It’s time for Fossil Friday! Meet the “strong weasel” of the genus Sthenictis. It lived some 12 million years ago during the Miocene. This well-preserved specimen is mounted as it was found during excavations in north-central Nebraska. Although it represents an extinct group, its body form is typical of mustelids. In particular, the elongated trunk, short legs, and large feet are characteristic of living mustelids such as the pine marten.
See it up close in the Museum's Hall of Advanced Mammals! We're open daily from 10 am-5:30 pm. Plan your visit.
Okay Science and Animal Husbandry Tumblr (you know who you are, I’m asking you specifically).
What is the criteria for slaughtering lambs and game hens and calves for veal and such?
Is it “well, you didn’t hit 50 lbs within 30 days, so you’re clearly not gonna be a mommy milker”? Is it “well, you hit 50 lbs within 30 days, nice growth and muscle, you will make good meat”? Is it “sorry, the coin was tails, so it’s your head!”?
zebra sharks are non-aggressive, and have few predators other than larger shark species that may be lucky enough to catch one in its jaws. as with other sharks, the largest threat to zebra sharks is humans.
zebra sharks are listed as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN red list. the reason for the listing is largely human activities. they are heavily fished throughout their range except in australia. they are taken by inshore fisheries using bottom trawls, gillnets, or baited hooks.
During the Ice Age, between 1.8 million and 11,700 years ago, dozens of different elephant relatives still roamed the globe—including mammoths and mastodons. But by the end of that period, extinctions had wiped out most giant mammals across the world. Today, only three elephant species remain: African savanna elephants, African forest elephants, and Asian elephants.
Learn more at the Museum’s new exhibition The Secret World of Elephants, now open! Discover new science about both ancient and modern elephants, see full-scale models of proboscideans, and explore humanity’s relationship with elephants—including conflict and conservation.