iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to take care of a rhino? How about three rhinos? In this episode of Animals, Nature, and You we sit down with Virginia Grimley, a Rhino keeper at the @oregonzoo.bsky.social. (Links to episode below) #WorldRhinoDay

200

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

It's #WorldRhinoDay! Today on Animals, Nature, and You, I share a personal experience with meeting the nearly extinct northern white rhinos in Kenya. A story that hopefully inspires all of us to continue working to save wildlife. (Links to episode in below)

210

Reposted by Rick Schwartz

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance @denverzoo.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

We have a brand-new addition in Tropical Discovery! A lichenose leaf-tailed gecko has hatched here at the Zoo, marking the 17th hatchling of this species in just the past two years. 🥚 Baby Bulletin presented by @intermountain

0265

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Discover the remarkable life cycle of the red octopus! Maddy Tracewell, Senior Aquarist of Animal Health at @BirchAquarium joins host Rick Schwartz, sharing the groundbreaking work done in raising red octopus from egg to juvenile. (Links to episode in below) #Octopus #BabyOctopus #WildlifeEducation

200

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

On Animals, Nature, and You, Mike Veale ofGlobal Conservation Force shares updates on their recent work, innovative conservation tools, and upcoming events supporting rhino conservation. (Links to episode in below) #WorldRhinoDay

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

This episode of Animals, Nature, and You features Janet Rose-Hinestroza discussing the vital work of the Cheetah Outreach Trust USA; focusing on cheetah conservation, community involvement, and more. (Links to episode⤵️) #Cheetah #CheetahConservation #WildlifeEducation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

The latest episode of Animals, Nature, and You explores the fascinating world of snakes, debunking myths, sharing interesting facts, and offering practical advice for coexisting with these vital creatures. (Link to episode ⬇️ ) #AwesomeAnimals #WildlifeEducation #AnimalFacts

200

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

A #Caturday memory. Many years ago part of my job was to travel to other zoos & conservation locations to learn more about them; share their stories and educate the general population about the amazing work being done. This photo was from a trip visiting a clouded leopard conservation program. (1/3)

251

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

It’s a bearcat #Caturday! Today is #WorldBinturongDay! And that means it’s the day we get to celebrate my favorite animal❤️ 🍿 This is Bandar, the guy responsible for my deep love and passion for binturongs. Bandar was the first binturong I worked with, and the relationship that came from…

161

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

What happens inside the butterfly's chrysalis? Join me on “Animals, Nature, and You” to explore the processes that occurs inside the chrysalis. From enzymes to imaginal cells and "primordial goop" 🦋 (Link to full episode in below⤵️) #Butterfly #Chrysalis #AnimalFacts #WildlifeEducation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

*volume up for 15 seconds of nature. There’s a lot of noise out there. But when I get to connect with nature, I also reconnect with myself. #getOutside #connectwithnature

010

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Many years ago I was fortunate enough to find myself in the presence of the last male northern white rhino. He was the definition of a gentle giant. The rangers who cared for him spoke to him like family; in part, I suppose, because he was. (1/4) #SaveTheRhinoDay #RhinoConservation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Today’s episode of “Animals, Nature, and You”, author & naturalist, David Mizejewski from National Wildlife Federation busts myths about bees, highlights the importance of native plants, & shares practical tips for supporting pollinators & wildlife in your own yard. (Link to full episode in below)

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

New feature unlocked: Q & A episode for 10 Minute Tuesday on AnimalsNatureAndYou. Available on all podcast players and YouTube. #zookeeper #wildlifeeducation #fanmail

000

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

On this Crow & Raven Day, I could tell you that behavioral research shows us that crows and ravens possess exceptionally high intelligence. Or, I could tell you that… #CrowAndRavenDay #WildlifeEducation #AnimalFact #corvid

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

A #Caturday #AnimalFact for you: 🐅Tiger stripes are not only mesmerizing to look at, they also offer the purr-fect camouflage for the grassland & wooded habitat tigers live in. (Also, tigers don’t purr, but saying it’s the “chuff-fect camouflage” just didn’t make sense. #IYKYK.) #WildlifeEducation

010

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Happy Arbor Day 🌲🌳 I read that the purpose of Arbor Day is to encourage people and communities to plant trees. I’d like to add that perhaps today we can also remember the value of saving and maintaining the old mature trees and forests. #ArborDay #HugATree #GetOutside

010

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

As the sunsets on #EarthDay, I contemplated what photo I could use to help convey my thoughts. I landed on one of my old photos from Botswana, 2009. I remember how striking the contrast was between the earth and the sky; dark greens and billowing white clouds. (1/4)

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

A little trivia for 10 Minute Tuesday on Animals, Nature, and You. Available on all podcast players and YouTube. (Inks below⤵️) #AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Fun #Caturday fact: It may sound like I am lion when I tell you there was a time lions lived in Europe, but it’s true! We tend to think of lions as being only in Africa, but in our modern times there is still a small population of Asiatic lions in India. AND… (1/3) #AnimalFact #WildlifeEducation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Today is NOT World Skunk Day - and that stinks! #AnimalFact: Skunk spray is a chemical compound that comes from two glands located on the skunks rump. The spray is pungent and an effective deterrent. The sent sticks around because… (1/3) #skunk #skunkspray #wildlifeeducation

