Horses are incredible animals that can learn tricks, commands, cues, and complex patterns, and they can even read emotions. They are eager to learn, social, and have amazing personalities. But… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Kellianne Matthews is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on anthrozoology, conservation, human-animal relationships, and animal behavior. Kellianne has been writing and researching animals for over ten years and has decades of hands-on experience working with a variety of different animals. She holds a Master’s Degree from Brigham Young University, which she earned in 2017.
A resident of Utah, Kellianne enjoys creating, exploring and learning new things, caring for animals, and playing with her cats.
Horses are incredible animals that can learn tricks, commands, cues, and complex patterns, and they can even read emotions. They are eager to learn, social, and have amazing personalities. But… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Facts Twin-spotted rattlesnakes are named for the double rows of spots on their backs. They generally measure up to 18 inches although some may grow to 24 inches. There… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
The beautiful New England state of Massachusetts has 16 national parks, as well as several other state parks and wildlife refuges. The state is also home to a variety of… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Most monkeys have tails while apes do not. Monkeys are popular animals in both imaginative stories as well as in real life because of their fun and energetic personalities. From… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points Red diamond rattlesnakes are big snakes that look very similar to western diamondback rattlesnakes. Adult red diamond rattlesnakes are between 24-54 inches in length. Some male red diamond… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Rosy boas are some of the most beautiful and docile snakes out there, making them a great pet for beginners. These gorgeous snakes come in many different colors and have… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
One of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures is the jellyfish. Jellyfish are part of the subphylum Medusozoa, with more than 4,000 species. However, scientists believe there are many jellyfish species… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Utah is home to a vast array of wildlife and natural landscapes, including 3 national wildlife refuges, 13 national parks, and 3,558,338 acres of important bird areas. Although much of… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points: Rattlesnakes play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by effectively controlling pests and other animals in their habitats. The coloration of snakes living in desert regions is… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
The rubber boa may be one of the friendliest snakes that you will ever meet. Native to North America, the rubber boa is a secretive snake that can be challenging… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points: A grizzly-polar bear hybrid can go by multiple names, but none are "official": grizzly-polar bear hybrids, grolar bears, pizzly bears, and grizzlars.In 1935, two polar bears and a… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points The state is also home to 19 different species of snakes, and fortunately, only 2 types are venomous.In addition to being rare in Delaware, timber rattlesnakes are also… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Situated in Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, Maryland is a beautiful state with a lot to offer, especially if you enjoy the outdoors. Of course, as any outdoor lover… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points: The Timber and Pigmy Rattlesnakes are the two types of rattlesnake snakes found in Kentucky. While Kentucky is known for its pastures, there are not many rattlesnakes found… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
There are at least 10,000 species of birds in the world today, and possibly even more that we have yet to discover. These uniquely feathered animals are incredible creatures, capable… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
North Carolina has a unique environment and climate. Within the borders of this southeastern state, there are three different biomes, 13 national parks, and 4 national forests. The immense ecological… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
The southeastern state of Georgia may be the 8th most populous state in the United States, but it is also full of many natural and untouched wilderness areas. In fact,… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points Snakes are not only beneficial to the environment but also vital to the ecosystems in MinnesotaWithin the natural and urbanized habitats in this state live 17 different species… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points: Timber rattlesnakes are very common in Iowa. They are one of the most venomous snakes in the United States, but they are shy and avoid humans when possible.… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points There are 14 species of snakes living in Connecticut, some of which might live in your backyard! However, only 2 of these snake species are venomous.Timber rattlesnakes are… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points: The Blue Ridge Mountains are the oldest mountain range on earth, dating back over 1.1 Billion years. This ancient region is home to some of the country's most… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Ladybugs are some of the most well-known and beloved “bugs” in the world. These tiny beetles are beautifully colored, graceful, and generally beneficial to crops and gardens. Many cultures associate… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
