In the animal kingdom having teeth isn’t always a requirement. Birds don’t have any, neither do anteaters or the largest animals on the planet — blue whales. But for those… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 4 months ago
Linda Bonvie is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering marine life, weather, and interesting locales. She is co-author of several books including most recently "A Consumer’s Guide to Toxic Food Additives."
Linda is a long-time volunteer with the Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter. She lives in a unique area of New Jersey known as the Pinelands.
In the animal kingdom having teeth isn’t always a requirement. Birds don’t have any, neither do anteaters or the largest animals on the planet — blue whales. But for those… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 4 months ago
Bright red and green poinsettias have been the symbolic plants of Christmas for hundreds of years. They first appeared in the U.S. when American statesman Joel Poinsett sent some back… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 4 months ago
Rust is the enemy of any items that contain iron. These include not just your favorite tools, or that pricy cast iron cookware, but even stainless steel. When iron, or… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 4 months ago
The most western of Canadian provinces, British Columbia, or B.C., is rich with a diverse and wild geography. B.C. also shares a border with four U.S. states and the Pacific… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
Not too long ago shopping malls were called the “main street of America.” For decades after the first "modern" enclosed mall opened in 1956 in Minnesota, the rapid expansion of… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
What does Omaha, Nebraska, have in common with glamorous Beverly Hills, California? How about a grandiose palace of a house that would be suitable for any movie star to call… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
Currently ranking at number three for the snowiest state in the U.S. (in the recent past it has been #1), Vermont is no stranger to snow and winter weather! But… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
From the giant bluefin that can reach well over 1,000 pounds to the four-pound bullet variety, tuna are extraordinary creatures. Able to migrate long distances, they are also unique in… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
You might think the idea that a White Christmas in Florida could be just a jingle-bell-type jest. Maybe it's one of those Yuletide fantasies we see on TV. Only it's… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
Humans have been shucking shellfish for a long, long time. English settlers first exploring the coast of New Jersey described copious mounds of clam shells, dined on by local Native… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
The turkey day blizzard of 1971 took millions by surprise. It occurred nearly a month before the start of winter and is still a Thanksgiving snowstorm for the record books… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
When it comes to choosing a state in which to spend one’s “golden years,” New Jersey isn’t on the top ten list of popular retirement locales. It’s not even in… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
Travel a few hours south of San Francisco and you’ll arrive at a gorgeous stretch of shoreline known as Monterey Bay. This Pacific Ocean bay is renowned for its rich… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 5 months ago
In its most fundamental definition, a bay is a recessed body of water surrounded by land connected to a lake, ocean, or another bay. Bays, however, are much more important… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Going by many names, such as wild hogs, wild boars, or just feral pigs, these descendants of domesticated swine are estimated to roam in over 35 states in the U.S.… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
The crowning glory for die-hard mountaineers continues to be reaching the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. Standing over five miles high, this peak in the Himalayas is… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Hatching from what’s called an “egg pod” during the spring, a tiny nymph emerges. Looking like a cartoon character, it has oversized, brown-to-black eyes and a translucent coloring that can… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Seeing a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) soar across the sky is a thrilling sight. Long before this majestic bird became the national emblem of the United States in 1782, it… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Is your dog a frequent co-pilot? If so, you’re not alone. A 2011 study found that over half of American dog owners often take their pups along in the car.… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Spanning the borders of New York and Connecticut, Long Island Sound is an ecologically important east coast estuary. Its bays and inlets wind along coastal communities, adding up to around… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Imagine if you will a place where the ground spews forth bubbling mud and steam. This apocalyptic scene could easily be mistaken for another planet. But it can be found… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Even in snowy Colorado, October blizzards are unusual. But the one that hit in 1997 even managed to take meteorologists by surprise. This month marks the 26th anniversary of the… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Hundreds of different species of ticks are found around the world. Of those, several dozen species can spread pathogens. Since adult female ticks are the primary transmitters, knowing the two… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
Being the official record holder for the world’s longest cucumber is a notable achievement for a gardener. And it’s one that Sebastian Suski is very proud of. During an especially… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 6 months ago
New Jersey may be known for its beaches, boardwalks, and casinos, but what about its crabs? Even though the Garden State has exceptional crabbing, Maryland, just a few hours’ drive… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
Just 30 miles west of Philadelphia there’s a locale with a curious reputation. You can’t drive into town without seeing its moniker spelled out on the water tower. Right there… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
Texas in certain ways is more like a country of its own than a state. The four other states that border it reflect the distinct differences in their regions. Those… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
There are plenty of reasons why hiking is great exercise. That is unless you’re planning a trip to one of the 11 most dangerous hiking locations in the world. Come… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
Starting in deepest Alaska and stretching 414 miles (662 km) north is the James W. Dalton Highway. This partially paved road, also known as Alaska Route 11 or Haul Road,… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
Like people, animals have ways of dealing with bad weather. Many instinctively know when Mother Nature is about to unleash harsh conditions and take advance precautions. But when it comes… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
What comes in a variety of colors, is affectionate, super-fluffy, cute, energetic, and loyal? Rabbit enthusiasts will know immediately that we’re talking about the adorable Lionhead. As the name implies,… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
You can’t just drive to the “polar bear capital of the world,” as there are no roads that go there! To get to this tiny town perched on the western… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
Key Points Massachusetts is home to 14 varieties of snakes, with only the timber rattlesnake and the northern copperhead considered venomous. All wetlands are hotspots of activity for wildlife, which… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
Key Points Maine is home to one of the most unique national parks in the U.S. that combines mountains, wilderness, and seashore. The northernmost point of the famed Appalachian Trail… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
The deer family (Cervidae) is a large one, with 43 species populating all but two continents. Deer species include moose, mule deer, reindeer, and elk. You’re sure to encounter them… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
Key Points: The Louis Bolduc House in Ste. Genevieve has been dated to 1788, making it 235 years old. The home was originally constructed by merchant Louis Bolduc, for whom… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
What does it take to produce the largest butternut squash ever grown? Growing giant vegetables is no easy feat. Veteran veggie growers work hard, obtaining just the right seeds and… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 7 months ago
There’s nothing that will stop you in your tracks quite like the pitiful sight of a baby bird on the ground. Wanting to help is a powerful instinct. But there… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 8 months ago
Quick Answer: Female hummingbirds are very protective of their nests and their young. If another female tries to steal the nest or nesting material, a chase can result. Hummingbirds consume… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 8 months ago
No small creature has a defense mechanism as potent as a skunk! These small mammals in the Mephitidae family are often smelled before they are seen. The most common variety,… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 8 months ago
How long tardigrades live can vary considerably. Although their lifespans can be very short, they also have a special way to survive for decades. Some types of tardigrades, which are… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 8 months ago
Key Points Keep discus (Symphysodon) fish with tankmates that are calm and don't display overly territorial behavior. Discus fish are usually happier sharing a tank with other peaceful fish, rather… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 8 months ago
Does Florida have a true “rainy season?” It does! A number of factors determine the rainy season throughout the state, and the timing can differ from region to region. Generally,… Read More
By Linda Bonvie 8 months ago