Over the years, breeders have selectively bred domestic cats to display and pass on a wide variety of unique traits. From long, patterned fur to specific eye colors and face… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 weeks ago
Hailey "Lex" Pruett is a nonbinary writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering reptiles and amphibians. They have over five years of professional content writing experience. Additionally, they grew up on a hobby farm and have volunteered at animal shelters to gain further experience in animal care.
A longtime resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, Hailey has owned and cared extensively for a wide variety of animals in their lifetime, including cats, dogs, lizards, turtles, frogs and toads, fish, chickens, ducks, horses, llamas, rabbits, goats, and more!
Over the years, breeders have selectively bred domestic cats to display and pass on a wide variety of unique traits. From long, patterned fur to specific eye colors and face… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 weeks ago
Georgia's warm, humid summers and mild winters make it the perfect home for a range of reptile species, particularly its resident turtles! In total, around 30 different species of turtles… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
The Sunshine State is home to a wide range of fascinating reptiles, and its turtle population is especially diverse and stunning! There are around 30 different types of turtles in… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
Hairy frogs sound like something out of a horror movie, but in reality, their unique adaptations are far more fascinating than scary! From its bizarre bony claws and the brutal… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
Pacman frogs, also known as horned frogs, are among the hardiest, most unique-looking, and most popular pet frogs in the world. Their widespread appeal has, of course, led to the… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
Key Points: Ragdoll cats are known for their calm and docile temperament. They are often referred to as "puppy-like" cats because of their tendency to follow their owners around and… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
With somewhere between 40 and 70 recognized cat breeds (depending on the registering organization you ask) on the market, the domestic cat has more diversity within its species now than… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Snakes are rather strange animals in general thanks to their bizarre anatomy, but have you ever wondered: what are the most unusual, odd, and absolute weirdest snakes in the entire… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
One of the most bizarre-looking land mammals is the enormous yet gentle elephant, with its huge ears, long trunk, and...wait, what's up with those feet? Do elephants have toes? Why… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Key Points: Crows are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods. They tend to prefer meat over vegetables and eat large quantities of insects. There are 45 different kinds… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
There are more than 4,000 different species of snakes on our lovely green and blue planet, and they make up an incredibly diverse group of fascinating (albeit often tragically misunderstood)… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
The Persian is among the most popular and well-loved cat breeds thanks to its loyal, affectionate temperament, adorably round face and eyes, and long, luxuriously silky fur. If you’re thinking… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
When it comes to the smartest species within the animal kingdom, elephants are definitely near the top of the list. How smart are elephants, then? Well, for starters, they have… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Elephants are enormous animals with powerful legs, but just by looking at them, you wouldn’t expect them to be very fast movers. For starters, they are extremely heavy, weighing in… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Elephants are among the largest animals on the planet, so you’d naturally assume that their teeth are quite large, too. However, just by looking at an elephant, you wouldn’t be… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Ah, wonderful, relaxing sleep--all animals need it. Sleeping is the perfect way to recharge after a long day (or night). Some species are diurnal, while others are nocturnal or crepuscular.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
If you’ve ever seen pictures of videos of elephants walking, eating, or perhaps playing together, you’ve probably wondered at some point: what is a group of elephants called? Research has… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Elephants are surprisingly agile animals for their enormous size. They can run at speeds of up to 25 mph, and their young are able to hold their bodies up and… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
African clawed frogs are tongueless and toothless. While basically all frogs are semi-aquatic to some degree, some species spend nearly all of their lives underwater! Though they are quite rare,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
From their striking fur coloration to their smelly yet effective defense mechanism, skunks are unique and fascinating animals. Do skunks make good pets? There are several different species of skunks,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Axolotls are incredibly unique amphibians native to just one small area in Mexico City. Thankfully, their populations have increased through conservation and their popularity in the pet trade! In recent… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Black and white cats can come in many breeds, sizes, and patterns! In fact, most known cat breeds can have black and white fur, from the well-known British shorthair to… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Florida is home to thousands of species of crabs that vary widely in size, shape, color, diet, and more. Although it’d be nearly impossible to cover every single one of… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