You wouldn’t expect to find many animals living in the bitter cold regions of the Arctic tundra, let alone anything that might be considered “cute” or “cuddly”. And yet, even… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points Although they can be extremely dangerous, timber rattlesnakes are typically calm and rarely bite.Rattlesnakes are also pit vipers, which means that they have venom and pit organs.Timber rattlesnakes… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points: The Prairie Rattlesnake and the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake are two different species of Rattlesnake in Idaho. Prairie rattlesnakes are more prevalent in regions with rocky outcroppings and sagebrush.The… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points Of all 90 types of snakes in Texas, ten of them are rattlesnakes, so that puts Texas in second place in the U.S. for rattlesnakes, behind Arizona.The western… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Named after U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt, “Teddy Bears” have become a beloved toy of children around the world, due to their cute and huggable appearance. Real-life bears, on the other… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Since they first emerged on the earth millions of years ago, snakes have been evolving and adapting in all kinds of bizarre and curious ways. We often image snakes with… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
When we think of sharks we typically picture a large torpedo-shaped body and hundreds of razor-sharp teeth. You know, something like a bull shark or the notorious great white shark.… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Shark week may be over on the Discovery Channel, but sharks along the eastern coast of the United States are still going strong. Recently, one lucky woman caught not just… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Located in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is famous for its white sandy beaches and beautiful blue waters. The warm coastal waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands provide a tropical paradise not… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Blue whales are the largest animal species to ever roam the earth, weighing in at over 330,000 pounds! Even baby blue whales are colossal animals and weigh nearly 6,000 pounds… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Fish are incredible animals, and yet in many ways they are completely foreign to us. Just think about it: land animals may drink water, and some are even able to… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Most people will never see a flamingo outside of a zoo, and yet these curious-looking birds are easily one of the most recognizable animals on the planet. Their graceful swan-like… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Maryland might be famous for the blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay, but there are many other amazing sea creatures living along its shores — including lots of sharks. Sharks are… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Seasoned surfers know that they share the water with all kinds of marine animals, including sharks. Movies like Jaws have given sharks a pretty fearsome reputation. However, the truth is… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
When enjoying an afternoon at a golf course, you may expect a few obstacles as you move through each hole. These golf “hazards” are common at golf courses around the… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
The first time Cristina Zenato saw a shark, she wanted to pet it! And that’s exactly what she did. As a professional diver, Zenato has worked face-to-face with 12 different… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
The majestic appearance and gentle nature of sea turtles make them a favorite of divers and swimmers worldwide. These impressive animals effortlessly glide through ocean waters. Although they are cold-blooded… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
There’s nothing quite like seeing a the tip of a large shark fin skimming the surface of the water to send shivers down your spine. Great White Sharks in particular… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points Many of the snakes of Ancient Egypt still slither along the banks of the Nile River today, from the cobras of the pharaohs to small but deadly vipers.Snakes… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Armadillos are distinctive and unique animals—they are the only mammal on earth with an armored shell! In fact, their name means “little armored one” in Spanish. These cute little creatures… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
When you think of a snake, you probably picture some type of elongated reptile. And, of course, this animal does not have legs, right? Let’s be honest, “no legs” is… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Seahorses may look like mythological underwater horses, but these unique animals are actually fish! These magical creatures have adorably curly tails and unusual horse-shaped heads, as well as fascinating lives… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
What on earth is a Platypus? Even its name seems strange, though not nearly as strange as the animal it belongs to. When Europeans first heard the startling news of… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points There are 28 snake species that can be found in Ohio and three of these are venomous: the copperhead snake, eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, and timber rattlesnake. Both types… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
When you bring a dog into your life, one of the most important tasks is giving your new canine companion a name. We often like to choose names with meaning—a… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Most people would agree that the great white shark belongs at the very top of the oceanic food chain. This is an apex predator that you most definitely do not… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Many impressive and terrifying horned serpents and snakes slither through the stories and myths in ancient cultures. From the Native American horned serpent to the Celtic ram-horned snake, the Lagarfljót… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago
Key Points Crayfish snakes have very glossy bodies, even though their scales are actually keeled or ridged. They are sometimes called “glossy swampsnakes.” While the average crayfish snake measures between… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 year ago