Patrick Sather
Author for A-Z Animals

Also known as the Rio Bravo or Rio Bravo del Norte, the Rio Grande River is one of the most vital waterways in the southwestern United States. Additionally, the valley… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Rhode Island ranks as the smallest state in the United States and the seventh-least populous. However, this tiny state boasts the second-highest population density in the country. With so many… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

When most people think of Los Angeles, they think of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and sunny beaches. With a population of 3.8 million, Los Angeles ranks as the second-largest city in… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Located in the Midwestern region of the United States, Missouri has a rich cultural history. Humans have lived in Missouri for at least 12,000 years, and the state played an… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park is one of the most unique geographical locations in the United States. The park resides at the intersection of the Colorado Plateau, the… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

The Yukon River is the largest river in Alaska and the Yukon, Canada. The river was so important to the area that the Yukon gets its name from the river.… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Nestled along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina lies the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park’s name comes from the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Key Points The Tennessee River gets its name from the Cherokee town, Tanasi, a historic community in modern-day Monroe County, Tennessee. The river provides power, irrigates cropland, and serves as… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

One of the most geographically diverse states in the United States, Oregon is a land of majestic beauty. The state contains volcanos, dense evergreen and mixed forests, high deserts, and… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Known as the Great Lake State, Michigan is a beautiful state bounded by giant lakes. The dense forests and rugged mountains of the Upper Peninsula make the ideal habitat for… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

The Yellowstone River may not be the longest river in the United States, but it’s one of the most impressive.  Today, many of the longest rivers in the U.S. and… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Named after the yellow-colored rocks along stretches of the river, the Yellowstone River is one of the most scenic waterways in the United States. The river has a captivating history… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Key Points: The Yellowstone River’s origins begin in northwestern Wyoming. The river starts in the Rocky Mountains. All told, the Yellowstone River measures approximately 692 miles long. It passes through… Read More

By Patrick Sather 1 year ago

Pagophilus groenlandicus is better known as the harp seal, Saddleback Seal, or Greenland Seal. Native to the Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans, harp seals are earless (true) seals of the… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Kiwis are small brown birds native to the island of New Zealand. Members of the genus Apteryx in the family Apterygidae, kiwis are ratites and therefore closely related to ostriches,… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The word centipede comes from the Latin words for hundred (centi) and foot (pedis). Centipedes are arthropods that belong to the class Chilopoda in the subphylum Myriapoda, which also contains… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Turritopsis dohrnii also goes by the more commonly known name, the immortal jellyfish. Mature specimens look bell-shaped and measure about 0.18 inches wide and around as tall. Unlike most animals,… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Manta rays have mouths in front of their heads while a stingray's mouth is under its head. Manta rays belong to the genus Mobula in the family Mobulidae. There are… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The horseshoe crab is an arthropod in the family Limulidae. These living fossils have been around for millions of years, but few of the numerous species still roam the earth.… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The Maltese are small dogs in the toy group or lap dog group. Maltese feature a dense, glossy, single coat of pure white or pale ivory hair without curls. They… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The muskrat, or Ondatra zibethicus, is a member of the rodent family Cricetidae and the only surviving member of the genus Ondatra. Despite its name, it is not a rat… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Nasalis larvatus, or proboscis monkeys, belong to the Cercopithecidae family of Old World monkeys. Their close relatives include such species as baboons, red colobus, and macaques. They appear predominantly reddish-brown… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is a subspecies of leopard native to eastern Russian and northern China. A member of the subfamily Pantherinae which includes lions, tigers, and jaguars,… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The Boston Terrier is a non-sporting dog breed that hails from the United States. Boston Terriers are a compact, sturdy breed, measuring between 9 and 17 inches tall and weighing… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

American robins are a common sight throughout North America. The American robin, Turdus migratorius, is one of the most common and iconic birds in North America. A member of the… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The Burmese python, Python bivittatus, is one of the largest and most well-known snakes in the world. These giant snakes are native to Southeast Asia and get their name from… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Macaws are New World parrots that belong to the true parrot family Psittacidae. Thanks to their bright color and vocal nature, they are some of the most popular birds in… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Koi fish are some of the most colorful and admired fish in the world. Known in Japan as nishikigoi, or brocaded carp, koi make popular attractions in ponds and gardens.… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Muntjacs are small deer belonging to the family Cervidae in the genus Muntiacus. They also go by the name rib-faced deer or barking deer. These predominantly solitary creatures appear mostly… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The Florida panther (Puma concolor couguar), also goes by the name the Costa Rican puma, Florida cougar, and Florida puma. It ranges throughout southern Florida and is one of the… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Wolf spiders are ground hunters that belong to the family Lycosidae. In total, they comprise nearly 124 genera and over 2800 known species. You can find wolf spiders on every… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Electric eels are simultaneously one of the most notorious and mysterious fish in the world. Since their discovery nearly 250 years ago, they have been reclassified several times, and new… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Also known as the wiener dog, badger dog, or sausage dog, the dachshund is an iconic dog breed. It belongs to the hound or terrier family, with some breeders arguing… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The white-banded crab spider's favorite ambush tactic involves waiting on the petals or leaves of flowers and grabbing pollinating insects. When most people think of Wisconsin, they think of cheese,… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Geckos are reptiles belonging to the infraorder Gekkota. There exist nearly 1,500 different gecko species worldwide distributed across every continent except Antarctica. Geckos range in size from the 14-inch long… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Bumblebees get their name from the word bumble, which means to buzz, hum, or move about awkwardly or indistinctly. All 250 extant bumblebee species belong to the genus Bombus, from… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Tortoises belong to the family Testudinidae. While all tortoises are turtles, not all turtles are tortoises. They range in size from just a few inches to nearly 4 feet long… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Lemurs are a diverse group that includes 8 families, 15 genera, and over 100 different species. They come in a range of shapes, colors, and sizes, such as the tiny… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The term dung beetle refers to numerous species in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. Most dung beetles belong to the subfamilies Aphodiinae and Scarabaeinae, the latter of which are often called true… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) belongs to the heron family Ardeidae. The scientific name derives from the Latin word ardea and the Greek word erōdios, which both mean “heron.”… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

West Virginia's official nickname is The Mountain State, which makes sense given its location in the Appalachian Mountains. The state's rugged geography has allowed it to harbor many species of… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

Wyoming is known for its rugged scenery, including mountains, hot springs, and forests. The Equality State is also home to many different kinds of plants and animals, ranging from bison… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

The macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus, is part of the genus known as crested penguins. Eudyptes comes from the Greek words eu and dyptes meaning “good” and “diver,” while the words… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago

When most people think of Washington they think of Seattle, Starbucks or its several successful sports teams. At the same time, The Evergreen State also features breathtaking scenery and is… Read More

By Patrick Sather 2 years ago