@bittelmethis.bsky.social
Wild animal & author of GRIZZLED (March 3, 2026). Science Writer @ Nat Geo, NYT, WashPo, etc. Prev: KSJ @ MIT, Nat Geo Explorers. He/him. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002/grizzled-by-jason-bittel/
We demand answers.
Later on, when they discover the savage animals at the holding facility, the main scientist is a skunk. Skunks are a normal part of Zootopia society, not even a lesser-than lifeform, like the reptiles in Zootopia 2. (Not that that would make it better, but I'm just saying.)
So, I've been thinking about something.
In Zootopia, Nick sold the mafia shrew a rug made out of a skunk's butt.
This is considered bad form, because... 🦨.
But shouldn't it be the equivalent of a human selling a human a rug made out of human skin?
Nick Wilde = Buffalo Bill
Am I wrong?
Well guess what! I'm not the only one who thinks AWE is POWER. 🧪
"Our review findings indicate that even w/varied methods, approaches and measures, awe was repeatedly found to be effective at positively influencing pro-environmental behaviour."
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
I'm sorry, a bottlenose WHAT
Super cool! going back to snow leopards/conservation -- have you crossed paths with @biologistimogene.bsky.social? She talked to me about bobcats for my book, but I know s.leopards are near and dear to her, too
Oh wow, you're into all kinds of fun stuff!!
That was... interesting!!
Thanks for the share, Elisabeth! What kind of volunteer work do you do?
Thread. This is a big part of why I do the volunteer work that I do. It makes me so happy to see people getting excited about animals: learning about ones they weren't familiar with, and learning MORE about the ones they already knew.
GRIZZLED is a wildlife wonder-guide designed to re-calibrate your relationship w/wildlife, from the crows & bats in the sky & the opossums in your woods to the ants on your counter & daddy longlegs in your garage.
Buy it for someone who needs some awe. 🧪
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804002...
Well guess what! I'm not the only one who thinks AWE is POWER. 🧪
"Our review findings indicate that even w/varied methods, approaches and measures, awe was repeatedly found to be effective at positively influencing pro-environmental behaviour."
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
But I've always tried to keep my head down & tell myself, getting people to fall in love with nature/wildlife IS IMPORTANT, because we protect what we care about, and we care about what we know.
And I think the premise of GRIZZLED is... we don't actually know very much about the animals around us.
Days when you look around & see your colleagues covering wars, pandemics, violence, & political malfeasance, & you think...
why should anyone care about this weird worm I'm suddenly obsessed with?
does this rodent really matter to anyone?
how could this jellyfish be as important as all that?
A very long time ago, when I was in grad school, I remember performing a piece I'd written for my classmates that would go on to sort of be the thesis of my career.
The gist? I would like to write about animals, because they are awesome.
Because they fill me with AWE.
But there are days...
Dying
lol… amazing. I hope you can also hear lugnuts being buzzed off with a pneumatic wrench and Fox News blaring in the background
Now weirdly invested in who gets the job...
No! We got skunked that night and then I had my book launch reading, and then friends in from out of town on Saturday, so I wasn't able to get out again. Bummer to have missed it! Though also kind of impressed with the borough (or whomever) making that decision.
I wrote about this line of research a few years back, and I'm still in awe of all the little, hidden ways creatures on this planet have adapted to make use of the cues around them. And how cool is it that every day, scientists are pulling back that curtain? 🧪
Happy 1-week Anniversary to 🐻GRIZZLED🐻
Don't worry, I won't celebrate every weekly anniversary. Or will I?
🦑🦊🧪🦉🐍
Amazing idea, and that name! Bravo! 🧪
String cheese and wheat thins are the perfect snack.
I will not be taking questions at this time.
Loved this!
The teeth of the Californian Horn #shark (Heterodontus francisci) are incredible - this CT image by @ellanicklin.bsky.social shows the first rows of the juvenile dentition. How scary can this shark be when it has jazz-hands for teeth!? 🦈🦷 @ufresearch.bsky.social 👐
One of my kids tested positive for Flu B this weekend. He had Flu A two weeks ago. He also received the flu shot in the fall.
Someone has been home sick in my house since February 9.
🙃
Come hear me read from my new book tonight in #Pittsburgh! The event is free, and they are also going to livestream! 🧪🦑🦊🦉🐍🐡
www.eventbrite.com/e/reading-co...
🤣
Probably not ideal, but looks like some early risers might actually emerge into snow! That's wild. www.facebook.com/reel/2693284...
