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Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️

@coastalpaleo.bsky.social
5.4K followers 1.3K following 2.9K posts

Marine mammal paleontologist, artist, snorkeler, beachcomber, tidepool enthusiast. Blog: www.coastalpaleo.blogspot.com

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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
MBARI @mbarinews.bsky.social · 2h
A neighborly sort of coral 🪸💕⁠ ⁠ The mushroom soft coral (Heteropolypus ritteri) is one of the most common animals we see in the depths off the central coast of California. They are abundant on the jagged walls of Monterey Canyon and the rocky slopes of local seamounts.
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Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️ @coastalpaleo.bsky.social · 2h
I saw my first ever green flash out at La Jolla last week! I was heading back to the car, SURE I would not be seeing it, and turned around in time and zoomed in just in case - and saw it! Whole thing lasted maybe 5-6 seconds. Also bonus photobombing by a blackhawk helicopter.
A photo of the sun setting over the pacific ocean with a chain link fence and silhouettes of four people in the foreground - a single helicopter is hovering over the sun. About 1/3 of the disk is visible and the topmost part is about to separate and already has green marginsA photo of the sun setting over the pacific ocean with a chain link fence and silhouettes of four people in the foreground. About 1/3 of the disk is visible and the topmost part is has separated into a small green ovalA photo of the sun setting over the pacific ocean with a chain link fence and silhouettes of four people in the foreground. About 1/3 of the disk is visible and the topmost part is has separated into a small green oval
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Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️ @coastalpaleo.bsky.social · 17h
I think I am obligated by law to get this popcorn bucket
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Gabriel Ugueto @serpenillus.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
If you are interested in Megalodon and all other prehistoric sharks (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) there is a new book coming Feb 9th that you have to get! I was lucky enough to be commissioned to illustrate this amazing book wonderfully written by Dr. Jack Cooper #paleoart #sharks #sciart
Illustration of Megalodon on a black background. The Shark is facing the viewer Cover of the book Megalodon and other prehistoric sharks Technical details about the book
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Heather F. Smith. Ph.D. @heatherfsmith.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I'm excited to share the latest article by @sjbpaleo.bsky.social , “Quantitative GIS based correlation of the Cliff House Sandstone between Tsaya and Chaco Canyons, New Mexico.” doi.org/10.3390/stra...
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Lauren @tinylongwing.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Blue-footed Booby for magpiesmiscellany - thank you for the #Waymakers donation! I had to get more sulids in here🎨🪶 #SciArt #BirdArt The Waymakers challenge is a race and fundraiser hosted every September by @theyoungcenter.bsky.social to help immigrant kids in the US. Join us again next September!
Illustration of a Blue-footed Booby perched on a lumpy dark rock overlooking a broad sea. The booby is looking over its right shoulder, showing us its goofy yellow buggy-looking eye. It has a shaggy cream-streaked head, white breast, dark wings, and bright turquoise blue feet, the color of which reflects off the lower belly.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
David Gerard @davidgerard.circumstances.run.ap.brid.gy · 04/10/2026
henstomper

oh my god the slot machine company says i have to keep putting coins in their machine or Im Gonna Get Left Behind. thats so scary. and it has to be true because they know more about slot machines than i do

oh my god the slot machine company says if we dont give them money to build the world's biggest slot machine the chinese are gonna build it first and win all the prizes. and then there wont be any prizes anymore
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Ausarchosaur @ausarchosaur.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
This is like if the people running a medical museum said they didn’t want to be known as the germ museum. Sorry chums, you can’t just skimp out on landmark scientific discoveries in your museum, no matter how many kids it draws in.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Feena van @feenavan2099.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
"Before Stonehenge was raised, before Egypts first pyramid broke ground,before the Nazca people drew their famous lines across the Peruvian desert,someone in what is now southern Arizona shaped a 272-foot fish into the earth On April 23,2026,"a border-wall contractor drove heavy equipment across it"
gadgetreview.com
Trump's Border Wall Construction Destroys 6,500-Year-Old Arizona Geoglyph – Older Than Stonehenge
Arizona's 6,500-year-old Las Playas Intaglio, the oldest dated geoglyph in the Americas, was irreparably damaged by border wall construction in April 2026.
