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Benjamin Mohler

@ptpaleo.bsky.social

173 followers 399 following 89 posts

PhD student, paleontologist, Research Technician, Independent science writer. Download my free virtual museum: store.steampowered.com/app/2993500/… patreon.com/PTPALEO

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by Benjamin Mohler

Eos @eos.org · 09/09/2026

80% of survey participants reported experiencing at least one harmful fieldwork interaction, such as aggression, harassment, stereotyping, and privacy violations. 🧪 New research in @aguadvances.bsky.social eos.org/research-spo...

Four in Five Researchers Report Harmful Interactions During Geoscience Fieldwork. A New Survey Suggests a Path Forward. - Eos

A new survey documents the prevalence of harmful interactions that occur during fieldwork. Many instances go officially unreported.

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Four new fossil exhibits just opened in my free virtual museum SHADOWBOX! Check out the details here: store.steampowered.com/news/app/299...

store.steampowered.com

SHADOWBOX: Mausoleum of Natural History - Back to School Update! FOUR New Exhibits Open in SHADOWBOX (Windows Beta 2.4.0) - Steam News

Four new exhibits are now open in free virtual museum SHADOWBOX, with fossils ranging from 440 to 75 million years old!

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Officially a PhD student now

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Microstream is on! Today, I am photographing fragments of eggshell from the gigantic bird Aepyornis! These birds lived on the island of Madagascar, and went extinct only around a thousand years ago. www.youtube.com/live/C74PcMA...

Examining Elephant Bird Eggshell! | Microstream #55

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people at this year's WAVP! My team is presenting on new developments in the Cretaceous-aged Menefee Fm. of New Mexico... I'm speaking at 9:45am on Saturday, sharing the very first report of coprolites (that's fossil poop!) from this unit.

Title slide for a conference talk: First Report of Coprolites from the Upper Cretaceous Menefee Formation, New Mexico, USA. Image at the center of the slide shows a turd-shaped fossil the size and shape of a baby carrot.

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Today, I'm showing off what's new in the latest update to SHADOWBOX. Virtual Fossil Museum Update! | Introducing the Triassic Ammonite Xenoceltites | SHADOWBOX Beta 2.1.1 LIVE now: www.twitch.tv/ptpaleo

PTPALEO - Twitch

Paleontologist, independent science writer, and creator of the free virtual museum SHADOWBOX.

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

3 days later, the Horner - Epstein timeline has been viewed 114,000 times. Thanks to everyone who shared to help ensure that this information was not buried. I do not have power to enact change on my own, but I do have the research skills to bring facts to light.

Reposted by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

3 hours ago, I shared my results of having combed through ~470 DOJ Epstein files that mention Jack Horner, his MSU email, or "Dinochicken". I posted a copy, w/ screenshots and receipts, to r/Paleontology. It has been pinned by moderators and thus far viewed 38k times. www.reddit.com/r/Paleontolo...

From the Paleontology community on Reddit: Timeline of Jack Horner - Jeffrey Epstein contact per DOJ's newest releases (see comments)

Explore this post and more from the Paleontology community

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Post is now sitting at 58,000 views... people are demanding an adequate response from @societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social A commenter has pointed to Ghislane's 7/25 testimony (p. 241) which places the Maxwell/Epstein/Kennedy/Horner North Dakota dig back in 1993-1994!!! www.justice.gov/storage/audi...

Reposted by Benjamin Mohler

Ezekiel O'Callaghan @raptorchatter.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

I've heard there's a meeting for @societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social tomorrow. Hopefully they're planning on responding to this in more earnest than their email this morning.

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

🧵CC: @gondwannabe.bsky.social @tweetisaurus.bsky.social @chinleana.bsky.social @arctomet.bsky.social @davehone.bsky.social @vjcheng.bsky.social @notthatmarsh.bsky.social @vertanatomist.bsky.social @t-s-sci.bsky.social @ejrpaleo.bsky.social @formorphology.bsky.social @dinochick.bsky.social

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

🧵CC: @renpoole.bsky.social @paleojim.bsky.social @paleowin.bsky.social @nataliajagielska.bsky.social @skyemcdavid.com @kulindadromeus.bsky.social @stevebrusatte.bsky.social @shaena.bsky.social @arminreindl.bsky.social @raptorchatter.bsky.social @paleorob.bsky.social @cambriancam.bsky.social

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

3 hours ago, I shared my results of having combed through ~470 DOJ Epstein files that mention Jack Horner, his MSU email, or "Dinochicken". I posted a copy, w/ screenshots and receipts, to r/Paleontology. It has been pinned by moderators and thus far viewed 38k times. www.reddit.com/r/Paleontolo...

From the Paleontology community on Reddit: Timeline of Jack Horner - Jeffrey Epstein contact per DOJ's newest releases (see comments)

Explore this post and more from the Paleontology community

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

It's Microstream Monday! Today, I am photographing specimens of Leveilleites, a type of ancient algae. These fossils come from the Nurmekund Formation of Estonia, and date back 437 million years, to the Silurian Period! www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf9w...

