Catherine Gin
Author for A-Z Animals

Catherine Gin has more than 15 years of experience working as an editor for digital, print and social media. She grew up in Australia with an alphabet of interesting animals, from echidnas and funnel-web spiders to kookaburras and quokkas, as well as beautiful native plants including bottlebrushes and gum trees. Being based in the U.S. for a decade has expanded Catherine's knowledge of flora and fauna, and she and her husband hope to have a hobby farm and vegetable garden in future.


Hook-Nosed Sea Snake Picture

The hook-nosed sea snake is a highly venomous species responsible for up to 90% of fatal sea snake bites. The hook-nosed sea snake — also known as the beaked, common,… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Texas Garter Snake Picture

Texas garter snakes provide helpful pest control for gardens and residential areas. The Texas garter snake is one of 13 subspecies of the common garter snake native to North America.… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake Picture

The yellow-bellied sea snake has the largest habitat range of any snake species in the world. The yellow-bellied sea snake belongs to a unique genus that inhabits marine environments. It… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Brahminy Blindsnake Picture

Brahminy blindsnakes are the smallest snakes in the world. Due to their burrowing habits, Brahminy blindsnakes are often mistaken for earthworms. You can distinguish them from earthworms as the latter… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Sidewinder Picture

Sidewinders can reach a traveling speed of 18 mph. Also called the horn viper, horned rattlesnake, or sidewinder rattlesnake, sidewinders are relatively small rattlesnakes at 18 to 32 inches long.… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Nose-Horned Viper Picture

Nose-horned vipers have potent venom. However, they are not aggressive snakes and will try to move away from a threat if possible. The most noticeable thing about the nose-horned viper… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Goliath Tigerfish Picture

Some people call the Goliath Tigerfish a "fish on steroids" or the African version of the piranha. Whatever you call it, the Goliath tigerfish is one scary animal. These strong… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Red-Bellied Black Snake Picture

Around 35 people are bitten by these snakes each year, however there have been no recorded fatalities. The red-bellied black snake is a semi-aquatic, carnivorous species of venomous snake native… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Asian Vine Snake Picture

The Asian vine snake’s long, thin tongue resembles a worm that can lure in frogs and other prey. The Asian vine snake is native to Southeast Asia and lives in… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Flying Snake Picture

Flying snakes don't really fly — they glide! Though they don’t fly like birds or bats, the very sight of these brightly colored southeast Asian snakes “swimming” through the air… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Habu Snake Picture

The habu snake is most famous for its use in "medicinal" habu sake (habushu), or snake wine. The habu snake, also called the Kume Shima or Okinawa Habu, is a… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Eyelash Viper Picture

The eyelash viper has a distinct set of scales above their eyes that look like bold eyelashes. The eyelash viper appears in many different colors, making it attractive to the… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Asp

Asp Picture

Queen Cleopatra reportedly committed suicide by letting herself be bitten by an asp. The asp is a venomous snake native to parts of Europe. Although this reptile has long been… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Horned Viper Picture

When Cleopatra committed suicide in 31 B.C. it's theorized she used this type of snake to end her life. The horned viper is also known as the horned sand viper… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Northern Water Snake Picture

The northern water snake is often confused for the venomous cottonmouth and the copperhead, although it is nonvenomous. The northern water snake is a species of common water snake that… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Rough Green Snake Picture

The rough green snake loves to climb trees in pursuit of prey. The non-venomous rough green snake is quite a remarkable sight. Identification is quite easy because their bright emerald,… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Bushmaster Snake Picture

The bushmaster snake is the world’s longest pit viper. The bushmaster is a beautiful snake, large in size, with dark blotches or rhomboids over lighter-colored, often beaded scales, but it… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Brown Water Snake Picture

Brown water snakes are commonly seen with the spines of catfish they've eaten sticking out of their sides! Brown water snakes are aquatic snakes from North America that feed primarily… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Joro Spider Picture

Joro spiders use the wind current to “balloon” on, trailing their silk threads from their body to catch themselves in the air. The Joro spider shares its name with a… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Groenendael Picture

Although developed as a herding dog, this breed makes an excellent guard and working dog and is used by police forces and the military. The Groenendael is one of four… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Aidi Picture

Aidi dogs are rarely seen in other regions outside of their native North Africa. The Aidi, which originates from Morocco in North Africa, is an expert at protecting herds of… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Polyphemus Moth Picture

The Polyphemus moth is named after a cyclops in Greek mythology. A member of the Saturniidae family, this large moth is easily recognizable by the eyespots on its wings. These… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Saluki Picture

Arabians nicknamed this breed “el hor,” meaning “the noble,” and prized them as much as their famous horses. Among the oldest and most venerable of all dog breeds, the Saluki… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Alaskan Klee Kai Picture

The Alaskan Klee Kai's popularity is growing, and small litter size and its recent addition to the American Kennel Club mean you may wait a while to find a puppy.… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Bouvier Des Flandres Picture

