Writer for A-Z Animals

Mike Edmisten

Mike is a writer at A-Z Animals where his primary focus is on geography, agriculture, and marine life. A graduate of Cincinnati Christian University and a resident of Cincinnati, OH, Mike is deeply passionate about the natural world. In his free time, he, his wife, and their two sons love the outdoors, especially camping and exploring US National Parks.

201 Articles

December 2022 Member Since

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Articles by Mike Edmisten

201 articles published

Discover the Tree-Slithering Jungle Snake Just Discovered by Humankind

Even with the amazing advancements humans have made in exploration and zoology, there is still much about the animal world…

Winter sends most fish down to the depths.

Where Do Fish Go in the Winter?

Fish are cold-blooded (ectothermic) creatures, with few notable exceptions. Conversely, some species of opah, sharks, and tuna exhibit some warm-blooded…

The James Galway rose is exceptionally heat tolerant.

6 Fantastic Roses for Florida

Conventional roses are recommended for a limited range of USDA plant hardiness zones. The standard zones for roses are Zones…

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini)

Sharks Galore Just Seen Circling the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are in the Pacific Ocean, more than 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. The archipelago is…

Great white sharks are the ocean's apex predators.

See the Giant Great White Sharks Just Spotted Off Daytona Beach

Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharia) spend most of their lives in the ocean depths, so we still know relatively little…

Neil Diamond roses are recommended for Zones 4-10.

7 Roses You Need in Nevada

When people outside of the state consider Nevada, there’s a good chance their minds immediately jump to Las Vegas and…

Great white sharks are the ocean's apex predators.

See the 10-Foot Long Great White Shark Recently Spotted Off the Coast of Virginia

With an average monthly temperature of 50°F, the beaches in Virginia Beach, Virginia, aren’t exactly crowded in January. But in…

Chesuncook Lake is the largest man-made lake in Maine.

What’s the Largest Manmade Lake in Maine?

Located in the North Maine Woods, Chesuncook Lake is the largest manmade lake in Maine. Covering 26,200 acres, the lake…

The Fairy rose is a lovely option for compact garden spaces.

6 Roses That Flourish In New Jersey

Situated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, New Jersey is the fifth smallest state in terms…

The Hansa rose is cold-hardy to Zone 3.

Six Cold-Hardy Roses Perfect For Vermont

Located in beautiful New England, Vermont’s topography is varied, with the Green Mountains covering much of central Vermont along with…

The Rugosa Rose is one of the hardiest roses available today.

Six Roses That Are Made For Montana

Montana sits in the beautiful Mountain West of the United States. It is bordered by three Canadian provinces to the…

The sloth's relaxed vibe might just be contagious! *yawn*

Explore These 20 Amazing Zoos with Sloths

Perhaps best known as the slowest moving mammals on earth, sloths live in the rainforest canopies of Central and South…

Consistent watering is required for roses to thrive.

How Often To Water Roses

Roses need consistent attention to thrive, and that includes regular watering. But what does “regular” watering actually mean? The answer…

Bumphead sunfish

Incredible 6,049lb Bony Sunfish Discovered Near the Azores

A fish weighing more than a large pickup truck was recently discovered off the coast of Faial Island in the…

It's a challenge to grow long-stem roses, but it's also very rewarding!

How to Grow Long-Stem Roses

Perhaps the best way to describe growing long-stem roses is to mix in a basketball metaphor. Many gardening practices are…

After disappearing for nearly 20 years, is it possible that a ghost still haunts these waters?

The “Mekong Ghost” Discovered After 18 Years of Mystery

Finding a ghost may not sound like good news to most of us! However, this particular ghost sighting is a…

Forget-me-nots are some of the loveliest blue flowers of spring.

Discover 9 Amazing Blue Spring Flowers

After a long, dreary, gray winter, we all want to welcome the spring season with a burst of color. And…

Poison ivy is found throughout South Carolina.

These 6 Poisonous Plants Found in South Carolina Are Very Dangerous

From the eastern coastal regions to the mountain foothills of the Upstate, South Carolina beckons us to go outdoors. Whether…

The manchineel tree is considered the most dangerous tree in the world.

Discover The 5 Most Dangerous Trees In The United States

Trees are essential to life. They absorb carbon dioxide and then release the oxygen that we breathe. Their roots prevent…

San Francisco is picturesque when the spring cherry blossoms are in bloom.

Cherry Blossoms in California: When They Bloom and Where to See Them

The cherry blossom bloom in California heralds the arrival of spring each year. The Golden State shines even brighter when…

Nashville's cherry blossom bloom is an annual spring treat.

Cherry Blossoms in Tennessee: When They Bloom and Where to See Them

Tennessee is certainly most well-known for its music and its mountains, but that’s just the beginning of what the Volunteer…

The cherry blossoms in New York City create an amazing springtime display!

Cherry Blossoms in New York: When They Bloom and Where to See Them

Most people know about the cherry blossoms that adorn the Washington, D.C., landscape each spring. It’s a stunning spectacle, no…

The Bristlecone pines of the Great Basin National Park are the oldest trees in the world.

