Key Points All cat species are intelligent animals because of their natural curiosity and ability to observe and adapt to their environments. Cat intelligence is measured by the ability to… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 4 months ago
Jorelle Baker
Jorelle Baker is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily covering pet care, fun facts about animals, and how humans and animals coexist together.
He has been writing for his entire life, graduating William Paterson University with a Bachelor's degree in creative writing. He continued his studies at Animal Behavior College to work with animals at grooming salons and veterinary clinics.
Jorelle lives in New Jersey and enjoys studying animals in myths and folklore with his cat Kana.
Key Points Sea otters are one of the most intelligent marine mammals, rivaling dolphins and whales. Otters are part of the Mustelidae family, making them close relatives to weasels, skunks,… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 4 months ago
Key Points The Yule Cat is an Icelandic mythological creature that descends from the mountains during Christmas time to attack anyone who does not receive new clothes. Jólakötturin or Jólaköttur… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Many states have laws placing restrictions or bans on owning certain dog breeds due to supposed aggressive or uncontrollable tendencies. States do not have blanket laws prohibiting dog… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Hundreds of dog breeds nearly went extinct during World War II due to large-scale destruction from bombing raids, lack of resources, and decreased breeding programs. Certain dogs are… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons are the most abundant and complete dinosaur skeletons discovered. Most dinosaur skeletons are partial remains, with plastic molds to recreate missing pieces of… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points A dog’s intelligence cannot be measured with a numerical IQ score. Instead, it is gauged by three qualities: obedience intelligence, adaptive intelligence, and instinctive intelligence. The least intelligent… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Cats and dogs have an average intelligence level of a two-year-old child. It is almost impossible to completely determine the IQ of cats and dogs because they cannot… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Dogs can safely make a healthy treat out of fresh fruits and vegetables, excluding the stems and seeds. Pet owners should choose fruits with a high moisture content… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Plovers are small birds that live close to water near grasslands, mountains, and tundra. Crocodiles allow plovers to pick food out of their teeth. Plovers enjoy a free… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Kitsune is the Japanese term for fox and a mythical foxlike creature with supernatural powers. Popular kitsune imagery includes foxes with nine tails, indicating their incredible mastery of… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Rivalries are a natural occurrence when two or more animals compete for shared resources like food, water, and territory. Different animals have unique methods of fighting their rivals,… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points On average, freshwater fish are easier and cheaper to buy than saltwater fish because they require less chemical balance with salinity. Similar-sized freshwater fish should be kept together… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Explorer Thomas Savage discovered the first gorilla bones in 1847, leading to their discovery in the 1850s. Captain Robert von Beringe named the first mountain gorillas after himself… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Nuisance animals are any animal that has the potential to cause property damage or harm to humans. A nuisance animal can be any animal, from squirrels and raccoons… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Shisa are Japanese mythological hybrid animals made from a lion and a dog. Typically, Shisa statues come in pairs, with an open-mouthed male statue and a close-mouthed female… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Stray and wild animals hide in car engines to stay warm in the winter and for protection from predators. Animals hiding in car engines can get hurt by… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Amazon River dolphins are born gray and turn pink from fighting rival males during mating seasons and eating assorted colorful fish. Legends tell of “boto” transforming into humans,… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Defenses There are five types of camouflage in the wild, color matching, disruptive coloration, active camouflage, mimicry, and self-decoration. Some animals have a unique mark or pattern on their… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Small dogs have a higher chance of getting bad breath due to poor dental care and lax training regimens. Routine dental cleanings can cost between $600-$1,200 depending on… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time when family and friends can join together and share what each person is thankful for from the past year. It is a time to share… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Oh, who lives in a pineapple under the sea, Spongebob Squarepants! Having started in 1999, the popular Nickelodeon cartoon series spans 277 episodes, 14 seasons, and four movies at the… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 5 months ago