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Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️ @coastalpaleo.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
I tried shooting star trails in Lone Pine, CA, earlier this summer and messed up by touching the lens just before starting - knocking it out of focus made the stars far from polaris dashed from the 1 second gaps between 5 min exposures. Looks kinda neat! Bright star near center is Polaris...
A star trail image showing multicolored stripes rotating about the celestial north pole with the White Mountains in the foreground
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Asher HELLbein @asherelbein.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
What kind of scandal will it take to lead to the widespread elimination of Greek fraternities? Hazing so severe it results in serious maiming or death? It's happened. Absolutely hideous sexual assaults? It's happened. Terroristic actions in pursuit of campus political power? It's happened!
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Our coalition released a statement last night. If you want talking point inspiration please read save-the-academy.org/statement.html
save-the-academy.org
Save the Academy Coalition statement, October 1, 2026
We refuse closure. Secure a year of bridge funding, appoint an independent commission, and give the public a real role in the Academy’s future.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Write a statement as a lab. Have your students sign it too. Science is eroding, public science ed. worst of all. If we shrug our shoulders & say “bummer”, nothing will improve. I know you’re tired. The slog of misery is exhausting. But I’m begging you to use your voice for the people of my city.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I cannot overemphasize that this is a fight we can win, but we need as many voices as possible here. The kids of Philly cannot afford to lose our flagship biodiversity museum. The Philly school district closed 17 schools this year. We need to turn this around for our kids and the culture of Philly.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Post them on social media. Tag Drexel in those posts. Send to President Merlo president@drexel.edu And Trish Wellenbach tw958@drexel.edu The pressure is working and we need to push it over the edge. It’s not enough, but it’s getting better. Please please take action this weekend, academics.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
If you are part of an academic society or a professor of any kind, public statements that you do not condone Drexel cutting off the academy of natural sciences from the public of Philadelphia is very important right now. We need your voices. Urgently.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
GDLeahy @xrciseguy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#FossilFriday: Sarcosuchus, from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil and Africa. On display at the National Museum of Scotland.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Eric Scott @captainfossil.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Powerful letter from paleontologist Kenshu Shimada re: the Sternberg Museum of Natural History at Fort Hays State U in Kansas, US closing by years end. Along w/ the closing of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, US, this is an alarming trend in the US right now. #FossilFriday 🧪
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Museum of the Rockies @museumoftherockies.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Happy #FossilFriday! Specular #fossils of #Brachylophosaurus have been discovered in the #Cretaceous Judith River Formation of #Montana. This is a complete skull (#MOR794) and a section of skin impressions (#MOR1071 8-98-003) from this duck billed #dinosaur.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
PaleoJim @paleojim.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
For #FossilFriday with the upcoming tragic closure of the Sternberg Museum I thought I would share some pictures of our only currently known Mancos Group mosasaur, Gnathomortis stadtmanni. First exhibited as a mounted skeleton at the John Wesley Powell River History Mus., Green River, Utah.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Dr. Jack Cooper @cooperpalaeo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
🚨Big News🚨 I wrote a book! It's out on February 9th & it’s available to pre-order now! 🦈 Published by UniPress Books & @princetonupress.bsky.social & featuring incredible art by the amazing Gabriel Ugueto @serpenillus.bsky.social, you can pre-order here: www.amazon.co.uk/Megalodon-Ot... 🦈 (1/4)
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Dr. Rich B @morphometrich.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
And in other news, the continued campaign by #Drexel to close the #ANSP is also taking some very concerning turns. Please read these updates on efforts to get transparency to #SaveTheAcademy from closure. whyy.org/articles/aca...
whyy.org
What went wrong at the Academy of Natural Sciences? Former staffers point to years of missteps
“There was a big push to not be known as the dinosaur museum,” said one laid-off worker. That shift came with a cost, ex-staffers say.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Journal of Systematic Palaeontology @journalsystpal.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A bird’s eye view of the fossil record: perspectives on avian systematics by Benito & Steell. Read here: buff.ly/fJattSx This is the latest article in our collection of agenda-setting reviews in the systematics of major fossil groups - with many more articles coming soon! #FossilFriday
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. @arctomet.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
LETTER: Absolute need to maintain entire ‘collections side’ of Sternberg Museum intact hayspost.com/posts/d21f98...