If you love exotic pets, you may have wondered at some point if the adorably bizarre bushbaby pet, also known as the Galago, could be reasonably kept in captivity. After… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
For most of us, the term “black snake” can refer to just about any snake that is mostly black. From this perspective, potentially hundreds of snakes could be black snakes,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Though it isn't ideal for novice dog owners, the Boerboel breed can be an incredibly rewarding companion. Before moving forward with adopting or purchasing one of these dogs, however, it’s… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 11 months ago
Incredibly, more than 900 unique dinosaur genera have been identified by experts with the help of fossil records! However, only a very small group have names starting with W. Below,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 11 months ago
Many species of lizards and geckos are surprisingly adept swimmers, but what about the ever-popular leopard gecko? Do these adorable little lizards have the right body structures and adaptations for… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 11 months ago
Bearded dragons are fascinating little lizards, and they’ve taken the reptile-keeping world by storm over the past few decades. But where do bearded dragons actually live in the wild? Let’s… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 11 months ago
If you’re struggling to name your new pet pit bull, we’re here to help! It can be a difficult and intimidating task to come up with a permanent name for… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 12 months ago
Leopard geckos are among the best pet lizards for beginners and reptile experts alike. However, not every aspect of their care is as simple or straightforward as you’d imagine. If… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 12 months ago
Many animals can benefit from washing up in the bath every now and then, but what about your bearded dragon? Do these adorable little lizards need baths, and when are… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 12 months ago
While no exotic pets are truly “cheap” in the long run, it can still be worth considering less expensive, more manageable options, particularly if you’re a beginner to owning them.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 12 months ago
Like most bird species, chickens have eyes positioned on the sides of their heads rather than the front. This gives them a surprisingly wide field of vision and, more importantly,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 12 months ago
If you’re trying to come up with a name for your dog, it can be helpful to look to your favorite media for inspiration. Anime, in particular, is a great… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Mourning Gecko Summary “Mourning geckos are all female and reproduce via parthenogenesis!” Also known as the common smooth-scaled gecko, the mourning gecko is a very small, all-female species of lizard.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
There are a lot of common misconceptions when it comes to a safe and healthy diet for pet rabbits. Many pet owners simply aren’t sure what vegetables, fruits, and greens… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
It’s not easy choosing the perfect name for your cat, especially for such a regal and elegant breed as the Siamese. Below, we’ve selected 40 great names ideal for Siamese… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Domestic chickens are a bit like nature’s little garbage disposals, happily and safely able to gobble up a surprisingly wide range of foods. One particular food many flock owners often… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Naming your dog can be a rather daunting task. After all, your dog will ideally carry the name you choose for their entire life! But this doesn't have to be… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Technically speaking, an invertebrate is any animal that lacks a spine or backbone but generally lacks bones entirely. They make up 95% of all animal species roaming the Earth today… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Chihuahuas are adorable, fun-loving dogs that enjoy a good adventure. However, if you plan to take your Chihuahua swimming, you must remember some special precautions to accommodate them adequately. Below,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Naming your cat can be a surprisingly daunting task, but it doesn't have to be! If you need some ideas, we're here to help. Below are 65 great cat names… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
When most people think of rabbit food, carrots tend to be one of the first things that come to mind. We see it all the time in television, movies, and… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Swimming with your dog can be lots of fun for both your and your pup. However, it can also be dangerous if you don’t keep several important precautions in mind… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Intelligent, loyal, and active, the Giant Schnauzer has been a beloved dog breed since the 1800s. If you own one of these dogs, you likely want to know what to… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
The Bichon Frise is among the most popular small dog breeds for many reasons. They are highly intelligent, loyal, fun-loving, and affectionate. However, the breed isn’t ideal for everyone, and… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
When most of us think of intelligent birds, ducks usually aren't the first species that come to mind. Most people likely imagine birds like parrots or crows. However, you certainly… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Nile Monitor Summary “The Nile Monitor is the world’s fourth-largest lizard!” The Nile monitor is one of the largest lizards on the planet, averaging 4 to 7 feet long and… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
As Mexico's 12th-largest state, Baja California has a diverse geography ranging from beaches to deserts and even dense forests. It also has a diverse range of reptiles, particularly its snakes.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago