Deb Butler
Author for A-Z Animals

The word polydactyl refers to a person or animal with more fingers or toes than usual. In the feline world, polydactyl cats have more than five toes on their front… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 day ago

Arizona has more than 8,000 bridges. Unfortunately, almost 400 of them are deemed structurally deficient or in poor condition. Despite the poor conditions of some of these bridges, several of… Read More

By Deb Butler 6 days ago

What has four legs and two ears, with all the energetic attitude of a Chihuahua and the spunky playfulness of a dachshund? It's a Chiweenie. This little designer-breed dog is… Read More

By Deb Butler 3 weeks ago

Michigan was once a steadily growing state with a booming economy. In fact, cities like Detroit experienced high growth rates for several years. However, many factors have impacted the state… Read More

By Deb Butler 4 weeks ago

Maize — familiarly called corn — has a long history of feeding people while evolving over the past 9,000 years. As humans domesticated the formerly wild plant through one of… Read More

By Deb Butler 4 weeks ago

Key West is a tropical paradise, a romantic getaway for couples, and a ... chicken sanctuary. That's right — Key West is home to a large population of feral chickens.… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

If you see a Komondor and puli in separate photos, you may note the similar corded coats and little black noses peeking out from their furry faces. However, if you're… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

If you're looking for an affordable place to get away from the cold this winter, there are scads of locations to sift through. That's why we've done the research to… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

Sasquatch. Yeti. Do both names bring similar pictures of massive apelike hominids to mind? Maybe, but that doesn't mean that there aren't fundamental distinctions between the two. Both are cryptids,… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

Dog lovers around the world have pets from a multitude of different breeds and groups. There are herding dogs, hounds, toy breeds, non-sporting dogs, terriers, working dogs, and those in… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

Upland hunters enjoy the pursuit of pheasants all over the United States. Naturally, some areas are more fruitful than others when it comes to finding these game birds. So, we've… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

In the darkening days of autumn, under the swollen moon, the folklore of monsters and otherworldly creatures can make your imagination run wild. Actually, many of those legends and lore… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

Betta fish have been sold in Western pet stores since the 19th century. However, they have served as pets to Thai royalty for even longer — since about 1,000 years… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

Known as the Cowboy State, Wyoming has over 97,914 square miles of wide-open spaces. Elk, moose, whitetail deer, and pronghorn roam the ruggedly beautiful lands, while bears, mountain lions, bighorn… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

For many of us, the winter season brings the opportunity to snuggle up under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa while watching the snow fall out the window… Read More

By Deb Butler 1 month ago

It is no secret that Canadian lakes offer residents a sumptuous lifestyle. Therefore, buying a lake home may be an excellent idea if you enjoy lake activities and appreciate magnificent… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

If you're considering a new puppy and a smaller breed suits your lifestyle, you may want to consider an adorable miniature schnauzer. Of course, there's a lot to consider and… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

When summer slips into autumn, it often brings with it the smells of ripened apples and chimney smoke, visions of vibrant golds, oranges, and reds of falling leaves, and the… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Whether it's barbecue, college football, or classic literature — such as To Kill a Mockingbird — Alabama does it better than any other state in the U.S. This southern state… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Louisiana is home to a variety of deer habitats. In particular, the upland and bottomland hardwood habitats that lie along the Mississippi River provide fertile soil and resources for deer… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

People have been coloring their hair with natural dyes for centuries. In the late 1800s, colored contacts were invented, and later — in the 1960s — became available for people… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

All across the United States, people walk, bike, and drive across bridges to get from one place to another. Without these bridges, many of the routes we take for granted… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Doberman pinschers are sleek yet muscular dogs that exude an aristocratic air. These dogs were first bred in Germany by a 19th-century tax collector named Louis Dobermann. Facing hostility for… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

With so many interesting mixed breeds and designer dog breeds today, you can find a cross of almost any two breeds. The pomsky is a mixed breed, with a cross… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

People buy second homes for a multitude of reasons. It could be because they're looking for a vacation home or an investment opportunity. Louisiana is an incredible state for buying… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Most people visualize themselves carving pumpkins, raking leaves, and putting on a warm sweater when they think about October. Although October is certainly an autumn month, there are some places… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Virginia is a beautiful state, home to the mountains, one-fourth of the Appalachian Trail, beautiful scenery, and a collection of quaint little towns and larger cities. But, which city is… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Who can resist the adorable little terrier with the happy-go-lucky attitude? Cairn terriers are playful little dogs that were bred in Scotland over 200 years ago. At first, these pups… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Arguably one of the most interesting-looking animals in the world, llamas have been around for a long time. About 400 million years ago, they roamed the central plains of North… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Hockey is one of the most popular winter sports in the United States. Even though the birthplace of professional hockey is Canada, Americans followed suit within a decade and developed… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

As a result of decreased global mortality rates and better healthcare, the world's population is quickly growing. While the fertility rate is slowly dropping, it can't match the rapid pace… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

In the past, it wasn't unusual to see service dogs and their owners out together in public. The sight of a German shepherd leading someone with a vision impairment probably… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

With 10% of the world's population living on the coastlines of our oceans, rising sea levels pose an incredibly alarming dilemma for the almost 800 million people at risk. Since… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

If you're driving on the fast-paced New Jersey Turnpike, you may look at the passing miles of dark asphalt and wonder how the state got its nickname, The Garden State.… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Have you ever dreamed about taking a trip to Australia for its amazing natural wonders and unique wildlife? New South Wales has lush rainforests, impressive waterfalls, and some of the… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

With only 1,214 square miles in surface area, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States. Moreover, it measures only 48 miles long and has a width of… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Let's face it, most dog lovers have a favorite breed, even if they really do love all dogs. For those who particularly love pugs, you know that this breed is… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

When someone tells you they're from Wisconsin, your mind may conjure up images of dairy farms, small-town football games, and charming little stores. However, there are some places in this… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Most people enjoy setting out on a road trip every now and again, listening to their favorite tunes, and enjoying the scenic byway as they drive along. The East Coast… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Missouri is a fabulous travel destination. It is a state filled with vibrant cities, quaint little towns, wide-open spaces, and wonderful waterways. There is a multitude of attractions for both… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

What exactly makes a city walkable? Naturally, it has to be pedestrian accessible to enable people to get from place to place on foot. However, there are other factors to… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

There are so many reasons people love whitewater rafting it's no surprise that 24 states in the US have rivers in which people enjoy this pastime. Some people do it… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

Key Points: Pocatello Pocatello is a lovely valley city with a vibrant historical downtown area featuring museums, art walks, as well as a zoo, hiking, walking trails, and many other… Read More

By Deb Butler 2 months ago

As Laura Gilpin said, "A river seems like a magic thing. Magic, moving, living part of the earth itself." And, rivers are indeed magical. However, they can also be perilous… Read More

By Deb Butler 3 months ago