Key Points Symbiotic relationships are the close associations formed when two species interact. There are four types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, and competition. Domestic animals like cats and… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Mythikas is the tallest peak on Mt. Olympus, reaching 9,570 feet above sea level. The first people to climb Mt. Olympus were Frederic Boissanns, Daniel Baud-Bovy, and Christos… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Coyotes are not native to Connecticut. They moved into the area in the 1950s. Nearly 3,000-5,000 coyotes are living within the state. Residents who spot a nuisance coyote… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Facts The Godzilla franchise is the longest-running movie franchise ever, with 38 films out and Godzilla Minus One releasing at the end of this year. Godzilla is derived from… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Pomskies are a combination of a Pomeranian and Siberian husky. They are excellent pets for families who like engaging with their pets in a variety of ways. Pomskies… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Australian terriers weigh 12-16 pounds, while Yorkshire terriers weigh four to seven pounds. Both terriers originated in the 1800s, but Yorkshire terriers were born in Yorkshire, England while… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Black bears are native to New Jersey and live in dense forests and woodlands throughout the state. The highest number of bear sightings and nuisance reports come from… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Fennec foxes are the only fox species which is legal to own in certain parts of the U.S. It is difficult to own a fennec fox because they… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Blight is a plant disease which causes lesions, yellow spots that rapidly decay the plant, stem, leaves, and fruit. Plant blight is caused by bacteria or fungal infections… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points A Pomsky is a mixed breed dog that is a combination of a Pomeranian and a Siberian husky. Puppy Pomskies range in price based on their coat quality,… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Large breed dogs live eight to 12 years, while small dog breeds live 14 to 16 years. Big dogs live shorter lives because they age and mature faster… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Cats can experience allergies from dust, pollen, fleas, food, and medication intolerances. An allergen is a foreign substance that triggers the body to overreact. There is no cure… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points The largest sturgeon ever caught was a female beluga weighing 3,436 pounds and was 23 feet, 7 inches long. This fish was caught in the Volga Delta in… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Themes Folklore is the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, shared across generations. Animals are simple and creative outlets for informing the reader of a magical experience,… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points There are currently over 185 herbivorous dinosaurs that have been discovered. The most popular herbivore dinosaurs depicted in media are sauropods, triceratops, and stegosaurus due to their peculiar… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Horror movies use domestic animals like cats and dogs. When these loyal companions turn on their owners, it is shocking to audiences. Sharks are the most popular horror… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points All Cavalier spaniels descend from six dogs that repopulated the breed after World War II. Nearly 50% of all Cavalier spaniels will succumb to mitral valve disease due… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
The Top 12 Exotic Animals You Can Own in New York Key Points New York State and New York City have different laws and regulations regarding exotic pet ownership. New… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points The Giant African land snail (GALS) is a large terrestrial snail that is invading Florida and causing massive damage to several crops and homes. GALS feed on over… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Kidney disease is one of the most common diseases that affects elderly cats. Poor diet, lack of hydration, infections, and genetics are key reasons cats experience kidney disease.… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Cats learn to groom themselves from their mothers and they groom their littermates as a sign of affection. A cat’s tongue is coarse and rough because of tiny… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Sloths are legal to own as a pet in 35 states, with some states requiring special exotic animal permits to show proof of ownership. Owning a slot requires… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 6 months ago
Key Points Gastroliths are animals that swallow rocks to help them break down matter, so it is easier to digest. Common animals like alligators, crocodiles, seals, chickens, ostriches, and some… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 7 months ago
Key Points Cats mimic their owners to show affection and companionship by highlighting traits they like in their humans. Kittens instinctually imitate their mothers to learn how to groom themselves,… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 7 months ago
Key Points A living fossil is a living species that looks cosmetically the same or virtually identical to fossil records of the same or similar species. The Virginia opossum is… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 7 months ago
Key Points Camarasaurus translates to “chamber lizard.” The name was chosen due to the hollow chambers in its backbone. It lived approximately 161-146 million years ago in the Jurassic period.… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 7 months ago
Key Points Infanticide is the killing of an infant or child under one year old. Mother storks select the smallest and weakest hatchling and drop it from the nest or… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 7 months ago
Key Points N.J. residents may own exotic animals with an Individual Hobby Wildlife Species Possession Permit. Certain animals do not require a permit to own because they are native to… Read More
By Jorelle Baker 7 months ago
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