Photographing Ancient Algae from Estonia! | Microstream #54

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

There is no man, no scientist, no legacy that is so important that they cannot face consequences for their actions. There is no research that is so important that it must be carried out, even if it can only be done with funding from wealthy pedophiles. Rescind Horner's Romer-Simpson medal. Ban him

Reposted by Benjamin Mohler

Natalia (娜塔莉) @wrycritic.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Founders of modern paleontology, and their contributions to systemic racism, classism and sexism (🧵) Henry Osborn (1857–1935), responsible for naming of Tyrannosaurus & Velociraptor; president of ANHM. Co-founder of the American Eugenics Society. Contributing to books later praised by Hitler.

The first attempt to reconstruct Tyrannosaurus rex, in the 1905 paper in which Osborn named it and a panel mount of the skeleton (middle), from the 1916 paper in which Osborn described and named it.

Reposted by Benjamin Mohler

Dr. Rich B @morphometrich.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

(11) In 2013, Horner was awarded the Romer-Simpson Medal by the @societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social (its highest honor). I was at the meeting and saw his acceptance speech. Given this, I would urge those still in SVP to perhaps call on the Society to RESCIND the Medal and suspend his membership...

Reposted by Benjamin Mohler

Karen Poole @renpoole.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Nope, the date says this is after Epstein’s 2008 conviction in Florida. Funding is hard to come by, but there was no reason not to know Epstein was a problematic funding source in 2012.

Reposted by Benjamin Mohler

PaleoJim @paleojim.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Jack Horner in the Epstein File trying to raise money to fund dinosaur research. When I discovered we had rich nazis on our dig in 2008, I dropped them like a rancid turd; ask Don. There will never be a Trumpasaurus with my name attached! @paleontologizing.bsky.social @utahpaleo-ufop.bsky.social

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Today, I am photographing two specimens of Cooksonia, one of the earliest land plants known! They are approximately 423 million years old, hailing from what is now Poland in eastern Europe. www.youtube.com/live/Reuzqpx...

400+ Million Year Old Plant Fossils! | Microstream #53

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Did you know? I'm on display at the Arizona Museum of Natural History! youtube.com/shorts/_nkn3...

I'm on display at the Arizona Museum of Natural History! #AzMNH

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Today is another photography day on Microstream! I will be examining several examples of the trilobite Amphyxina bellatula, which were recovered from the Orodovician-aged Maquoketa Formation of Missouri. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyzq...

Photographing Ordovician Trilobites from Missouri! | Microstream #52

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Today, for my first Microstream of 2026, I'll be photographing lanternfish fossils. These little guys are around 10 million years old and come from Los Angeles County, California! www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-0J...

Photographing Lanternfish Fossils! | Microstream #51

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Virtual Museum UPDATE: 7 New Exhibits! SHADOWBOX Beta 1.65 Dev Stream www.youtube.com/live/Y94P-Mg...

Virtual Museum UPDATE: 7 New Exhibits! SHADOWBOX Beta 1.65 Dev Stream

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

It's out! A brand new update for SHADOWBOX has dropped with seven new exhibits to explore, including: -3 new Cretaceous galleries -First Silurian & Paleocene galleries -First Australian gallery Check out the full patch notes: store.steampowered.com/news/app/299...

store.steampowered.com

SHADOWBOX: Mausoleum of Natural History - SEVEN new exhibits open in SHADOWBOX! Patch Notes 12/21/25 (Beta 1.65) - Steam News

Virtual Museum SHADOWBOX has released SEVEN new free fossil exhibits for players to explore

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

A big update for SHADOWBOX is nearly here... are you ready to explore some new exhibits?

View of a virtual exhibit showcasing a Cretaceous-aged fish vertebra. There is a sign in the middle of the shot indicating that the next room contains tyrannosaur fossils, and some of these bones are visible through the entrance.

Reposted by Benjamin Mohler

Ben Williamson @benpatrickwill.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵 Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

For the 50th Microstream, I'll be taking some photos of blind trilobites from the ancient Wheeler Shale of Utah! www.youtube.com/live/xnOt_xq...

Photographing Blind Trilobites! | Microstream #50

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Just updated my SHADOWBOX player map to include some new additions. In recent months, we've picked up our first players in Algeria, Slovenia, Guatemala, and Uruguay! Here's aiming to close out Year 1 of beta testing with 500 total players... 🤞

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

A spoonful of Menefee helps the Monday go by! For my microstream this week, I'm looking at 80 million year old sand under my microscope, for the next hour, in hopes that we find some fish teeth... www.youtube.com/live/AHEwUS_...

A Spoonful of Menefee Helps the Monday Go By | Microstream #49

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

It's time for a Microstream! This week, I'm sifting through yet more 80-million-year-old sediment, which last time yielded this fish tooth... www.youtube.com/live/nGbzLCW...

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

& also, I might be working on a virtual exhibit to help visually tell the story of Glossopteris as well...

