Writer for A-Z Animals

Kathryn Koehler

Kathryn Koehler is a writer at A-Z-Animals where her focus is on unusual animals, places, and events. Kat has over 20 years of experience as a professional writer and educator. She holds a master's degree from Vanderbilt University. When she is not writing for A-Z-Animals, Kat enjoys puttering in her garden, baking deliciously healthful treats for her family, and playing with her two rescue mutts, Popcorn and Scooter. She resides in Tennessee.

323 Articles

October 2022 Member Since

Articles by Kathryn Koehler

323 articles published

Beautiful wing of dragonfly

How Did Dragonflies Get Their Name? Origin and Meaning

Though there are several stories regarding how and why the dragonfly got its name, the term dragonfly is from Old…

Orangutan nursing with its mother (Pongo pygmaeus)

How Strong Are Orangutans? Strength Compared to Humans and Other Animals

Leafcutter ants and dung beetles are among the strongest animals on the planet, relative to their size. However, in terms…

Western Coyote (Canis latrans) in northern California

Where Do Coyotes Make Their Dens? 5 Common Locations

The coyote (Canis latrans) is native to North America. Coyotes employ dens primarily as shelters for rearing their young. The…

Lake Victoria, as seen from a moving boat, Uganda

How Big Is Africa’s Lake Victoria? See Its Size Compared to the World’s Biggest Lakes

Lake Victoria is the third-largest lake in the world, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, and the largest lake…

Fraser Fir vs. Douglas Fir: 8 Key Differences

Fraser firs and Douglas firs are popular Christmas trees. They are coniferous evergreen trees. When it comes to choosing the…

Blood-red geranium (Geranium sanguineum)

Can Geraniums Survive Outside in Winter? 3 Tips for Keeping Them Alive

Can geraniums survive outside in the winter? The answer is a murky depends. It depends on where you live mostly,…

Majestic Snow Leopard lying on a rock

Are Snow Leopards Endangered and How Many Are Left in the World?

The majestic snow leopard, native to the rugged mountains of Central Asia, finds itself in a precarious position. As the…

Types of wild cats - Pallas Cat

Do Pallas’s Cats Make Good Pets? Is It Even A Good Idea?

Do Pallas’s cats make good pets? No! Is it even a good idea? Absolutely not! Though these adorable, pint-sized kitties…

Havanese dog , 8 months old, sitting against white background

Havanese Lifespan: Average Life Expectancy and More!

Did you know that the Havanese is the only dog breed native to Cuba? The breed’s roots harken back to…

cute lovely small jack russell dog resting on bed during daytime. Funny ear up. Pets indoors at home

101 Amazing Small Dog Names Perfect for Your Tiny Pooch

Choosing a name for your small dog presents a delightful opportunity to express your pup’s personality or your interests. If…

Australian shepherd at sunset

Are Australian Shepherds Aggressive? 7 Things to Know About Their Temperament

Are Australian shepherds aggressive? No. Australian shepherds, or Aussies, are typically not an aggressive breed. They are generally friendly, intelligent,…

Discover the Oldest Zoos in England

The world’s first zoo, Vienna’s Tiergarten Schönbrunn, opened in 1752, 72 years before the London Zoo opened in 1828. While…

Miniature Dachshund on a tree in English woodland.

Mini Dachshund Lifespan: How Long Do These Tiny Pups Live?

In the case of mini dachshunds, the saying good things come in small packages holds true. Miniature dachshunds are compact…

American bulldog puppy ( 5 months old) isolated on a white background

National Bulldog Day 2024: Date, Origin, and Ways to Celebrate

In a world filled with quick judgments and first impressions, it’s all too easy to let appearances dictate our choices.…

Southern Black Widow spider babies climbing on their web, with their mother guarding them farther behind

Discover 11 Types of Widow Spiders Throughout The World

Spiders in the genus Latrodectus are commonly referred to as widow spiders. They belong to the family Theridiidae and have…

A squab, the baby animal name for a pigeon

Why Are Baby Pigeons So Hard To Spot? Here Is Why

Pigeons (Columbidae) are a diverse group of birds with 352 distinct species contained in 50 genera. They are known for…

