interpretation on their possible appearance. #SciArt
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
A new study was able to locate melanosomes inside fossilized diplodocid scales. It concluded they had patterns and several types of pigment. Here's a somewhat creative interpretation on their possible appearance. #SciArt
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
A somewhat liberal interpretation, but definitely inspired by your study!
The amount of details of past life preserved in the fossil record never ceases to amaze me. Nor does the creativity and tenacity of paleontologists, working to tease out that information. What a cool study!
The amount of details of past life preserved in the fossil record never ceases to amaze me. Nor does the creativity and tenacity of paleontologists, working to tease out that information. What a cool study!
December 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
A somewhat liberal interpretation, but definitely inspired by your study!
The amount of details of past life preserved in the fossil record never ceases to amaze me. Nor does the creativity and tenacity of paleontologists, working to tease out that information. What a cool study!
The amount of details of past life preserved in the fossil record never ceases to amaze me. Nor does the creativity and tenacity of paleontologists, working to tease out that information. What a cool study!
In the meanwhile, I'm trying to take extra good care of the boys, with lots of things to do, high-quality food and clean, humid air.
Of course, they are stressed and sad for losing friends, causing them to snap at each other more than usual. I hope they don't mourn very long.
Of course, they are stressed and sad for losing friends, causing them to snap at each other more than usual. I hope they don't mourn very long.
December 13, 2025 at 7:41 AM
In the meanwhile, I'm trying to take extra good care of the boys, with lots of things to do, high-quality food and clean, humid air.
Of course, they are stressed and sad for losing friends, causing them to snap at each other more than usual. I hope they don't mourn very long.
Of course, they are stressed and sad for losing friends, causing them to snap at each other more than usual. I hope they don't mourn very long.
The boys are in quarantine (no contact with rats from other homes) for a good while as recommended by the vet.
I've also ordered a test to check the id of the bacterium. It took a while to find, since there aren't that many organizations testing for exotic pet diseases that aren't zoonoses.
I've also ordered a test to check the id of the bacterium. It took a while to find, since there aren't that many organizations testing for exotic pet diseases that aren't zoonoses.
December 13, 2025 at 7:41 AM
The boys are in quarantine (no contact with rats from other homes) for a good while as recommended by the vet.
I've also ordered a test to check the id of the bacterium. It took a while to find, since there aren't that many organizations testing for exotic pet diseases that aren't zoonoses.
I've also ordered a test to check the id of the bacterium. It took a while to find, since there aren't that many organizations testing for exotic pet diseases that aren't zoonoses.
Luckily, I was able to obtain antibiotics to treat everyone else to stop the epidemic. It's usually not a good idea to give preventive antibiotics to any animals (or humans), since it risks selecting for antibiotic resistance, but in this case, there wasn't really any other option.
December 13, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Luckily, I was able to obtain antibiotics to treat everyone else to stop the epidemic. It's usually not a good idea to give preventive antibiotics to any animals (or humans), since it risks selecting for antibiotic resistance, but in this case, there wasn't really any other option.
They were wiped out by an aggressive lung infection that came seemingly out of nowhere. Rats are prone to respiratory infections, but they are usually treatable. With this one, it seems that when symptoms started, it was already too late.
December 13, 2025 at 7:41 AM
They were wiped out by an aggressive lung infection that came seemingly out of nowhere. Rats are prone to respiratory infections, but they are usually treatable. With this one, it seems that when symptoms started, it was already too late.
With pets, heartbreak is inevitable, but wow, does it sometimes come in shocking ways. We lost both Taika and Nikos last weekend, within a day of each other.
December 13, 2025 at 7:41 AM
With pets, heartbreak is inevitable, but wow, does it sometimes come in shocking ways. We lost both Taika and Nikos last weekend, within a day of each other.
We had sunlight today! It was, in fact, such an unusual occurrence it was featured on national news (with a livestream, no less).
December 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
We had sunlight today! It was, in fact, such an unusual occurrence it was featured on national news (with a livestream, no less).
At this time of the year, I find myself daydreaming about faraway places. I miss sunshine and warmth, tall mountains and blue seas and green forests. And insects.
This was the front cover of children's magazine Sieppo a few years ago, set in the Sinharaja rainforest reserve in Sri Lanka.
This was the front cover of children's magazine Sieppo a few years ago, set in the Sinharaja rainforest reserve in Sri Lanka.