Incredible Stories the Oldest Tree Rings Tell

This ancient tree has stories to tell. Stories of history, survival, human error, and lessons learned. These are the stories…

North Carolina parks are stunning when the cherry blossoms bloom in early spring!

Cherry Blossoms in North Carolina: When They Bloom and Where to See Them

When cherry blossoms appear each spring, many people immediately think of Washington, D.C. This is because the U.S. capital features…

People and pollinators love springtime cherry blossoms in South Carolina!

Cherry Blossoms in South Carolina: When They Bloom and Where to See Them

When it comes to South Carolina trees, the native sabal palmetto tree commands most of the attention. The tree has…

This is a close-up of a cherry blossom in Macon, Georgia.

Cherry Blossoms in Georgia: When They Bloom and Where to See Them

When it comes to cherry blossoms, Georgia may not be the first U.S. locale that comes to mind. For most…

Magnificent cherry blossoms surround the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin each spring.

Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.: When They Bloom and Where to See Them

The most famous location to view spring cherry blossoms in the United States is undoubtedly in the nation’s capital. The…

Blue chalksticks are a lovely, low-maintenance blue succulent.

5 Types of Blue Succulents

Many succulents seem to almost thrive on neglect. Because they require such minimal care, it’s easy for a beginning (or…

The red aloe displays green and red hues when it receives ample sunlight.

6 Types of Red Succulents

Nothing is hotter in the gardening world right now than succulents. The ease of care combined with the seemingly endless…

The bright colors of the moon cactus, like this red and yellow plant, are stunning!

5 Types of Cacti Succulents

Cacti and succulents are often lumped together. While they do share similar characteristics, there are some differences. Around 60 different…

Spiky Succulents in the Garden

9 Types of Spiky Succulents

Similar to music, plants can elicit a wealth of different emotions. Some add feelings of serenity and peace. When viewing…

Beautiful Irish coast with cliff-dwelling wildflowers.

9 Flowers Native to Ireland

The national flower of Ireland is the shamrock which, interestingly, is not a flower in the truest sense. But, given…

Grand Teton Range

9 Beautiful Trees Native to Wyoming

While it is the tenth-largest state in the United States in terms of land area, Wyoming is also the least…

Baseball plant with flowers

9 Rare Types of Succulents

Succulents are all the rage among plant enthusiasts, with good reason. They are usually low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants that come in…

Tulip bulbs, garden spade, and rake

When to Plant Flower Bulbs

We all love those wonderful spring flowers. They remind us that a cold, dreary winter is over, and warm, sunny…

Succulent echeveria with colorful rosette

5 Types of Rosette Succulents

The succulent craze shows no signs of slowing down, and why would it? Succulents come in a vast array of…

Close-up of a green jelly bean succulent with red tips

4 Types of Jelly Bean Succulents

Maybe you dreamed of growing your own jelly beans as a kid. Good news…you can! (You don’t want to eat…

Succulent plant infested with mealybugs.

7 Common Pests for Succulents

Succulent plants are popular in gardens and as houseplants for many reasons, not the least of which is their ease…

The string of pearls plant derives its name from the pearl-shaped leaves on its trailing stems.

String of Pearls

The string of pearls plant is a perennial, creeping, succulent vine endemic to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.…

Haworthia succulents are miniatures that are easy to care for and propagate.

Haworthia Succulent

When it comes to plants, do you have a green thumb or are you all thumbs? Either way, you’ll want…

Sedum plant growing in the mountains wraps around the stone.

Sedum

Sedum is not a specific plant but a large genus of succulent species. Most species in the genus sedum are…

The tubes of the baby toes succulent look just like little toes.

Baby Toes Succulent

One look at this succulent and you’ll immediately see why it is known as baby toes. The tubes of this…

Flapjack plants are beautiful succulents that are easy to care for and propagate.

Flapjack Plants

As the name suggests, the flapjack plant resembles a stack of pancakes as its leaves stack one on top of…

The most common kalanchoe has vibrant, showy blooms that vary in color.

Kalanchoe

There is disagreement on how to pronounce the name of this succulent. In American English, it is usually a four-syllable…

Ice plants feature abundant, vibrantly-colored blooms.

Ice Plants

As their name suggests, ice plants are more tolerant of colder temperatures than most succulent plants (although the common name…

The tightly arranged leaves of the watch chain succulent resemble a jeweler's chain.

Watch Chain Succulent

The watch chain succulent is rapidly gaining popularity due to its unique appearance and ease of care. Native to South…

Moonstone succulents have chubby bluish-green leaves, resembling the moonstone gemstone.

Moonstone Succulent

Ready for a succulent that will leave you moonstruck? This one might just send you into orbit! Seriously, you’ll be…

The leaves of the dolphin succulent resemble leaping dolphins.

Dolphin Succulent

The dolphin succulent, also known as the string of dolphins, is a hybrid of the string of pearls and the…

The palo verde is the state tree of Arizona.

10 Notable Trees Native to Arizona

: While Arizona is best known for its desert climate, that is not the only climate zone to be found…

Whether in a rainforest or a desert, Puerto Rico has some of the most stunning flowers on earth!

15 Most Beautiful Flowers Native to Puerto Rico

Located between the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and…