Animal, Animal Wildlife, Arachnid, Arachnophobia, Black Color

8 Different Colors of Tarantulas (Rarest to Most Common)

Tarantulas are a diverse group of giant, hairy spiders from the family Theraphosidae. They are impressive in size, unique in…

A cute rabbit eating veggies in a garden

Discover the Most Effective Homemade Rabbit Repellent

From Beatrix Potter’s universally beloved Peter Rabbit to Looney Tunes’ wisecracking Bugs Bunny, pesky rabbits are more than literary treasures.…

African Fat-Tailed Gecko on isolated white background

African Fat-Tailed Gecko Colors: Rarest to Most Common

The African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is one of nature’s treasures. These little reptiles have captivatingly patterned scales and distinctive…

Dachshund dog. The brown girl is six months old. The dog stands against the background of blurred trees and alleys. She turned her head to the side. The photo is blurred

National Dachshund Day 2024: Date, Origin, and Ways to Celebrate

National Dachshund Day 2024 will be celebrated, as it is each and every year, on June 21st. Why June 21st?…

Happiest Animals: Donkey

How Smart Are Donkeys? Everything We Know About Their Intelligence

From Eeyore in Winnie-the-Pooh to Donkey in Shrek, donkeys are portrayed as wise and witty characters with good reason: donkeys…

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Discover When Hummingbirds Leave Florida

Hummingbirds are recognized for their diminutive size, iridescent plumage, incredible agility, and distinctive hovering flight. They are fascinating and colorful…

Historic Dutch Island Lighthouse in Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island

How Deep Is Narragansett Bay?

Along the coastline of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay’s historic towns blend with the majesty of the Atlantic Ocean. Narragansett Bay…

Machine for cutting lawns.

6 Reasons You Should Never Bag Your Grass Clippings

Did you know that grass clippings offer a range of environmentally friendly benefits? Too often, these nutrient-rich cuttings are discarded…

A close up portrait view of an North American beaver, Quebec, Canada

Discover Why Oregon Is Called the Beaver State

Oregon is a state located in the Pacific Northwest, admired for its diverse landscapes which include forests, mountains, coastline, and…

Macro if milkweed tussock caterpillar on a bright green leaf. Thecterpillars is quite fuzzy. It has whitish/gray hair protruding from the bottom part of its body. The middle is black, and the top is striped mpstlyorng with some gray and black. Looks like a parade float.

Do Caterpillars Bite or Sting? Prevention and Treatment Tips

Generally speaking, it is unlikely for a caterpillar to bite a human in a way that causes significant pain. Caterpillars…

Prickly pear cactus close up with fruit in red color, cactus spines.

Prickly Pear Cactus: Varieties, How to Propagate, and More

In the arid landscapes of the Americas, the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) reigns supreme. There are over 100 recognized species,…

Myrtillocactus geometrizans Fukurokuryuzinboku cactus desert plant, Wood table and white wall, Cacti tiny plants, Inspiration home interior decoration modern minimalists concept. Copy space background

Boobie Cactus: Varieties, How to Propagate, and More

Myrtillocactus geometrizans fukurokuryuzinboku (mur-till-oh-KAK-tus–gee-oh-MET-rih-zanz–fu-ku-ru-ku-ryu-jin-bo-ku) is more commonly known by the much easier to pronounce name boobie cactus or booby cactus.…

Sunset over Bald Cypress from Grassy Island on Reelfoot Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee.

The Most Snake-Inhabited Lakes in Tennessee

Did you know that in the entire state of Tennessee, there are no true aquatic snakes? So, if you’re worried…

Striped bass

The Largest Striped Bass Ever Caught in Tennessee Was as Big as a Siberian Husky

Gather ’round and prepare to be amazed by a whale of a tale that will make your heart skip a…

Rose Knock Out flower - Latin name - Rosa Knock Out

The 5 Hardiest Roses to Grow In Kentucky

In the heartland of Kentucky, where the thunderous roar of hooves marks The Run for the Roses, the iconic Kentucky…