hayspost.com
LETTER: Absolute need to maintain entire ‘collections side’ of Sternberg Museum intact
Image by Pixabay Dear Dr. Tisa Mason,I am a proud graduate of Fort Hay
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Kaedan O'Brien, Ph.D. @deadbovids.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Fossil molar of a very small Eurygnathohippus, one of the last surviving 3-toed horses, from 1.5 million years ago in Kenya #FossilFriday
A small tan cracked tooth with a complex surface in front of a scale bar
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
James Lamsdell, PhD @fossildetective.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Giving a talk at North Carolina State on this #FossilFriday and getting to show this very fun figure of growth in the horseshoe crab Euproops from Haug & Haug 2020. The species gives a rare view of the development of an extinct arthropod and allows direct comparison with modern species.
A diagram showing several horseshoe crab fossils arranged in groups according to their molt stage with a swirling background connecting them.The end of the diagram showing the last two molt stages in detail.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Dave Rodland @daverodland.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#FossilFriday brings canoodling Seymouria, a largely terrestrial Permian tetrapod thought to be a stem amphibian. This replica is from our collection, but the original is apparently at Carnegie. They're called the Tambach lovers, although Seymouria aggregations have been found elsewhere too. 🧪⚒️
Replica cast of two canoodling Seymouria sanjuanensis, early Permian, Germany. 

Huh, didn’t notice the donor until just now. Guess the original's at Carnegie!
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
cenofreak88.bsky.social @cenofreak88.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Welcome to #gomphtober2026 . Kicking things off is the lower jaw of Torynobelodon, a shovel-tusker found in Cherry County, Nebraska. On diaplay at the University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln. #fossilfriday #universityofnebraskastatemuseum #prehistoricnebraska #elephant
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Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️ @coastalpaleo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#fossilfriday The fossil mastodon molar found in a streambed in the Santa Cruz Mountains a month ago or so, recently donated to a research collection at Stanford. Photo by Jeff Chiu. 🦖🧪
A photo of a well-preserved mastodon tooth in an archival box; it has five transverse ridges or lophs, with gray enamel, and a series of reddish banana-shaped roots.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre @charmouthhcc.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
October's fossil of the month isn't just one fossil but a whole host of ammonites preserved against a chunk of fossilised driftwood from the Jurassic seafloor, 190 million years ago! Found by preparator and collector Craig Chivers in February 2024 after some stormy weather. #FossilFriday #paleosky
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Hady George @houdzgeorge.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Cast of a skeleton of the Jurassic crocodilian relative Pelagosaurus on display at the Natural History Museum, London #FossilFriday
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Matt Friedman @friedmanlab.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Variety pack of eurypterids at UMMNH for #FossilFriday: Acutiramus (UMMP IP 86635), Paracarcinosoma (UMMP IP 62598), Eurypterus (UMMP IP 7157), and Dolichopterus (UMMP IP 62680). All from the Silurian of New York and Ontario.
A fossil eurypterid on a gray slab of rock.A fossil eurypterid on a gray slab of rock. It has a narrow tail and a swollen midsection.A fossil eurypterid on a gray slab of rock next to a model of the same species painted green.A fossil eurypterid on a gray slab of rock with long, extended swimming appendages. It is displayed next to a model of the same species painted brown and yellow.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Ausarchosaur @ausarchosaur.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Sternberg Museum is now also in danger of closing. So today here are old photos of a small Pteranodon from the George F. Sternberg collection. #FossilFriday
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. @arctomet.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#FossilFriday The mosasaur Plesioplatecarpus planifrons
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Jack Lovegrove @jackl0vegr0ve.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Welsh Marches mammoth for #fossilfriday
A mounted mammoth skeleton stands in front of a painting
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Tom Sharpe @tomsharperocks.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#FossilFriday & ahead of next week's fossil marine reptile conference @morethanadodo.bsky.social, here are some of Mary Anning's most impressive ichthyosaur finds @nhm-london.bsky.social, including the 'first' ichthyosaur of 1811–12, the large 1832 Temnodontosaurus, & big vertebrae of the mid-1830s.