121

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Look, I get it… dinosaurs are fascinating. But I’m more fascinated by the spectacular species that we have ALIVE on our planet today. Check out this black tree monitor lizard. Very dinosaur like, arboreal & freaking gorgeous! #AwesomeAnimals #reptilesofinstagram #herpsofinstagram #herpetology

000

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

What my phone sees when I’m looking at my calendar and I realize it’s Friday! Yep, even working for myself, I keep a schedule. I don’t work on Saturday, so Fridays give me that “made it through the week” feeling. Hope you have that “Friday feeling” somewhere in your week too. #TGIF #giraffe

010

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

New episode of Animals, Nature, and You! 🌳Tina Brower Kraska, the founder of Red Oaks Forest School, shares the importance of child-led exploration and the benefits of outdoor learning. (Link to full episode in below⤵️) #ForestSchool #ConnectToNature #NaturePlay #GetOutside

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Was it just me or was today moving at sloth speed? #AnimalFact: Did you know sloths are slow, but not lazy? It’s true! The Sloth moves slowly to conserve energy. They have a very high-fiber/low calorie diet of mostly leaves. That means.. #sloth #wildlifeeducation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

In this episode of Animals, Nature, and You, we discover how being a drummer on tour led to visiting zoos & aquariums. And when the world went on lockdown - Rossifari podcast was born! Jon uses his platform to showcase wildlife conservation. (Link below) #WildlifeEducation #WildlifeConservation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Recent headlines celebrate a 64% increase in #MonarchButterfly populations. But is this the turning point for these pollinators? In this episode of Animal, Nature, and You, I explore what this increase means and the ongoing challenges monarchs face. #butterflyconservation #wildlifeconservation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Monarch population glow-up!?🤔 Look, I’m not trying to glaze your aura, and yeah, in the upcoming episode of Animals, Nature, and You, I’ll just put the fries in the bag - but not before I spill the lore on monarch butterfly populations. #MonarchMigration #MonarchButterfly #AnimalsNatureAndYou

010

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

When it comes to passive defense in mammals, few things match the quills & spines that poke & stab. And yes, it is considered a passive defense because no mammal can shoot its quills, not even the porcupine! For the defense to work, a predator (or other threat) must come in contact with… (1/2)

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

I do not take for granted my ability to have time in spaces like this. I hope you too can find a space in nature to disconnect, so you may reconnect. 💙💚

000

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Wildlife education isn’t just about sharing fun animal facts. It is also an avenue to open up an understanding of animals and nature. And with understanding we foster empathy and the desire to care for what we understand. (1/2)⤵️ #WildlifeEducation #EnvironmentalEducation

100

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

So excited for this! The Library Shop SD in Mission Hills is hosting Maynard Okereke (aka HipHop Science) as part of his book tour!🔬🥼🧪

020

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Bite sizes episodes - This week’s 10 Minute Tuesday on Animals, Nature, and You, is all about the amazing #Pangolin! And it also happens to be #WorldWildlifeDay, making today’s topic even more appropriate! Link in bio for all episodes, and to watch on YouTube. #Animals #Nature #wildlifeeducation

010

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

New feature unlocked! In addition to interview based episodes coming out every Thursday, short-form episodes will drop every Tuesday. Link in my bio. #AnimalFacts #Podcasting

110

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Why do I support organizations like Global Conservation Force? Because I never want to hear, “Remember when rhinos were still around? They were so magnificent - it’s sad there aren’t anymore.” #WildlifeConservation #RhinoConservation #GCF #wildlifeeducation

020

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Ever wonder why you see so many snails crossing the sidewalk after a rainstorm? Because they can! Yes, they can also do it when it dry, but it takes more time and resources. Snails rely on the mucus they produce to reduce friction while traveling. After a rainstorm… 🐌⤵️

110

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Super Bowl Sunday has always been a day to celebrate owls - Superb Owls! Although I am with an Eurasian eagle-owl in the picture, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many species of owls. #FunFact I learned from working with many different owls… ⤵️ #SuperbOwl #AnimalFact #WildlifeFact

110

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

#Caturday is a a great day to enjoy fine felines in your feed. It’s also #ReverseTheRedDay, a good day to remember wild cats need our help. Sure a lot of them have camouflage (like the #cloudedleopard in the pic). But…⤵️

162

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Did you know that we can reconnect with nature in our everyday lives? 🌱 Gabrielle Katanic (@TalkNerdyToMeCalifornia on IG) shares her journey from a nature enthusiast to a nature educator & influencer! All episodes of “Animals, Nature, and You” now available. (🔗 in bio) #NatureLovers #Ecology

000

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

It’s only Wednesday!? Is it just me, or does it feel like this week is the largest species of monitor lizard on earth? Yep, this week is dragon, Komodo dragon. 🦎 #AnimalFact #KomodoDragon

3503

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Happy International Zebra Day. This photo was taken in Kenya a decade ago. During that adventure I was able to visit with Grevys Zebra Trust & interview the director. It was during that discussion I learned how much the zebra was like family to the pastoralists. #InternationalZebraDay #GrevysZebra

110

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

“Got whiskers?” #AnimalFact: The opossum is nocturnal, but has poor eyesight. those cute ears are very important for acute hearing. And that nose that looks so boop-able (please do not boop the opossum) is very important thanks to its very strong sense of smell. (1/3)⤵️ #Opossum #WildlifeEducation

130

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Today was a much needed, outside day. #GetOutside

000

Rick Schwartz @zoologyrick.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Happy Saint Betty’s Day to those who celebrate. 🙏✨ #SaintBetty #BettyWhite

000