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
At this time of the year, I find myself daydreaming about faraway places. I miss sunshine and warmth, tall mountains and blue seas and green forests. And insects.
This was the front cover of children's magazine Sieppo a few years ago, set in the Sinharaja rainforest reserve in Sri Lanka.
This was the front cover of children's magazine Sieppo a few years ago, set in the Sinharaja rainforest reserve in Sri Lanka.
A little chain of scritches.
November 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
A little chain of scritches.
Shelter cats.
I visited the animal shelter at Lohja, southern Finland, in preparation for an upcoming book project. Despite decades of work, cats still end up in shelters in shocking numbers.
I’m not usually a cat person but seeing these poor guys, I might have taken a few home with me if I could.
I visited the animal shelter at Lohja, southern Finland, in preparation for an upcoming book project. Despite decades of work, cats still end up in shelters in shocking numbers.
I’m not usually a cat person but seeing these poor guys, I might have taken a few home with me if I could.
November 3, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Shelter cats.
I visited the animal shelter at Lohja, southern Finland, in preparation for an upcoming book project. Despite decades of work, cats still end up in shelters in shocking numbers.
I’m not usually a cat person but seeing these poor guys, I might have taken a few home with me if I could.
I visited the animal shelter at Lohja, southern Finland, in preparation for an upcoming book project. Despite decades of work, cats still end up in shelters in shocking numbers.
I’m not usually a cat person but seeing these poor guys, I might have taken a few home with me if I could.
Wake me up when spring comes, please.
October 31, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Wake me up when spring comes, please.
The babies still have no names, but I have fallen in love with this one, who I didn't have much of a connection with when I picked them up. He's very sweet, a bit shy and has beautiful green-ish eyes I have never seen before on a rat.
October 30, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The babies still have no names, but I have fallen in love with this one, who I didn't have much of a connection with when I picked them up. He's very sweet, a bit shy and has beautiful green-ish eyes I have never seen before on a rat.
Marilyn was probably the reason for some of the extra drama. She's a female rat visiting us for her honeymoon. The boys can smell her from another room and are acting as if they got an extra shot of testosterone (with removal of half of their brain cells too).
October 30, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Marilyn was probably the reason for some of the extra drama. She's a female rat visiting us for her honeymoon. The boys can smell her from another room and are acting as if they got an extra shot of testosterone (with removal of half of their brain cells too).
Phew, finally done with the introductions! It took almost three weeks this time, but all the big boy rats have now accepted the newcomers.
There doesn't seem to be any rule to the varying difficulty of rat introductions. It can take a couple of ours or a month - just roll the dice and try.
There doesn't seem to be any rule to the varying difficulty of rat introductions. It can take a couple of ours or a month - just roll the dice and try.
October 30, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Phew, finally done with the introductions! It took almost three weeks this time, but all the big boy rats have now accepted the newcomers.
There doesn't seem to be any rule to the varying difficulty of rat introductions. It can take a couple of ours or a month - just roll the dice and try.
There doesn't seem to be any rule to the varying difficulty of rat introductions. It can take a couple of ours or a month - just roll the dice and try.
I haven’t had much time for drawing anything personal lately, but here’s a quick doodle of my rat Hönö, who curled into this seemingly very uncomfortable position and then promptly fell asleep using himself as a pillow.
October 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I haven’t had much time for drawing anything personal lately, but here’s a quick doodle of my rat Hönö, who curled into this seemingly very uncomfortable position and then promptly fell asleep using himself as a pillow.
Beginning of the Polar Night.
It's this time of the year again - sun barely rises and is most of the time obscured by clouds. Back in the Cretaceous, Arctic winters would have been even darker and greyer: warmer climate meant little snow, and studies suggest a permanent polar cloud cap. Poor dinos.
It's this time of the year again - sun barely rises and is most of the time obscured by clouds. Back in the Cretaceous, Arctic winters would have been even darker and greyer: warmer climate meant little snow, and studies suggest a permanent polar cloud cap. Poor dinos.
October 29, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Beginning of the Polar Night.
It's this time of the year again - sun barely rises and is most of the time obscured by clouds. Back in the Cretaceous, Arctic winters would have been even darker and greyer: warmer climate meant little snow, and studies suggest a permanent polar cloud cap. Poor dinos.
It's this time of the year again - sun barely rises and is most of the time obscured by clouds. Back in the Cretaceous, Arctic winters would have been even darker and greyer: warmer climate meant little snow, and studies suggest a permanent polar cloud cap. Poor dinos.
