Also known as the Yellowhammer state, Alabama is incredibly biodiverse, especially when it comes to its state reptiles! In fact, it houses nearly 40 unique turtle species that vary wildly… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year 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!
Also known as the Yellowhammer state, Alabama is incredibly biodiverse, especially when it comes to its state reptiles! In fact, it houses nearly 40 unique turtle species that vary wildly… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Despite being the third-smallest state in the U.S., Connecticut is home to 12 unique turtle species! These species are surprisingly diverse, ranging from tiny musk turtles to gigantic snapping turtles… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
South Carolina has a diverse range of habitats for its size, from its sandy shores to its densely wooded forests. As a result, a wide range of turtles calls South… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
North Carolina is home to around 20 total species of turtles ranging from tiny three-inch mud turtles to massive sea turtles that can reach upwards of 5 feet long! If… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Sea turtles are certainly among the most stunning and fascinating reptiles on the planet, and many animal lovers dream of getting the chance to see them up close in person.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Despite being such a small state with a fairly chilly climate, New Jersey is home to more than a dozen different species of turtles! From teeny-tiny bog turtles to impressively… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Kentucky, also known as the Bluegrass State, has an incredibly rich biodiversity level, especially regarding its shelled reptiles! In total, Kentucky is home to 14 different turtle species. If you're… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Michigan’s chilly climate doesn’t seem like it’d be hospitable to a substantial reptile population, but there are actually 10 species of turtles that call the Great Lake State their home.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Adorably small and compact with an ornately-patterned shell, the humble box turtle is one of North America’s most common and widespread types of turtles! Despite their small size, the many… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year 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 1 year ago
Key Facts: Scientifically and taxonomically speaking, black snakes are those which belong to the Pseudechis genus. There are nine such snake species in this genus. However, there are other snakes… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
When most of us think of turtles in Florida, we think of massive, majestic sea turtles gracefully swimming along the Sunshine State's sandy coasts. However, Florida is also home to… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
For most of us, the word “cobra” mainly brings to mind snakes like the king cobra and Indian cobra, with their large, ornately patterned hoods and deadly venom. What most… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year 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 1 year ago
Pythons are a large and diverse group of snakes, ranging significantly in color, size, habitat, diet, and more. Among them are some of the largest snakes in the world, as… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Mamba snakes have quite a frightening reputation thanks to their speedy, aggressive natures and deadly venom! Of course, the most well-known (or perhaps infamous!) type of mamba is the eerily… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
The very word “anaconda” instantly strikes fear into the hearts and minds of people all over the world, and for plenty of good reasons! These unique snakes are absolutely massive–some… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 1 year ago
Key Points There are more than 15 unique families of snakes within the Serpentes suborder of reptiles, including pythons, cobras, boas, and vipers. There are a few key traits that… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years 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 2 years ago
North Carolina’s unique range of habitats and climates gives it a huge amount of species diversity, especially when it comes to the state’s resident reptiles! Around a dozen or so… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Although Georgia’s winters are a bit too chilly for some reptiles, a handful of lizard species have still been able to thrive in the temperate peach state. Home to a… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
California is home to an incredibly wide range of wildlife, including its reptile population! In fact, the Golden State has more than 50 unique species of colorful, visually striking lizards… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Arizona’s hot, arid climate makes it the perfect environment for a stunning range of reptiles! Its lizard population is especially rich and diverse, with around 50 unique species calling the… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Thanks to its uniquely warm, humid, borderline tropical climate, Florida is home to a wide range of animals that would normally not thrive in the United States' more temperate regions.… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
From fearsome snakes to gentle tortoises, reptiles are a diverse and fascinating group of animals that have existed for hundreds of millions of years! Learning about our planet’s scaly inhabitants… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Florida has some of the most vibrant, diverse, and stunning wildlife–not just in the United States but the entire world! This is largely thanks to Florida's semi-tropical climate, which provides… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Hawaii is home to a unique variety of reptiles ranging from tiny skinks to massive sea turtles and iguanas. Interestingly, none of the geckos in Hawaii are native–all have been… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Having plenty of ways to classify and organize animals based on their physical traits and ancestry has made studying them much easier for scientists. However, sometimes things get tricky, especially… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Geckos are a pretty unusual bunch of reptiles, with perhaps their most bizarre and noteworthy trait being their massive, bulging eyes. If you own one of these unique lizards or… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Many animals must undergo a period of dormancy or significantly lessened activity to save energy during a particular time of the year (typically the cold, harsh winter months). Depending on… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
If you own a leopard gecko or have ever handled one, you may have realized they’re surprisingly chatty lizards. Perhaps you’ve heard one chirp or “bark” at you upon getting… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
The Lone Star State is home to a wide range of incredible animal species! This includes lots of reptiles who are right at home in its warm, sunny climate. Even… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
With so many amazing reptiles now integrated into the pet trade, choosing which particular one will suit you best can be tricky and confusing! If you’re an aspiring reptile owner… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
All animals have to maintain their core body temperature somehow for their bodily processes like digestion, growth, and respiration to run smoothly. You've likely heard at some point that all… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Quick Answer Reptiles differ from amphibians in that they breathe oxygen through their lungs, and their skin is protected by dry scales to prevent drying out. Turtles, including all tortoises… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Snakes are unique animals with truly bizarre anatomy. In fact, they're so bizarre that just by looking at them, it's hard to tell what they are and how we even… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
As the longest venomous snake in the world, the king cobra is a force to be reckoned with. Its average length is anywhere from 10 to 13 feet! Not only… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Key Points: The green anaconda not only beats out the Komodo dragon in length but it also is considered the longest and heaviest snake in the world. There are a… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Key Points There are five species of snake that can leap from branch to branch, appearing to fly through the air. Many of the weirdest snakes in the world live… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Lizards are certainly a colorful bunch of reptiles, but what's the most colorful lizard of them all? Could it perhaps be the panther chameleon or the jeweled lacerta? It's actually… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Key Points Snakes can be quite fascinating and beautiful creatures but are often misunderstood. Half of our choices for the most beautiful snakes are venomous, so should be admired from… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Despite its fearsome reputation, many find the honey badger strangely adorable. Its unique appearance, along with its sudden internet fame thanks to the Honey Badger Don't Care viral video and… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years ago
Turkeys have long been useful livestock animals, but in recent years, they’ve also become popular pets! They’ve been domesticated and living alongside humans for thousands of years, and they’re highly… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
From their truly bizarre biology to their impressive intelligence and critical thinking skills, octopuses are incredible animals. If you find them as interesting as we do, you’ve probably wondered at… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
The quokka is a peculiar yet adorable little creature that instantly captured the hearts of millions when it went viral for its seemingly permanent smile. It’s often referred to as… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Cuddly, adorable, and super-soft, the domestic chinchilla is a fairly popular exotic pet. Like many other domesticated rodents commonly kept as pets, chinchillas are fairly low-maintenance and fascinating to observe… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
If you’ve ever found a lizard in your home or perhaps trapped somewhere in your garden, you may have considered catching it so you can transport it to safety. However,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago
Have you ever seen a frilled lizard? If you have, you’re probably wondering why they look like something straight out of Jurassic Park! What even is a frilled lizard, anyway,… Read More
By Hailey Pruett 2 years ago