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Just out this morning, a special (& free) bonus blog for Halloween: The Ghost of Glossopteris www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-... This is a spooky tale about extinction, climate change, and our obligation to protect the living world.

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

In case you missed it, here's the recording of Monday's stream showing what's new in my FREE virtual museum project! www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD4z... #fossils #UE5

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Showing off what's new in my virtual museum as of the most recent update! SHADOWBOX Virtual Museum Update | Beta 1.55 Devstream www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVTP...

SHADOWBOX Virtual Museum Update | Beta 1.55 Devstream

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

A new update for SHADOWBOX is out now (Windows Beta 1.55)! There are some new fossils on display, such as this dinosaur eggshell... store.steampowered.com/news/app/299...

Screenshot of an interactive display with an enlarged dinosaur eggshell. Text reads dinosaur eggshell fragment, Sauropoda indet., Anacleto Formation, Patagonia, Argentina, Late Cretaceous Period

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

AI is BS

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

It's time for another Microstream, LIVE for the next hour! Today, I'm sifting through some 80 million year old sediment in search of teeth, bones, and shells. www.youtube.com/live/sMSwHbG...

Searching Cretaceous Sand! | Microstream #47

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Doing another mini-microstream for the next 30 minutes! Today, I'm taking continuing tophotos of fossils from the Bangor Limestone of Alabama; this is a marine deposit that dates back 330 million years old! www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW-5...

Photographing a 330,000,000 Year Old Seafloor! | Microstream #46

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

This week, I'm doing a shorter 30 minute stream to take photographs of fossils from the Bangor Limestone. This is a Mississippian (~330 million year old) deposit that preserves the fossils of many delicate sea animals! www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYXN...

Photographing a 330,000,000 Year Old Seafloor! | Microstream #45

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

It's #Microstream Monday! This week, I'm continuing to clean a dinosaur bone under the microscope. This fossil was just recently collected from the Menefee Formation of New Mexico, and is around 80 million years old. www.youtube.com/live/mhbbC1P...

Cleaning a Dinosaur Bone, Week 2 | Microstream #43

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

LIVE for the next hour! Today for #microstream I'm cleaning up a dinosaur bone collected just last month from the Menefee Formation of New Mexico: www.youtube.com/live/mr33Q2k...

Cleaning a Dinosaur Toe Bone | Microstream #43

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Today marks 3 years since I launched the Parent-Teacher Guide to Paleontology on Patreon! In that time, I've published: -202,174 words of material utilizing 1,175 scientific sources -65 Expedition Videos -42 Microstreams -1 really awesome virtual museum! www.patreon.com/posts/ptpale...

PTPALEO's 3 Year Anniversary: Milestones & Moving Forward | Benjamin Mohler

Get more from Benjamin Mohler on Patreon

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Microstream is back with a new scope light! For one more week I'm sorting through sediments collected from the Menefee Formation - Cliff House Sandstone contact. www.youtube.com/live/1xxqj5Y...

Testdriving New Scope Light! | Microstream #42

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

In case you missed the stream, here's my devlog video for SHADOWBOX Beta 1.4! What's new in this update? Four exhibits (Kaibab Limestone, Moenkopi Formation, Thaynes Group, Blue Lias), a free camera mode, and paleogeographic maps! youtu.be/XfjV_ZX9U1Q?...

Virtual Fossil Museum Update! New Exhibits, Maps, & More! | SHADOWBOX Devlog Windows Beta 1.4

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Hard at work preparing the next SHADOWBOX update, set to release with FOUR new exhibits! Here is a sneak peek at the Moenkopi Formation, a rock unit that dates back to the Triassic Period...

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Spending some time under the scope for Microstream Monday! www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGiz...

Petri Dish Power Half-Hour | Microstream #41

YouTube video by Benjamin Mohler

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Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Sneak peek at the updated SHADOWBOX lobby! Next update (Windows Beta 1.4) should be pushed in the next week or so...

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

An integral part of museum exhibit design is hiding pride flags everywhere

A sign that lists Brachychampsa, cf. Denazinosuchus, and Deinosuchus, color-coded to resemble the bisexual pride flag.

Benjamin Mohler @ptpaleo.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Where in the world are SHADOWBOX players? This is a map of (the majority of*) beta testers to date. It's incredible to me that folks around the world have gotten up close and personal with #fossils primarily from here in the Southwest, including many that I've collected myself! 👀 Alt text for list.

A world map highlighting SHADOWBOX players. The following countries are highlighted in yellow to denote more than 5 players: the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, Canada, Germany, Turkey, Australia, The Netherlands, France, Indonesia, and China. The following countries are highlighted in blue to denote between 1 and 5 players: Greece, Hungary, Poland, India, The Philippines, Spain, Belgium, Czechia, Italy, Ukraine, Colombia, South Africa, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Austria, Argentina, Estonia, Portugal, Namibia, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Mexico, Serbia, Hong Kong, Belarus, Malaysia, Iraq, Chile, New Zealand, Sweden, Malta, Morocco, Bulgaria.