Hyvin todennäköisesti! Tule piipahtamaan meidän osastolla, jos muilta kiireiltä ehdit.
October 25, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Hyvin todennäköisesti! Tule piipahtamaan meidän osastolla, jos muilta kiireiltä ehdit.
Spiny friends!
Stegosaurs bore a fantastical variety of bony plates, spines and osteoderms, probably a mix between ornamental, defensive and offensive.
Stegosaurs bore a fantastical variety of bony plates, spines and osteoderms, probably a mix between ornamental, defensive and offensive.
October 24, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Spiny friends!
Stegosaurs bore a fantastical variety of bony plates, spines and osteoderms, probably a mix between ornamental, defensive and offensive.
Stegosaurs bore a fantastical variety of bony plates, spines and osteoderms, probably a mix between ornamental, defensive and offensive.
Oh, I would love to see them one day!
On mild winter days when temperature is around zero C, there can be quite a few insects searching for food, shelter or mates. (in slow motion due to the cold). I illustrated a few of them for a children’s magazine a while back.
On mild winter days when temperature is around zero C, there can be quite a few insects searching for food, shelter or mates. (in slow motion due to the cold). I illustrated a few of them for a children’s magazine a while back.
October 20, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Oh, I would love to see them one day!
On mild winter days when temperature is around zero C, there can be quite a few insects searching for food, shelter or mates. (in slow motion due to the cold). I illustrated a few of them for a children’s magazine a while back.
On mild winter days when temperature is around zero C, there can be quite a few insects searching for food, shelter or mates. (in slow motion due to the cold). I illustrated a few of them for a children’s magazine a while back.
And to end with a lovely little detail: yesterday, Taika was meeting the little ones and apparently liked them so much that he refused to go back to the big cage with the big boys. Instead, he moved in with the babies. I tried to offer him his usual home several times, but he just wouldn't have it.
October 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
And to end with a lovely little detail: yesterday, Taika was meeting the little ones and apparently liked them so much that he refused to go back to the big cage with the big boys. Instead, he moved in with the babies. I tried to offer him his usual home several times, but he just wouldn't have it.
I’m taking an in-between approach with a short confinement in a moderately small space to ease their tensions enough that they actually can get to know each other without the babies getting immediately attacked by Rufus and Elmo. So far it's looking very promising. Wish us luck!
October 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I’m taking an in-between approach with a short confinement in a moderately small space to ease their tensions enough that they actually can get to know each other without the babies getting immediately attacked by Rufus and Elmo. So far it's looking very promising. Wish us luck!
There are several ways to continue. Some rely on a shared stressful event (being shut in a small container) to bring them together, others on a wider space that allows getting away from each other.
In any case, it's important to do it in a unfamiliar place with no valuable resources to defend.
In any case, it's important to do it in a unfamiliar place with no valuable resources to defend.
October 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
There are several ways to continue. Some rely on a shared stressful event (being shut in a small container) to bring them together, others on a wider space that allows getting away from each other.
In any case, it's important to do it in a unfamiliar place with no valuable resources to defend.
In any case, it's important to do it in a unfamiliar place with no valuable resources to defend.
Luckily, rats have a high inhibition against seriously biting each other – which is very much needed, because their teeth are like scalpels attached to a power tool.
Bullying babies mostly means holding them in place while sniffing aggressively. It’s scary enough for the little ones, though.
Bullying babies mostly means holding them in place while sniffing aggressively. It’s scary enough for the little ones, though.
October 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Luckily, rats have a high inhibition against seriously biting each other – which is very much needed, because their teeth are like scalpels attached to a power tool.
Bullying babies mostly means holding them in place while sniffing aggressively. It’s scary enough for the little ones, though.
Bullying babies mostly means holding them in place while sniffing aggressively. It’s scary enough for the little ones, though.
I was pretty shocked that Elmo, who seems like such a cuddly sweetheart, threw a full-on tantrum about the babies, puffing and hissing and chattering. It just shows I didn't really see him as he is - an adult individual of his species - and expected him to behave like the stuffed toy he looks like.
October 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I was pretty shocked that Elmo, who seems like such a cuddly sweetheart, threw a full-on tantrum about the babies, puffing and hissing and chattering. It just shows I didn't really see him as he is - an adult individual of his species - and expected him to behave like the stuffed toy he looks like.