The Bouvier Des Flandres is also known as the vuilbaard (dirty beard), koehond (cow dog), and toucher de boeuf or pic (cattle driver). The Bouvier des Flandres (pronounced "boo-vee-ay duh… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko Picture

The satanic leaf-tailed gecko's scientific name translates to "fantastical creature with a flat tail." One of the most spectacular examples of camouflage in the animal kingdom, the satanic leaf-tailed gecko… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Dik-Dik Picture

The dik-dik gets its name from the whistling sound it makes with its nose. A dik-dik is a very small antelope. They are nocturnal and live in Africa. They have… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Chinese Alligator Picture

At any one time, the Chinese Alligator can have as many as 80 teeth in its mouth. It's constantly losing them but the lost teeth are continually replaced. If an… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Stabyhoun Picture

The Stabyhoun's name means "stand-by-me dog" or "stand-by-me hound," from the Frisian words stabij and houn. The Stabyhoun is a sporting dog breed from the Netherlands and among the top… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Irish Water Spaniel Picture

The Irish water spaniel is a mystery to many people because no one quite knows what breeds were used to originally make it. The athletic and sporty Irish water spaniel’s… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Redbone Coonhound Picture

Incredibly vocal, the Redbone Coonhound's voice can be a sweet tune in areas that won’t be disrupted by their frequent noise. The Redbone Coonhound dates back to colonial days, but… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Maltese Shih Tzu Picture

The origins of the Maltese Shih Tzu date back to the 1990s. Most of these dogs are the result of first-generation crosses, but there are second and third-generation crosses as… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Babirusa Picture

Babirusas can stand up on their back hooves to reach leaves on low branches in trees. Babirusas are known for their unique, curving tusks that are in fact teeth and… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Pocket Beagle Picture

The modern Pocket Beagle is an attempt to recreate the smaller old English scent hounds from centuries ago. The Pocket Beagle (also sometimes known as the Old English Pocket Beagle)… Read More

By Catherine Gin 3 years ago


Myna Bird Picture

The myna bird is called "The bird who prays.” Myna birds are passerines or songbirds. They don’t all belong to one species or even one genus. All of them, basically,… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Chinese Shar-Pei Picture

The Chinese Shar-Pei is smart and intelligent, making it easy to train. They make great guard dogs, due to their intimidating look and loyalty to their family. Chinese Shar-Peis are… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Nile Crocodile Picture

A female Nile crocodile has a special pouch in her throat where she hides her young from predators. An adult Nile crocodile can be as long as 20 feet! They… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Alusky Picture

The Alusky is excellent at pulling sleds and carts like its purebred parents. Breed a Siberian Husky with an Alaskan Malamute and you get another dog that loves the cold… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Fisher Picture

The fisher is secretive and difficult to find; many misconceptions about them still thrive. These misconceptions begin with the name itself: the fisher, sometimes called a "fisher cat," is not… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Springbok Picture

The springbok is a medium-sized antelope that roams across the African savanna in massive herds, protected from predators by sheer numbers. The springbok is one of southern Africa's most well-known… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Yorkie Bichon Picture

Yorkie Bichons can come in a wide range of colors including black, white, blonde, gray, golden, or dark brown. Yorkie Bichons are a hybrid breed created by mixing a Bichon… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Peagle Picture

Peagles enjoy being the center of attention. This can make them a very entertaining breed to own. Peagles are a hybrid dog breed created by breeding a Pekingese and a… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Jackabee Picture

Even for a dog, the Jackabee has an incredible sense of smell that it inherited from its fox-hunting parents. The Jackabee is a spunky, hard-working, and upbeat little mix with… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Torkie Picture

Torkies are sweet, affectionate dogs with high energy levels that are best suited for seniors or singles. The Torkie is a crossbreed between a Yorkshire Terrier and Toy Fox Terrier.… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Shepweiler Picture

The Shepweiler is a good choice for experienced and diligent owners who have the time and knowledge to train it and care for its needs. If you’re looking for a… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Meagle Picture

The Meagle is a hybrid breed with an advanced sense of smell that is classed as a hound. The Meagle, a crossbreed between Miniature Pinscher and a Beagle, is a… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Beago Picture

Beagos are playful, sturdy dogs and always ready for an energetic game of chase, hide-and-seek, or fetch. Breed a Golden Retriever with a Beagle and the result is a Beago!… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Gerberian Shepsky Picture

With their high energy levels, sensitive noses, and alert personalities, Gerberian Shepskies are perfect guard dogs and working companions. With fluffy fur, bright eyes, and incredibly alert senses, the Gerberian… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Bichpoo Picture

Though the Bichpoo is small in size, these dogs are alert and bold, making them excellent watchdogs for families. A Bichpoo is a lively, intelligent dog. It’s a mix between… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago


Cavador Picture

Due to its friendly nature and overall intelligence, the Cavador is sometimes used as a seeing-eye dog, a search and rescue dog, or any other service dog. The Cavador is… Read More

By Catherine Gin 4 years ago