Horse Fly vs. House Fly: 5 Key Differences

Horse flies (Tabanidae) and house flies (Musca domestica) are true flies in the order Diptera, which includes insects such as…

spot-breasted oriole

11 Birds That Look Like Orioles (And How to Spot the Difference)

While orioles are known for their striking appearance, there are several other bird species that may be mistaken for orioles…

tarantula hawk close up

Types of Wasps In California Ranked By the Pain of Their Sting

California is home to a variety of wasp species. While most of these wasps are harmless to humans, some can…

Poison sumac

Beware of These 10 Dangerous Plants That Grow in Massachusetts

When we think of dangerous plants, we may conjure up images of exotic, tropical species found in far-off lands. However,…

alligator

Alligators in Florida: Is It Safe to Swim?

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and stunning natural landscapes, but it’s also known for its alligators.…

Lizard Gila Monster( Heloderma suspectum)

Discover The 8 Official State Animals Of Utah

Utah is renowned for its unparalleled geological wonders. The state features thousands of natural stone arches, fiery red-rock canyons, and…

what do whales eat - gray whale baleen

Types of Baleen Whales: Every Species of Baleen Whale in the World

Baleen whales (Mysticeti) are a group of marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacea. They span three families (Balaenidae, Balaenopteridae,…

Killer whale with open mouth.

Types of Whales: Every Species of Whale in the World

Cetacea, the taxonomical infraorder that contains types of whales, including every species of whale in the world, is a diverse…

cats kneading nursing

Weaning

Weaning is specifically related to the transition from milk to solid food in mammals. When mammal mothers stop producing milk…

A pair of Black-Capped Chickadees sit on a log in front of a clear blue sky

Discover the 12 Official State Animals of Massachusetts

Massachusetts ranges from sandy coastal plains and beaches in the eastern part of the commonwealth, to central hilly uplands and…

Will Cicadas Cause More Snakes

Molt

Molt refers to the process by which an animal sheds some or all of its outer layer, such as feathers,…

L-R horizontally across the frame are a cantaloupe, a watermelon, and a casaba melon are arranged on a wooden table, outdoors.Each of the Mellons is whole and uncut. If front of each uncut melon are slices of the fruit. There are two orange slices of cantaloupe, on very red slice of watermelon, and two slices of casaba. Agains a natural backdrop of out of focus greenery.

Melon

Melon is a delicious and refreshing fruit. All melons belong to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. Melons usually have a round…

A silkworm moth emerging from its cocoon. The silkworm moth is in the left frame. It is mostly white. The cocoon is in the right frame/ It is yellow and cylindrical.

Cocoon

A cocoon is a protective covering spun or constructed by certain types of animals during their larval or pupal stages,…

Warthog with huge tuskers drinking by the water's edge

Tusk

A tusk is a long, pointed, and often curved ivory tooth that protrudes from the mouth of certain animals, such…

Yawning Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) with two other lemurs. Three total lemurs. The lemur in the center frame has its mouth open, exposing its canine teeth. The lemurs are taupe colored on their backs. They have white bellies. That have taupe and white rings on their tails.

Lemur Teeth

Lemurs, those cute and charismatic primates native to Madagascar, have unique teeth that they use for grooming and eating. These…

Bearded Animals

Buffalo Teeth

There is no more iconic symbol of the American West than the Buffalo. The species Bison bison, commonly known as…

The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), also known as the Canadian porcupine or common porcupine, perched on stake with its orange incisors/ The porcupine is center frame , facing the camera.

Porcupine Teeth

Porcupine can refer to any of 58 species of rodents within the families Erethizontidae and Hystricidae. Porcupines range from 14-36…

a young weadel, left of center frame, facing camera, looking toward frame right. The weasel's mouth is opened exposing its teeth, with lower canines visible. The weasel has brown fur on its back and white fur on its underbelly.

Weasel Teeth

Weasel teeth may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about these sleek and agile predators,…

a fisher climbing over a fallente=ree trunk. The fisher is facing the left. Its mouth is open exposing its teeth. it is covered in reddish brown fur.

Fisher Cat Teeth

The fisher (Pekania pennanti), part weasel, part ninja, and all-around adorable, is a cunning predator. Pekania pennanti is commonly called…