A museum display case with fossil skeletons of large ichthyosaurs.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
aberrantologist @aberrantologist.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Doodles from a previous flocking #paleostream featuring Cephalaspis, Sclerocormus, Eoceras, and Prearcturus.
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Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️ @coastalpaleo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
static.klipy.com
Casablanca Humphrey Bogart
Alt: Casablanca Humphrey Bogart and Claude Rains, with Rains saying "I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here"
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Stephne Tate @quailtea.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Steller’s Sea Cow- extinct 1768 <3
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 01/10/2026
Cornell University police in 2024 summarized hours of interviews with a woman who said she was attacked in the Chi Phi fraternity house into a document that excluded her unequivocal statement that she had been raped, documents show. A prosecutor did not pursue criminal charges based on the document.
nytimes.com
Statement Written by Police in Cornell Assault Case Omitted Her Claim She Was Raped
Documents obtained by The New York Times show that the campus police at Cornell University sent a condensed statement to a prosecutor, who then declined to bring charges.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Kiersten Formoso, PhD(epressed) @formorphology.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hi! My World View in Nature Reviews Biodiversity was published today! Read about my three main aims when educating people about topics in natural history. www.nature.com/articles/s44...
nature.com
Three ideas to inspire curiosity in natural history education
Nature Reviews Biodiversity - Natural history can captivate the minds of all manner of people for a multitude of reasons, but a shifting media landscape demands adaptation from public educators....
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Julio the Artist @lacerdajulio.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Some more lovely weirdos! Toxodon & Mixotoxodon. #SciArt #artbyjulio
A simple infographic showing a grayish, sparse-haired Mixotoxodon and a more tan, slightly hairier Toxodon against a solid background, with a human silhouette for scale. Each animal has a graphic besides it showing an estimated range, and its scientific name below it.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 30/09/2026
One of the most harrowing things about academia, when you're a grad student, is how vulnerable you are to how you're perceived by more senior researchers. Your career advancement depends on confidential letters of reference & private discussions amongst faculty. You have no information or control.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Andy Farke @andyfarke.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I also recognize that professional organizations can't comment on everything, and strongly worded statements are just that, but also it matters to this AAM member to know that *our* organization is paying attention.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Andy Farke @andyfarke.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Earlier this morning, I sent an email to the Advocacy & Government Affairs team at AAM, requesting them to take *some* form of action. I think AAM does a good job on many things, but the apparent silence around two *major* closures is a bit disconcerting.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Andy Farke @andyfarke.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I am pretty disappointed by the lack of public acknowledgment from the American Alliance of Museums about the situations at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel (which was AAM-accredited!) & the Sternberg. There are lots of museum crises right now, but these are particularly serious.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Anthony of the Badlands @mosasaurologist.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Getting Willie out on display,replacing the stupid Xiphactinus. Willie has massive shark bite marks on its lower jaw. A result of getting scavenged after death. This is a large Plesioplatecarpus from the liwer Niobrara chalk of western Kansas. 86.5 million years old.
A large brown murder lizard noggin with articulated vertebrae in pale yellow chalk in a field jacket
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Ben Gross @bhgross144.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
First the Academy of Natural Sciences, and now the Sternberg Museum of #NaturalHistory. In a better world, leaders would divert some of the money currently being spent on AI or data centers to maintain our libraries, museums, and archives... #histSTM #histsci #STEM #paleontology 🗃️📜📚
kwch.com
Sternberg Museum in Hays to close by year’s end
The president of Fort Hays State University cited a budget shortfall in the closure decision.
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Joshua Lüdtke @joshualudtke.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
So expect that if outcry is high then fossil sales will be low. And if outcry is low then fossil sales will be high. And of course if you know any millionaires or billionaires simply ask them to commit $1M a year to FHSU for Sternberg. Statement said that's enough to keep the doors open 😉
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Reposted by Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️
Joshua Lüdtke @joshualudtke.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Fort Hays State University put out a loooooong statement today about the reasons why they "have" to shut down the Sternberg Museum and there's no mention in there that the specimens will stay in collections somewhere. They're going to try to sell as much as they can, based in part on public outcry.
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