As Mexico’s 12th-largest state, Baja California has diverse geography ranging from beaches to deserts and even dense forests. It also has a diverse range of reptiles, particularly its snakes–in fact,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 days 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!
As Mexico’s 12th-largest state, Baja California has diverse geography ranging from beaches to deserts and even dense forests. It also has a diverse range of reptiles, particularly its snakes–in fact,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 days ago
Most of us know snakes did not lose their legs overnight. In fact, it was a long, slow evolutionary process that took place over many thousands of years. But the… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 7 days ago
Every cat has its own unique personality, and some are more rambunctious than others! If you’re lucky enough to live with a particularly troublesome, mischievous cat, here are 45 great… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 week ago
The Volunteer State is home to more than 400 unique bird species! Whether you’re an avid birder or simply casually enjoy observing birds in your backyard, it can be helpful… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 week ago
The pug is among the most popular and recognizable small dog breeds, but it's worth noting that it isn't ideal for everyone. If you're interested in bringing home a pug… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 weeks ago
Hardy and easy to care for yet an impressively colorful plant, the rex begonia is also known as the king begonia or the painted leaf begonia. Over 500 unique cultivars… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 weeks ago
Turtles are fascinating animals and can be great pets for the experienced reptile enthusiast. However, they certainly aren’t for everyone, and it’s worth taking the time to consider whether one… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 weeks ago
When deciding on a name for your feline friend, it can be helpful to look to other languages for inspiration! Specifically, French cat names can be elegant, unique, elaborate, or… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 month ago
Scales can be a helpful adaptation for many animals, and they can vary significantly in size, shape, texture, color, and even function. When most of us think of animals with… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 month ago
The color of an animal's blood is largely determined by the presence of certain transport proteins. Hemoglobin, for instance, gives humans and most other vertebrates our distinctively deep red-colored blood.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 month ago
As the United States’ most snake-infested state, Texas is home to 68 unique snake species! This includes many types of water snakes that inhabit lakes and rivers. Below, we’ll take… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 month ago
Polar bears are known for their strength and athleticism, but they're quite speedy, too! Below, we'll take an in-depth look at just how fast a polar bear can run. In… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 month ago
One of the largest reptiles to ever exist in the United Kingdom was the ichthyosaur, a massive fish-like marine reptile that thrived from the Mesozoic period up until around 90… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 months ago
Short and squat with long ears and folds upon folds of loose skin, the Basset hound is a uniquely adorable breed beloved by dog owners worldwide. Although they were originally… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
To some, the idea of eating the flesh of a snake is understandably a bit irksome at first, much less a venomous rattlesnake! However, this unorthodox food is actually on… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
With its short silvery-blue coat and bright green eyes, the Russian Blue is an elegant and striking cat breed popular not only in Russia but worldwide! If you’re lucky enough… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
The bearded dragon, also affectionately known as the beardie among reptile hobbyists, is one of the world’s most popular and beloved pet reptiles. Its docile, curious temperament combined with its… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
The brown recluse spider is one of only three types of spiders in North America with venom strong enough to be dangerous to humans. For many, this tiny arachnid is… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
Boasting nearly 1,000 total unique native and non-native fish species, North Carolina’s waters have something for just about every angler hoping to land their next big catch. Among the state’s… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
Arizona, also known as the Grand Canyon state, is the sixth-largest state in the US as well as the 14th most populous. But just how big is it in square… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 3 months ago
Also known as the white whale due to its ghostly white body coloration, the adorable and quirky beluga whale is an incredibly unique animal. But just how big is an… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
A wide range of reptile species live in the United States, from massive crocodiles and pythons to teeny-tiny geckos and turtles. Below, we’ll take an in-depth look at the absolute… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
With around 800 total species covering more than 100 genera, eels are a surprisingly diverse and eclectic group of fish! They range in size from as little as two inches… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
There are around 8,000 lakes in Washington state, and their native snake species are incredibly diverse! In total, around a dozen different species of snakes live in the state. Most… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
Originally named the Brahmapootra after the Brahmaputra River, what we know today as the Brahma chicken breed has a rich history as a meat, egg, and even pet breed both… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
Blue catfish aren’t just big–they’re massive! They’re the largest type of catfish in all of North America, with only the flathead catfish even coming close to its enormous size as… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
Originating in the Boston Mountains, the White River stretches across much of Arkansas and Missouri before it reaches its mouth at the Mississippi River to the east. In total, it’s… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 months ago
Bats are a surprisingly diverse group of animals, ranging in size from teeny-tiny hognose bats the size of your fingertip to massive megabats with wingspans stretching five feet wide! The… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 4 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
When most people think of the world’s largest animals, we don’t often think of the ones with the largest heads specifically. But a big head can be a significant advantage… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Raising and caring for chickens can be incredibly rewarding, and many chicken owners look forward to their flock’s first eggs! But how long does it take for a hen to… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Every cat owner has seen it: it’s 3 AM, and your feline companion is suddenly absolutely full of energy, practically (and sometimes literally!) bouncing off the walls with excitement! Or… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
As a massive, fearsome macropredator with dazzling tiger-like stripes and rows of tough, serrated teeth, the tiger shark is truly one-of-a-kind, even among a group of animals as incredible as… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Out of more than 50 species of snakes that can be found in the US, only a select few have the distinct honor of being the absolute fastest of the… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
Key Points West Virginia is home to around 20 species of snakes. Only two of West Virginia’s snakes are venomous: the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead. Both are generally fearful… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
With around 40 unique species of snakes slithering around Arkansas, the state is one of the most snake-infested areas in the entire country. But what sorts of snakes should you… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
The two living species of mako sharks aren’t just fierce predators with mouths full of razor-sharp teeth–they’re also the fastest sharks in the entire ocean! But how fast can they… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 5 months ago
With its massive, sail-like dorsal fin and long, spear-like snout, the sailfish has one of the most distinctive and instantly recognizable appearances of any fish species. But the main thing… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Also simply known as the pike throughout much of Europe and North America, the northern pike is an impressive and highly sought-after catch amongst many anglers mainly due to its… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Common fish that start with the letter "M" include mackerel, mackerel shark, mahi-mahi, mahseer, mail-cheeked fish, mako shark, mandarinfish/mandarin Goby, manta ray, marbled lungfish, marlin, masu salmon, medaka, megamouth shark,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
The walleye, alternatively known as the yellow pike or yellow pickerel, is a popular game fish in North America thanks to its abundance and fairly manageable size. It’s also an… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Hardy, widespread, and diverse, the many known species of rat snakes can vary in size and overall appearance. But just how big do rat snakes get, and how quickly do… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Every US state has its own symbols, from state mammals and birds and fish to plants and even fungi! They all have their own unique meanings to the states they… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
California’s hot, rather dry climate makes it an ideal home to a wide range of native and non-native snake species. However, some of California’s snakes prefer to live in wetter… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Key Points: Bar Harbor, located in Maine, has the lowest air quality in the state. The average air quality index score in Bar Harbor is 40.8, bordering the "Moderate" range.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Out of all 50 US states, Louisiana has among the most invasive species, second only to Florida. Thanks in part to its rich, moist soil, and warm, humid climate, it’s… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Key Points: Anna, a cozy rural village located in Shelby County, Ohio, is the town most likely to experience an earthquake in the state. Anna is situated near the northwestern… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Key Points: Sharonville, Ohio, is ranked as the most likely city in the state to be hit by a tornado, according to USA.com's tornado index scores. Found in Hamilton County,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Tampa, Florida has a wide range of options to campers looking to get away from it all, whether you prefer a luxurious glamping paradise or enjoy a more basic, barebones… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago
Biting midges and mosquitoes are both flying, biting insects most of us prefer to stay far, far away from. Because these pesky bugs tend to be so bothersome and unpleasant,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 6 months ago